Teresa Castracane News

I & You: The Musical, premiering at Olney Theatre Center, is ambitious. It’s full of tremendous verve, emotion and promise. But it’s not without flaws.

Today’s subject Lauren M. Gunderson is a prime example of an artist living her theatre life to the absolute fullest. She has had the honor of being the most produced playwright in this country three times and shows so signs of letting up with her always superb creative output. One of her latest projects is the world premiere of  I And You The Musical which is in performance at Olney Theatre Center through May 24th. The show is based on her play of the same name, which was part of a Rolling world premiere that played at Olney Theatre Center in 2015.

Young Americans, the thought-provoking and entertaining play by Lauren Yee about the American immigrant experience is currently in performances at 1st Stage through April 26.

Today’s subject Kokayi is currently living his theatre life as the composer of John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest at Mosaic Theater Company. The show runs through May 3rd at Atlas Performing Arts Center in their Sprenger Theatre space.

What did our critic think of YOUNG JOHN LEWIS: PRODIGY OF PROTEST at Mosaic Theater Company?

I like to cook. It’s been one of my hobbies most of my adult life, and I’ve grown a lot in my skill over the years with much practice. My wife often lovingly teases me about all the space my cooking instruments take up in our kitchen storage spaces. Like most things, there’s been quite a bit of trial and error involved. 

What did our critic think of PRESSURE! at ExPats Theatre?

Today’s subject Kara-Tameika Watkins is currently living her theatre onstage at Olney Theatre Center in the World Premiere Musical Little Miss Perfect. The show has just been extended to March 15th which means you have even more time to attend a performance.

As part of their self-ascribed “year of world premieres,” Olney Theatre Center is debuting the profoundly peppy, wonderfully messy, coming-of-age celebration Little Miss Perfect, written by Joriah Kwamé. The musical has been in development for more than five years, originally based on the catchy song of the same title written by Kwamé, which found stardom in the 2020 Write Out Loud contest. 

Ghosts are not infrequent in Shakespeare’s work, from the spirits of Hamlet’s father to Banquo in “Macbeth.”  Is that enough of a connection to bring the theatrical creation “Paranormal Activity” to the Shakespeare Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre? Olney Theatre continues its lovely tradition of its annual rendering of Paul Morella’s one-person adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas.” Now in its 16th year, this rendition of the classic continues to delight audiences. For the second year, DC area veteran actor Michael Russotto masterfully performs all of the almost-fifty characters in the story. This production not only features a fine adaptation of the novella and a stellar performance by Mr. Russotto but also top-notch productions values. The show is full of humor, pathos, charm and fun.

Today’s subject Maisie Posner is currently living her theatre life onstage at Round House Theatre sharing the role of Emma with Avery Harris in Rules for Living.  The production runs through January 4th and marks her Round House Theatre debut. 

Today’s subject Julie Benko is currently living her theatre life onstage at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) playing the iconic musical theatre role of Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls. The show runs through January 8th, but Ms. Benko will be departing the show on December 28th. Read on to see what her next project is.

1st Stage’s production of Birthday Candles, directed by Alex Levy and written by Noah Haidle, is a celebration of life, love, and family with a stellar cast led by Deidra LaWan Starnes.

Sakespeare Theatre Company has released photos of its holiday presentation of Guys and Dolls. Directed by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello.

This holiday season Olney Theatre Center's Hello, Dolly! gives audiences a chance to see a rarely performed classic on the Roberts Mainstage, in an entertaining production that harks back to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals.

The competitive world of track and field is the center of 1st Stage’s Fair Play, written by Ella Road and directed by Deidra LaWan Starnes, but there is more to this play than just running. Ann (Mahkai Dominique) is a British-Nigerian who crosses paths with Sophie (Camilla Pivetta), a white British star runner who has been competing since she was nine years old.

In a small coastal town in Ireland, a pair of brothers greet each other one glorious morning on the Emerald  Isle. Except one of them announces he is dead. And he spends a lot of time convincing his brother he’s talking to a ghost.

Five gifted actors in four bare walls work theatre magic to bring the epic work of Cyrano to life in Taffety Punk’s new interpretation skillfully directed and adapted by Lise Bruneau. The production is vibrant, visceral and immediate.

ExPats Theatre has assembled an excellent troupe of actors for Cold Country by contemporary Swiss playwright, Reto Finger. Director (and translator) Karin Rosnizeck ably guides them through an engrossing but difficult script which tries to integrate ancient rural Swiss myths with modern situations. The writer's efforts may be labored, but the acting is wonderful, as are the scenic projections. Cold Country does take an audience away from today; strong distractions help.