Ryan Burke News

"What's the buzz? Tell me what's-a-happening?" Anyone familiar with JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-lived rock musical, will find those lyrics familiar. And the buzz, in my opinion, is that an excellent production of the musical is showing now through November 21 courtesy of the Kensington Arts Theatre in Maryland.

Kensington Arts Theatre Artistic Director Craig Pettinati is pleased to announce the DC-Metro theatre has decided to venture into uncharted territory, with the expansion of offerings to now include both musicals and plays.

The Ford's Theatre Society 2014-2015 season continues with the musical Freedom's Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, directed by Jeff Calhoun, March 13 through May 20, 2015, at the historic Ford's Theatre (511 Tenth Street NW, Washington, D.C.). A new adaptation of the Broadway musical The Civil War, Freedom's Song features the words of Abraham Lincoln and music inspired by the letters of those who lived through the Civil War. The production is part of Ford's 150: Remembering the Lincoln Assassination, a series of events marking the 150 years since Abraham Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre.

Big musicals are a rarity to come by. Shows with huge sets, large casts, and a Hollywood sized orchestra are a thing of the past. But all of these are on display at NextStop Theatre Company's recent production of Gutenberg! The Musical! Well, at least there are on display in the minds of aspiring playwrights, Doug Simon and Bud Davenport.

With a strong cast and surprising production values, KAT's THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a smile inducing, laugh-fest the brings cheese, heart, and a high-energy score to Kensington Town Center.

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.

Public Theater Chairman of the Board Warren Spector and Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson announced today that Mr. Hamingson has stepped down from his position at The Public Theater for personal reasons but will stay on as a consultant for two months to help with the transition. Joey Parnes, who was the Executive Producer at The Public Theater from 1994-1996 and has been the Executive Producer on The Public's recent Broadway productions, will be the interim Executive Director while a nationwide search is conducted for Mr. Hamingson's successor.

With over 30 shows opening on DC area stages, there's lots to choose from for local theatregoers and visitors in February. There's a 'mash-up' festival, a puppet 'slam!', a Tom Stoppard play, the beginning of The Edward Albee Festival, and so much more! So come visit the Nation's Capital and join us for some outstanding theatre.

Last night, Monday, March 1, MCC Theatre hosted its starry Miscast Gala at The Hammerstein Ballroom. In attendance were Jordan Ballard, Jackie Burns, Raul Esparza, Sutton Foster, Kelsey Fowler, Montego Glover, Alison Horowitz, Anastacia McCleskey, Marin Mazzie, David Miller (Il Divo), Aaron Tveit, and Tom Wopat, host Mo Rocca, honoree Julianna Margulies, plus special guests Judith Light, Josh Charles, Quincy Tyler Bernstein, Sami Gayle and Isaac Mizrahi.

The Boomerang Theatre Company debuted The Legacy Reading Series, a new annual event featuring readings of plays from past seasons, last week to benefit the company. The series is intended to celebrate past works, while giving new audiences a chance to experience them. All proceeds from The Legacy Series are intended benefit Boomerang new play development programs.

On Thursday, January 7, Michele Lee (Tale of the Allergist's Wife), Tony Award-winner Debra Monk (Curtains), Tracee Ellis Ross ('Girlfriends') and Casey Wilson ('Saturday Night Live') joined the rotating cast of Love, Loss and What I Wore, alongside the returning Katie Finneran (Noises Off). BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the new cast on their opening night.

Acclaimed actors Martin Sheen and Olympia Dukakis, legendary rock musician Ray Manzarek of The Doors, and poets Michael McClure and Anne Waldman joined Judith Malina and other artists for a one-night-only gala to benefit The Living Theatre on Friday, December 18, beginning with cocktails and dinner at 6pm, followed by a program of music and performance at The Players Club in Manhattan.

This week, the cast a team of THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE, PART 2: THE STORY OF A MARRIAGE, met with the press in anticipation of it's opening on Thursday, December 17.

Roger Guenveur Smith's explosive new work JUAN AND JOHN, running December 1 to December 20 at The Public Theater, is inspired by the violent altercation between Juan Marichal and John Roseboro during a 1965 Giants-Dodgers game. The two became friends in later years.

This morning, December 3rd, BURN THE FLOOR and Dancing with the Stars vets Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kym Johnson got in touch with their sweet side at Serendipidy 3, indulging in some morning Sundaes the famed cafe named in ode to the show. Check out the pair's ice cream honor below!