| Heidi May 19 - Jun 10, 2012 |
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Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) |
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| Heidi is the iconic story of a young orphaned girl who transforms the lives of all those around her from her reclusive grandfather and Peter the goatherd in the remote Swiss Alps to the wealthy Sesemann family in Frankfurt. An enduring tale of love and friendship, Heidi's story has been a childhood rite of passage for many since it was first published in 1880. The subject of countless films and TV shows, this world premiere theatrical adaptation by MET brings the classic to life for a new generation of children. |
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| Bachelorette May 23 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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The Studio Theatre |
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| Ten years out of high school, three unhappy friends celebrate a classmate’s wedding with a purse full of pills, acid wit, and a few eager men. A comic and lacerating look at toxic friendships and other lifelong commitments. |
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| Bobby Gould in Hell May 24 - Jun 9, 2012 |
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American Ensemble Theate at
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop |
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| David Mamet's Bobby Gould in Hell is a fast-talking comic duel of wits. What is hell, and will Bobby spend eternity in it? Bobby Gould, its protagonist, is a recurring Everyman figure in Mamet's work, having appeared in the 1983 one-act, The Disappearance of the Jews, and in Speed-the-Plow of 1988. Bobby Gould in Hell begins as an interrogator enters, determined to get Gould to confess his sins. Gould struggles to argue his case. And a woman Bobby has wronged appears and turns up the heat. This relatively little-known Mamet comedy first appeared at Lincoln Center in 1989. |
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| The Illusion May 24 - Jun 16, 2012 |
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Forum Theatre at
Round House Theatre - Silver Spring |
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| Desperate to reach his long-lost son, an aging father turns to a sorcerer for insight. As the sorcerer conjures three episodes from the young man's life, his father is led deep into a maze of romance, intrigue, conspiracy, and murder. But just how much of it is true? In his witty and passionate adaptation of Corneille's seventeenth -century classic L'illusion comique, Tony Kushner weaves illusion with truth --and theater with real life. |
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| Mr. Burns May 28 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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Woolly Mammoth Theatre |
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| Armageddon has hit, and all that remains is our nostalgia for a lost pop culture. In Anne Washburn's riveting vision of post-apocalyptic America, survivors invent a new entertainment industry from the ashes of the old. With music by Obie Award-winner Michael Friedman, their enterprise gives redemptive new meaning to the pop hits and cartoon icons we can't live without. |
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| Suicide, Incorporated May 30 - Jun 23, 2012 |
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No Rules Theatre Co at
H Street Playhouse |
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| The DC premiere of a this dark comedy about a business that helps its customers to perfect their suicide notes, and the new employee who might have other motivations. Come see the show that was hailed in the Chicago Tribune as, “…a hugely exciting new play,” and “A deeply moving inquiry into what lives are worth.” |
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| Double Indemnity May 30 - Jun 24, 2012 |
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Round House Theatre - Bethesda |
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| When hard-boiled insurance agent Walter Huff meets femme fatale Phyllis Nirlinger, the wife of a wealthy client, he quickly realizes that she wants to get rid of her husband ‑ and decides to help her do it. Accident insurance pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so they plot to get Nirlinger on ‑ and off ‑ a train without arousing the suspicions of the police, the insurance company, Nirlinger’s daughter, her mysterious boyfriend, or Nirlinger himself. |
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| Home of the Soldier May 31 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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Synetic Theater |
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| The Home of the Soldier commemorates the heroism of our armed forces. The story follows a young American who goes to war, and his father rejoins the army in order to find his son. The journey that follows is an odyssey through the landscape of war and is a powerful story of honor, courage, and love. |
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| South Pacific May 31 - Jun 3, 2012 |
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Filene Center - Wolf Trap |
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| Rodgers & Hammerstein’s moving wartime love story comes to life featuring timeless classics “Some Enchanted Evening,” “There is Nothin Like a Dame,” “Younger than Springtime,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Bali Hai,” and more. |
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| Next To Normal Jun 1 - Jun 16, 2012 |
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Taking Flight Theatre at
Waddell Theater |
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| Taking Flight Theatre presents one of the first area community theater productions of the hit rock musical Next to Normal. The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony Award for Best Original Score, the musical recounts the tale of an everyday suburban family trying to cope with the mom's bipolar condition that has her fluctuating between sanity and madness. The score by composer Tom Kitt and lyricist/book writer Brian Yorkey features 30 original songs including "Just Another Day," "You Don't Know" and "Superboy and the Invisible Girl." Next to Normal was praised in its Broadway version as "much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical" by the New York Times. |
