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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
The essence and spirit of Hip Hop music were alive on Monday, July 10th at the Millennium Stage located inside the historic Kennedy Center during a production of “Synching Ink.” As part of the annual Hip Hop Theater Festival, “Synching Ink” is a great love letter to Hip Hop and breath of fresh air for anyone tired of mumble rap. Written by Baltimore native & Howard University graduate NSangou Njikam.
The cast of “Finding Neverland” at the Hippodrome. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
“Finding Neverland” may sound familiar…”Peter Pan”, “Hook”, “Pan”, isn’t that movie with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet? Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard it all before and seen it! Well, not like this!! This show envelops you right from the beginning and brings you right into the amazing mind of J.M. Barrie. This is the tale of how the story weaver, found his inspiration in four boys and changed his life in many ways. I know, you’re going to say that you have seen the movie! When you see a picture of a flower, you do not get the grace and elegance of its soft, silky petals, or the intoxicating aroma of its perfume. It’s just not the same! This maybe the same idea of a story, but it’s a musical, with choreography that is You can tell that this choreographer loves dancers and showcasing their individuality. Oh, did I mention that the choreography was created by Mia Michaels, one of the greatest in the world!?!?
Euan Morton as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Photo by Joan Marcus.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” takes center stage at the Eisenhower Theater at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC through July 2, 2017.
The cast of “Something Rotten!” National Tour Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
“Something Rotten” is the hysterically funny story of the Bottom brothers and their rise to meteoric fame, against none other than Shakespeare. This tale takes place in the 1590’s. With similarities in humor to “Spamalot”, this British farce set to music is so funny every minute, that I couldn’t wait to see more.
Brandy is Roxie Hart – Photo by Jeremy Daniel
Extra! Extra! Read all about it. The musical… that is Chicago celebrates 20 wonderful years as America’s longest-running musical revival & the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. This dynamic production recently made its way to the Opera House at Kennedy Center in our Nation’s Capital and we could not wait to witness a musical that deals with fun, murder and mayhem. With Grammy award winning superstar Brandy Norwood as the incredible Roxie, she has to deliver some moxie to the DC audience. Here’s my review of Chicago and all that jazz!
