Theatre Reviews |

Theatre Review: Matthew Bourne's Cinderella at the Kennedy Center Opera House

Cinderella, with an Identity Crisis

January 17, 2019 Jaya Ghosh Theatre, Theatre Reviews

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Cinderella causes us to question what makes a Cinderella story. Is it the evil step family, and subsequent escape from a life of servitude? Is it the fairy godmother that sends Cinderella to the Ball? Or is it the glass slipper that reunites Cinderella with her Prince?

What if a story has all those characteristics, but it’s not integral to the storytelling?

Miss Saigon Reminds Us There’s Hope

December 16, 2018 Michelle Jefferson Theatre, Theatre Reviews

After 17 years, the highly anticipated Cameron Mackintosh’s dynamite Broadway revival of Boubil and Schӧnberg’s legendary musical MISS SAIGON– at the Washington, D.C. Kennedy Center Opera House– is a sensational, relevant conscientious musical you do not want to miss!

Do not be worried if you think this classic has been tweaked, this touring version will please both avid fans and the unicorn-esque first-timer! With Broadway hits like “The Heat is On in Saigon,” “The Movie in Read more

Theatre Review: Anastasia at the Kennedy Center

Anastasia – All the Best Parts of the 90s Movie with the Magic of a Live Performance

November 3, 2018 Jaya Ghosh Theatre, Theatre Reviews

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the Kennedy Center. I find any possible excuse to go to an event there. The caliber of performers and shows they bring are always astounding – and don’t get me started on the free shows EVERY DAY of the year. I can say with full conviction that Anastasia was no different.

AMP by Strathmore Is The Place To Be!

Friends The Musical Parody @ AMP

October 20, 2018 Denise A. Theatre Reviews

Friends! The Musical Parody took a short residence at AMP Bethesda. Make a big note that this is a parody! Liberties are taken and sometimes that left the audience, when I saw it, confused.
Let me say that I LOVE “Friends” the TV show. I have seen the entire series multiple of multiple times and watch episodes everyday still. When I heard this was a show, I thought, “how did I not write this?” but seeing it, my experience leads me to think it was written by people who might not actually like that show. That’s why I say emphasis on “parody”.

Opera Revue: La traviata at the Kennedy Center Opera House

Run, Don’t Walk to See Verdi’s ‘La traviata’

October 15, 2018 Candace Webb Theatre, Theatre Reviews

The Washington National Opera (WNO) opened its 2018-2019 season with a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s ever-popular and moving romantic opera, La traviata. Up until the opening night, my familiarity with La traviata was pretty much restricted to what I saw in the highly emotive scene of the famous 1990 Hollywood blockbuster romantic comedy, Pretty Woman, when Julia Roberts’ character Vivian goes to the opera for the first time, and is so touched by Verdi’s La traviata, that she is moved to tears.

Theater Review "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations"

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations Is A Joyous Musical

July 7, 2018 Derrick Dunn Theatre, Theatre Reviews

One of R&B most significant groups, “The Temptations” story comes to the stage in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. The play is making its pre-Broadway debut at the world-renowned Kennedy Center. Directed by Des McAnuff and written by Dominique Morisseau, Ain’t Too Proud is a jukebox musical seen through the eyes of Temptations group leader Otis Williams portrayed by Derrick Baskin.

Theater Review "The Night Michael Jackson Died"

The King of Pop’s Legacy Deserves Better

June 28, 2018 Derrick Dunn Theatre, Theatre Reviews, Uncategorized

June 25, 2009, is a day that I’ll never forget. I remember that I was on a shuttle bus taking the trip home when, it was announced by a fellow bus writer, that Michael Jackson had passed away. The day is visited again in the play, The Night Michael Jackson Diedwhich had a dry run at The Hamilton in Washington D.C., on the ninth anniversary of the King of Pop’s passing.

Theatre Review - Waitress at National Theatre

“Waitress” Serves Up Pies with a Side of Fun

May 20, 2018 Beth Korman Theatre, Theatre Reviews

(Desi Oakley as Jenna in the National Tour of WAITRESS – Credit: Joan Marcus)

The new musical “Waitress”, based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, is “peachy” as well as several other flavors. It is based on a book by Jessie Nelson. Tickets are available at the National Theatre until June 3.

Theatre Revue: Something’s Rotten at the National Theatre

Something’s Rotten in the State of DC

February 7, 2018 Beth Korman Theatre, Theatre Reviews

The stage is set when a charming minstrel, (Nick Rashad Burroughs) graces the stage to set the scene to welcome us to the Renaissance in London, England. His funny exaggerated facial expressions are amplified when the entertaining ensemble joins in the welcome song to add enjoyable dance moves to amuse the audience. They sing about new modern things which makes the audience laugh, as they are old to us. The tone was set for comedy and the cast delivered.

Theatre Revue: Step Afrika’s Step Xplosion at Strathmore

Stepping In The Right Direction

January 22, 2018 Derrick Dunn Theatre, Theatre Reviews

As a fan of dance, my expectations were high when I found out that I would be attending “Step Afrika’s Step Xplosion at Strathmore. The event which wasn’t an all-out competition, but more or a less a celebration of stepping and, how it helps children on their journey into adulthood.