Lynly Saunders

What did our critic think of SHUTTER SISTERS at 1st STAGE?

1st Stage announces 'SHUTTER SISTERS,' a sweet and funny play by Mansa Ra. Press performances on February 3 and 4. Explore the parallel lives of two women and the challenges they face. Don't miss this heartfelt journey through womanhood and identity.

A multi-talented cast in a unique, romantic setting makes for a lovely summer evening. Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is the progenitor of the modern rom-com. Maybe this is why it has been placed in so many different eras of civilization from its original Renaissance setting to Edwardian England to the Roaring Twenties to its present incarnation in Post-World War II France. No matter where it travels, audiences will recognize the bickering protagonists, gossipy friends, meddling family, village buffoons, and broad comedy with a touch of tragedy.

Washington National Opera today announced its 2021–2022 season featuring a triumphant return to the Opera House stage, four world premiere commissions celebrating the Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary, debuts from acclaimed and rising opera stars, the return to the pit for Principal Conductor Evan Rogister and the WNO Orchestra & Chorus, and more.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the seventh season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative (AOI) with four world premieres from January 11-13, 2019, in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. A comprehensive commissioning program that originates and develops new works, the American Opera Initiative provides rare opportunities for emerging composers and librettists to partner and write for the opera stage. The Initiative encourages and ensures the future of contemporary American opera through development, mentorship, and performance, with works based on American themes and stories. Since its inception, the annual program has commissioned 28 chamber operas, with some going on to future productions around the country; notables include this summer's successful production by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis of An American Soldier, an AOI commission in 2014, and Opera Omaha's and Miller Theater's recent productions of AOI's 2018 commission, Proving Up.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the seventh season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative (AOI) with four world premieres from January 11-13, 2019, in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. A comprehensive commissioning program that originates and develops new works, the American Opera Initiative provides rare opportunities for emerging composers and librettists to partner and write for the opera stage. The Initiative encourages and ensures the future of contemporary American opera through development, mentorship, and performance, with works based on American themes and stories. Since its inception, the annual program has commissioned 28 chamber operas, with some going on to future productions around the country; notables include this summer's successful production by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis of An American Soldier, an AOI commission in 2014, and Opera Omaha's and Miller Theater's new productions of AOI's 2018 commission, Proving Up.

In Kathleen Akerley's 'Interstellar Ghost Hour,' the latest fanciful play from Longacre Lea, an astronaut travels back through time and space to arrive in her deceased parents home to get some answers.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. All of the program's world premiere operas are presented during the American Opera Initiative Festival weekend,January 19 21, 2018, all in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The festival begins with the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, Proving Up, on January 19 and 21, 2018, directed by Alison Moritz and conducted by Christopher Rountree, both in their WNO debuts. Three new pairings of opera composers and librettists Nathan Fletcher and Megan Cohen, Gity Razaz and Sara Cooper, John Glover and Erin Bregman offer new, one-act operas during the festival. Two semi-staged concert performances of each 20-minute opera are presented on January 20, 2018.

Broadway's Krysta Rodriguez of the Tony Award nominated revival of Spring Awakening, joins the cast of the National Symphony Orchestra'sWest Side Story in Concert, led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, February 14, 16, and 17, 2018 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Rodriguez replaces previously announced Ana Villafa e as Anita, who has withdrawn due to scheduling conflicts.

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Pops continues the international celebration of Leonard Bernstein at 100 with West Side Story in Concert, led by Steven Reineke.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. All of the program's world premiere operas are presented during the American Opera Initiative Festival weekend,January 19 21, 2018, all in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The festival begins with the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, Proving Up, on January 19 and 21, 2018, directed by Alison Moritz and conducted by Christopher Rountree, both in their WNO debuts. Three new pairings of opera composers and librettists Nathan Fletcher and Megan Cohen, Gity Razaz and Sara Cooper, John Glover and Erin Bregman offer new, one-act operas during the festival. Two semi-staged concert performances of each 20-minute opera are presented on January 20, 2018.

The Glimmerglass Festival has released the details of its 2018 schedule. For a second year, the Festival's programming will explore themes of home and country.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company presents William Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, pairing heightened text with heightened physical comedy in the style of Commedia dell'Arte. One of Shakespeare's most rich and intricate plays is also one of his most controversial, as it explores a burgeoning merchant class and what happens when things get personal. By utilizing masks and physical characterizations from Commedia dell'Arte, Faction of Fools puts the comedy back into the text, allowing the tragic junctures to cut all the more profoundly. Performances run November 18th - December 11th, 2016 in the Eastman Studio Theatre at Gallaudet University.

It turns out that there's a reason that WSC Avant Bard's production of The Good Devil (In Spite of Himself starts 15 minutes late. The actors who are running frantically back and forth for last minute details and consultation are actually already in character.

Avant Bard presents a riotous new comedy inspired by real events. When a commedia dell'arte theater troupe in 17th-century France is bedeviled by a royal decree forbidding them from speaking onstage, the rambunctious actors stage an ingenious revolt. Taking a flying leap off historical fact, The Good Devil (in Spite of Himself) is a hilarious spoof on art and censorship.

Avant Bard presents a riotous new comedy inspired by real events. When a commedia dell'arte theater troupe in 17th-century France is bedeviled by a royal decree forbidding them from speaking onstage, the rambunctious actors stage an ingenious revolt. Taking a flying leap off historical fact, The Good Devil (in Spite of Himself) is a hilarious spoof on art and censorship.

Avant Bard presents a riotous new comedy inspired by real events. When a commedia dell'arte theater troupe in 17th-century France is bedeviled by a royal decree forbidding them from speaking onstage, the rambunctious actors stage an ingenious revolt. Taking a flying leap off historical fact, The Good Devil (in Spite of Himself) is a hilarious spoof on art and censorship.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company presents Moliere's THE MISER whipped up with the physical flare of Commedia dell'Arte.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company and NextStop Theatre Company are proud to announce their upcoming co-production of PINOCCHIO!, a new adaptation of Carlo Collodi's beloved tale about a marionette's journey to become a real boy, running today, March 8-30, 2014 at the Industrial Strength Theatre in Herndon. Written and Directed by Paul Reisman, this production will be the first collaboration by the two DC area theatre companies, as well as Faction's first play specifically geared toward young audiences.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company and NextStop Theatre Company are proud to announce their upcoming co-production of PINOCCHIO!, a new adaptation of Carlo Collodi's beloved tale about a marionette's journey to become a real boy, running March 8-30, 2014 at the Industrial Strength Theatre in Herndon. Written and Directed by Paul Reisman, this production will be the first collaboration by the two DC area theatre companies, as well as Faction's first play specifically geared toward young audiences.