Rachel Zampelli News

There's a lot of 'steam heat' on DC area stages and outside, so if you're visiting DC for the annual July 4th fireworks extravaganza, stop by and see a show before you roast on the Mall waiting for the concert and loud "booms" to fill up the sky. And if you couldn't get into the sold-out Oklahoma!, Aquarium, Clybourne Park, or The Importance of Being Earnest - earlier this year - you have a chance now! And then there's The Capital Fringe Festival with dozens of new shows to choose from.

A signature event with three days of free theater - mark your calendars for Sept. 3-5, 2011

CHESS opened at the Signature Theatre on August 10 and will run through September 26. The cast is lead by Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps) as Florence Vassy, Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Anatoly Sergievsky and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) as Freddie Trumper. The rock musical is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production. Chess is being performed in the fabulous intimacy of the 276-seat MAX Theatre.

Now that The Capital Fringe Festival has finally packed up its tent, (read all 132 reviews of the Fringe reviews and reflections here), DC theatergoers are being offered some musical offerings this month including new productions of the popular musicals Chess, Nunsense, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, The Fantasticks and Side Show.

Complete casting has been announced for the Signature Theatre's staging of CHESS, joining the previously announced Jill Paice, Jeremy Kushnier and Euan Morton will be Eleasha Gamble, Russell, Sunday. Chris Sizemore, Christopher Bloch, Jamie Eacker, Christopher Mueller, Gregory Maheu, Rachel Zampelli, Jonathan Atkinson, James Gardiner, Katie McManus and Bayla Whitten.

CHESS opened at the Signature Theatre on August 10 and will run through September 26. The cast is lead by Jill Paice (Curtains, The 39 Steps) as Florence Vassy, Euan Morton (Boy George in Taboo, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Anatoly Sergievsky and Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Rent) as Freddie Trumper. The rock musical is directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. Written by Mamma Mia! composers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson with Evita and Lion King lyricist Tim Rice, the 1984 cult musical of Cold War competition in love and chess is being given its first major Washington area production. Chess is being performed in the fabulous intimacy of the 276-seat MAX Theatre.

Following a highly successful run at the Folger Theatre in Washington D.C., Two River Theater Co. will close the curtain on the world premiere of Orestes A Tragic Romp, Anne Washburn's razor sharp modern adaptation of the Greek tragedy by Euripides, directed by Two River Artistic Director Aaron Posner on April 11th.

Following a highly successful run at the Folger Theatre in Washington D.C., Two River Theater Co. is proud to present the world premiere of Orestes A Tragic Romp, Anne Washburn's razor sharp modern adaptation of the Greek tragedy by Euripides, directed by Two River Artistic Director Aaron Posner.

Following a highly successful run at the Folger Theatre in Washington D.C., Two River Theater Co. is proud to present the world premiere of Orestes A Tragic Romp, Anne Washburn's razor sharp modern adaptation of the Greek tragedy by Euripides, directed by Two River Artistic Director Aaron Posner.

As we celebrate Christmas and await the New Year, here's a new audio interpretation of 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry, written and recorded by local DC actors and designers who make up The Audible Group. It is Christmas Eve, 1935. In a small apartment in the H Street NE neighborhood of Washington, DC where James and Della Young, a young couple who, though rich in love, but down to their last pennies, still manage to give each other the perfect gift. It will fill you - from head to mistletoe - with the holiday spirit. Listen here

Signature Theatre is currently presenting the Washington area premiere of the innovative musical See What I Wanna See, a fascinating exploration of three stories of lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption. Written by Michael John LaChiusa, considered one of today's most intelligent and innovative musical theater composers.

Signature Theatre presents Partial Eclipse, a rock song cycle by Matt Conner directed by Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, running June 10 through 13 in Signature?s MAX Theatre. Written by the composer of the musical Nevermore, Partial Eclipse is a fascinating evening of songs about six strangers all on the never-ending quest for love and happiness. With titles ranging from ?Cinderella? to ?Bed and Breakfast? to ?Sympathy,? Conner?s songs evoke visions of love from the simple to the edgy in the straight, gay, and lesbian worlds. Six of Signature?s favorite actor/singers, Kurt Boehm, Eleasha Gamble, Sam Ludwig, Eric Ulloa, Weslie Woodley, and Rachel Zampelli, will perform the song cycle accompanied by a four-man rock band.

LaChiusa Works Well in Intimate ARK Theatre

Signature Theatre presents the Washington area premiere of the innovative musical See What I Wanna See, a fascinating exploration of three stories of lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption. Written by Michael John LaChiusa, considered one of today's most intelligent and innovative musical theater composers, See What I Wanna See has been hailed for its cool, jazz-infused score and smart book and called 'a little powerhouse of a show whose sheer intensity will knock you flat - and make you think' (The Wall Street Journal). The show was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine and nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical. See What I Wanna See runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from April 7 through May 31. Signature will also produce the world premiere of LaChiusa's Giant in the MAX Theatre April 28 through May 31.

SIGNATURE THEATRE PRESENTS CABARET PERFORMANCES OF LaCHIUSA'S LADIES $30 Performances March 18 - 21 in Signature's ARK Theatre Vincent Van Gogh's mistress. A Japanese courtesan plotting to kill her lover. Greek mythology's infamous Medea. A woman trying to quit smoking. What do these women have in common? They are just a few of the fascinating characters featured in Signature Theatre's latest cabaret, LaChiusa's Ladies, running March 18 through 21 in the ARK Theatre. Tickets are just $30 each to a special evening of songs composed by Michael John LaChiusa who's created some of musical theater's most interesting, complex women.

SIGNATURE THEATRE PRESENTS CABARET PERFORMANCES OF LaCHIUSA'S LADIES $30 Performances March 18 - 21 in Signature's ARK Theatre Vincent Van Gogh's mistress. A Japanese courtesan plotting to kill her lover. Greek mythology's infamous Medea. A woman trying to quit smoking. What do these women have in common? They are just a few of the fascinating characters featured in Signature Theatre's latest cabaret, LaChiusa's Ladies, running March 18 through 21 in the ARK Theatre. Tickets are just $30 each to a special evening of songs composed by Michael John LaChiusa who's created some of musical theater's most interesting, complex women.

Signature Theatre presents the Washington area premiere of the innovative musical See What I Wanna See, a fascinating exploration of three stories of lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption. Written by Michael John LaChiusa, considered one of today's most intelligent and innovative musical theater composers, See What I Wanna See has been hailed for its cool, jazz-infused score and smart book and called 'a little powerhouse of a show whose sheer intensity will knock you flat - and make you think' (The Wall Street Journal). The show was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine and nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical. See What I Wanna See runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from April 7 through May 31. Signature will also produce the world premiere of LaChiusa's Giant in the MAX Theatre April 28 through May 31.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Signature Theatre, nationally renowned for its interpretation of Sondheim musicals, takes on the Sondheim cult favorite Anyone Can Whistle in a special one night only concert, Monday, October 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer will direct the performance, a rare opportunity to experience Sondheim's wacky, intelligent, and highly unconventional 1964 work.