Frank Conlon

In many ways, the holiday season is about schmaltz and sentimentality, when it's okay to let yourself appreciate old-fashioned pleasures and crank up favorite songs. The In Series' AN OPERETTA HOLIDAY unabashedly embraces this spirit, serving up a frothy cabaret of romantic songs from THE MERRY WIDOW, DIE FLEDERMAUS, and other classics.

Now in its 36th year, The In Series announces a diverse season of 'Opera & more'. The 2017-2018 season includes a new English adaptation of Mozart's The Magic Flute to be performed in DC's Scottish Rite Temple, a sizzling double-bill of Cuban zarzuela, and Viktor Ullmann's haunting Emperor of Atlantis. Popular and concert offerings include a Jacques Brel cabaret in French and English, a revue featuring the music of Jerome Kern, the family musical Duke Ellington's Neighborhood and Operetta Holiday, a staged-concert evening of light opera favorites.

Now in its 36th year, The In Series announces a diverse season of 'Opera & more'. The 2017-2018 season includes a new English adaptation of Mozart's The Magic Flute to be performed in DC's Scottish Rite Temple, a sizzling double-bill of Cuban zarzuela, and Viktor Ullmann's haunting Emperor of Atlantis. Popular and concert offerings include a Jacques Brel cabaret in French and English, a revue featuring the music of Jerome Kern, the family musical Duke Ellington's Neighborhood and Operetta Holiday, a staged-concert evening of light opera favorites.

It's delightful, it's delicious – it's cliché to use the lyrics from “It's De-Lovely” when describing a Cole Porter production, I know. But when it comes to a production which not only tells his story, but seeks to educate the audience about why Porter was one of the geniuses of American musical theater, it only seems appropriate. The Cole Porter Project at the In Series is a charming tribute to Porter and one that shouldn't be missed by theater enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates well-composed songs with intelligent, witty, sophisticated, proactive and timeless lyrics.

October is packed with over 50 local productions opening on DC area stages. In fact, after the month is over, the writers of Maryland Theatre Guide, where I am the Editor and a columnist, will have reviewed over 80 shows, concerts and cabarets.