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Reviews

Story Theatre

⊆ August 26th, 2008 by Steven McKnight | ˜ No Comments »

Story Theatre
By Paul Sills
Co-Directed by Suzanne Richard & Ian Armstrong
Produced by Open Circle Theatre
Reviewed by Steven McKnight

Watching Open Circle Theatre’s performance of Story Theatre reminded me of the importance of play selection.  This adaptation of several of Grimm’s fairy tales and Aesop’s fables accentuates the strengths of the company and delivers a satisfying evening of family entertainment. Read more…

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Maria/Stuart

⊆ August 25th, 2008 by Tim Treanor | ˜ 1 Comment »

Maria/Stuart
By Jason Grote
Directed by Pam MacKinnon
Produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Reviewed by Tim Treanor

Here is what happened, all those hundreds of years ago, as re-imagined in Friedrich Schiller’s play Maria Stuart: Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, is framed by a forged letter and executed for a treason she never committed, even though her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, knew that she was not guilty. Here’s what happens in the absolutely astonishing world premiere now playing at Woolly Mammoth: Stuart (Eli James) has had his romantic dreams sustained for his entire adult life by a letter which he hides in a bust of Friedrich Schiller - a letter which may have been forged. Read more…

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Theories of the Sun

⊆ August 16th, 2008 by Tim Treanor | ˜ No Comments »
  • Theories of the Sun
  • By Kathleen Akerley
  • Produced by Longacre Lea
  • Directed by Kathleen Akerley and Jonathon Church
  • Reviewed by Tim Treanor

Having already established herself as a premium Washington-area actor and director, Kathleen Akerley has now written a startlingly good play - not about playwriting and literature, as you may have been led to believe, but about the sweetness of life itself, and the need for its closing in order to give it meaning. Read more…

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Theatre Schmooze with Joel Markowitz

Joel’s Best Musicals

⊆ August 19th, 2008 by Joel Markowitz | ˜ 6 Comments »
  • WELL NOTED: THE 2007-2008 MUSICAL SEASON IN REVIEW
  • By Joel Markowitz

 I am a very fortunate man. This year I saw many wonderful musicals and musical performances on our local professional, community and children’s theatre stages.

Here are my favorites.

Read more…

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Richard Seff's NY Theatre Buzz

Buffalo Gal

⊆ August 22nd, 2008 by Richard Seff | ˜ No Comments »

Buffalo Gal and a look at Broadway producers
By Richard Seff

It’s always a pleasure to watch a master craftsman at work. A.R. Gurney is such an artist and for over 50 years he has been offering us well crafted plays at the rate of one every year or two. His latest, Buffalo Gal, is a reworking of one he wrote in 2001 for the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He saw it staged again in 2002 in Buffalo which is the play’s setting at the Studio Arena. Now, reshaped for 2008, it finally arrived in New York on August 5th, via Primary Stages. Why did it take eight years and three versions? Read more…

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Podcasts

Synetic Forges a Message of Love from a Tragedy


A conversation with Synetic Theater’s Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili
By Joel Markowitz
Recorded Saturday, August 23, 2008

As Russian troops occupied the Republic of Georgia, DC’s Synetic Theater, headed by Georgian artists, was rehearsing their season opener The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili received a call, then turned on Georgian news to learn about the tragedy that was unfolding in his native country, affecting his family and the family of other company members. “Russian tanks and soldiers are running around in my small beautiful country…they are burning everything even forests, ranches, houses.” Read more…

 
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⊆August 25th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Lawrence Redmond

  • A two part interview with actor Lawrence Redmond starring in Jerry Springer: The Opera
  • By Joel Markowitz Read more…

     
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    icon for podpress  Lawrence Redmond on his career: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1433)
    ⊆August 5th, 2008
    ≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Heidi Blickenstaff

From Meet John Doe, to Little Mermaid to [title of show].  Read more…

 
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⊆July 30th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Scott Greer

  • A conversation with the Philly actor, now playing in Les Miserables
  • Part of our series taking a look at theatre in Philadelphia
  • By Joel Markowitz Read more…

     
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    ⊆July 15th, 2008
    ≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Theatre News

A Few Goodbyes

Tobin Atkinson, Marynell Hinton, Jim Jorgensen, Charlotte Akin, Ronnie Ruff Read more…

⊆August 4th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

Bill Largess Heads Washington Stage Guild

In today’s Backstage column, Jane Horwitz writes a moving tribute to  John MacDonald with reflections from Rick Foucheax, Victor Shargai and others and announces that well-loved actor Bill Largess, who also serves as President of the WSG Board, will become its Artistic Director.

⊆July 16th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

Break Even Bows Out of Fringe

Break Even, the office comedy about gambling and politics from Trufle Pigs, has cancelled its remaining four shows in the Fringe Festival.

⊆July 16th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

In Memory of John MacDonald

 

 – It is with great sadness that we announce that John MacDonald, longtime artistic director of Washington Stage Guild, died Sunday, July 6th from an accidental fall in his home in Mt. Ranier. It’s hard to fathom the depth of the loss for the actors and company members who knew him, and for us as audience who came to embrace the feast of Shaw and others he regularly laid before us. Read more…

⊆July 15th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views