Frank Labovitz News

Laugh, making its world premiere at Studio Theatre, is the latest from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley. With its designations of "slapstick" and as an homage to silent movies we expect movement and pace to be at the forefront, yet Laugh is far more rooted in language. But why box Laugh into a genre? There is little else like it. It is with her heightened language and quirkiness that playwright Beth Henley is at her best. Though flawed and in need of a trim from its current 2:15 running time, the comedy has some fine moments particularly in the final scenes that highlight Henley's unique style and unexpected choices.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of Soon, a new musical by Nick Blaemire (Glory Days, A Little More Alive). Directed by Matthew Gardiner(Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Really Really), the ensemble piece will feature Alex Brightman (Jonah; Broadway's Matilda, Big Fish, Wicked), Natascia Diaz(Adrienne; Signature's The Threepenny Opera, Broadway's Man of La Mancha), Jessica Hershberg (Charlie; Broadway's Cinderella, Baby It's You), and Joshua Morgan (Steven; Woolly Mammoth's A Bright New Boise, Arena Stage's Fiddler on the Roof). Soon is produced in association with Tricia Small. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of Cabaret, the Tony Award-winning musical, directed and choreographed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls). Running in the MAX Theatre May 12 - June 28, the John Kander and Fred Ebb classic is the final production of Signature Theatre's 25th Anniversary.

Adaptation from screen to stage is risky business. The songs can lose their magic, the characters can feel empty, and you can find yourself comparing - or missing - what you once loved about the original story. However, in some cases, an adaptation can shine and may make you love a story even more.

Virginia's Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of Soon, a new musical by Nick Blaemire (Glory Days, A Little More Alive). Directed by Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Really Really), the ensemble piece will feature Alex Brightman (Jonah; Broadway's Matilda, Big Fish, Wicked), Natascia Diaz (Adrienne; Signature's The Threepenny Opera, Broadway's Man of La Mancha), Jessica Hershberg (Charlie; Broadway's Cinderella, Baby It's You), and Joshua Morgan (Steven; Woolly Mammoth's A Bright New Boise, Arena Stage's Fiddler on the Roof).

Virginia's Signature Theatre just announced the full cast for the world premiere production of Soon, a new musical by Nick Blaemire (Glory Days, A Little More Alive). Directed by Matthew Gardiner (Signature's Sunday in the Park with George, Really Really), the ensemble piece will feature Alex Brightman (Jonah; Broadway's Matilda, Big Fish, Wicked), Natascia Diaz (Adrienne; Signature's The Threepenny Opera, Broadway's Man of La Mancha), Jessica Hershberg (Charlie; Broadway's Cinderella, Baby It's You), and Joshua Morgan (Steven; Woolly Mammoth's A Bright New Boise, Arena Stage's Fiddler on the Roof).

Tonight before a crowd of 150 theatre makers and theatre lovers, theatreWashington announced the nominees for the 2015 Helen Hayes Awards. 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. Watch the full announcement below, and scroll down for the list of nominees!

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin has announced that the award-winning musical by Thomas W. Jones II Bessie's Blues will be on stage at MetroStage beginning Jan. 22, 2015. Thomas W. Jones II will direct and choreograph, and William Knowles will music direct. A musical odyssey of African American people in the 20th century, it was ground-breaking in 1994 and is a perfect production for our stage as we celebrate our first 30 years.

The elves of the North Pole spend 364 days a year preparing for Christmas-but what do they do on their night off? The inventive team at Pointless Theatre Company answers this question in the form of a quirky, irreverent cabaret show that melds humor and holiday spirit into a refreshingly original production. Performed by master of ceremonies Mrs. Claus, a small ensemble of elves, and their house band, this holiday spectacular utilizes music, improve, puppetry, and other forms of comedy to create the joyful, if unbalanced, world of the North Pole.

Hip hop is the beating heart of Forum Theatre's tender coming-of-age story of three suburban teens honing their talents and searching for acceptance and authenticity. How We Got On brings us back to the late 80s hip hop scene when Yo! MTV Raps was the authority of what was cutting edge in music and a rap battle could settle a score. The teens balance their growing friendship and mutual respect with the threat each poses to the others' authority and skill.

ELMER GANTRY is a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic DirectorEric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. Signature Theatre's presentation will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre now through November 9, Signature's production will include several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006. Go inside opening night, below!

ELMER GANTRY is a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. Signature Theatre's presentation will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre now through November 9, Signature's production will include several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Signature Theatre presents Elmer Gantry, a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. This will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre today, October 7 - November 9, Signature's production will include several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006.

Signature Theatre just released two ELMER GANTRY music videos: Elmer Gantry grows Sister Sharon's ministry into the hottest show on the road by adding the gospel voices of the Washington family, whose matriarch Mary (Nova Y. Payton, HAIRSPRAY, DREAMGIRLS) leads the choir in the praise-worthy 'On the Road', and Elmer Gantry (Charlie Pollock, Broadway's VIOLET) finds himself at a crossroads, ready to take on the next adventure, but only the Lord knows where he'll end up next - Sharon Falconer's tent revival - in 'Between Trains.' Check out both videos below!

Signature Theatre presents Elmer Gantry, a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. This will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre October 7 - November 9, Signature's production will include several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of Elmer Gantry, a musical version of Sinclair Lewis' best-selling novel, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer (Broadway's Follies, Million Dollar Quartet). Schaeffer collaborated on the last production of Elmer Gantry at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago with authors John Bishop (book), Mel Marvin (music) and Bob Satuloff (lyrics) in 1998; the show has not been produced since then. This will be the 5th production in the show's history. Running in the MAX Theatre October 7 - November 9, Signature's production will include several brand new songs by Mel Marvin and Bob Satuloff and a reimagined script that John Bishop worked on until his death in 2006.

Signature Theatre's Sunday in the Park with George stars Claybourne Elder (Broadway's Bonnie and Clyde, The Public Theater's Road Show, and CW Network's The Carrie Diaries) as Georges Seurat/George and Brynn O'Malley (Broadway's upcoming Honeymoon in Vegas, Annie, Wicked) as Dot/Marie. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photo coverage from backstage with the cast!

The cast of Signature Theatre's Sunday in the Park with George stars Claybourne Elder (Broadway's Bonnie and Clyde, The Public Theater's Road Show, and CW Network's The Carrie Diaries) as Georges Seurat/George and Brynn O'Malley (Broadway's upcoming Honeymoon in Vegas, Annie, Wicked) as Dot/Marie. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you exclusive photo coverage from inside the curtain call!

The cast of Signature Theatre's Sunday in the Park with George accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from Landless Theatre's metal prog production of Sweeney Todd and challenged TheatreWashington and the National Tour of Dirty Dancing - check out their video below!

Signature Theatre presents Sunday in the Park with George, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning musical, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner(Signature's Dreamgirls, The Threepenny Opera). Running in the MAX Theatre August 15 - September 21, the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine classic is the first production of Signature Theatre's 25th Anniversary. During their 2014 Summer Art Camp, Signature Theatre stopped by the classrooms to talk with the campers about the meaning of art as they gear up to celebrate their 30th anniversary of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Check out the video below!