By Mark Edelman
Spring is right around the corner: cherry blossom time, short sleeve weather and more great theater on DMV stages. Try one or more of these productions; they’re sure to put a spring in your step:
JOB
Signature Theatre
Now thru March 16
A gripping tale about a fragile young woman and the psychotherapist who must decide whether she can return to the office after a workplace meltdown. Eric Hissom and Jordan Slattery are superb as the shrink and his patient in Matthew Gardiner’s finely chiseled production. Secrets emerge and facades are torn down as the unwitting couple dance their way to an unsettling showdown. Not for the faint of heart. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
THE BEDWETTER
Arena Stage
Now thru March 16
A star is born when Aria Kane assays the role of ten year old Sarah Silverman in this world premier musical about the dysfunctional Silverman’s and their hilarious little girl. It’s a roller coaster ride from laugh out loud funny to touchingly sad, aided and abetted by a tune-packed score from the late Adam Schlesinger with help from Tony® Award winner David Yazbek. Fans of grown-up Sarah won’t be surprised that the language can get a big salty—the better to land a laugh. Tickets at http://www.arenastage.org
IN THE HEIGHTS
Signature Theatre
Now thru May 4
Infectious—and I mean that in a good way—aptly describes Signature’s non-stop ode to Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s beloved Washington Heights. Angel Lozada steps into Miranda’s shoes admirably, keeping the beats moving and story advancing. Hats off to choreographer Shani Talmor’s pulsating dance moves under James Vasquez’s able direction. Ivania Stack’s costumes and Andrew Cohen’s set compliment the proceedings—181st and Broadway really comes alive in this immersive production. And it’s great to see the National Endowment for the Arts supported this worthy effort—I’m not sure how much longer that institution is going to support the diverse voices this musical celebrates. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Alexandria Little Theatre
March 29- April 19
The Bard’s romantic comedy, this time set against the jazzy streets and festive vibes of modern-day New Orleans. Dashing Benedick meets his match in sharp-tongued Beatrice as their playful banter masks a growing affection. Between the clever quips and spirited antics, you can bet there will be a heartwarming finale, Shakespeare-style. Tickets at http://www.thelittletheatre.com
CONSTELLATIONS
Constellation Theatre
Now thru Mar 9
Two star-crossed lovers share experiences from barbecue to to beekeeping. Through it all, their love illuminates destiny, adversity, and hope and their infinite possibilities. Tickets at http://www.constellationtheatre.org
KUNENE AND THE KING
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Now thru Mar 23
South African actor/playwright John Kani lived thru the tumultuous changes that are still being felt in his beautiful, difficult homeland. That troubling history comes alive at STC this month in Kani’s 2019 play about an elderly white actor (Edward Gero) who finds he must depend on his nurse, Sister Kunene (Koo-NAY-nay; Kani himself) who has every reason to hate him. Gero and Kani under the estimable guidance of director Ruben Santiago-Hudson tangle in an unsparing dance of death towards redemption in this compelling piece of theater. Tickets at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org
DRAGONS LOVE TACOS
Adventure MTC Theatre
Now thru Mar 30
A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. As the title implies, Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out! Fun y divertidos for the whole family. Tickets to the production over in Glen Echo Park at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org
WAITRESS
Olney Theatre Center
Now thru April 6
A hapless young woman finds strength and purpose in the one-of-a-kind pies she makes to keep her centered in pop star Sarah Bareilles’ charming Broadway musical rom com. Tickets at http://www.olneytheatre.org
THE SCENARIOS
Studio Theatre
Now thru April 6
Angie, an actor, has just landed her weirdest gig yet: improvising scenes with active-duty cops, helping to train them to respond to people in acute mental crisis. But when the backstage tensions and workplace hijinks begin to pull focus from the training’s actual goal—to save lives—Angie tries making things a little more real. Funny and compassionate, this world premiere looks at the intricacies of empathy and asks what it costs to pretend to be someone else. Tickets at http://www.studiotheatre.org
RIVERDANCE
Kennedy Center
March 4-16
The 30th anniversary tour of everybody’s favorite Irish step dancing extravaganza. The Riverdancers haven’t missed a step in all these years- expect more of the same in this spirited if somewhat redundant exercise in terpsichorean talent. Tickets at www.kennedy-center.org
A ROOM IN THE CASTLE
Folger Library Theatre
March 4- April 6
In this parallel retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia, her handmaid, Anna, and Queen Gertrude find themselves on the wrong end of wild prince’s antics. As Ophelia withstands Hamlet’s assaults and insults, Gertrude comes to see how far gone her son truly is. What is she willing to risk to save Ophelia and herself in this meditation on women helping women. Tickets at www.folger.edu
YOUR NAME MEANS DREAM
Theater J
March 12- April 6
Aislin relies on Stacy, an AI robot-caregiver designed to look and sound human. The unexpected relationship that blossoms between them sparks questions of what it means to be human and what happens when that definition begins to shift. Written and directed by Academy award nominated screenwriter Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries). Tickets at http://www.edcjcc.org/theater-j
SISTER ACT
Ford’s Theatre
March 14- May 17
Based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, a nightclub singer takes refuge with a group of nuns to escape retribution from a couple of goodfellas (i.e. mobsters). Cooped up in the convent, she helps her new Sisters discover their powerful voices while, inevitably, finding her own. Tickets at http://www.ford.org
CHICKEN & BISCUITS
Next Stop Theatre
March 13- April 6
When a tight-knit family gathers to mourn the passing of their patriarch, old wounds are reopened and secrets spill out. Fueled by love, laughter and the eponymous good old comfort food, this is one show that may make you hungry for more. Tickets at http://www.nexstoptheatre.org
AMERICAN FAST
Theater Alliance
March 20- April 13
March Madness meets Ramadan when a basketball phenom finds herself in the spotlight as a young Muslim balancing the pressures of faith, fame and family. In the process, she takes a few steps in the paint to examine what it means to be true to oneself. Theater Alliance continues its tradition of new, socially conscious theater in its new, temporary home around the corner from the Waterfront metro stop. Tickets at http://www.theateralliance.com.
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Keegan Theatre
March 22- April 13
Award-winning solo artist Priyanka Shetty’s tour-de-force performance about the power of witnessing, constructed from interviews with residents of Charlottesville impacted by events surrounding the infamous “Unite the Right” rally and counter-protests. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com
The writer is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter. Catch his monthly podcast at www.onstagedmv.org. Photo credits: In The Heights photo by DJ Corey. Job photo by Christopher Mueller. Kunene and the King photo by Teresa Castracane. Dragons Love Tacos photo by Alan Kayanan. Room in the Castle photo by Mikki Schaffner.