The story of the controversial 'Mad Monk,' Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which is making its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Check out performance highlighs below!
The story of the controversial 'Mad Monk,' Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which makes its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star John Lescault (Signature's Art and The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the infamous and enigmatic Rasputin, Natascia Diaz (Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature, and Savage in Limbo at MetroStage), Doug Kreeger (Signature's The Visit), Amy McWilliams (Signature's The Witches of Eastwick and Urinetown), and Tracy Lynn Olivera (Les Misérables and Merrily We Roll Along at Signature). Erin Driscoll, Stephen Gregory Smith, Rachel Zampelli, Russell Sunday, Kevin McAllister, and Christopher Mueller round out the cast for this world premiere event. Brother Russia will play at Signature's MAX Theatre from March 6, 2012 through April 15, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.
Check out production shots below!
Last night before a crowd of 200 theatre makers and theatre lovers, theatreWashington announced the nominees for the 28th Helen Hayes Awards. The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery set the scene for the announcement of nominees in 26 categories for artistic excellence and the announcement of the recipient of the 2012 John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The Helen Hayes Awards is one of the most prestigious honors for artists and theatre companies in Washington's vibrant theatre scene.
The story of the controversial "Mad Monk," Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is now the subject of the new rock musical Brother Russia, which makes its world premiere at the Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre. The new musical features Music by Dana Rowe and Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey - the award-winning creators behind The Fix (1998) and The Witches of Eastwick (2007). Directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, the production will star John Lescault (Signature's Art and The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the infamous and enigmatic Rasputin, Natascia Diaz (Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature, and Savage in Limbo at MetroStage), Doug Kreeger (Signature's The Visit), Amy McWilliams (Signature's The Witches of Eastwick and Urinetown), and Tracy Lynn Olivera (Les Miserables and Merrily We Roll Along at Signature). Erin Driscoll, Stephen Gregory Smith, Rachel Zampelli, Russell Sunday, Kevin McAllister, and Christopher Mueller round out the cast for this world premiere event. Brother Russia will play at Signature's MAX Theatre from March 6, 2012 through April 15, 2012. Tickets are now on sale.
The songbook of Jerry Leiber (1933-2011) and Mike Stoller (1933- ) is a natural for jukebox musical treatment, because it encompasses such variety that it requires little by way of setting to stay interesting. You don't need a plot, you don't need performers to talk or act, all you need is a band, some choreography and costumes, and some great singer/dancers, and you're there.
It's that time of the year to take a look back at which shows and performances I enjoyed in 2011 on DC area stages, and since I saw over 200 of them this year in professional, community, university, children's, and programs that train young actors, let me give it a whirl and I'll pick my 'Top 5' in each category.
Ford's Theatre is presenting the Washington premiere of the Tony-winning musical drama Parade, directed by Stephen Rayne. The production opened on September 23 and runs though October 30, 2011. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Parade is based on the true story of Leo Frank's trial and lynching in early 20th-century Atlanta. Ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade. Alfred Uhry's award-winning book and Jason Robert Brown's rousing, colorful and haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension. Isolated from the world, Leo develops a new and deeper love for his wife, who tirelessly crusades for his freedom. Tony-Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Leo Frank with Jenny Fellner as Lucille Frank in this compelling and provocative tale of justice miscarried.
Production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!
The new DC area theatre season begins in September. Over 50 shows are opening in our professional and community theatres. But before we move on to the new season and what's opening in September, let's look back at my personal favorite musicals, plays, and performances in both musicals and plays in the DC area - from August 2010 to August 2011.
Vice President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at the Ford's Theatre Annual Gala: 'Lincoln's Legacy and a New Era of Hope' on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The evening will include the presentation of the Lincoln Medal to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julie Andrews, whose extraordinary careers and commitment to education, understanding and equality exemplify the character and lasting legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.
Ford's Theatre Society will host its annual gala on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW) followed by a seated dinner at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (750 Ninth Street NW).
Vice President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at the Ford's Theatre Annual Gala: 'Lincoln's Legacy and a New Era of Hope' on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The evening will include the presentation of the Lincoln Medal to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julie Andrews, whose extraordinary careers and commitment to education, understanding and equality exemplify the character and lasting legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.
Ford's Theatre Society will host its annual gala on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at Ford's Theatre (511 10th Street NW) followed by a seated dinner at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum (750 Ninth Street NW).
This May, Teatro101 proudly presents Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, the Off-Broadway hit musical based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March. The PARTY begins May 12th and shuts down May 28.
This May, Teatro101 proudly presents Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, the Off-Broadway hit musical based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March. The PARTY begins May 12th and shuts down May 28.
The DC area is full of spring splendor with so many gorgeous trees and azaleas in full bloom, and our local theatres are filled with new colorful productions. So come visit the Nation's Capital and bask in the city's beauty and the power and joy of our local theatres.
This May, Teatro101 proudly presents Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, the Off-Broadway hit musical based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March. The PARTY begins May 12th and shuts down May 28.
Lydia Diamond?s acclaimed play Stick Fly both entertains and fascinates audiences everywhere it plays. Everyman Theatre is producing the Baltimore premiere of this renowned theatrical work. Secrets unfold when the LeVay brothers bring their girlfriends to the family?s luxurious Martha?s Vineyard Summer home to meet their parents. When they see one of the girlfriends is white, long-hidden truths are revealed in this funny and poignant portrait of a dysfunctional African-American family. Under the microscope and unaccustomed to the LeVay?s affluent lifestyle, the women challenge the household dynamic. While issues around race and class are at the forefront of this play, it is ultimately about secrets, skeletons in the closet, and about dysfunctional family life.
Lydia Diamond?s acclaimed play Stick Fly both entertains and fascinates audiences everywhere it plays. Everyman Theatre is producing the Baltimore premiere of this renowned theatrical work. Secrets unfold when the LeVay brothers bring their girlfriends to the family?s luxurious Martha?s Vineyard Summer home to meet their parents. When they see one of the girlfriends is white, long-hidden truths are revealed in this funny and poignant portrait of a dysfunctional African-American family. Under the microscope and unaccustomed to the LeVay?s affluent lifestyle, the women challenge the household dynamic. While issues around race and class are at the forefront of this play, it is ultimately about secrets, skeletons in the closet, and about dysfunctional family life.