By Mark Edelman
October leaves a few more weeks (now thru October 13) to enjoy DMV Theater Week—tickets as low as $20 for a number of these productions. The discounts end October 13—plenty of time to enjoy the great theater our area has to offer, including some of these (check each box office for participation and prices):
Through the 6th
THE COMEUPPANCE
Woolly Mammoth
An excellent cast, anchored by the moody Jordan Bellow, animates Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new play about a group of high school honor alums attending their 20th reunion. Morgan Green directs the eerie proceedings, as the spectre of mortality overshadows old friends facing hard truths past, present and future. You might say death becomes them. Tickets at www.woollymammoth.net
Through the 6th
SOJOURNERS
Roundhouse Theatre
A Nigerian couple living in Texas in the 1970s welcomes the promise of America but remains homesick for their roots. Tickets at http://www.roundhousetheatre.org
Through the 13th
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Atlas Theatre
In this handsome production of Lanie Robertson’s off-Broadway and Broadway hit, DC’s own Roz White makes the role of a down-on-her-heels Billie Holiday her own. That golden voice rings out just a little too true (Roz is in much better vocal shape than Billie was) in Mosaic Artistic Director Reginald Douglas’ deftly directed performance. Designer Nadir Bey creates a warm and friendly club environment so snag a table up front. Tickets at http://www.mosaictheater.org
Through the 13th
JA JA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
Arena Stage
This Tony® Award nominated Best Play takes us inside a bustling West African salon in Harlem where a lively group of braiders create masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. Tickets at http://www.arenastage.org
Through the 13th
MR LINCOLN
Ford’s Theatre
TV star Scott Bakula assays the role of our 16th President in the theater where we lost him. Tickets at http://www.fords.org
Through the 20th
EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND
Olney Theatre Center
Another Presidential bioplay, this one stars Tony Award winning actor John Rubinstein as POTUS #34, culled from our 34th President’s memoirs, speeches and letters. Tickets at http://www.olneytheatre.org
Through the 20th
COMEDY OF ERRORS
Shakespeare Theatre Co
The Nats may be out of the running, but Simon Godwin and his crew of merry pranksters at Shakespeare Theatre Company hit another grand slam with this delightful take on one of the Bard’s mistaken-identity trifles. Inspired casting brings Alex Brightman and David Fynn to STC’s Klein Theatre to play identical twins: both actors starred in the Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock, Alex on Broadway and David in the West End, and their resemblance is uncanny. The entire ensemble is terrific. Points are scored by all the designers, especially Alejo Vietti’s technicolor costumes; and Michael Bruce’s score sparkles with what could be the best finale number you’ll see on a DC stage this season. Tickets at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org
Through the 20th
PRIMARY TRUST
Signature Theatre
Kenneth never misses a happy hour with his best friend until a job loss upends his static existence. Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, this touching story takes him (and us) on a journey to discover the courage to open a new door. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
Through the 27th
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE
Studio Theatre
When six high school students get stuck in after- school detention, things go awry. Where are all the teachers and how do they get out of this place? Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org
1st through November 3rd
BABBIT
Shakespeare Theatre Center
Matthew Broderick and a supporting cast of Broadway stalwarts star in this new adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s satirical masterpiece. When upstanding middle class everyman George F. Babbitt plunges headlong into the biggest rebellion of his life, trouble is bound to ensue. My guess is this one is headed for Broadway, so catch it at STC while you can. Tickets at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org.
1st through November 10th
ROMEO & JULIET
Folger Library Theatre
The Bard’s fan favorite rom-com (except the lovers die at the end) opens the Folger’s first theater season since its sparkling new library renovation. The timeless story of star-crossed lovers is also a story of the politics of hatred and the violence that can consume society. Sound familiar? While you’re there, check out the amazing display of eighty-two First Folios— Shakespeare’s plays, bound and published. Tickets at http://www.folger.edu
4th through November 3rd
SHE PERSISTED
Adventure MTC at Glen Echo Park
A new musical based on the book by Chelsea Clinton follows fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum. As she travels back in time, Naomi encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history including Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Sonia Sotomayor. Tickets at http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org
12th – November 17th
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Keegan Theatre
The infamous West End melodrama returns to this DuPont Circle playhouse. A lawyer obsessed with a curse cast over his family by the eponymous Woman in Black tries to excorcise the fear that grips his soul. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t end well. Tickets at http://www.keegantheatre.com
11th – 20th
25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Kennedy Center Oct 11-20
This little gem of a Broadway musical gets its own Ken Cen production. A first-rate cast of Main Stem veterans presides over the fun, including Broadway Funny Girl Beanie Feldstein. Tickets at http://www.kennedy-center.org
15th – 20th
MEANS GIRLS
National Theatre
Back in DC for an encore engagement, Tina Fey’s movie about high school angst and mischief features direction and choreography by Broadway stager extraordinaire Casey Nicholaw. Tickets at http://www.broadwayatthenational.com
18th – 20th
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Capital One Hall
A touring production of the Tony® Award winning Best Musical about teens dealing with the loss of a classmate visits Tysons, VA . Tickets at http://www.capitalonehall.com
18th – November 24th
THE OTHER AMERICANS
Arena Stage
Co-produced with NYC’s Public Theatre, Emmy Award-winning actor and playwright John Leguizamo introduces us to a Colombian-American laundromat owner grappling with a failing business and buried secrets. When son Nick returns after a traumatic incident, Nelson is forced to tackles racial and identity challenges to achieve his dream. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
19th – November 9th
JEKYLL & HYDE
Alexandria Little Theatre
Frank Wildhorn’s Broadway musical based on the Gothic novella by Robert Lous Stevenson follows a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange events involving his friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal names Edward Hyde opens on the 19th in Alexandria’s very own Little Theatre.
About the Author: The writer is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter.
Photo credits: Comedy of Errors photos by Teresa Castracane, Mean Girls photo by Jenny Anderson. Comeuppance photo by Cameron Whitman. Babbitt photo courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse. Romeo & Juliet photo by Shan Wallace.