Michael Bakkensen News

In September, DC area theatres are filled with almost a dozen musical productions opening -- classics, family shows, and many wonderful plays being performed on our over 200 theatre venues. The humidity is finally melting away, and it's a perfect time to welcome the cooler weather and the colors of the Fall by making a trip to the Nation's Capital and catching a show or two or three. There are family shows with canines and rabbits, a Labor Day weekend theatre festival that's FREE, a new jazz musical with some of the area's most talented singers, and bugs and ants that swing on trapezes. Mr. Ripley is finally coming to town, while I'm hoping that all will be well at Shakespeare Theatre. Someone is trying to deal with a very troubling inch, a Bar-Mitzvah boy has to deal with his crazy family, spelling champions battle it out, and a beagle pilot takes flight. There's so much to choose from, so read on and see what's playing in September in this monumental town. Happy New Year to all my fellow Jewish lovers of the theatre!

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is currently casting for the first play of the 2010 - 2011 Season: All's Well That Ends Well. Most roles have been filled and an Academy Award Nominee joins the ranks. Marsha Mason makes her STC debut to star as the Countess of Rosillion.

The mystery of Christopher Marlowe's stabbing some 400 years ago is explored in Peter Whelan's political thriller opening November 9, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. Directed by Bill Alexander, the American premiere continues through December 17. (Previews began October 30.)

'The School of Night' by Peter Whelan is a sublime and sensuous political thriller set in the 16th century. The play will open at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum November 9, 2008, and continues through December 17. Previews begin October 30.

The cast is set and rehearsals have begun for the American premiere of 'The School of Night' by Peter Whelan. This sublime and sensuous political thriller set in the 16th century opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum November 9, 2008, and continues through December 17. Previews begin October 30.

The New York premiere of the new play by Israel Horovitz is beautiful and good, but vaguely unsatisfying.

Isreal Horovitz's new play 'The Secret of Mme. Bonnard's Bath' opens February 8th at Horovitz's New York Playwrights Lab.

Stars turned out for the Broadway opening of FESTEN, starring Jeremy Sisto, Julianna Margulies, Larry Bryggman, Ali MacGraw and more, on April 9th

Arena Stage's production of Garson Kanin's Born Yesterday is just as smart as its heroine Billie Dawn aspires to be