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| Spring Awakening Jun 2 - Jul 8, 2012 |
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Keegan Theatre at
Church Street Theater |
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| With an electrifying score that swings from folk to rock, Spring Awakening follows the unforgettable journey of a group of students in late 19th century Germany as they move from adolescence into adulthood. Facing both the devastation and the wonder of sexuality and self-discovery, the characters navigate through their coming-of-age despite parents and authority figures who are intent on withholding information and suppressing thought and expression. Adapted from Frank Wedekind's 1891 expressionist play about the trials, tears and exhilaration of the teen years, which was banned in its time, this modern masterpiece is an exhilarating fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll. |
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| The History of Invulnerability Jun 6 - Jul 8, 2012 |
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Theater J |
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| Behind every great superhero is a determined creator. In 1930s America, that creator was usually a young Jewish man with an active imagination. Katz’s play illuminates the story of Jerry Siegel—the brains behind Superman’s brawn—and the imagined struggle between the creative father and his uber-mensch son. Siegel wrestles to retain control of his famous comic book sensation as America is drawn into WWII. |
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| Puerto Rico Jun 7 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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GALA Hispanic Theatre |
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| A hilarious and satirical take on the most notorious times in history of the island and the development of today’s “Boricua,” this musical was an instant hit in Puerto Rico when it first opened. Ferrari, an established and frequently produced playwright in Puerto Rico and co-founder of the distinguished Nuevo Teatro Group, spins tales of the Taíno natives, the many invaders from the Conquistadores to the USA, and the ups and downs of contemporary life in the enchanted island. In Spanish with English Surtitles |
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| Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You Jun 7 - Jul 7, 2012 |
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The American Century Theater at
Gunston Arts Center |
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| Helen Hayes-honored director Joe Banno makes his American Century Theater stage debut with playwright Christopher Durang’s first TACT appearance, a hard-nosed comedy that takes on religion, dogma, and the Catholic Church. The play stars celebrated DC actress Cam Magee as the formidable Sister Mary. Nunsense this is not. |
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| The Normal Heart Jun 8 - Jul 29, 2012 |
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Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater |
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| The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller—as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. A quarter-century after it was written, this outrageous, unflinching, and totally unforgettable look at the sexual politics of New York during the AIDS crisis remains one of the theatre’s most powerful evenings ever. Arena Stage is proud to launch the national tour of this important and exhilarating work of theater, winner of three Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play. |
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| Goldilocks Jun 8 - Jul 15, 2012 |
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The Puppet Co. |
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| The porridge has been eaten and Baby Bear’s chair is broken. But who is really responsible? Is it Goldilocks, the cute little blond found hiding upstairs, or could someone – or something - else be responsible? Goldilocks and Papa Bear meet face-to-face in a makeshift courtroom in the woods to settle once and for all whether or not Goldilocks is the criminal the storybooks make her out to be. The audience gets to decide where the truth lies. Fur will fly |
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| The Animals and Children Took To The Streets Jun 8 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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The Studio Theatre |
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| Trust no one! Suspect even your shadow! Welcome to the Bayou, a part of the city feared and loathed wherein lies the infamous Bayou Mansions; a sprawling stinking tenement block, where curtain-twitchers and peeping-toms live side by side, and the wolf... is always at the door. When Agnes Eaves and her daughter arrive late one night, does it signal hope in this hopeless place, or has the real horror only just begun? Seamlessly synchronizing live music, performance and storytelling with stunning films and animation, this is the wickedly twisted new tale from the multiple award-winning company behind the international hit Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Like a giant novel burst into life, 1927 invite you on a theatrical journey of startling originality |
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| Cuchullain Jun 9 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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The Keegan Theatre at
Church Street Theater |
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| From the writer of BASRA BOY and STELLA MORGAN, Irish playwright Rosemary Jenkinson once again brings her unique and potent brand of wit and verbal acrobatics to Keegan Theatre. Aaron, our Belfast hero can’t pay his drug dealer and won't get a soul-numbing job -- so he dares to take on the welfare state. A modern version of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, CUCHULLAIN is a dark and comic street-tripping ride. |
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| Idomeneo Jun 9 - Jun 17, 2012 |
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The In Series at
Atlas Performing Arts Center |
