Akhtar's script is so beautifully complex yet simple, and asks some hard questions. The performances and physical production elements are first-rate. This is one of the strongest productions I've seen all season, and perhaps in recent years in the Washington, DC area.
Lest you might think careers are well-planned, organized endeavors, take a lesson from director Timothy Douglas, who is gracing Washington in a return visit to Arena Stage (last season's King Hedley II was his Arena Stage debut) with his work with Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced, a play about being Muslim or, perhaps more importantly, being perceived as Muslim, in America in current times. 'I tripped into directing,' says Timothy, 'I went to LA as an actor, but found I didn't have the skin for it, so I stepped back and thought I'd be a career teacher, but through some dumb luck, I directed a show, and some people liked what they saw, and I ended up with the Center Theatre Group in LA, as a director. When I finally stopped resisting the path, it started to work.' 'It seems every good thing,' he laughingly reflects, 'has happened as I was being dragged through the back door kicking and screaming.' So, it seems, tripping doesn't always mean falling.
Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs April 22-May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the company's first rehearsal below!
Loft227 and Executive Producer Robin Sokoloff (THE LOST, SPOTLIGHT LIVE) launch a 4th season of environmental theatre in their Chelsea performance venue. Previous programming at Loft227 includes the beloved musical DANI GIRL (Exit, Pursued by a Bear), CHICK FLICK: THE MUSICAL (Daryl Roth), and LIVE FROM THE LOFT (EST Youngblood). Loft227's 2016 Season opens with THE GIANTS, PARTS ONE & TWO by Matthew Jellison, and will include THE LAST REQUEST OF CHARLES BEAUXNER, an immersive murder mystery by Matt Cox (PUFFS, KAPOW-I GOGO).
Loft227 and Executive Producer Robin Sokoloff (THE LOST, SPOTLIGHT LIVE) launch a 4th season of environmental theatre in their Chelsea performance venue. Previous programming at Loft227 includes the beloved musical DANI GIRL (Exit, Pursued by a Bear), CHICK FLICK: THE MUSICAL (Daryl Roth), and LIVE FROM THE LOFT (EST Youngblood). Loft227's 2016 Season opens with THE GIANTS, PARTS ONE & TWO by Matthew Jellison, and will include THE LAST REQUEST OF CHARLES BEAUXNER, an immersive murder mystery by Matt Cox (PUFFS, KAPOW-I GOGO).
Arena Stage announces casting for the final production of the 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Disgraced. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. Hailed as 'emotionally shattering, a smart and provocative work of unusual daring that should be seen by anyone who cares about serious theater' by Newsday, Disgraced runs April 22-May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater.
Tonight before a crowd of 1,200 theatre-makers and theatre-lovers at the historic Lincoln Theatre, theatreWashington celebrated excellence on Washington stages at the 2015 Helen Hayes Awards. The awards celebration was a night of excitement and surprise as 57 Washington theatre artists, theatres, and ensembles received honors in 47 categories for their outstanding accomplishments during the 2014 theatre season. Scroll down for the full list of winners!
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. theatreWashington will host The 2015 Helen Hayes Awards ceremony tonight, April 6, 2015 at the historic Lincoln Theatre.
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.
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!
We've all heard of the plight of Marie Antoinette, but those that make a visit to Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company throughout the next few weeks can perhaps see it in a slightly different light. And that's a good thing.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announces the first offering of its 35th season: David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette, a highly contemporary look at the famously iconic and controversial queen of France, from her growing celebrity to her ultimate demise at the hands of those who had once extolled her. Woolly Company Member Kimberly Gilbert will take on the role of Marie in a production directed by new Woolly Company Member Yury Urnov, who last directed at Woolly in 2012, with the World Premiere production of You For Me For You. Marie Antoinette will run from Monday, September 15 to Sunday, October 12, 2014.
This is a must-see of the DC theatre season!
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company has announced the run of We Are Proud to Present…, a wholly unique commentary on the unexpected consequences of good intentions. Woolly Company Member Michael John Garces (The Convert, Oedipus el Rey) will direct Jackie Sibblies Drury's innovative, fast-paced, and funny examination of race and empathy.
Forum Theatre presents the area premiere of Clementine in the Lower 9, from playwright Dan Dietz, music composed by Justin Ellington, and directed by Derek Goldman May 23 - June 15, 2013. Dan Dietz will be in residence during the rehearsal process. Tickets are $25 for all performances ($20 for seniors, groups, and Round House subscribers; $15 for students and patrons under 30). To purchase, visit http://www.forum-theatre.org/buy-tickets or call the Round House box office at 240-644-1100.
theatreWashington just announced the 29th Helen Hayes Awards nominees today, January 28th, 2013 in The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery. This year, for the first time, theatre lovers in Washington and around the world were able to watch the nomination announcements live via webcast at theatrewashington.org, Facebook, or on the Livestream. Rebecca Sheir of WAMU's Metro Connection and WTOP's Bob Madigan hosted. Scroll below for the full list of the 2013 nominees!
theatreWashington just announced the 29th Helen Hayes Awards nominees today, January 28th, 2013 in The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery. This year, for the first time, theatre lovers in Washington and around the world were able to watch the nomination announcements live via webcast at theatrewashington.org, Facebook, or on the Livestream. Rebecca Sheir of WAMU's Metro Connection and WTOP's Bob Madigan hosted. Scroll below for the full list of the 2013 nominees!
Round House Theatre offers swashbuckling fun for the entire family this holiday season with the world premiere of Young Robin Hood by Jon Klein, which runs November 28 thru December 30. Derek Goldman directs this stirring new take on the legendary adventure story. Opening night is tonight, December 3, 2012.
Round House Theatre offers swashbuckling fun for the entire family this holiday season with the world premiere of Young Robin Hood by Jon Klein, which runs November 28 thru December 30. Derek Goldman directs this stirring new take on the legendary adventure story. Opening night is Monday, December 3, 2012.
Though the script has some deficiencies that even the talented cast and director can't overcome, Diaz's creation does have a lot of heart and he deserves kudos for originality. Woolly starts its season strong with this show.
Videos
