Teresa Castracane

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre
by Doug Poms - Dec 12, 2025

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre? Olney Theatre continues its lovely tradition of its annual rendering of Paul Morella’s one-person adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.” Now in its 16th year, this rendition of the classic continues to delight audiences. For the second year, DC area veteran actor Michael Russotto masterfully performs all of the almost-fifty characters in the story. This production not only features a fine adaptation of the novella and a stellar performance by Mr. Russotto but also top-notch productions values. The show is full of humor, pathos, charm and fun.

Interview: Theatre Life with Maisie Posner
by Elliot Lanes - Dec 12, 2025

Today’s subject Maisie Posner is currently living her theatre life onstage at Round House Theatre sharing the role of Emma with Avery Harris in Rules for Living.  The production runs through January 4th and marks her Round House Theatre debut. 

Interview: Theatre Life with Julie Benko
by Elliot Lanes - Dec 11, 2025

Today’s subject Julie Benko is currently living her theatre life onstage at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) playing the iconic musical theatre role of Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. The show runs through January 8th, but Ms. Benko will be departing the show on December 28th. Read on to see what her next project is.

Review: Birthday Candles at 1st Stage
by Hannah R. Wing - Dec 11, 2025

1st Stage’s production of Birthday Candles, directed by Alex Levy and written by Noah Haidle, is a celebration of life, love, and family with a stellar cast led by Deidra LaWan Starnes.

Photos: Hayley Podschun, Julie Benko and More Star in GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

Sakespeare Theatre Company has released photos of its holiday presentation of Guys and Dolls. Directed by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello.

Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Olney Theatre Center
by Ken Kemp - Nov 19, 2025

This holiday season Olney Theatre Center's Hello, Dolly! gives audiences a chance to see a rarely performed classic on the Roberts Mainstage, in an entertaining production that harks back to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals.

Review: FAIR PLAY at 1st Stage
by Hannah R. Wing - Oct 23, 2025

The competitive world of track and field is the center of 1st Stage’s Fair Play, written by Ella Road and directed by Deidra LaWan Starnes, but there is more to this play than just running. Ann (Mahkai Dominique) is a British-Nigerian who crosses paths with Sophie (Camilla Pivetta), a white British star runner who has been competing since she was nine years old.

Review: THE ONE GOOD THING - OR 'ARE YA PATRICK SWAYZE?' at Washington Stage Guild
by Roger Catlin - Oct 5, 2025

In a small coastal town in Ireland, a pair of brothers greet each other one glorious morning on the Emerald  Isle. Except one of them announces he is dead. And he spends a lot of time convincing his brother he’s talking to a ghost.

Review: CYRANO at Taffety Punk
by Pamela Roberts - Oct 3, 2025

Five gifted actors in four bare walls work theatre magic to bring the epic work of Cyrano to life in Taffety Punk’s new interpretation skillfully directed and adapted by Lise Bruneau. The production is vibrant, visceral and immediate.

Review: COLD COUNTRY at ExPats Theatre (@ Atlas)
by Mary Lincer - Sep 29, 2025

ExPats Theatre has assembled an excellent troupe of actors for Cold Country by contemporary Swiss playwright, Reto Finger. Director (and translator) Karin Rosnizeck ably guides them through an engrossing but difficult script which tries to integrate ancient rural Swiss myths with modern situations. The writer's efforts may be labored, but the acting is wonderful, as are the scenic projections. Cold Country does take an audience away from today; strong distractions help.

Photos: Felicia Curry and More in MERRY WIVES at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 12, 2025

Shakespeare Theatre Company is presenting Merry Wives. The first show of STC’s forthcoming 40th Anniversary Season, Merry Wives is adapted by Jocelyn Bioh. Get a first look at photos here!

Review: THE PIANO LESSON at 1st Stage
by Laurie Sara Oliver - Jun 16, 2025

August Wilson is one of America’s greatest playwrights, and The Piano Lesson may be one of his greatest works. The writing is so powerful, I’m not sure you could stage a bad version if you tried. 

Review: A Brave Take on WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Everyman in Baltimore
by Cybele Pomeroy - Apr 9, 2025

Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Everyman Theatre through April 20, 2025, directed by Vincent M. Lancisi presents a contentious couple who return from a faculty party that has lasted past midnight to spitefully host young guests for additional drinks in their campus-adjacent home. It's awful, funny, entertaining, perplexing and satisfying

Review: SLEEPOVA at Olney Theatre Center
by Pamela Roberts - Mar 30, 2025

Grab your bunny slippers and pop some popcorn. SLEEPOVA is a coming-of-age story about the strong ties of female friendship amid the stresses and trials encountered on the road to adulthood. Like the teens themselves, the production at Olney Theatre Center is earnest, frank, funny … and a bit clunky and awkward.

Review: hang at 1st Stage
by Hannah R. Wing - Mar 21, 2025

hang takes its time getting to what the play is actually about. The suspense doesn't really start to develop until the final half hour, and this is where the small ensemble cast of Marie, Greer, and Joy really shine.

Review: KUNENE AND THE KING at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Rachael F. Goldberg - Feb 24, 2025

'Kunene and the King' is a captivating and moving examination of character and society. It also feels particularly timely for American audiences to explore, while helping us all connect a bit better by urging us to truly see each other.

Review: WAITRESS at Olney Theatre Center
by Ken Kemp - Feb 18, 2025

From the moment MALINDA appears on stage as Jenna in Waitress at Olney Theatre Center, it's clear that this is a role she was born to play. She lights up the stage, her beautiful singing voice and sublime acting leading a stellar & impressive cast.

WAITRESS Extended at Olney Theatre Through Early April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2025

Olney Theatre Center’s production of Sara Bareilles’ beloved musical Waitress in the Roberts Mainstage has extended its run. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre Center
by Tavish Young - Dec 10, 2024

Quiet, cozy, and a little spooky, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, is a longstanding tradition for many, and could be a new one for local theatergoers. It's timeless, satiating, and teaches a classic Christmas lesson. While always timeless, its themes of gratitude, thankfulness, and kindness are needed now more than ever. 

Review: LEOPOLDSTADT at Shakespeare Theatre Comany
by Pamela Roberts - Dec 9, 2024

Leopoldstadt, a weighty and ambitious work by award-winning author Tom Stoppard, is on stage now at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. The modern epic traces a Viennese Jewish family from the zest and promise at the eve of the 20th century, through the devastations of the Great War and the annexation of Austria by the German Reich, to the Holocaust and the tender, broken years after.