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| Written when Mozart was twenty-five, Idomeneo reflects classic Enlightment ideals and Mozart’s profound humanity, in glorious music. The story —King Idomeneo and his soldiers are returning home from years of war when their ship is engulfed by a storm. Idomeneo offers the gods the sacrifice of the first human being they encounter on shore, in exchange for survival. That person is Idamante, the King’s son, who has meanwhile become a promising leader and is loved by both the Trojan princess Illia and the Greek princess Electra. Idomeneo reneges on his promise and a chain of catastrophies ravages the kingdom. As the protagonists struggle to save their people, the conflict with the gods is fatefully resolved. |
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| Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jun 12 - Jun 24, 2012 |
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The National Theatre |
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| Disney's Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. |
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| The Merry Wives of Windsor Jun 12 - Jul 15, 2012 |
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Shakespeare Theatre Company at
Sidney Harman Hall |
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| The most beloved comic characters of Shakespeare’s Henry IV plays come together in this bawdy, riotous romp, not seen at STC in more than a decade. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary by reinventing the very first production presented during the Free For All, STC is happy to bring back The Merry Wives of Windsor. Falstaff, an impoverished knight, plots to woo two wealthy wives at the same time. However, his plan backfires and the cunning wives seek revenge, bringing chaos to Windsor and embarrassment after embarrassment to Falstaff. Director Stephen Rayne, whose recent production of Sabrina Fair at Ford’s Theatre garnered rave reviews, brings a new spin on this comedy and a merry end to an exceptional season.
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| Memphis Jun 12 - Jul 1, 2012 |
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The Kennedy Center |
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| From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs, and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves-filled with laughter, soaring emotion, and roof-raising rock ‘n' roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Memphis features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. |
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| Sleuth Jun 13 - Jul 8, 2012 |
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Olney Theatre Center |
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| Twice adapted into films starring Michael Caine, Anthony Shaffer's play concerns a mystery writer who schemes to trick and befuddle his wife's lover. Set in the manor house of author Andrew Wyke, the home reflects his obsession with the inventions and deceptions of fiction and his fascination with games. Wyke lures Milo Tindle to the house and convinces him to stage a robbery, setting off a chain of events that will leave you trying to figure out where Wyke's imagination ends and reality begins. This production is directed by Jim Petosa, Artistic Director of the Olney Theatre Center. |
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| Sty of the Blind Pig Jun 14 - Jun 30, 2012 |
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African Continuum Theatre at
Atlas Performing Arts Center |
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| An uprooted African-American family is forced to confront their traditional values and ponder the effect that the emerging civil rights movement will have on their lives after relocating from the deep-south to Chicago.
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| Riverdance Jun 15 - Jun 17, 2012 |
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Filene Center - Wolf Trap |
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| For the last time at Wolf Trap, experience a dazzling display of Irish music and dance. This popular performance is “unmatched, unrivaled, and beautiful to experience” (Anchorage Daily News). |
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| The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Jun 20 - Aug 12, 2012 |
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Imagination Stage |
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| In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse. |
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| Love, Sex and the IRS Jul 13 - Jul 28, 2012 |
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Bowie Playhouse |
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| Jon Trachtman and Leslie Arthur are struggling, out of work musicians in NYC who have been filing their taxes as a married couple, but the jig is up and the I. R. S. is investigating. Add in a cheating fiance, meddling mother and a jealous ex-girlfriend and you have a wild farce with twists of fate, sight gags, mistaken identities and hilarious comic lines! The Asbury Park Press warned patrons they "might laugh enough to choke" on their dinners at this uproarious comedy! |
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| Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins Aug 23 - Oct 28, 2012 |
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Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater |
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| In Red Hot Patriot, Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Kathleen Turner brings her sizzling blend of sensuality and intelligence to the bravado of newspaper columnist Molly Ivins. A dyed-in-the-wool liberal from deep in the heart of Texas, Ivins’ rapier wit made her one of America’s highest-regarded columnists, satirists and beloved rabble-rousers. The incomparable Turner “excels” (Variety) in this searing, 75-minute show that weaves personal anecdotes and a look at our national pastime—politics. |
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| The Temperamentals Aug 29 - Sep 16, 2012 |
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Rep Stage - Horowitz Center |
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| “Temperamental” was code for “homosexual” in the early 1950’s, part of a created language of secret words that gay men used to communicate. Winner of a Drama Desk Award in 2010, “The Temperamentals” tells the story of two men – the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich – as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the pre-Stonewall United States. “With style and sense of humor, it mixes politics with…comedy and unexpected bursts of emotional candor,” wrote David Cote in Time Out New York. |
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