1. The Merry Death of Robin Hood at LiveArtDC.
“…intricate, empathetic and relatable.” – Jennifer Minich.
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Synopsis: Robin is dead and his Merry Men have gathered to drink, sing, and tell the stories of their dear friend and leader Robin of Locksley. As they tell the stories, they come to life – reliving them to the best of their individual memories (sometimes interrupting and contradicting each other), and showing off all the different sides of this one man and the life he lived and the impression he made.
Emma Lou Hebert, Matthew Aldwin McGee and Seth Rosenke. Photo by James Ryan Photography.
2. The Object Lesson at Studio Theatre.
“…a beautifully evocative, deeply compelling experience…”- Heather Hill.
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Synopsis: Do you have what you need? Do you need what you have? With boxes stacked to the ceiling, physical theatre artist Geoff Sobelle transforms Stage 4 into a storage facility of epic proportions. Breaking, buying, finding, fixing, trading, selling, stealing, storing, and becoming buried under…a world of things. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this immersive performance-installation unpacks our relationship to the stuff we cling to and the crap we leave behind.
Geoff Sobelle in The Object Lesson at Studio Theatre. (Photo: Allie Dearie)
3. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre.
“… this ‘Spelling Bee’ gets an “A”!” – Mark Beachy.
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Synopsis: An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! A riotous ride complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is an award-winning laugh extravaganza.
Back row: Jordan B. Stocksdale (Leaf), Alex Levenson (Logainee), Thomas Stratton (William), Joseph Waeyaert (Chip). Front row: Sarah Burton (Marcy), and Tori Weaver (Olive). Photo courtesy of the production.
4. Miss Witherspoon at Silver Spring Stage.
“Miss Witherspoon doesn’t lack imagination or insight.” – Barbara Trainin Blank.
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Synopsis: In Miss Witherspoon, the always-clever Christopher Durang uses the afterlife – our greatest unknown – to illustrate a universal truth about being in the world. That may sound deeply serious, but in Durang’s hands it’s a wild and ridiculously funny ride. A dark and incisive comedy when a woman is given a second chance to find where she fits in the world.
Pooja Chawla and Nancy Blum. Photo by Harvey Levine.
5. Blackberry Winter at Forum Theatre.
“…a beautiful portrait, in turns funny and desperately sad…” – Chris Williams.
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Synopsis: Years of success, meticulous planning, and an eye for detail have in no way prepared Vivienne Avery for her mother’s slide into the grip of dementia. Initially hiding behind insomnia-fueled baking and a polite smile, stories about her mother leave Vivienne’s inner turmoil quietly laid bare in a juxtaposition of stories, theatrical gestures, and a childlike Alzheimer’s “creation myth.”
Holly Twyford as Vivienne Avery. Photo by Teresa Wood Photography
