Ro Boddie News

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!

The late August Wilson is one of America's greatest playwrights. From the early 1980s up until his death in 2005, Wilson wrote 10 plays, each encompassing African American life in a different decade focusing on the same Pittsburgh neighborhood, with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom being the sole play to occur outside of Pittsburgh. These 10 plays when put together are known as The Pittsburgh Cycle or Century Cycle, and is considered some of the 10 best plays ever written by an American playwright.

What can be defined as slavery? In multiple ways, slavery continually exists and humans can all be slaves to someone or something. At the Stiemke Studio this past February weekend, The Milwaukee Rep opened The Whipping Man. The 2006 award-winning Off Broadway play written by Matthew Lopez returns three men, the owner's son and two of his slaves, to their family homestead in a complex and riveting American Civil War drama set a few days before the assassination of President Lincoln.

The Rep continues its 60th Anniversary Season with The Whipping Man, the play The New York Times describes as 'filled with fine characterization and unexpected moments of humor.' Check out a first look below!

The Rep continues its 60th Anniversary Season with The Whipping Man, the play The New York Times describes as 'filled with fine characterization and unexpected moments of humor.' The Civil War has ended, but for some, the struggle has just begun. A Jewish Confederate soldier, wounded in war, has returned from the battlefield to find that his family has fled. The only remaining household members are two former slaves, who have been raised by his family as Jews. Over a celebratory feast, family history is uncovered and dark secrets are revealed, forcing the men to come to terms with the sordid legacies of slavery and war that threaten each of their future freedoms. Written by Matthew Lopez, The Whipping Man will be directed by Associate Artistic Director Brent Hazelton. The cast features Ro Boddie, James Craven, both making their Rep debuts, and Josh Landay, who returns to The Rep after appearing as Tateh in Ragtime earlier this season. The Whipping Man runs in the Stiemke Studio from February 5 - March 16, and opens Saturday, February 8. (Please note special Saturday evening opening.) The Stiemke Season is generously presented by John and Connie Kordsmeier.

The Rep continues its 60th Anniversary Season with The Whipping Man, the play The New York Times describes as "filled with fine characterization and unexpected moments of humor." The Civil War has ended, but for some, the struggle has just begun. A Jewish Confederate soldier, wounded in war, has returned from the battlefield to find that his family has fled. The only remaining household members are two former slaves, who have been raised by his family as Jews. Over a celebratory feast, family history is uncovered and dark secrets are revealed, forcing the men to come to terms with the sordid legacies of slavery and war that threaten each of their future freedoms. Written by Matthew Lopez, The Whipping Man will be directed by Associate Artistic Director Brent Hazelton. The cast features Ro Boddie, James Craven, both making their Rep debuts, and Josh Landay, who returns to The Rep after appearing as Tateh in Ragtime earlier this season. The Whipping Man runs in the Stiemke Studio from February 5 - March 16, and opens Saturday, February 8. (Please note special Saturday evening opening.) The Stiemke Season is generously presented by John and Connie Kordsmeier.

'Dirt' should be seen for the imagery-filled language the playwright employs and the fine acting, particularly by the incredible Holly Twyford.

It's almost over! There's just FIVE days of voting remaining for the 2011 DC Awards and here is the latest update! Have you voted yet, and helped to spread the word to support your favorites in the hopes that they will be the recipients of a 2011 BroadwayWorld DC Award? There is no time to waste, click on the voting link and make your opinion count! Below are the stats so far as of Monday December 26, 2011. Voting ends at midnight on 12/31 so time is running out.

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.

Following sold out runs of Twelfth Night and Richard II last summer, Sonnet Repertory Theatre announces their upcoming production of Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, directed by Christopher Schilder. The Caucasian Chalk Circle will begin performances on Thursday, July 28, with an official opening slated for Friday, July 29.

Following sold out runs of Twelfth Night and Richard II last summer, Sonnet Repertory Theatre announces their upcoming production of Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, directed by Christopher Schilder. The Caucasian Chalk Circle will begin performances on Thursday, July 28, with an official opening slated for Friday, July 29.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season with August Wilson's masterpiece and first Broadway success Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on May 21-June 13.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season with August Wilson's masterpiece and first Broadway success Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on May 21-June 13.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2009-2010 season with August Wilson's masterpiece and first Broadway success Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on May 21-June 13.

Forum Theatre starts its sixth season next week with its most ambitious production to date, both parts of Tony Kushner's Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.

Forum Theatre starts its sixth season next week with its most ambitious production to date, both parts of Tony Kushner's Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.

Forum Theatre starts its sixth season next week with its most ambitious production to date, both parts of Tony Kushner's Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.

Company member Alexander Strain is among the prestigious DC actors cast in Forum Theatre's revival of the Tony Award-winning Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes. In addition to Strain, who plays Louis, the ensemble features Helen Hayes Award-winners Jennifer Mendenhall as Hannah and Nanna Ingvarsson as The Angel, along with Helen Hayes nominees Karl Miller as Prior and Jim Jorgensen as Roy Cohn. Casie Platt as Harper, Daniel Eichner as Joe, and Ro Boddie as Belize round out the cast.

The Fall theatre season in the DC area is in full bloom. As the leaves are turning, there is a colorful group of shows opening this month. There are so many, so where do I begin? Here are shows that I am looking forward to seeing, and remember I am a musical theatre lover who likes to sprinkle in a play or two - here and there - so don't get mad if I don't choose one of the plays you are looking forward to seeing. You have your chance at the end of this article to share your 'must sees' also with our readers. Hopefully, you'll make the trip down to the DC area to see some of these wonderful productions.