WASHINGTON, DC THEATER REVIEWS

The urban, castaway feel of the show--a touch of “Rent” and a splash of street theatre. And a lot of sounds to groove to....

What are the odds of two cartoonists submitting to the New Yorker both living in Cleveland? Or that one was hired to be the caretaker of the other? ...

The winter offering of Synetic Theater is a grand story chronicled by Roman historians and subsequently immortalized by Shakespeare. A tale of sweeping grandeur, power plays, alliances, nations conquered, unseemly lustful urges, and betrayal. Now let’s portray all that using only sight, sound, and...

What did our critic think of SHEN YUN 2026 at The Kennedy Center?...

What did our critic think of the national touring company production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, running at the National Theatre....

What did our critic think of MEREDITH WILLSON'S MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: THE MUSICAL at Capital One Hall?...

IN CLAY is an affecting, engaging, and utterly unique theatrical experience — unlike anything on stage now. The deeply felt, visually stunning, and musically mesmerizing new one-woman musical is making its American premiere at Signature Theatre....

This diverting if uneven revival of the 2004-5 Broadway hit is an amusing distraction from the tense politics playing out at the venue....

The Kennedy Center has never presented a Christmas spectacular in house before. That is until now. Noel: Jesus is Born! was a family friendly concert in the Opera House that featured lots of great music, some really good talent, and above all, conveyed the true meaning of the season. It’s not all ...

Theater J’s Chanukah in the Dark, directed by Tyler Herman, is a play with music (by Adam Wernick), and it is a wonderful, family-friendly celebration of Hanukkah....

Traditionally when you think of what an opera is, visions of four hour long extravaganzas with beautiful singing but with stilted or no acting at all come to mind. The question then becomes how does this entertainment genre attract the youngest of audience members to its productions? Let’s face it...

At this festive time of year, everyone has a favorite tradition. One of mine is attending YOUR National Symphony Orchestra’s (NSO) annual A Holiday Pops! concert. It is always guaranteed to showcase a top notch singer and a superb choir, while giving the audience one audible pleasure after another...

Most know the musical “West Side Story,” where Puerto Rican and white gangs rumble on the Upper West Side 1950s New York in the manner of the Montagues and Capulets....

DC holiday theatre isn’t complete without The Keegan Theatre’s AN IRISH CAROL- an uproarious, colorfully-phrased ode to Christmas. Modeled on Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol,” AN IRISH CAROL has become a classic in its own right....

The biggest issues with the musical adaptation of 'Water for Elephants' is that it doesn’t seem to know what it’s trying to be, and the choreographic and performance talent in this tour would be better served by stronger material....

The Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker was a faithful rendition of the holiday classic with a whimsical Washingtonian twist. When it comes to the ballet classic Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, you'll find that each company strives to find a way to make it new again....

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....

Before Lea Salonga stepped out on the stage of the Strathmore this past Saturday evening, I could feel the anticipation building. Soon, a very savvy orchestra assembled and lightly “tuned up” as the audience awaited the entrance of Lea Salonga, --stage, screen, recording and concert performer pa...

What did our critic think of RULES FOR LIVING at Round House Theatre?...

Back in the day around this time of year, there used to be these things called variety shows which featured big musical artists singing their hearts out for the holidays. It wasn’t Christmas until Andy Williams, The Carpenters, and Perry Como came across our TV screens....

The Improvised Shakespeare Company has kicked off their 8th annual tour at the Kennedy Center, running through December 23. Stop by any night, or on all of them, to see a unique performance by theatrical elites. ...

DC’s own Step Afrika! returned to Arena Stage on Friday for its annual Magical Musical Holiday Step Show. What did our critic think of STEP AFRIKA! MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW at Arena Stage?...

A charming and engaging musical romp....

The holiday season is now in full swing and amidst all the “God bless us all” and Sugar Plums is a seasonal perennial that has been kicking holiday music up a notch for over 40 years now. I’m speaking of Chip Davis’ Manheim Steamroller of course and with twelve albums of Christmas music alon...

Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker, choreographed by Victoria Morgan and conducted by Alyssa Wang, is whimsical and magical, a perfect show for the holiday season. ...