Nova Payton News

Just announced, Norm Lewis will star in the iconic dual roles of Cervantes/Don Quixote in the legendary Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

Maestro LUKE FRAZIER and THE AMERICAN POPS ORCHESTRA - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - hosted the closing concert of their successful inaugural season. Make Someone Happy: A 60s Cocktail Party at the George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium on Friday, May 6th. Special guests included theater and screen stars Erik Altemus (Pippin on Broadway), Nova Y. Payton (Helen Hayes Award winner for Hairspray), Nicholas Rodriquez ('One Life to Live' on ABC-TV, Helen Hayes Award winner) and Hayley Travers (Children of Eden at the Kennedy Center), in addition to dancers, choreography and full costumes. Check out photos below!

I'll admit to only a passing familiarity with Janis Joplin before I saw the current show at the 5th Avenue Theatre, “A Night with Janis Joplin”, in that I knew who she was but was hard pressed to come up with any of her songs. Of course, after seeing the show I found I knew more of her stuff than I thought, I just didn't know it was her. And while Kacee Clanton as Janis is quite a sight to see not to mention the other incredible women she has up there with her, the show as a whole doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a biography, a rock concert, a history of blues? Who can say? But what I can say is that the connecting dialog attempting some kind of through line for the show was at best boring and at worst forced and embarrassing.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, beginning tonight, March 25, in Seattle.

Starting rehearsals at The 5th Avenue Theatre this week is the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN.

Much like the lighting of the National Christmas Tree or the Boat Parade of Lights, Signature's holiday cabarets have become a welcome DC tradition. Fortunately for us, this year's edition stars the incomparable Nova Y. Payton in a heartwarming show that celebrates friends, family and the holiday standards we love.

Tony Award-winning playwright Lisa Kron will be a featured guest and participant at the launch party of the Women's Voices Theater Festival on September 8 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The invitation-only event kicks off the beginning of the Festival, an unprecedented collaboration among professional theater companies that includes the presentation of more than 50 world-premiere productions of work by female playwrights, taking place this September and October in the nation's capital region. The launch party features a creative conversation between Kron and National Public Radio's Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg focused on gender parity in the arts in the Museum's Performance Hall, followed by a celebratory party and toast to officially declare the start of the Festival.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its doors for its annual Open House on Sunday, August 2, for an all-day extravaganza full of live performances and arts events across five different stages. Free and open to the public, this special summer event runs from noon until 8:30pm, with numerous performances throughout the Signature complex starting every fifteen minutes, as well as a one-day-only discounted ticket sale at the Box Office for select performances of mainstage shows in Signature's 2015/16 season.

theatreWashington and Signature Theatre are proud to announce the return of Summer Hummer, a burlesque-style fundraiser featuring some of DC's best and hottest performers. Summer Hummer IV: Foreplay will be held Monday, August 17 at Signature Theatre with two exclusive one-night-only performances at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM. Tickets are $35 for General Admission or $100 for the VIP reserved section and are now on sale at SigTheatre.org or by calling 703 820 9771.

Are you the next Broadway or pop sensation? The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA is launching the first 'Signature Voice' competition on August 2nd during the theater's annual Open House.  The new 'Signature Voice' competition will replace the popular Signature Idol Competition held over the last five years.  Held in Signature's MAX Theatre, the competition will host a panel of three celebrity judges in search of the best undiscovered singers in the DC region.

The incomparable Kevin McAllister leads a dream cast of DC artists whose powerhouse performances explore one of the most consequential times in American history.

'We're opening doors, singing 'Here we are'!' So sing the three fast friends of Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, and that was the message of Washington-area (and Sondheim specialist) Signature Theatre to the overflowing crowd of thousands last weekend at their Open House celebrating the 25th Anniversary Season.

Voting is now underway for Washington, DC! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Washington, DC! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Washington, DC! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Washington, DC! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

The all-star Summer Hummer burlesque returns for a second triumphant year, with direction by Eric Schaeffer and performances by the best - and bawdiest - talent that Washington stages have to offer. Last year the event raised more than $16,000 for the Taking Care of Our Ownemergency fund, which provides short-term assistance to Washington-area theatre artists in unexpected need. Building on that success, this year's production features an added performance and an astounding line-up of top performers from Washington and Broadway.

Signature's Sondheim Award Gala was presented to honor those who have contributed to the works of legendary composer, Stephen Sondheim, and the canon of American theater. Check out the photos from this year's event.

The Summer Hummer, DC theatre's most revealing variety show, plays a benefit performance at Signature Theatre for Taking Care of Our Own, which helps Washington theatre professionals with emergency needs, tonight, August 20 at 7 p.m.

The Summer Hummer, DC theatre's most revealing variety show, plays a benefit performance at Signature Theatre for Taking Care of Our Own, which helps Washington theatre professionals with emergency needs, on Monday, August 20 at 7 p.m.