Christopher Youstra News

Tonight, at a celebration honoring theatre excellence on stages across the Washington area, theatre artists, administrators, patrons, and special guests gathered in the National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery for theatreWashington's announcement of nominees for the 36th Annual Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 18 at an event at the Anthem.

It was exactly ten years ago I first saw Stephen Temperley's SOUVENIR at Baltimore Center Stage which starred Tony Award winner, Judy Kaye. I could not imagine seeing a better version of it ever. But, I was wrong. The Rep Stage version is just plain spectacular and the two actors who perform here, Grace Bauer and Alan Naylor are just plain marvelous.

Alan Paul directs and demonstrates the power of live theater.

Olney Theatre Center launches the 2019-2020 season on the Mainstage with Kander and Ebb's CABARET directed by Alan Paul (August 28 - October 6, 2019). Broadway veteran Alexandra Silber, who played Guinevere in Paul's 2019 Helen Hayes Award-winning production of Camelot, and Tzeitel in the acclaimed Bart Sher revival of Fiddler on the Roof, will star as Sally Bowles, the flamboyant showgirl carried away by the glitz and debauchery of Weimar Berlin. Invited press night is Saturday, August 31 at 8:00pm.

The inaugural season of Olney Theatre's Center's Applause Concert Series comes to a close Friday, July 26 at 8:00pm with a one-night-only performance of Children of Eden, a lesser-known work by Stephen Schwartz, the creator of such hits as Wicked, Pippin and Godspell. The concert, featuring a full cast of DC luminaries and a large on-stage orchestra is directed by Kevin McAllister who pulls double duty, also acting and singing the role of The Father. Christopher Youstra, Olney Theatre's Associate Artistic DirectorDirector of Music Theatre and the series curator serves as music director and conductor. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online at olneytheatre.orgapplause.

Let me admit when I saw MATILDA on Broadway in 2013 (winner of 5 Tony Awards), I did not enjoy it. I just could not understand the character of the buffoon Miss Trunchbell, the Olympian hammer throwing athletic principal of Matilda's school. He was the villain of all villains.

Olney Theatre Center's SummerFest, its annual open house, happens Saturday, July 27 beginning at 11:00am with events continuing all day and late into the evening. This is the fourth edition of the event with several new elements and improvements over past years along with the continuation of perennial favorites.

Olney Theatre Center offers its fourth musical production of the 2018-19 Season on the Mainstage, with the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical (June 21 - July 21, 2019), directed by Peter Flynn, fresh off the rave reviews for his acclaimed revival of Into the Woods at Ford's Theatre. Invited Press Night is Thursday, June 27 at 8:00pm.

Today, Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director Jason Loewith unveiled a lineup of 16 plays, concerts, and presentations coming in 2019-2020 as part of the company's 82nd season, including the highly-anticipated DC-area premiere of Miss You Like Hell by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Erin McKeown. Included are both classic and contemporary musicals, family fare for the holidays, Tony-winning dramas and work by some of the most innovative American playwrights.

ONCE opened at the Olney Theatre in Baltimore on February 6th and is running through March 10, 2019.

Due to high demand, Olney Theatre Center is thrilled to announce that their production of Once has been extended through March 17.

Production at Olney of Tony-winning musical not to be missed.

ONCE opened at the Olney Theatre in Baltimore on February 6th and is running through March 10, 2019.

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching (Feb. 14 for those who do not know), have you thought of going to the theater to celebrate?

Olney Theatre Center begins 2019 on the Mainstage with its Residential Regional Premiere of Tony Award winning musical Once, running February 6 - March 10, 2019. Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Tony Award Nominee for the Broadway production of Ragtime, makes her Olney Theatre Center debut as Director and Choreographer. Press is invited to attend the performance on Saturday, February 9 at 8:00 pm.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical if given a memorable presentation.

The nominees for the 2018 Helen Hayes Awards were announced on February 5, 2018. One of the country's most prestigious cultural honors, The Helen Hayes Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery set the scene for the announcement of nominees in 47 categories for artistic excellence, and the theatre companies eligible for the 2017 John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The recipient of the 2018 Helen Hayes Tribute will be announced shortly.

The famous comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie' comes to life at Olney Theatre Center.

One year ago today, I went from writing for a local theatre site to writing for the largest worldwide theatre site. One year ago today, Theatre Life made its debut here on Broadway World's DC page with a profile of scenic designer Paige Hathaway.