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Steven Levenson’s Dear Evan Hansen at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater thru Sept 8

Dear Evan Hansen Finds Us in DC

August 10, 2019 Jaya Ghosh Theatre, Theatre Reviews

Ben Levi Ross as 'Evan Hansen' and the Company of the First North American Tour of Dear Evan Hansen. Photo by Matthew Murphy. 2018

Dear Evan Hansen is the story of the individual struggles we hide under the facade of our public images.

Evan Hansen finds himself propelled to fame as a lie that he was best friends with Connor Murphy, a troubled student that committed suicide, spirals out of control. The heartbreaking part is that we can’t even fault Evan for his lie, he just wants to belong and has struggled for so much of his life to do so.

The Second City’s production of America; It’s Complicated! at the Kennedy Center Theater Lab

The Second City Makes its Second Home in Washington, DC

June 26, 2019 Jaya Ghosh Arts & Entertainment, Comedy Shows

Two men, one standing, and one sitting in a chair in a Capitals jersey, participate in a sketch.

The Second City’s politically charged tour of America; It’s Complicated!, proves the age-old adage, we laugh so as not to cry.

Bryonha Marie Parham Talks About “The Falsettos”

June 11, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Theatre

Bryonha Marie Parham has been featured in Broadway performances such as “The Book of Mormon,” the stage adaptation of the 1993 film “Dave,” and “Prince of Broadway.” She has also made television appearances in the CBS drama “Madame Secretary,” “Showboat” and “Sweeney Todd LIVE at Lincoln Center for PBS. Currently, she is touring with the show “Falsettos,” where she plays Dr. Charlotte. I recently sat down with Bryonha and asked her about “Falsettos” and her role as “Dr. Charlotte.”

Casting Announced: Kennedy Center’s Byhalia, Mississippi

May 8, 2019 TRR News Theatre, Theatre News

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announces Jack Falahee, star of ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder, to play the role of Jim in the heartfelt comedy, Byhalia, Mississippi, playwright Evan Linder’s uncompromising exploration of race, infidelity, and family. Directed by Kimberly Senior (director of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Disgraced on Broadway), Byhalia, Mississippi will play the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for four weeks, June 7–July 7, 2019. Tickets for all performances are on sale through the Kennedy Center Box Office, the website, or by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

Comedy Show Revue: Jay Leno

Leno Delivers the Laughs for One Night Only in DC

April 28, 2019 Mi Lin Arts & Entertainment, Comedy Shows

On Friday, April 26, 2019, legendary television host and recipient of the Kennedy Center’s 2014 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Jay Leno returned to the Kennedy Center with fantastic funny stories to share to a sold-out audience. It was my first time seeing him live), but I grew up watching him on late night television. I also loved my seating arrangement because I was introduced to the gorgeous Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York star Sonja Morgan who was also in town for the weekend of the White House Correspondents dinner.

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?

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.

At the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts October 30–November 24, 2018 in the Opera House

Complete casting announced for the Washington, D.C. Premiere of Anastasia

October 15, 2018 TRR News Theatre, Theatre News

Casting has been announced for the Washington, D.C. engagement of the critically-acclaimed Broadway production of ANASTASIA. This production features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush, new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and direction by Tony Award–winning director Darko Tresnjak. The tour plays the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from October 30–November 25, 2018.

Music Revue: Babyface performs at the Kennedy Center

The Tender Lover Serenades The Kennedy Center

January 22, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Love songs and a legacy as one of the greatest songwriters, were on display Friday 19 January, when Kenny Edmonds, better known as Babyface graced the Kennedy Center Stage as part of the NSO Pops.

Revue: The Illusionists - Live from Broadway at the Kennedy Center

More than Just Magic with The Illusionists

December 29, 2017 Derrick Dunn Theatre, Theatre Reviews

Thursday, December 28th was opening Night of THE ILLUSIONISTS – LIVE FROM BROADWAY at the world-renowned John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington D.C. Optical illusions and the wonderful world of magic tricks were front & center in a night filled with comedy, breakdancing and of course magic.