Washington, DC Theater Reviews

Review: THE GIRL WHO BECAME LEGEND at The Kennedy Center
by Jennifer Muscato - February 05, 2024

The musical The Girl Who Became Legend showcases the strength and bravery of a young girl, the power of big dreams and even addresses the topical issue of book banning....

Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Round House Theatre
by David Friscic - February 01, 2024

The painful slow journey for understanding as to what normalcy or perceived sanity is --when a family member is suffering from bipolar illness--- is explored with heartbreaking poignancy, almost brutal honesty and with deadpan caustic humor in the musical Next to Normal. Now playing at Bethesda’s Ro...

Review: Audra McDonald in Concert with The National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center Concert Hall
by Mary Lincer - January 31, 2024

Audra McDonald has (at least) four voices--Broadway, jazz, opera, blues--not to mention six Tonys. She brought them all (the voices, not the awards) to her two hour concert with the National Symphony Pops which repeats Wednesday evening, January 31. ...

Review: TICK, TICK ...BOOM! at John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts
by Pamela Roberts - January 31, 2024

Tick, tick …BOOM! is a raw and moving semi-autobiographical musical by Rent's Jonathan Larson. The Kennedy Center revisits the work with a spiffy new Broadway Center Stage production directed by Neil Patrick Harris and brings together three of Broadway’s most exciting and award-winning talents: Bran...

Review: MINDPLAY at Arena Stage
by Ken Kemp - January 27, 2024

This moving blend of engrossing theatre, vulnerable storytelling and masterful illusions is must see theatre....

Review: ANNIE at Broadway at the National
by Peter Rouleau - January 25, 2024

A pleasantly diverting spectacle....

Review: A COMMEDIA ROMEO AND JULIET at Faction Of Fools Theatre Company
by Roger Catlin - January 24, 2024

Commedia dell’Arte was a theatrical style that developed in Italy more than 450 years ago. Intended for the lower classes, with exuberant physical movement, improvisation, lots of masks and stock characters like the Harlequin and Pulcinella, it was a celebratory perfect for the carnivale circuit....

Review: AMERICAN OPERA INITIATIVE: Three 20-Minute Operas at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - January 23, 2024

What did our critic think of AMERICAN OPERA INITIATIVE: THREE 20-MINUTE OPERAS at Kennedy Center?...

Review: To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - January 23, 2024

Liz Callaway embodies and breathes the essence of Stephen Sondheim. In the very personal and professional tribute concert To Steve With Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim, there is an utter fusion of the performer’s love and respect for her musical mentor and the choice and intimate presentation...

Review: NUNSENSE A-MEN! at NextStop Theatre
by Tavish Young - January 22, 2024

On January 20th, NextStop Theatre Company premiered their production of Nunsense A-Men!, directed by Andrew Regiec....

Review: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: NOVA Y. PAYTON SINGS BURT BACHARACH at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - January 20, 2024

Nova Y. Payton breathed fresh air, sassy jazz elements and sublime, variegated vocals into the world of the legendary composer Burt Bacharach in an innovative and musically invigorating evening of cabaret. Entitled That’s What Friends Are For:  Nova Y. Payton Sings Burt Bacharach, this cabaret was y...

Review: LOVE LOVE LOVE at Studio Theatre
by Roger Catlin - January 16, 2024

British playwright Mike Bartlett, born in 1980, takes up the legacy of London’s swinging 60s in his play Love Love Love currently running in a sharp, well-acted production at Studio Theatre....

Review: HOW TO BE A KOREAN WOMAN at Theater J
by Roger Catlin - January 09, 2024

Like many adoptees when they reach adulthood, Sun Mee Chomet had a desire to find her biological parent....

Review: FROZEN at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - December 26, 2023

The nationally traveling version of the Broadway musical has made its Washington premiere at the Kennedy Center and is already attracting large crowds of adults and many children, some of which are attired in the costumes of its lead characters Elsa and Anna (though mostly Elsa)....

Review: THE TALE OF THE FISHERMAN AND THE GOLDEN FISH At Synetic Theater
by Naomi Ducat - December 16, 2023

The Tale of the Fisherman and the Golden Fish, a Synetic Theater production, is a whimsical, family friendly production that will leave you feeling enchanted and charmed....

Review: GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY At The Kennedy Center
by Peter Rouleau - December 16, 2023

An interesting and engaging interpretation of the work of one of the most consequential American songwriters....

Review: PRETTY WOMAN The Musical at the National Theatre
by Hannah R. Wing - December 14, 2023

Pretty Woman: The Musical doesn’t live up to the award-winning romantic comedy that it is based on....

Review: SNOW MAIDEN at Synetic Theater
by Olivia Murray - December 13, 2023

I recommend this show for people of all ages who are interested in seeing a fun show that explores the theme of friendship. Children in the audience will especially enjoy this playful and interactive performance....

Review: STEP AFRIKA!'S MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW at Arena Stage
by Jackson Malmgren - December 12, 2023

What did our critic think of STEP AFRIKA!’S MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW AT ARENA STAGE at Arena Stage?...

Review: THE SEAFARER at Round House Theatre
by Mary Lincer - December 12, 2023

What did our critic think of THE SEAFARER at Round House Theatre? Five fine actors give excellent performances in Ryan Rilette's solid production of The Seafarer through December 31....

Review: THE LION, THE UNICORN, AND ME at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 11, 2023

Ten years ago, Washington National Opera (WNO) premiered a family opera about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in a manger. This past weekend, The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me returned to Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for four performances only. I reviewed the premiere, and it was as good...

Review: A HOLIDAY POPS! With Norm Lewis at the Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 11, 2023

The annual National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Holiday Pops always puts its attendees in the holiday spirit with both orchestral and vocal delights. This year’s edition featured Broadway star Norm Lewis with special guests and the mighty NSO under the direction of the always wonderful Principal Pops C...

Review: QUILTERS at 1st Stage
by Peter Rouleau - December 12, 2023

Just over a year ago, I reviewed 1st Stage's production of N. Richard Nash's 'The Rainmaker,' about a conman offering hope to a drought-racked farm family. Now, the Tyson's Corner-based company is presenting another story of hope, love, and determination in the prairies....

Review: BOTH SIDES NOW: JONI MITCHELL AND LEONARD COHEN at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - December 11, 2023

The transcendent and poetic music and lyrics of legendary and influential musicians Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen are showcased with sensitivity and professional panache by two terrific artists ----Danielle Wertz and Robbie Schaefer –in Signature Theatre’s Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell and Leonard...

Review: 4615 Theatre Company Sets Sail with A DELICATE SHIP
by Morgan Musselman - December 10, 2023

4615 Theatre Company’s sunset production of A DELICATE SHIP underscores the company’s bittersweet farewell....