Nova Y. Payton News

On March 4, 2019 Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Audra McDonald will receive the 2019 Stephen Sondheim Award, to be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential musical theater writer and composer, benefits Signature's artistic, education and community programs. Broadway stars Cynthia Erivo and Heidi Blickenstaff will perform in Audra's honor along with Washington's own Tracy Lynn Olivera and Nova Y. Payton.

Today's subject, Kevin McAllister, always has dynamic stage presence no matter the production. Currently he is living his theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre singing the Ken Page track in Ain't Misbehavin'. The production runs through March 10th in Signature Theatre's MAX space.

It's hard to believe that it's been over 40 years now since a little revue that started at New York's Manhattan Theatre Club took Broadway by storm. The show was Ain't Misbehavin' and if you didn't know who composer Thomas “Fats” Waller was before, you did after seeing this show. It also made Nell Carter a star and garnered her a television series called Gimme a Break. Besides Carter the cast was comprised of Charlaine Woodard, Armelia McQueen, Andre De Shields, and Ken Page. When the original cast returned for a Broadway revival of the show in the 80's, Nell Carter received star billing even though the show is truly an ensemble piece. Ah, the power of television.

Signature Theatre presents Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show directed by Signature Theatre's Director of New Works Joe Calarco (Signature's The Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Signature's The Scottsboro Boys, Jelly's Last Jam). Signature's MAX Theatre will be converted into a 1930s Harlem night club for this tribute to the music of Thomas 'Fats' Waller. This Tony Award®-winning musical includes the beloved tunes 'The Joint is Jumpin',' 'Honeysuckle Rose,' 'Handful of Keys' and more. Ain't Misbehavin'runs from January 23 - March 10, 2019.

Signature Theatre presents Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show directed by Signature Theatre's Director of New Works Joe Calarco (Signature's The Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Signature's The Scottsboro Boys, Jelly's Last Jam).

Go inside the rehearsal room with the incredible cast of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Signature Theatre. Performances begin January 23.

Signature Theatre is proud to announce the full cast and creative team for Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its doors for its annual Open House on Sunday, August 5, for an all-day extravaganza full of live performances and arts events across six different stages. Free and open to the public, this special summer event runs from noon until 8:30pm, with numerous performances throughout the Signature complex starting every fifteen minutes, as well as a one-day-only discounted ticket sale at the Box Office for select performances of mainstage shows in Signature's 2018/19 season. A complete schedule for the day is listed below.

You most likely know today's subject Matthew Gardiner as the Associate Artistic Director of Signature Theatre – one of the area's go-to place for musicals

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presentsHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, produced as a part of Broadway Center Stage-a Kennedy Center-produced series of musicals in semi-staged concerts, conceived and executive produced by Jeffrey Finn. Get a first look at the cast in action in the video below!

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.

Director Marc Bruni assembles a Broadway-ready cast and does his work masterfully.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in a semi-staged concert, conceived and executive produced by Jeffrey Finn. Check out the cast in action below!

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.

La Ti Do Productions (LTD) brings together Washington, DC's best in partnership with DC Metro Theater Arts (DCMTA) to sing-a-long to Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's music to celebrate the musical tour's residence at The Kennedy Center this summer. DCMTA and LTD are pleased to announce the featured artists and partner organizations.

La Ti Do Productions celebrates Asian American Heritage Month with the city's first all Asian American cabaret to support The National Asian Artists Project, and is pleased to announce the featured artists and partner organizations.

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland announce the full lineup for Signature Theatre's 2018/19 season.

On March 19, 2018, Virginia's Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre honored legendary Broadway composer John Kander with the company's ninth Stephen Sondheim Award. The Stephen Sondheim Award was presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy and will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs.

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.

Washington, DC's premier cabaret series awards Lawrence Grey, Jr. the inaugural Joel Markowitz Audience Award, and celebrates six years of supporting the metropolitan area's brightest artists.