Week of September 7, 2025
1. “fire work” at Theatre Alliance
“…one of the most interesting nights at the theatre I’ve had this year…. unafraid to be bold and incendiary…” – Miles Hurley
READ review.
Synopsis: By day, Eleanor and Bartholomew work in a glass factory. By night, they light up the skies with fireworks. But when sweeping reforms threaten their already-precarious reality, Eleanor becomes the unlikely leader of a ragtag band of revolutionaries determined to send a message to the powers that be. With heist thrills and disturbingly funny twists, fire work ignites a fierce, anti-capitalist fable for our times. Fierce, funny, and haunting, this deeply original play explores labor, power, and community, illuminating the explosive cost of complacency in a system built to burn us out.
Alina Collins Maldonado as Lula, Victoria Gómez (Geraldina), and Madison Norwood as Fox. Photo courtesy of Theatre Alliance.
2. “Kiss of the Spider Woman” at GALA Hispanic Theatre
“…a very difficult act to follow…leave you wanting more, the theatre seems to have positioned itself quite well to present a season full of bold moves, eye-opening turns, and powerful theatrical experiences.” – Anne Valentino
READ review.
Synopsis: In an Argentine prison cell, two complete opposites discover that love may spring in the most unlikely of places. Valentin, a political prisoner whose commitment to the Marxist cause takes precedence over all other things, forges an unlikely relationship with queer, movie-loving Molina, who escapes his harsh reality by retelling film noir classics as their glamorous leading ladies. Poignant, chilling, funny and sensual.
Martín Ruiz as Molina and Rodrigo Pedreira as Valentín. Photo by Daniel Martinez.
3. August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” at Everyman Theatre
“…superb…on how to live in the future with an understanding and respect for the past…” – Herb Merrick
READ review.
Synopsis: This Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece tells the story of a pair of siblings and the fate of their cherished family heirloom: a piano carved with images of their ancestors previously owned by the family’s former enslavers. Set in 1930s Pittsburgh, the play weaves history and spirituality together in a haunting narrative that explores the conflict between protecting one’s heritage and forging a path into the future.
The cast of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson. Photo by Theresa Castracane Photography.
4. “An Ideal Husband” at The Colonial Players of Annapolis
“The Colonial Players’ production is perfectly precise…delightful…Jones’s pacing of the show is excellent…an ideal diversion.” – Jennifer Georgia
READ review.
Synopsis: When a well-kept past threatens a rising politician’s future, personal ideals clash with public image. With dazzling dialogue and timely themes, An Ideal Husband explores reputation, forgiveness, and the illusion of perfection in society and relationships.
Photo courtesy of The Colonial Players of Annapolis.
5. “Saturday Night Fever” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre
“…the joy and talent the actors bring to their performances…Hustle over to Toby’s for a trip back in time.” – Susan Brall
READ review.
Synopsis: Tony Manero, a Brooklynite paint store clerk, spends his weekends at a local disco, where he moonlights as the king of the dance floor. When he and mesmerizing dancer Stephanie enter a dance competition, the pair’s professional partnership blossoms and challenges both to reflect on what’s important in life amidst rising social tensions and disillusionment. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER transports you back to the era of disco balls, platform boots, and white suits. Burn, baby, burn!
Stephanie (Rachel Cahoon) Tony (Patrick Gover), Annette (Tori Weaver), and Company. Photo by Katie Simmons-Barth.
