Joel David Santner

Clare Lizzimore's challenging play benefits from the immersive and intimate staging that Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch has conjured up for this inaugural Studio X production, as well as some excellent acting.

Under the direction of Joel David Santner (who will shortly be moving to California for film school, a great loss to the DC area) the company has proven yet again that when viewed with fresh eyes, the early First Quarto version of 'Hamlet' is a limitless source of inspiration for artists and audiences alike.  Although the company pulls its aesthetic punches by inviting a few guys to join the cast (including Marcus Kyd in the title role), the performance is of a dependable, high quality that makes this a rare, intimate view of the Bard's work.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's revival of Henry IV, Part 2 is a fine production filled with terrific acting and some wonderful ensemble moments. Nevertheless, that doesn't stop the play from failing to achieve the dramatic excellence of its prequel.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 as part of the Clarice Smith Repertory. STC Artistic Director Michael Kahn will direct both parts of this sweeping epic - one of Shakespeare's culminating achievements in the history play genre - over multiple nights. As Kahn says, describing Parts 1 and 2 as his favorite Shakespearean drama: 'It brings to the stage every issue we as human beings experience.' The two productions will run in the Company's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from March 25 - June 8, 2014.

'Bah!' by popular demand! Faction of Fools Theatre Company brings back the 2013 nominee for the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play: A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL, a fun-filled Commedia dell'Arte adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Audiences, prepare to be enthralled; Constellation Theatre's poetic staging of the ancient Sumerian epic “Gilgamesh” is an absolute delight for the eyes and ears. With its original poetic dialogue, its brilliant costuming and choreography, not to mention an original world-music score performed live, you have a truly fascinating evening in store for you.

The Calarco-directed production succeeds thanks to some marvelous production concepts and four stellar young actors.