Rachael F. Goldberg - Page 6

'Shame 2.0' is a workshop with tremendous potential and interesting stories to tell. It's a complicated show about a complicated issue, but it also brings out universal themes that transcend race, nationality, and political ideologies. It's certainly worth seeing, and, with time, will sharpen into a powerful piece of art.

Robert Richmond is the director of Folger Theatre's upcoming production of Nell Gwynn. Richmond has directed a number of productions for Folger Theatre in DC and served as the Associate Artistic Director of the Aquilla Company in New York City. He currently is the Department Chair and Artistic Director of the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance.

Jeffrey manages to be funny, heartbreaking, and incredibly profound, with its core message of embracing life radiating throughout. It's a wonderful show produced by a wonderful team.

Creators Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw teamed up with composer Charlie Barnett to produce a musical that is sweet, earnest, smart, and sensitive. It may be a lofty goal to hope that '19: The Musical' achieves 'Hamilton'-like heights, but, much like the women it portrays, it's certainly up to the task and should not be underestimated.

'19: The Musical' is the brainchild of Through the 4th Wall co-founders, Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw. Both DC natives, Schwed and Bradshaw conceived the idea of a musical about the passage of the 19th Amendment back in 2016, and have been overseeing workshops and concert performances for a little over a year, with an eye toward a full production in time for the Amendment's centennial in 2020.

On its surface, 'Oh God!' is a fun and witty comedy. And yet, what makes it a masterpiece isn't just the humor, but also the deeper philosophies and truths of humanity that it touches on. The show balances comedy with a clear and pensive look at the world, at religion, and at how we treat ourselves and others.

Put simply, Folger Consort's 'A Christmas Messe' is a masterful blend of music and theatre that creates a beautifully satisfying feast for the soul. Dig in, and enjoy.

While it makes a worthy effort to introduce people to the arts, 'The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me' simply misses the mark. Despite its wonderful cast, the show has far too many flaws for this to be a worthy introduction to a love for theatre.

With a stellar cast and fantastic costumes and sets, 'Beautiful' serves as the perfect escape into a world of fun, music, and sentimentality. It's a lovely show with an empowering message, and you'll walk out ready to turn back around and see it again. Or, at the very least, go home and play the cast album and King's 'Tapestry' on repeat.

Mark Campbell is a DC native, and librettist of 28 operas, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera 'Silent Night,' which is currently playing at the Kennedy Center. Campbell has also written a number of musicals, and is currently working on multiple projects.

Overall, Keegan Theatre's musical rendition of 'As You Like It' is whimsical and fun, with some light social commentary of love and acceptance. Despite some rough edges, the production is an enjoyable experience.

'Venus in Fur' is a vivid and wonderful production that taps into themes of gender norms, sexuality, and power, and features a fantastic cast. It's certainly an experience you'll want to indulge in. Seating is extremely limited, but that's part of the charm.

Playwright Mat Smart's 'The Agitators' opens at Atlas Performing Arts Center on October 29th, and runs through November 25th. The play is a compelling exploration of the fascinating friendship between Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass.

Marni Penning is an audiobook narrator, playwright, acting coach, children's book illustrator, two-time Helen Hayes Award nominee, and other-award-winning actress who lives with her husband, son, dog, fish, and chickens in Falls Church, VA. She is starring as Susan B. Anthony in Mosaic Theater Company's upcoming production, The Agitators.

Anon(ymous) is heartfelt, haunting, and timely, and serves not only as a reminder of the darkness in our world, but also of the kindness and hope we can see even in the worst of times.

Chicago Theater Unspeakable's 'American Revolution' is unique, entertaining, and powerful, and it's not just for kids.

King John is Aaron Posner's twentieth directing project with the Folger Theatre. He is a two-time recipient of the Helen Hayes Award, and is also the director of Ford Theatre's current production, Born Yesterday.

Kate Eastwood Norris stars as Philip the Bastard in Folger Theatre's upcoming production of King John. She is a two-time recipient of the Helen Hayes Award, and has been challenging gender expectations in casting for most of her career.

The play that Signature presents is actually an endearing and endearingly awkward love story between two people, but 'Heisenberg' is lacking, well, the Heisenberg.

I really wanted to like "Lincolnesque." But, although it is presented well, the show struggles on a number of fronts and never quite reaches the heights of its aspirations.