Washington, DC Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 2

Review: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION at NextStop Theatre
by Hannah R. Wing - November 20, 2024

What makes NextStop Theatre’s The Shawshank Redemption stand out is the dedication that the cast has to bringing these characters to life on stage without miming the performances from the movie....

Review: MACBETH at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - November 18, 2024

Malevolence, greed, the thirst for power and the never-ending quest for revenge dominate the Washington National Opera production of composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth. The vocals by the company of classical singers assembled here are the glory of this production....

Review: SUMMER, 1976 at Studio Theatre
by Mary Lincer - November 17, 2024

What did our critic think of SUMMER, 1976 at Studio Theatre?...

Review: LO MEJOR DE EDWIN at GALA Hispanic Theatre
by Emily Berger - November 16, 2024

Flamenco afficionados and skeptics alike should make every effort to see this performance for its choreographic range and strong performances....

Review: I'LL TAKE YOU THERE: STAX RECORDS CO. at Signature Theatre
by Roger Catlin - November 16, 2024

Signature Theatre’s cabaret series has been mining the riches of the 1960s for some time, from Bacharach to Woodstock, with repeat visits to Motown. A new show diverges to Memphis for its own flavor of gritty soul and the gems that came from its own indelible record label....

Review: SIX at The National Theatre
by Jake Bridges - November 15, 2024

What did our critic think of SIX at National Theatre?...

Review: THE SECOND CITY: DANCE LIKE THERE'S BLACK PEOPLE WATCHING at Woolly Mammoth
by Roger Catlin - November 12, 2024

The latest Second City production at Woolly Mammoth aims to bring “Black joy” in the tradition of its past successes there, such as 2016’s “Black Side of the Moon.” That show came to D.C. on the teeth of a dispiriting election, as does the new one, “Dance Like There’s Black People Watching.”...

Review: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - November 10, 2024

Shenanigans and Sondheim are a great combination in Signature Theatre’s production of the beloved musical farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum....

Review: DATA at Arena Stage
by Jackson Malmgren - November 09, 2024

What did our critic think of DATA at Arena Stage?...

Review: PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC at Theater J
by Mary Lincer - November 05, 2024

In an elegant coincidence (or a charming conspiracy by the theatre gods), DC audiences will be able to see two absolutely engrossing plays about Jewish family life in 20th and 21st century Europe, back to back: Tom Stoppard's Tony award-winning Leopoldstadt next month at the Shakespeare Theatre and ...

Review: DISNEY FROZEN at Olney Theatre Center
by Ken Kemp - November 05, 2024

A Broadway quality show that is perfect for introducing young children to the magic of live theatre. There's magic in the air, as Olney Theatre Center kicks off the holiday musical season with a production of Disney's Frozen that is nothing short of spectacular....

Review: Solas Nua's Double Bill Opens Thrilling New Horizons for DC Theater
by Andrew White - November 04, 2024

In collaboration with two innovative young companies from Ireland, Dublin’s Murmuration and Galway’s Brú Theatre, we have a vision of the future of theatre which takes the new technologies of sound and film in stride. The results are pieces that occur right next to you, enveloping you in a warmth yo...

Review: THE ART OF CARE at Mosaic Theater Company
by Morgan Musselman - November 05, 2024

Those looking for a break from election discourse this month may find welcome reprieve in Mosaic Theater Company's deeply compassionate production, THE ART OF CARE, on stage now through November 24....

Review: THE OTHER AMERICANS at Arena Stage
by David Friscic - November 04, 2024

An obvious labor of love by all concerned, actor and writer John Leguizamo’s The Other Americans is an extremely well-written and highly ambitious play that delineates the tragedy of a man’s fatal flaws ripping apart his family at the seams. ...

Review: LABORATORY DANCE PROJECT at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater
by Emily Berger - November 02, 2024

While neither piece of choreography made full use of the dancers’ prowess, Thursday’s opening night performance was nonetheless a captivating and welcome distraction. ...

Review: DOKTOR KABOOM: UNDER PRESSURE! at The Kennedy Center
by Jennifer Muscato - October 30, 2024

Doktor Kaboom (and no, I didn't spell that wrong) is a man of science...it says so right on his lab coat. With that in mind, I knew my 7-year-old son was going to love this show, and I was right. In fact, I've seen many shows at The Kennedy Center's Family Theater, and this was the best one!...

Review: BEN FOLDS AND THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - October 29, 2024

As the first person to serve as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, Ben Folds has had several opportunities over the past few years to perform with the organization....

Review: FIDELIO at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - October 28, 2024

The Washington National Opera’s production of Beethoven’s Fidelio is a triumph of elegant, efficient style and directorial finesse. Director Francesca Zambello re-invigorates the somewhat uninspired libretto by Joesph Von Sonnleithner with a vigor and intelligence that envelops this tale of valor, c...

Review: GODS & MORTALS: A CELEBRATION OF WAGNER at The Kennedy Center
by Rachael F. Goldberg - October 28, 2024

'Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner' is a beautiful, if limited, array of performances and works highlighting both the composer and Kennedy Center’s own wonderful talent....

Review: A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY at The DC Arts Center
by Naomi Ducat - October 27, 2024

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Review: ASTRO BOY AND THE GOD OF COMICS at Flying V
by Mary Lincer - October 26, 2024

What did our critic think of ASTRO BOY AND THE GOD OF COMICS at Flying V?...

Review: AOIFE O'DONOVAN & BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - October 24, 2024

Maestro Steven Reineke never ceases to amaze me with the wide range of artists he brings to DC to play with YOUR National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). In the past he’s featured everything from such Broadway stars as Norm Lewis and Megan Hilty to Grammy winning Latin performers Ozomatli. He always intro...

Review: RENÉE FLEMING AND THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - October 21, 2024

With the size of theatrical orchestras being drastically cut, one of the few places left to hear a full string section is at a symphonic concert. What better symphony is there than YOUR National Symphony Orchestra (NSO)?...

Review: NORM LEWIS at The Barns At Wolf Trap
by David Friscic - October 21, 2024

A veneer of unabashed professionalism, musical prowess, and often amusing self-reflection enveloped the Broadways star Norm Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, etc.) as he delighted the audience at The Barns at Wolf Trap. Norm Lewis’ rich and resonant baritone voice is a natural wonder ...

Review: THE PLIANT GIRLS at Theatre Prometheus/Nu Sass
by Mary Lincer - October 20, 2024

What did our critic think of THE PLIANT GIRLS at Theatre Prometheus/Nu Sass?...