As topics go, you couldn't pick a more immediate one than race in America. And as cities go, Washington is an apt location for a production of Lydia R. Diamond's SMART PEOPLE. It's set during the Obama era and takes on the topic of race with biting comedy. Seema Sueko directs a new run at Arena Stage, featuring a four-person cast that is combustible and exciting to watch.
Four intellectuals-a doctor, an actress, a psychologist and a neurobiologist studying the human brain's response to race-search for love, acceptance and identity in Lydia R. Diamond's comedy-drama Smart People, which makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage. Set against the backdrop of Obama's 2008 election, Diamond's fiercely funny play explores the unavoidable nature of cultural bias. Deputy Artistic Director Seema Sueko makes her Arena Stage directorial debut with this "sexy, serious and very, very funny modern-day comedy of manners" (Variety). Smart People runs April 14-May 21, 2017 in the Kreeger Theater.
From the moment the strains of Verdi's La Traviata were heard in the wings and Edward Gero as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia entered through a part in the curtain pretending to conduct the orchestra in a joyously bemused state, I sensed we were in for a treat. How right I was! In and around the courtroom ... a perfect place for passion and theatrics, this is John Strand's The Originalist, a somewhat factual play set in Washington from 2012-13. The piece boasts intelligent writing, and a grande performance from Gero as Scalia, as well as great work from Jade Wheeler and Brett Mack, all of whom leave an indelible mark by making us think. You actually leave the theatre refreshed ... and somewhat hopeful about the future of our political system.
My expectations for the premiere of MIDWESTERN GOTHIC at Signature Theatre were so high that the musical itself was bound to fall short, no matter what. Billed as a darkly funny thriller, it's got atmosphere in spades and boasts laudable performances from a cast of committed actors. But that isn't enough to keep the whole affair from feeling like an interesting concept still in search of a form.
Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of Midwestern Gothic. Directed and choreographed by Signature Theatre Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Jelly's Last Jam, West Side Story), this new musical thriller features music, lyrics and orchestrations by Josh Schmidt (Off-Broadway's Adding Machine) and book and lyrics by Royce Vavrek (Dog Days, 27). Click below to watch highlights from the show!
Signature Theatre presents the world premiere production of Midwestern Gothic. Directed and choreographed by Signature Theatre Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Jelly's Last Jam, West Side Story), this new musical thriller features music, lyrics and orchestrations by Josh Schmidt (Off-Broadway's Adding Machine) and book and lyrics by Royce Vavrek (Dog Days, 27). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Four intellectuals - a doctor, an actress, a psychologist and a neurobiologist studying the human brain's response to race-search for love, acceptance and identity in Lydia R. Diamond's comedy-drama Smart People, which makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage. Set against the backdrop of Obama's 2008 election, Diamond's fiercely funny play explores the unavoidable nature of cultural bias. Deputy Artistic Director Seema Sueko makes her Arena Stage directorial debut. Smart People runs April 14-May 21, 2017 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
Daniella Topol, the new artistic director of Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, heads down to Washington, D.C. to direct the world premiere of Jacqueline E. Lawton's new political thriller Intelligence set for Arena Stage, tonight, February 24, through April 9.
Jacqueline E. Lawton's new political thriller Intelligence makes its world premiere at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Under the direction of Daniella Topol (Round House's Ironbound), Intelligence explores the cost of deception and the consequences of speaking truth to power. Due to popular demand, the production has been extended for one week with eight additional performances and will run February 24-April 9, 2017 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.
Four intellectuals - a doctor, an actress, a psychologist and a neurobiologist studying the human brain's response to race - search for love, acceptance and identity in Lydia R. Diamond's comedy-drama Smart People, which makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage.
Signature Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere production of Midwestern Gothic. Midwestern Gothic will run March 14 - April 30 in Signature Theatre's ARK Theatre.
Daniella Topol, the new artistic director of Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, heads down to Washington, D.C. to direct the world premiere of Jacqueline E. Lawton's new political thriller Intelligence set for Arena Stage, February 24 through April 9.
Jacqueline E. Lawton's new political thriller Intelligence makes its world premiere at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Under the direction of Daniella Topol (Round House's Ironbound), Intelligence explores the cost of deception and the consequences of speaking truth to power. Due to popular demand, the production has been extended for one week with eight additional performances and will run February 24-April 9, 2017 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announces its first production of Season 38, the remount of An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Nataki Garrett. The show will reunite the entire cast and production teams from Woolly's 2016 production and will run from July 18 to August 6, 2017.
Asolo Rep continues its winter rep season and the fifth and final year of its American Character Project with THE ORIGINALIST, Charles MacArthur Award-winner John Strand's gripping political masterpiece that spotlights the late polarizing judicial titan, Justice Antonin Scalia.
Portland Center Stage at The Amory continues its Northwest Stories series with Bekah Brunstetter's The Oregon Trail, opening on the U.S. Bank Main Stage on November 4, with previews beginning October 29 and performances through November 20.
Portland Center Stage at The Amory continues its Northwest Stories series with Bekah Brunstetter's The Oregon Trail, opening on the U.S. Bank Main Stage on November 4, with previews beginning October 29 and performances through November 20.
I wish you could see 'Kiss' at Woolly Mammoth Theatre the way I did: Without a lot of advance insight, no prior research and only the vague knowledge it was an adaptation of a foreign play.
Portland Center Stage at The Amory continues its Northwest Stories series with Bekah Brunstetter's The Oregon Trail, opening on the U.S. Bank Main Stage on November 4, with previews beginning October 29 and performances through November 20.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announces the second production of its 37th Season, the U.S. premiere of KISS by Guillermo Calderon, directed by Yury Urnov. KISS will run from October 10 - November 6, 2016.
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