Week of August 30, 2026
1. “Merrily We Roll Along” at Signature Theatre
“…under Matthew Gardiner’s visionary direction, no one does it better…incredible cast…dynamic performances.” – Alyssa Mutterperl
READ the review.
Synopsis: Sondheim’s masterwork about friendship, ambition and the compromises that shape a life takes the Signature stage again after 20 years and is directed by Matthew Gardiner. Told in reverse chronological order, the musical follows three longtime friends as they navigate idealism, loyalty and disappointment over the course of twenty years. The successes and failures of their adulthoods unwind as the cynicism of age erases back to the glowing optimism of youth.
The cast of Merrily We Roll Along at Signature Theatre. Photo by Daniel Rader
2. “Kim’s Convenience” at Everyman Theatre
“…leaves you laughing, crying, and talking, but, most of all, it leaves you thinking.” – Herb Merrick
READ the review.
Synopsis: Step inside Kim’s Convenience, the heart of the neighborhood in Ins Choi’s award-winning comedy that inspired the Netflix series! Set in the bustling aisles of a local convenience store, proud Korean immigrant Mr. Kim (Appa) faces a crossroads as he struggles to protect the business he built and the legacy he hopes to leave his children. Filled with sharp wit and heartfelt humor, Kim’s Convenience celebrates family, self-determination, and the enduring bonds between generations.
Tony K. Nam as Appa, Jenny S. Lee as Janet, and Austin Michael Young as Mike. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
3. “Blithe Spirit” at Little Theatre of Alexandria
“…a fun night out…an impressive performance by the actors and crew who do credit to this community theatre’s reputation.” – Alexander Ferguson
READ the review.
Synopsis: A sparkling supernatural comedy that follows novelist Charles Condomine as he invites an eccentric medium to his home for research—only to accidentally summon the ghost of his mischievous first wife, Elvira. As the spirited (and increasingly chaotic) haunting disrupts his marriage to his second wife, Ruth, Charles finds himself caught between the living and the dead in a battle of wit, jealousy and otherworldly antics. Clever, fast-paced and delightfully irreverent, Blithe Spirit remains one of Coward’s most beloved comedies.
Front Row Seated (L to R): Eleanore Tapscott as Madame Arcati), Eric Kennedy as Charles Condomine, Sarah Cusenza as Ruth Condomine. Back Row Standing (L to R): Caroline J. Berger as Edith, Raeanna Nicole Larson as Mrs. Violet Bradman, Cameron McBride as Dr. George Bradman, and Katie Weigl as Elvira. Photo by Matt Liptak.
4. “Summer – The Donna Summer Musical” at Toby’s Dinner Theatre
“…Bennett and Minnick kept the pace sharp and the audience riveted.…an outstanding production.” – Susan Brall
READ the review.
Synopsis: DONNA SUMMER – A girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot to stardom from gospel choir to dance floor diva. Donna Summer risked it all to break through barriers, becoming the icon of an era and the inspiration for every music diva who followed. With a score featuring more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits including: “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls,” “Hot Stuff,” and “Last Dance,” this electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation.
(L to R): Duckling Donna (Gracious Ndungu), Diva Donna (Tierra Strickland), and Disco Donna. Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography.
5. “Bat Boy: The Musical” at Workhouse Arts Center
“…nails both the satire and the camp at points… strong performances and moments…” – Che Flory
READ the review.
Synopsis: Bat Boy: The Musical is a hilarious, heartfelt horror-comedy about a half-bat half-boy trying to fit into a judgmental town. Expect campy humor, a killer score, and a wild ride from start to finish! Inspired on a ridiculous tabloid story from the pages of the legendary Weekly World News, Bat Boy: The Musical is a comedy/horror show about a half-boy/half-bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal” boy by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, trouble begins! You don’t need to be a fan of the original urban legend to love this show. If you like comedy mixed with a bit of horror and rock music, welcome to Hope Falls!
(L to R) Sasha Rosenbaum, Melanie Kurstin, Hannah Seigel, Brian Ashton, Matthew Monaghan, Michael Sherman, Olivia Levin, Mel Gumina. Photo by Zoophoria Photography.
