Matt Conner News

There is nothing outright wrong with Thunder Knocking on the Door, the blues-filled musical which opened at Creative Cauldron this past Saturday. But there isn't much that is right with it either. Overall, the production is a firmly middle-of-the-road endeavor where the mismatched cast are unable to elevate the subpar source material. At the end of the day, this is a show that thinks it has more to say that it actually does.

The mysterious guitar playing shapeshifter knocks on Creative Cauldron's doors again in Thunder Knocking on the Door, a blues musical fable written by Keith Glover, with lyrics and music by three-time Grammy award winner Keb' Mo' and Anderson Edwards. The acclaimed artists behind Creative Cauldron's Bold New Works productions, Stephen Gregory Smith and Matt Conner, are directing and choreographing the production. Smith received praise for his gorgeously and lovingly directed Thunder Knocking at the Door production, which played a sold out run at Creative Cauldron back in 2013. The show runs from February 14 March 10 at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30PM, Fridays at 7:30PM, Saturdays at 7:30PM, and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM. Press Night is Saturday, February 16th at 7:30 pm.

Madeline's back at Creative Cauldron this holiday season in Madeline's Christmas, returning December 6 - 23, 2018. Adapted from the classic children's book by the beloved author and illustrator, Ludwig Bemelmans, this delightful production returns after two sold-out runs in 2014 and 2017. Librettist Jennifer Kirkeby and composer Shirley Mier artfully tell Madeline's story, while director Matt Conner brings this exciting adventure to life. Veteran Scenic and Costume Designer, Margie Jervis, and Lighting Designer, John Sami have once again created a whimsical visual world for the production inspired by Bemelmans' timeless illustrations. Madeline's Christmas runs from December 6th through December 23rd, 2018 at Creative Cauldron, 410 South Maple Avenue. Show times are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm. And 4:00 pm. There will also be showings Tuesday, December 18th and Wednesday, December 19th at 7:30 pm. Press Night is Saturday, December 8th at 7:30 pm.

If your interest is piqued by the words "Edgar Allan Poe" and "musical" and "October", you're likely to enjoy the Matt Conner-directed NEVERMORE at Creative Cauldron. It returns seven years after its first production with a set of top-notch actors delivering verses of Poe's poetry set to Conner's haunting melodies.

Creative Cauldron opens its 2018-2019 season with Nevermore, the hauntingly beautiful musical written by resident composer and director, Matt Conner and writer, Grace Barnes. Nevermore draws from the poetry and short stories of the iconic Edgar Allan Poe. After its premiere at Signature Theatre in 2006, The Washington Post hailed Nevermore for its 'romantic music, ablaze with feeling.' Following its 2011 run at Creative Cauldron, Nevermore earned Creative Cauldron its first Helen Hayes Award recommendation. This imaginative musical delves deep into Poe's psyche and explores his gripping obsession with the pivotal women who seemingly haunt his tortured existence. The production will run through October 28 at Creative Cauldron, Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue. Performances are Thursdays at 8:00PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 8:00PM, and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:00PM. 

The 2018-19 Season marks Creative Cauldron's tenth year producing and presenting live theater and music. This season includes a diverse range of programming for adults and families alike. Highlighting the season will be a world premiere musical, On Air, written by internationally produced duo Stephen Gregory Smith and Matt Conner. On Air is the final installment of Creative Cauldron's five-year "Bold New Works for Intimate Stages" initiative.

Creative Cauldron's Annual Summer Cabaret and Concert Series will be held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from July 6th through September 15th at Creative Cauldron, 410 South Maple Avenue. The Summer Cabaret and Concert Series treats audiences to performances by some of the finest musical theatre talent in the Washington, DC-Metro area.

Creative Cauldron presents a beguiling new version of E.B. White's beloved classic story Charlotte's Web with music and lyrics by Broadway composer Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie) and a book adapted by national award-winning playwright, Joseph Robinette. E.B. White's classic tells the story of Wilbur, a little pig who becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte the spider and their animal friends. The beautiful lessons of friendship and loyalty embedded in the story have made this tale one of the most famous classics of children's literature. Press night for Charlotte's Web is Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 8:00 PM at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 South Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA.

Witches are not sexy. They are a representation of centuries of oppression women did (and still do) experience for doing things they shouldn't. Creative Cauldron's new production of Witch, part of their Bold New Works for Intimate Stages initiative, simultaneously educates audiences of the injustices 'witches' throughout history face while paralleling the tales with modern struggles for equality. The evening is largely a success, revealing the ways this once deadly moniker can be a beacon of girl power for the 21st century. With America at a crossroads for gender equality, works like this are essential in sparking conversations necessary for our society's advancement.

Creative Cauldron presents Witch, the fourth installment in its "Bold New Works for Intimate Stages" world premiere musical series written and composed by the internationally recognized creative team Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith. "Witch channels the zeitgeist of the current "Me To" and "Time's Up" movements while examining the cultural roots of misogyny and inequality across centuries and cultures," stated Producing Director Laura Connors Hull

The nominees for the 2018 Helen Hayes Awards were announced on February 5, 2018. One of the country's most prestigious cultural honors, The Helen Hayes Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery set the scene for the announcement of nominees in 47 categories for artistic excellence, and the theatre companies eligible for the 2017 John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The recipient of the 2018 Helen Hayes Tribute will be announced shortly.

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Creative Cauldron's A LITTLE PRINCESS SARA CREWE is a charming take on the classic. Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith infuse the time-worn story with delightful original songs, which the children of the Learning Theater Ensemble take on with infectious enthusiasm.

Creative Cauldron's Learning Theater Ensemble presents an original adaptation of A Little Princess Sara Crewe, the beloved children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Featuring a book by Ellen Selby, music by Matt Conner and lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith, A Little Princess captures the spirit of the novel and its salute to the power of imagination. Directed by Ellen Selby and Creative Cauldron Producing Director, Laura Connors Hull, A Little Princess Sara Crew will run from November 3rd through 19th, 2017 at ArtSpace Falls Church. Press Night for A Little Princess is Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 7:30 PM.

Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, VA is dedicating their season to women and their unique stories. The season's current nod to its dedication is The Mistress Cycle. Appropriately, two women wrote the book and music: Beth Blatt and Jenny Giering. At its core, The Mistress Cycle is a show by women for women.

Creative Cauldron opens the 2017-18 season with the DC area premiere of an intelligent and thought-provoking new musical, The Mistress Cycle. Creative Cauldron Artistic Associate Matt Conner is directing the production. Created by an award-winning female musical theater creative team, Beth Blatt (Book and Lyrics) and Jenny Giering (Music), The Mistress Cycle tells the story of five mistresses from different times and cultures.

The 2017-18 Season will mark Creative Cauldron's ninth year producing and presenting live theater and music at ArtSpace Falls Church. The season includes a diverse range of programming for adults and families alike.

Creative Cauldron opens the 2017-18 season with the DC area premiere of an intelligent and thought-provoking new musical, The Mistress Cycle. Creative Cauldron Artistic Associate Matt Conner is directing the production. Created by an award-winning female musical theater creative team, Beth Blatt (Book and Lyrics) and Jenny Giering (Music), The Mistress Cycle tells the story of five mistresses from different times and cultures.

The 2017-18 Season will mark Creative Cauldron's ninth year producing and presenting live theater and music at ArtSpace Falls Church. The season includes a diverse range of programming for adults and families alike.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its doors for its annual Open House on Sunday, August 6, for an all-day extravaganza full of live performances and arts events across six different stages.

Exeunt Productions in association with La Ti Do Productions present concert selections from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Penn Social today, June 29th at 11:30pm.