James Gardiner News

Nowadays, when you go a musical on Broadway or elsewhere, chances are the orchestra isn't in full view. Gone are the days when you were able to look in the orchestra pit and see the musicians. For all you know, they could be playing in a totally different room.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. Two and a half weeks of live music and performances by Signature favorites and DC area stars. The cabaret series runs July 19 through August 4, with a different performance every night.

Last week, I introduced you to ten performers in Signature Theatre's current production of Kander and Ebb's final, complete collaboration, The Scottsboro Boys, which runs through July 1st. This included eight of the nine gentlemen who play the African American men who were falsely accused of raping two Caucasian women, as well as two others who play the minstrel characters known as Mr. Bones and Mr. Tambo.

I always say the best kind of theater educates as well as entertains. If you walk out of the theater a little uncomfortable about what you just saw then a piece like The Scottsboro Boys has done its job in full. The final complete collaboration of Broadway's legendary writing team of John Kander and Fred Ebb tells the story of nine young African American men falsely accused of raping two young Caucasian women in the 1930s. Signature Theatre is currently presenting this groundbreaking musical now through July 1st.

In celebration of Wicked's 14th anniversary, New York actor and musician David Rowen has created a music video featuring an a cappella medley of music from Wicked, The Wiz, and The Wizard of Oz. Check it out below!

Maplewood Playhouse kicks off their inaugural season with Glory Days, an endearing musical with a rocking, heartfelt score. Bringing live theater back to the new Lake Park Art's District, Glory Days opens September 8th at the vibrant and revitalized Kelsey Theater.

Today's subject Tracy Lynn Olivera is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre as the stalwart countess Charlotte in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning musical, A Little Night Music. The production runs through October 8th in Signature's Max Theatre.

Maplewood Playhouse kicks off their inaugural season with Glory Days, an endearing musical with a rocking, heartfelt score. Bringing live theater back to the new Lake Park Art's District, Glory Days opens September 8th at the vibrant and revitalized Kelsey Theater.

Today's subject Florence Lacey is currently living her theatre life at Signature Theatre where she is preparing to start performances of A Little Night Music in the role of Madame Armfeldt. The production runs August 15th through October 8th

Today's subject Natascia Diaz is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre playing the whore with a heart Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Joe Calarco. The production runs through July 2nd. Previously she appeared at Signature in West Side Story, The Threepenny Opera (2015 Hayes Award nomination), and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Today's subjects, Sherri Edelen and Thomas Adrian Simpson, are currently living their theatre lives in tech for Jesus Christ Superstar at Signature Theatre. Thomas is playing the high priest Caiaphas and Sheri, in a brilliant turn of non-traditional casting, will be playing King Herod. The production runs from May 9th to July 2nd.

Just last night, Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre honored legendary Broadway producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, LES MISERABLES) with the company's eighth Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009, is given to an individual for his or her career contributions to interpreting, supporting, and collaborating on Stephen Sondheim's music works.

'Lost In Translation' producer Ross Katz will helm a big screen adaptation of Nick Blaemire's modern musical A LITTLE MORE ALIVE.

Today's subject Corey Mach is currently living his theatre life as part of a play that deals with a true “legend” of pop music. I'm referring to that off-pitch sensation Mrs. Miller. Corey Mach portrays her accompanist Simon Bock in Mrs.Miller Does her Thing, which is now playing at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia through March 26th.

Today's subject (click on the name for lots of great music) Josh Schmidt is currently living his theatre life at Signature Theatre as the composer/co-lyricist and orchestrator of the world premiere musical Midwestern Gothic. The production runs from March 14 to April 30.

This is the final week to see Keen Company's acclaimed new production of Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick...BOOM! After a historic (for Keen Company!) 11-week run, Tick, Tick...BOOM! will play its final performance this Sunday, December 18th.

Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein recently announced that Keen's acclaimed new production of Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick...BOOM! would play an extended run through December 18th. Beginning tonight, November 22nd, Lilli Cooper, seen on Broadway in Spring Awakening and Wicked, will take over the role of Susan.