THEATRE REVUE: Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam!!!

 

Monty Python’s Spamalot sang its way into the funny bone of everyone at The Lyric Opera House in Baltimore on Columbus Day weekend. Described as “lovingly ripped off from” the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical is a show worth seeing.

Peter Pan Flies into Wolf Trap

This is a fantastic production! It is definitely geared towards children, but the adults will love it too!

Cirque du Soleil: The World of Quidam Comes to Baltimore

 

Since its inception in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has symbolized a level of performance that exceeds the boundaries of human capability. Through almost three decades of resident and touring shows, international audiences have grown to expect an exhibition of finely tuned acrobatic talent from all over the world, blending its trademark flavor of circus and street performance with imaginative characters and storytelling. A Cirque classic, Quidam has come to Baltimore for the first time and is performing at the 1st Mariner Arena August 24th-28th. The show first premiered in the company’s home town of Montreal in 1996 and after fifteen years has been incorporated into their recently formed arena division.

THEATRE REVUE: Five Reasons to See ‘Oklahoma’

 

Since we already reviewed Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! when it first debuted at Arena Stage last fall, here are five reasons you should absolutely not miss this quintessentially American musical while it’s playing at Washington D.C.’s most impressive stage again. There’s a reason the first production enjoyed a sold-out, award-winning engagement, and if you miss it this time too, you will definitely regret it. So forget about scoring those impossible-to-get tickets to The Book of Mormon and head to downtown D.C. for a night of unforgettable theatre.

THEATRE REVUE: Mamma Mia

Before I start my analysis… I realize that I will probably get comments from some of you who either saw the show along with me or have seen the show somewhere along the way…and loved it! It’s ABBA, what’s not to love?! I agree! However, this production was far from what a Broadway caliber show should be and I was disappointed! Although, the last time I saw the Broadway cast perform, they were no better, so in my opinion, what really needs to happen is a better qualified casting director needs to come in and cast the Broadway and touring productions as if the show just opened and needs to gain a reputation, as opposed to counting on an already built reputation and ABBA’s greatest hits!! Despite all of my issues with the show, I did still enjoy myself, overall! Like I said, it’s ABBA, people!

THEATRE REVUE: Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo

 

Edward Albee is not only one of America’s most esteemed living playwrights but also a DC-area native son, so what better place to pay tribute to his genius than right here in Washington DC? In honor of its inaugural season at the Mead Center for American Theater, Arena Stage has mounted a two-month festival celebrating nearly every single one of Albee’s works.

THEATRE REVUE: Arabian Nights

 

Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the centuries old tales The One Thousand and One Nights is a surprisingly funny — at times farcical — look at the importance of storytelling and the power of words. An enthusiastic cast performed the stories-within-a-story on Arena Stage’s in-the-round Fichandler Theatre.

THEATRE REVUE: Anna Deavere Smith’s Let Me Down Easy

 

Anna Deveare Smith is one of those theatrical powerhouses whose presence can singularly command an audience. It’s a rare and gifted performer who can headline a one-person show, and Smith is one of the few who’s utterly riveting again and again. Having tackled race and violence in Twilight: Los Angeles and Fires in the Mirror, Smith explores life, death and the meaning of grace in Let Me Down Easy.

THEATRE REVUE: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

 

Yee-haaaw! Set in the early 20th Century, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is back in all of its classic honor. Directed by Molly Smith, it is being shown at the Arena Stage in DC. It first debuted on Broadway in the midst of World War II. Oklahoma territory is on the brink of statehood, and the people in the town deal with everyday life, in a humorous but at times serious manner. An American timeless musical, with all the fixings of cowboys, farmers, and romance seems to charm audiences wherever it goes.

THEATRE REVUE: Ovo Meets DC’s Eggspectations

 

If you ever traveled to I-95 North across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge from Virginia in the last few days, you would have noticed the big yellow and blue Grand Chapiteau near the Plateau at National Harbor. The dynamic circus troupe, Cirque Du Soleil, has come back to the DC Metro Area to bring their 25th production while celebrating the troupe’s 25th anniversary. Their latest production entitled OVO, Portuguese for “egg”, delves deep into the world of insects as we see them play, work hard, and look for love. OVO brings  the familiar Cirque style light-hearted, family friendly entertainment sprinkled with a Brazilian flavor that captures your imagination.