Jaysen Wright News

“I hate it here” is so 2020 that it is the perfect title for Studio Theatre’s second audio play; a work so zeitgeist-y it is exposure therapy for “these unprecedented times.”

As the world collectively plans to close the door (and maybe throw away the key?) on 2020, Studio Theatre offers a reflection on this complicated, unexpected, and consequential moment in history with the world premiere of I Hate It Here: Stories from the End of the Old World, a Studio-commissioned audio play written and directed by Ike Holter.

Playwright Marco Ramirez's The Royale at 1st Stage is a rare and thought-provoking theatre experience.

Jay a?oeThe Sporta?? Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but in the racially segregated world of boxing in 1905, the odds are stacked against him. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for a?oethe fight of the century,a?? a?oeThe Sporta?? might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion. Inspired by the real-life experiences of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world champion, The Royale is an a?oearresting productiona??.a stylized blow by blow of a fight that still rages today.a?? (The Washington Post).

Olney Theatre Center and 1st Stage's co-production of The Royale by Marco Ramirez and directed by Paige Hernandez begins its delayed run on Wednesday, October 2 at 1:45pm. The original first week of performances were cancelled when the actor had to withdraw for medical reasons just prior to the first scheduled performance.

Olney Theatre Center and 1st Stage combine forces to co-produce the first show of the 2019 - 20 Season in the Olney Theatre's Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab: The Royale by Marco Ramirez, directed and choreographed by Paige Hernandez. Inspired by the story of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion boxer, the New York Times praised Ramirez's play that a?oeboldly takes on and reorients a familiar genre and a familiar tale.a?? The area premiere runs at Olney Theatre Center September 25 - October 27, 2019 with Invited Press Night on Saturday, September 28 at 7:45pm. The production, with the same actors and set, moves to 1st Stage for a run January 30 - February 23, 2020

Mosaic Theater Company of DC launches its 5th season this month with the DC premiere of Lynn Nottage's Fabulation, Or The Re-Education of Undine, previewing August 21 (see our August 1 Fabulation press release for opening night information, and our March 29 a?oe#Wokeseason5a?? release for full season line-up), exactly one month after the close of the most successful show in Mosaic's history, the co-production of Kelvin Roston Jr.'s Twisted Melodies, which sold out its last week of performances, playing to record crowds and box office, providing the capstone to a season of transformative artistic and fundraising achievements. 

Inspired by the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, this uplifting new work chronicles the bold African American ensemble as they travel the world, captivating kings, queens and audiences with hymns and spiritual songs supported by their rich voices. Written and directed by Thompson with vocal arrangements and music direction by Dianne Adams McDowell, Jubilee runs now through June 2, 2019 in the Kreeger Theater.

Jubilee is now on stage at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, this uplifting new work chronicles the bold African American ensemble as they travel the world, captivating kings, queens and audiences with hymns and spiritual songs supported by their rich voices. Check out video from the production below!

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Tazewell Thompson's inspirational a cappella music infused play, Jubilee. Inspired by the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, this uplifting new work chronicles the bold African American ensemble as they travel the world, captivating kings, queens and audiences with hymns and spiritual songs supported by their rich voices. Written and directed by Thompson with vocal arrangements and music direction by Dianne Adams McDowell, Jubilee runs April 26 - June 2, 2019 in the Kreeger Theater.

Oooh la la, the good folks at Imagination Stage have a Parisian musical spectacular in store for you with the non- cheesy story about a couple of mice out to save the cheeses of Paris. Anatole: Mouse Magnifique features a dynamic and fun score by James Valcq (Music), book and lyrics by John MacLay and Lee Becker, and a terrific no-holes-like-a-piece of-Swiss-cheese-staging from Tom Story.

Over the years, Charles Dickens' works have been turned into many stage and film adaptations. I'm sure we've all seen A Christmas Carol or Oliver Twist in one form or another. While both are set against some bleak backdrops, they feature some larger-than-life characters that make them ripe for theatrical presentation.

The Victorians are very confused in this vivid and animated version of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at The Everyman.

Everyman Theatre's next show in the 2018-2019 season is The Importance of Being Earnest, a light-hearted romantic comedy packed with twists, turns, and witty repartee.  Directed by Joseph W. Ritsch Artistic Director of Rep Stage, the tale of worlds turned topsy-turvy with assumed identities lampoons the absurdity of Victorian virtues.  The Everyman production showcases a subtext that is as relevant today as it was to its intended 19th-century audience-Wilde's "bachelor" compatriots-inside jokes abound through subtly scripted details.  The play runs December 4 - December 30, 2018.  

Theater J's new production of Actually, which opened on Monday night, provides new voices to the issue of campus safety and sexual assault. Anna Ziegler's script undoubtedly has important things to say-and Actually is a crucial piece which dives into the intricacies of campus safety. It's tough material that suffers from some uneven pacing but one which, nevertheless, encourages continued engagement and thought.

Rampant ambition and minds unhinged. Shrieking owls and prophesies foretold. Folger Theatre begins its 2018/19 season with Macbeth, Shakespeare's murderous tragedy seen anew and here, set in London's famous Bedlam asylum for a groundbreaking production integrating period music into a famous variation of the play. The Restoration-era adaptation by Sir William Davenant, which mesmerized audiences from the re-opening of London theaters in the 1660's until well into the 18th century, blends music performed by Folger Consort and the seminal tragedy of the Scottish king.

Rampant ambition and minds unhinged. Shrieking owls and prophesies foretold. Folger Theatre begins its 2018/19 season with Macbeth, Shakespeare's murderous tragedy seen anew and here, set in London's famous Bedlam asylum for a groundbreaking production integrating period music into a famous variation of the play. The Restoration-era adaptation by Sir William Davenant, which mesmerized audiences from the re-opening of London theaters in the 1660's until well into the 18th century, blends music performed by Folger Consort and the seminal tragedy of the Scottish king.

Ford's Theatre Society announced full casting and design team for The Wiz directed by Kent Gash, choreographed by Dell Howlett and withMusic Direction and Orchestration by Darius Smith. The production features Ines Nassara as Dorothy, Hasani Allen as Scarecrow, Kevin McAllister as Tinman,Christopher Michael Richardson as Lion and Jobari Parker-Namdar as The Wiz. The musical plays March 9 to May 12, 2018, at historic Ford's Theatre. The production is recommended for ages eight and older.

AcclaimedWashington actor Craig Wallace returns to Ford's Theatre to perform the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for the company's holiday production of 'A Christmas Carol.' Performances of the classic Charles Dickensplay began November 16 and continue for a six-week engagement through December 31, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Beginning November 16, acclaimed actor Craig Wallace returns to Ford's Theatre to play Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol a production heralded as a rich visual and vocal treat (TheaterMania) and infectiously jolly (Washington Post). Performances continue through December 31, 2017.