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.

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.

Hip Hop Lives On in Syncing Ink

July 12, 2017 Derrick Dunn Theatre, Theatre Reviews

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.

"Finding Neverland" Soars Into The Hippodrome

I Found Neverland and It’s My Happy Place!

June 29, 2017 Denise A. Theatre, Theatre Reviews

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!?!?

Theatre Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch @ The Kennedy Center

Hedwig is Every Inch as Great as Broadway!

June 18, 2017 Denise A. Theatre, Theatre Reviews

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.