November 7 – 14, 2021
1. ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ at Olney Theatre Mainstage
“Olney Theatre Center’s production of ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ is transformative.” – Susan Brall
READ review.
Synopsis: It’s a tale as old as time, but it gets a new look from Tony-nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge (one of the featured professional directors on the Disney+ show Encore), who wowed Olney audiences with her Helen Hayes Award-nominated production of Once. Our biggest show of the year brings the whole family together for a magical and memorable musical about the redemptive power of love. Join Belle, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and the rest of the gang in the Beast’s cursed castle for an escape to a world where beauty is more than skin deep and happily ever after is just a rose petal away.
Jade Jones (Belle) and Evan Ruggiero (The Beast), ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Olney Theatre Center
Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography
2. ‘Disgraced’ at Peace Mountain Theatre Company
“‘Disgraced’ teaches without preaching. Its characters are windows into society and ourselves. This production is top-notch in every respect.” – Susan Brall
READ review.
Synopsis: This striking contemporary drama, first produced in 2013, explores the many issues relating to identity, discrimination, and the costs of success. Among its many awards are the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2013 Obie Award for Playwriting, and a Tony Award nomination for Best Play in 2015. Corporate lawyer Amir Kapoor is living a wonderful life; he is happy, in love with his wife, and about to land the biggest promotion of his career. But when he briefly helps his nephew with a case defending a man of Muslim faith, Amir’s carefully crafted image, his career, and his personal life begin to slowly crumple. The play is a taut, riveting story that raises probing questions about the opposing tugs of cultural heritage and assimilation.
Emily Joyce (Emily) and Omar LaTiri (Amir) in “Disgraced” at Peace Mountain Theatre Company.
Photo by Ira Levine.
3. ‘RENT’ at Signature Theatre
“…sensational new staging…soars.” –
READ review.
Synopsis:
La Vie Boheme! The iconic rock musical’s pure rush of adrenaline, passion, energy and joy is boldly and immersively reimagined in Signature style for a triumphant reopening.
At the end of the millennium, a group of bohemians in the East Village of New York City struggle with gentrification, love, loss and legacies amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis. Through songs such as “Seasons of Love,” “One Song Glory,” “I’ll Cover You,” “Out Tonight” and more, they embrace hope, find strength and survive.
Winner of the Tony Award® and the Pulitzer Prize, Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking phenomenon defined a generation as it redefined the American musical and has never been more essential in today’s world.
The cast of RENT at Signature Theatre. Photo by Christopher Muelle
4. ‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ at Toby’s Dinner & Show
“‘Irving Berlin’s White Christmas’ is another Toby’s triumph.” – Dr. Mark Dreisonstok
READ review.
Synopsis: Based on the beloved, timeless film! Two WWII veterans with a successful song-and-dance act follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a rural Vermont lodge which happens to be owned by their old commander. They plan a yuletide fun-filled extravaganza to help fill the inn! Seventeen Irving Berlin tunes such as: “Blue Skies,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and “White Christmas” make this a family musical worthy of becoming a holiday tradition!
The cast of “White Christmas.” Photo credit: Jeri Tidwell Photography.
5. ‘Elf, the musical’ at The Newtowne Players
“Faison’s character work for Buddy was incredible…a gleeful dose of early Christmas cheer…” –
READ review.
Synopsis: Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Buddy (Kenneth Faison) and Jovie (Kellie Podsednik) enjoy a first date together. Photo by Chris Maulden.
