Washington, DC Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 11

Review: PRETTY WOMAN The Musical at the National Theatre
by Hannah R. Wing - December 14, 2023

Pretty Woman: The Musical doesn’t live up to the award-winning romantic comedy that it is based on....

Review: SNOW MAIDEN at Synetic Theater
by Olivia Murray - December 13, 2023

I recommend this show for people of all ages who are interested in seeing a fun show that explores the theme of friendship. Children in the audience will especially enjoy this playful and interactive performance....

Review: STEP AFRIKA!'S MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW at Arena Stage
by Jackson Malmgren - December 12, 2023

What did our critic think of STEP AFRIKA!’S MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW AT ARENA STAGE at Arena Stage?...

Review: THE SEAFARER at Round House Theatre
by Mary Lincer - December 12, 2023

What did our critic think of THE SEAFARER at Round House Theatre? Five fine actors give excellent performances in Ryan Rilette's solid production of The Seafarer through December 31....

Review: THE LION, THE UNICORN, AND ME at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 11, 2023

Ten years ago, Washington National Opera (WNO) premiered a family opera about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in a manger. This past weekend, The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me returned to Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for four performances only. I reviewed the premiere, and it was as good...

Review: A HOLIDAY POPS! With Norm Lewis at the Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 11, 2023

The annual National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Holiday Pops always puts its attendees in the holiday spirit with both orchestral and vocal delights. This year’s edition featured Broadway star Norm Lewis with special guests and the mighty NSO under the direction of the always wonderful Principal Pops C...

Review: QUILTERS at 1st Stage
by Peter Rouleau - December 12, 2023

Just over a year ago, I reviewed 1st Stage's production of N. Richard Nash's 'The Rainmaker,' about a conman offering hope to a drought-racked farm family. Now, the Tyson's Corner-based company is presenting another story of hope, love, and determination in the prairies....

Review: BOTH SIDES NOW: JONI MITCHELL AND LEONARD COHEN at Signature Theatre
by David Friscic - December 11, 2023

The transcendent and poetic music and lyrics of legendary and influential musicians Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen are showcased with sensitivity and professional panache by two terrific artists ----Danielle Wertz and Robbie Schaefer –in Signature Theatre’s Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell and Leonard...

Review: 4615 Theatre Company Sets Sail with A DELICATE SHIP
by Morgan Musselman - December 10, 2023

4615 Theatre Company’s sunset production of A DELICATE SHIP underscores the company’s bittersweet farewell....

Review: CYNTHIA ERIVO & FRIENDS at Kennedy Center
by Olivia Murray - December 10, 2023

This performance was truly one of the best that I have ever seen and it was a heartwarming experience for everyone in the theater....

Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Rachael F. Goldberg - December 09, 2023

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of 'As You Like It' is fun and playful, and it often feels that the cast, creative team, and audience are having an absolute blast together. With a strong team both on and off the stage, there’s an ease and joy that permeates every aspect of the production th...

Review: SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage
by Jake Bridges - December 08, 2023

What did our critic think of SWEPT AWAY at Arena Stage?...

Review: THE DRAGON KING'S DAUGHTER at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 07, 2023

With very few exceptions, musical theatre writers that have attempted to write the book, music, and lyrics for their shows do not succeed. Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years is a rare example of one person successfully doing it all....

Review: MOSES at Theater J
by Mary Lincer - December 05, 2023

What did our critic think of MOSES at Theater J? The title character of Michele Lowe's 90 minute, one-man play, full name Moses Schneider, experiences a literal holocaust, not just a signal fire like that of the Biblical Moses. He then experiences a spiritual journey like the hero of Thomas Carlyle'...

Review: IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY at The Kennedy Center
by Tavish Young - December 07, 2023

The Improvised Shakespeare Company provides a night of dazzling humor and wit....

Review: AN IRISH CAROL at Keegan Theatre
by Mary Lincer - December 04, 2023

What did our critic think of AN IRISH CAROL at Keegan Theatre?...

Review: DORRANCE DANCE: NUTCRACKER SUITE at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - December 04, 2023

The New York City based tap ensemble Dorrance Dance roared into Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre this past weekend with their take on Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite as arranged by Billy Strayhorn. For those of you not familiar with this recording, do yourself a favor and look it up. You have n...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre
by Tavish Young - December 04, 2023

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS at Olney Theatre?...

Review: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE AT ADVENTURE THEATRE at Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy
by Jennifer Muscato - November 27, 2023

What did our critic think of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE AT ADVENTURE THEATRE at Adventure Theatre & ATMTC Academy?...

Review: BALLET WEST: THE NUTCRACKER at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - November 25, 2023

The first Nutcracker appear at the Kennedy Center this year is from Ballet West, based in Salt Lake City. And as brisk and fresh as it feels, it comes as something of a surprise that its lineage goes back to the very first U.S. performance of what’s become the most popular ballet in the country by f...

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS at Ford's Theatre
by Roger Catlin - November 25, 2023

Michael Wilson’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas,” first staged in Houston but run for many years at Hartford Stage (where it has returned this season), has been a mainstay at the historic Fords since 2004....

Review: Young Artists of America Present SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL
by Olivia Murray - November 21, 2023

It’s clear that each participant in YAA Company, YAA Junior, and YAA Orchestra was meant to be there and enjoys being there. I am so excited to see what this talented group of students will do in the future....

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Olney Theatre Center
by Ken Kemp - November 21, 2023

This production of Fiddler - a fresh take on a beloved musical - is thought provoking, and perfectly pitched. Guaranteed to delight viewers of all ages!...

Review: SIR BRYN TERFEL at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - November 21, 2023

Sometimes it doesn't take much to make a reviewer happy and have an excellent musical experience. Welsh Bass-Baritone superstar Sir Bryn Terfel with only two instrumentalists proved that in spades. Add to that the bonus of what seemed like NO, that’s right, ZERO amplification this past Sunday in th...

Review: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD at Imagination Stage
by Jennifer Muscato - November 21, 2023

What did our critic think of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD at Imagination Stage?...