Benjamin Tomchik - Page 9

It's delightful, it's delicious – it's cliché to use the lyrics from “It's De-Lovely” when describing a Cole Porter production, I know. But when it comes to a production which not only tells his story, but seeks to educate the audience about why Porter was one of the geniuses of American musical theater, it only seems appropriate. The Cole Porter Project at the In Series is a charming tribute to Porter and one that shouldn't be missed by theater enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates well-composed songs with intelligent, witty, sophisticated, proactive and timeless lyrics.

Much like the ocean waters in which the show's title character resides, Washington National Opera's production of Moby-Dick is a bit choppy at times but is nevertheless an imaginative and soaring production. Transferring Herman Melville's 1851 novel into an opera is not an enviable task by any means. Yet, by reframing the story and having it be told in an active voice, rather than the novel's narrative tone, composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer have created a solid work, complete with a gorgeous score, stunning vocals and an eye catching visual design.

Audiences were forewarned when Carolyn Cole stepped onto the stage and announced that her Farewell Tour was, "Not yo momma's cabaret" and that it was going to be a unique evening. Aside from the brief tease of Gypsy's "Let Me Entertain You," Cole's performance was an unexpected departure from the musical standards one might except from a Signature Theatre production and was a passionate tribute to the rock standards which greatly influenced her life.

With temperatures dropping and a winter storm descending upon our nation's capital, audiences only had to look at the gaze in Chelsea Packard's eyes for warmth as she joined her husband Geoff in performing Our Funny Valentine in Signature's Ark Theatre. This affectionate and eclectic cabaret blended music and song to tell their story and celebrate love. It was a performance worth coming out for, despite Mother Nature's best intentions!

Written and performed by Daniel Beaty, Arena Stage's The Tallest Tree in the Forest examines what happens when art meets advocacy and the inherit tension between the two as experienced by the late entertainer Paul Robeson.

When Anu Yadav takes her bow at the end of Meena's Dream the audience is left to do a double-take. For the last 80 minutes Yadav has transformed herself into more than half a dozen characters. Each with a personality that is so distinct, so rich, that when finally reminded at the curtain call that all these characters were played by Yadav herself we're left to sit there in amazement. Meena's Dream is more than just a marvelous play; it is a heartfelt fable which reminds us about the power of dreams.

Fans of the television shows Pawn Stars and Downton Abbey will find a lot to enjoy in Washington Stage Guild's production of The Old Masters. Simon Gray's play incorporates elements of art authentication and the survival of an aristocratic family into its plot. However, theatergoers who favor a well constructed play will not find The Old Masters as enjoyable. For a play about the identity crisis of a painting's artist, The Old Masters lacks a focal point and never quite settles on what it wants to be.

Anyone looking for a reprieve from the madness of the holiday season should look no further than the Holiday Follies at Signature Theatre. This charming Christmas present of a cabaret show wonderfully combines humor, audience participation and a catalogue of both conventional and unconventional holiday songs to create an evening of pure fun.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a thought-provoking play that challenges us by asking pointed questions regarding equality and love in a heart-warming production at Arena Stage.

Many would hesitate at the thought of spending an entire day at the theater. Yet Studio Theatre's production of The Apple Family Plays leaves you begging for more at the end. The Apple Family Plays not only meets the standard of great theater, but exceeds it in every way with this not-to-be-missed theatrical event. If art is a reflection of life, then The Apple Family Plays at Studio Theatre are intelligent reflections of the ongoing civic debates in society and foreshadow the likely situations, characters and conversations many of us will encounter.

When the legendary performer Lena Horne told Maurice Hines to 'Love them [the audience], make it real' you can tell he took that advice to heart when conceiving Tappin' Thru Life currently playing at Arena Stage. For Tappin' Thru Life seems determined not only to love the audience, but to entertain them, and it succeeds at doing just that! While Tappin' Thru Life does have some flaws, it's hard to find anyone who isn't won over by Hines showmanship, humor, timing and above all else, talent.

Upon first glance, Godiva Dates & One Night Stands may appear to be one more in a long litany of single-character shows which seek to explore the aftereffects of romantic encounters. And in many ways it is. But to describe Godiva Dates & One Night Stands as your stereotypical one-person show would be to sell author Regie Cabico's tour-de-force performance and this exciting piece unbelievably short.

Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros's masterfully written play is not meant to be another exhaustive debate on the issue of abortion. It simply asks us to watch the play not through the prism of our own beliefs, but through the actions of the characters onstage. Theater J's production asks a lot of questions, which is what good theater is supposed to do. It asks us to reconsider our beliefs and challenge our curiosity. The Argument at Theater J is theater at its finest and definitely worth seeing.

Can a play marked by ambiguity be successfully told? Are memory and imagination two opposing or complimentary forces? Both are questions which inhabit and seek to be answered in Spooky Action Theater's riveting production of Tennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play.

If you disregard the Molotov cocktails which litter the set, then The Velocity of Autumn is a poignant comedy about a situation countless theatergoers can relate to. And yet the explosives that surround the set in Arena Stage's production of Eric Coble's terrific new play are symbolic reminders about just how hard the human spirit will fight to retain freedom, even as the human body confines us to a different fate.

Watching Keegan Theatre's production of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys is akin to watching comedians from your grandparent's generation. There are a few chuckles, a feeling of familiarity and ultimately a sense of twilight on a fading past. Keegan Theatre's production is solid; however the same cannot be said for Neil Simon's play.

Cabarets allow the audience to get better acquainted with a performer. But for Heidi Blickenstaff, that's a unique challenge because she has already been involved in two semi-autobiographical musicals: Title of Show and Now. Here. This. However, for anyone to think that those two musicals are all there is to Heidi Blickenstaff would be to underestimate one of Broadway's exceptional talents!