George Mason News

One of the brightest stars to come out of the DC metro area kids' music scene is Parents' Choice Award-winning Rainbow Rock Band, which performs more than 120 live shows each year. Kids and families around the country await the appearance of the band's second album, Total Eclipse of the Rainbow, which is set for release on October 5, 2018.

Erblin Nushi's heart wrenching story Bini shares the story of a young boy whose family is sent to a refugee camp during the 1999 Kosovar War, this film is based on the true story of the director, who lived this nightmare as child. This gripping tale is one out of only eight finalists at the Student Academy Awards and Erblin is the only undergraduate amongst all the finalists.

Tackling Macbeth is no minor feat. Few shows inspire as much dread both onstage and off as Shakespeare's "Scottish Play." Daringly dark in both plot and theme, Macbeth relies heavily on the performances of the eponymous Scot and his wife to propel the plot along compellingly and with varying intensity. 4615 Theatre Company's production, unfortunately, falls victim to most of the pitfalls which riddle this complicated work. The final result is a revival which is bogged down by a slow-paced first act and lead performances which are unable to reveal anything new about this work.

Whatever happened to the theatrical thriller? There's something so incredibly fulfilling about a play that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Too often, there are elements that can pull you out of a thrilling production. It can be the smallest thing: from a flickering stage light to a fumbling actor. Thankfully for 4615 Theatre Company, their production of Dinner by Moira Buffini is devoid of any of these downfalls. Instead, the play comes together to create a sumptuous treat that will leave you wanting more.

'One of my questions after reading the play was, 'Do you have to feel guilty in order to go to heaven, so you won't ever have to feel guilt again?' I think Del Shores grapples with that theme, so there is a lot of gut-wrenching guilt presented here.  Within the self-loathing there are opportunities for seeing irony, folly and some bits of joy.'

"How Hope Happens," the Fourth Season at Mosaic Theater Company, will open with Marie and Rosetta, written by George Brant and directed by local artist Sandra L. Holloway. This play featuring gospel music, blues, and rock n' roll tells the story of the first rehearsal between Sister Rosetta Tharpe (recently inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame), and her young protegee Marie Knight.

Capital Fringe productions tend to have a lot of ambition. No matter the quality of the show, there is a clear underlining of a message the playwright wants to get across to their audience. When this message is unclear, however, the work can begin to falter. Unfortunately, this is the kind of scenario that befalls two promising productions at the Festival: God is Dead and April's Getting Married and A Two Woman Hamlet. Neither is bad, per se, but each show fails at living up to the promise of their premises.

The City Parks Foundation SummerStage Concert Series presents over 100 shows in all 5 NYC Boroughs throughout the Summer. The best part? Almost every show is free and curated specifically for the neighborhood it's presented in. We are committed to presenting Dance in communities, and to making this art form accessible to all through performances, workshops and panels across the city. Over the next few weeks, can't miss dance events from companies like Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Bombazo Dance Co, Kyle Abraham's Abraham.In.Motion, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and more will be hitting stages across the city. Additionally, a few special workshops will be offered in conjunction with these performances.

With over 80 plays to choose from, Capital Fringe Festival can be overwhelming for the average theatergoer. There are plenty of good choices ranging from over-the-top comedies to funky experimental dramas to allegories and satires and everything in between. Obviously, with so many offerings, there will be works that fail to execute their artistic vision effectively. Thankfully, Derek Hills's Shopworn, which opened on Tuesday night at Capital Fringe's Orange venue (Christ United Methodist Church), is a true diamond in the rough: a family drama that provides modern commentary without getting too preachy. It is thoroughly delightful and a perfect selection for Fringe veterans and first-timers alike.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces artistic updates, including select cast members for upcoming productions, as part of the company's 2018/19 programming.

Pippin may be one of the most timeless American musicals ever written. No matter when or where it is presented, the production is easily molded to fit the social circumstances of the day. Whether the original Fosse-helmed production, the Diane Paulus circus-themed 2013 revival, or a regional production that falls in between, Pippin's journey of self-discovery is one that allows for-even encourages-reinvention and improvement. Fresh off their victory of The John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company at this May's Helen Hayes Awards, Monumental Theatre Company's newest production presents Pippin as a coming of age tale for the millennial generation. The millennial spin is understandable but, unfortunately, the execution prevents Pippin's extraordinary tale from becoming more than an ordinary revival.

A good title is everything. It sets up the entire tone of a production before any audience members have filed into a theater space. Undoubtedly, Lesbians and the Men Who Love Them has one of the most intriguing titles of the 80+ shows participating in the Capital Fringe Festival. It's a shame that the rest of the production doesn't pique the same intrigue.

How far would you go to reunite with a deceased loved one? That's the central question posed by 'Ghosts', an all-new horror drama written by Elford Alley and directed by Springfield native and George Mason alum Kathleen Barth for the Capital Fringe Festival 2018. 'Ghosts' follows Levi (Evan Crump) as he attempts to communicate with the paranormal using a mysterious device. Of course, all is not as it seems as Levi discovers the device's hidden secrets with ramifications that reveal as much about himself as his family's past.

Continuing its cross-country tour, John Strand's critically-acclaimed political drama The Originalist, based on the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, will play at 59E59 Theaters under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith.

McDaniel College offers a variety of art, music, theatre, literary, film and other events during the fall of 2018. 

An original devised play, The Tragical Comical Fool's Game (Or, Nun of Your Business) follows Bella (an almost nun) as she grapples with her destiny and a crazy crew of characters all trying to sway her in various directions. Very (very) loosely based on Measure for Measure, The Fool's Game shows on July 10th at 5pm, 11th at 7pm, 18th at 9:15pm, 21st at 6:15pm, and 26th at 5pm. It runs approximately one hour. All performances will be held at the Christ United Methodist Church at 900 4th Street, SW - Orange Venue. Individual tickets go for $17 and can be purchased on the Capital Fringe website. Please note that you will need a Capital Fringe button ($5 through July 6th) to enter the venue!

The Foreplay, a comedic play by Michael Knight, will be presented by Something Clever Productions, in association with Generation Productions (Heathers, First Date, Hand To God), at The Venue in Orlando, Florida on June 30th and July 1st, 2018.

Peter Pan is possibly one of the most commonly adapted and re-adapted works for the stage. From Peter and the Starcatcher to Finding Neverland and everything in between, there are constant tweaks and updates to this classic that make it resonate with new generations. Adventure Theatre's newest adaption, Tinker Bell, is a good family-friendly adaptation and is worth visiting just for the sheer fun. Patrick Flynn's script, however, runs out of pixie dust before the work can reveal anything about the story that hasn't already been heard.