Maya Cantu - Page 2

Although the dialogue in Robert Dominguez' Faded sometimes stings like black coffee and the author provocatively explores the media's way of turning souls into spin, the play isn't able to transcend its lurid potboiler trappings

Although its clever concept is sprinkled with a few too many moonbeams and rainbows, the FringeNYC children's musical Rapunzel is charming and original

Judy Blazer, the talented and articulate actress most recently seen in Off-Broadway's Bernarda Alba, chats about her career and about Artist's Crossing, the program for young performers of which she is the artistic director

Shawn Northrip's punk musical 'Lunch,' currently playing the inaugural Capital Fringe Festival in DC, has attitude and vitality, but also an unfocused book and overindulgence in stereotype

The Actors' Theatre of Washington is serving up a double act evening of Joe Orton's Ruffian on the Stair and Charles Busch's Vampire Lesbians of Sodom; the effect is of a grandly filling entree after an under-spiced appetizer

Although the national tour of Chicago, currently onstage at Wolf Trap in DC, offers darkly sexy fun and a stunning turn by Michelle DeJean, performances are uneven and the revival itself lacks a bit of sting

In 1987, a British actress in a shabby brown trenchcoat, newsboy cap and with a dirt-smudged face, sang of her solitude. Breaking all but the stoniest hearts of the Imperial Theatre's audiences, she scored numerous awards--including the Tony--before returning to the UK. Two decades later, Frances Ruffelle has come back to New York to perform a cabaret show

Brent Barrett, known for his romantic presence and ravishing tenor has played many roles--but never before has he brought down the world's most famous chandelier

Ensemble Studio Theatre bills itself as 'The Major Forum for One-Act Plays in America.' Having not surveyed too many of the minor forums, I can't necessarily second it. But if its 28th Festival of One-Act Plays 'Series C' is any indication, the company can pride itself on presenting intriguing work by artists more than skilled in the craft of one-act playwriting-and even the writing of musicals

Stephanie J. Block, the talented performer who will soon be appearing in concert at Birdland, dishes on her soon-to-be reign as The Pirate Queen, on her turn as Wicked's Elphaba, and on other favorite roles

In the famous Act One finale of Mame, the musical's irresistible title character single-handedly revives the drowsy South, sending its courtly gentlemen and Georgia peaches into an ecstatic serenade of acceptance and very high octaves. It's a rousing number in the Kennedy Center's gorgeously-mounted production, but it's hard to find the same kind of enthusiasm with Christine Baranski filling Mame's jodhpurs

Studio Theatre's production of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's Caroline, or Change is uneven with its staging, but its performances accent the power and compassion of an almost-great musical

We've all heard that some actors really want to direct. But the multi-talented John Cariani--whose play cul-de-sac runs at the Transport Group through May 13th--belongs to a somewhat smaller group of thespians: those who have carved out successful second careers as playwrights.

Christiane Noll, currently starring in the York Theatre Company musical A Fine and Private Place, is a versatile performer who sees no reason to impose limits on herself--in theatre and in life

Joe Drymala and Eric Svejcar aren't a songwriting team, but they have a few things in common besides the fact that they both write musicals. The songs of both men will be sung by performers such as Euan Morton, Robert Cuccioli, Tyler Maynard, Kate Wetherhead and Amanda Watkins on April 26th for their Stuck in the Zipper concert at the Zipper Theatre, and it's safe to say that both like to take risks with their shows...

Washington Stage Guild is currently offering a lively production of Fanny's First Play, which is far from Shaw's best but features its own kind of passion...

Clyde Alves, the talented performer who currently plays Juan in Altar Boyz, feels that the character is both sultry and soulful, with a love for God, life and for the ladies

Dennis Moench, the versatile young actor who plays Abraham in Altar Boyz, finds his character a 'Jewish star' who definitely finds his own way of fitting in

A versatile actor and comedian who doubles as an acting coach, Jack Plotnick dishes on such subjects as his latest film Stay, his 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' death scene, his drag alter ego Evie, and his online book 'New Thoughts for Actors'

James Royce Edwards, who plays the tough-talking but warm-hearted Luke in Altar Boyz, is a talented and down-to-earth performer who knows his priorities...