Jennifer Perry News

If the rousing and prolonged applause and immediate standing ovation is any indication, this show is going to wow local audiences all throughout the summer.

A cast of Broadway and television actors with vocal, dance, and comedy chops to spare join with a much-loved featured local theater star to deliver a must-see, entertaining semi-staged performance of the Pulitzer Prize-winning (1962) musical comedy.

Featuring one of the most eclectic set lists I've encountered in recent years, Lea Michele and Darren Criss' - of 'Glee' and Broadway fame - one-night-only concert at the Kennedy Center was nothing short of entertaining and delightful.

Featuring a compelling script, some of the best acting you're bound to see anywhere locally (most notably from Jon Hudson Odom) under the swift and inspired direction by Marti Lyons, and strong production elements (even music!), this is an unpredictable "only at Woolly" experience you won't want to miss. It's especially perfect for Pride Month.

The musical adaptation of Adrienne Shelly's screenplay WAITRESS made history on Broadway when it came in with the first all-female creative team led by Director Diane Paulus. However, it's noteworthy for another reason - Sara Bareilles' varied, character-driven music and lyrics that would, in any other year, probably have won the Tony Award. These are not the only selling points for the current national tour though. Some strong casting, a fierce band fully integrated into the diner setting (led by DC's own tremendously talented Jenny Cartney), and female characters you want to root for in Jessie Nelson's book make this one to see.

Last night, Kinky Boots welcomed its new stars, Tyler Glenn (lead singer of the multi-platinum rock band, Neon Trees) as "Charlie Price" and Carrie St. Louis as "Lauren.' Also, J. Harrison Ghee returned to the cast as "Lola.'

The combination of all of these voices and musicians sharing this powerful story set the concert on a good footing, initially. Unfortunately, the evening ended up being a disappointment.

While the musical itself may not be my personal cup of tea as a whole, some catchy music (performed by a killer all-female band and two endearing actors) and the sweet, throwback story make it worthy of some positive attention.

On May 3 and 4, 2018, the Music Center at Strathmore just outside of Washington, DC will play host to the world premiere of IRON & COAL. In the lead up to the concert, composer and performer Jeremy Schonfeld took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions via email about the concert, his approach to music, and more.

While the musical is not quite perfect, it's the strongest one I've seen this season in the DC area. I hope it has a future life beyond the production in Juneau later this year. It deserves it.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents An Evening with Aaron Lazar: From Broadway to Hollywood on June 8 and June 9 at 7 p.m.. With almost a dozen Broadway credits to his name, including Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, A Little Night Music and The Phantom of the Opera, Aaron Lazar creates a seamless cabaret which features both high-quality singing and a humorous story through-line that can bring an audience to their feet.

Kinky Boots announced today that Tyler Glenn (lead singer of the multi-platinum rock band, Neon Trees) will take over the role of "Charlie Price" in the Tony Award®-winning musical Kinky Boots.

Kinky Boots producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig are thrilled to announce today that the hit musical Kinky Boots celebrates its five-year anniversary on Broadway on Wednesday, April 4 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th St.) . The winner of six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots features a Tony Award-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, a book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.

A solid production worth the effort to see.

The Kennedy Center's production of IN THE HEIGHTS concluded its run yesterday. Anthony Ramos, who originated the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton, starred as Usnavi in the Broadway Center Stage production of In the Heights at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Presented as a part of the inaugural season of Broadway Center Stage, a Kennedy Center-produced series of musicals in semi-staged concerts, In the Heights ran March 21-25, 2018 in the Eisenhower Theater.

With the juggernaut that is Hamilton playing DC this summer, it was probably a good marketing strategy for the Kennedy Center to use its new Broadway Center Stage series to (re)-introduce local audiences to Lin-Manuel Miranda's first Broadway musical, the Tony Award-winning In the Heights. Avid local theatergoers have likely seen the show before and fairly recently at that. Last season, Olney Theater Center and Round House Theatre co-produced a well-received production and GALA Hispanic Theatre presented the U.S. Spanish language premiere. However, the five-night, sold out run at Kennedy Center offers another look at the show - this time with an Encores-like staging featuring some of Broadway's best talent directed by original cast member Stephanie Klemons.

The show, aptly titled 'The Story Goes On,' featured an eclectic set list, but there was one common thread - each song was exceptionally well sung.

Wayne Brady stepped back into his heels as 'Lola' in the Tony Award -winning musical Kinky Boots last night, March 5, 2018. He will play a strictly limited run through Friday, April 26, 2018.

This production is worthy of an audience based on the story alone.