It’s almost May, which means Mother’s Day is around the corner. What better way to say “I love you – and thanks for putting up with me at age 2, 13 and last week” – than a visit to one of these nurturing plays or musicals? “FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT,” Arena Stage, until May 4
Renowned playwright Larissa FastHorse’s comedy about a collision of friends and foes, ensnaring colleagues and bystanders and unraveling secrets that highlight the absurdities of ambition and authenticity. Amid the laughter, genuine connections form, emphasizing the value of unexpected paths to success. “SISTER ACT,” Ford’s Theatre, until May 17
Based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, a nightclub singer takes refuge with a group of nuns to escape retribution from a couple of goodfellas. Cooped up in the convent, she helps her new sisters discover their powerful voices while, inevitably, finding her own. “CHARLOTTE’S WEB,” Adventure Theatre, until May 25
Take the kids and celebrate the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness as eight-legged Charlotte saves her friend Wilbur with her miraculous web. “HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH,” Signature Theatre, until June 22
With killer heels and a fabulous wig, Hedwig tours the country, trailing the ex-lover who stole her songs and made it big. Hear her sorrow-filled tale in a hard rock story about growing up behind the Iron Curtain, living through a botched sex change operation and coming to America. “HEAD OVER HEELS,” Constellation Theatre, May 1 to June 1
Here’s a kicky idea: mash up a famous Elizabethan romantic comedy with the catalogue of 1980s girl group The Go-Gos, Belinda Carlisle’s old band. “AKIRA KUROSAWA EXPLAINS HIS MOVIES AND YOGURT,” Woolly Mammoth, May 4 to June 1
Renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa – or an actor who looks like him – explains his iconic filmography, brilliant mind, the thrilling world of movies and “culture.” But, why can’t he stop talking about yogurt? In this whimsical world premiere, playwright Julia Izumi weaves through media and memory to examine cultural imperialism, “healthy” consumption and why we make art. “THE STORY OF A ROSE,” Ruth Schlesinger Concert Hall, May 7
Subtitled ‘A Musical Reverie of the Great War,’ Broadway star Melissa Errico debuts her newest original concert-theatre piece in a one-night-only performance in Alexandra. Here she takes the real life role of her Aunt Rose, a Ziegfeld Follies star and Italian immigrant living during the Great War. Accompanied by a jazz ensemble, Errico is joined by Broadway actor/musician George Abud in this tribute to love and sacrifice. “FOOTLOOSE,” Next Stop Theatre Co., May 8 to June 8
Head to Herndon for the stage version – complete with those great pop songs – of the 1980s movie about a city-born teenager who shakes up a small town’s uptight moral code and dance ban as he fights for freedom and self-expression. And guess who wins the heart of the town minister’s daughter? “FALSETTOS,” Keegan Theatre, May 10 to June 15
The Tony Award-winning musical about family, relationships, bar mitzvahs and baseball, among other life lessons is hitting the DMV. When Marvin leaves his wife Trina and son Jason to be with his lover Whizzer, tempers flare, problems escalate and everyone learns to grow up fast. “WE ARE GATHERED,” Arena Stage, May 16 to June 15
Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney offers a contemporary twist on a Shakespearean’s wedding plays. As they approach a milestone anniversary, W. Tre and Free wonder if they’ve met Mr. Right or had a long one-night stand with a lovely Mr. Maybe. “KIMBERLY AKIMBO,” National Theatre, May 20 to June 1
This Tony Award-winning musical about growing up and growing old welcomes us into the world of 16-year-old Kimberly, who is forced to navigate family dysfunction, her first crush, a rare genetic disorder and possible felony charges on her road to happiness against all odds. “PORGY AND BESS,” Kennedy Center, May 23 to 31
The Gershwin Brothers’ Great American opera, torn from the tales of the marginalized people who lived through and found love and redemption in their suffocating confines. “FRANKENSTEIN,” Shakespeare Theatre Company, May 27 to June 22
Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece is reimagined as a chilling exploration of what it means to create new life. Redefining the legend we know and the name we fear, this new adaptation asks us to reconsider the monstrous act at the heart of the tale. The writer is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony voter. Catch his monthly podcast at onstagedmv.org .
CONTINUE READING
Renowned playwright Larissa FastHorse’s comedy about a collision of friends and foes, ensnaring colleagues and bystanders and unraveling secrets that highlight the absurdities of ambition and authenticity. Amid the laughter, genuine connections form, emphasizing the value of unexpected paths to success. “SISTER ACT,” Ford’s Theatre, until May 17
Based on the hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, a nightclub singer takes refuge with a group of nuns to escape retribution from a couple of goodfellas. Cooped up in the convent, she helps her new sisters discover their powerful voices while, inevitably, finding her own. “CHARLOTTE’S WEB,” Adventure Theatre, until May 25
Take the kids and celebrate the power of friendship and the enduring impact of kindness as eight-legged Charlotte saves her friend Wilbur with her miraculous web. “HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH,” Signature Theatre, until June 22
With killer heels and a fabulous wig, Hedwig tours the country, trailing the ex-lover who stole her songs and made it big. Hear her sorrow-filled tale in a hard rock story about growing up behind the Iron Curtain, living through a botched sex change operation and coming to America. “HEAD OVER HEELS,” Constellation Theatre, May 1 to June 1
Here’s a kicky idea: mash up a famous Elizabethan romantic comedy with the catalogue of 1980s girl group The Go-Gos, Belinda Carlisle’s old band. “AKIRA KUROSAWA EXPLAINS HIS MOVIES AND YOGURT,” Woolly Mammoth, May 4 to June 1
Renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa – or an actor who looks like him – explains his iconic filmography, brilliant mind, the thrilling world of movies and “culture.” But, why can’t he stop talking about yogurt? In this whimsical world premiere, playwright Julia Izumi weaves through media and memory to examine cultural imperialism, “healthy” consumption and why we make art. “THE STORY OF A ROSE,” Ruth Schlesinger Concert Hall, May 7
Subtitled ‘A Musical Reverie of the Great War,’ Broadway star Melissa Errico debuts her newest original concert-theatre piece in a one-night-only performance in Alexandra. Here she takes the real life role of her Aunt Rose, a Ziegfeld Follies star and Italian immigrant living during the Great War. Accompanied by a jazz ensemble, Errico is joined by Broadway actor/musician George Abud in this tribute to love and sacrifice. “FOOTLOOSE,” Next Stop Theatre Co., May 8 to June 8
Head to Herndon for the stage version – complete with those great pop songs – of the 1980s movie about a city-born teenager who shakes up a small town’s uptight moral code and dance ban as he fights for freedom and self-expression. And guess who wins the heart of the town minister’s daughter? “FALSETTOS,” Keegan Theatre, May 10 to June 15
The Tony Award-winning musical about family, relationships, bar mitzvahs and baseball, among other life lessons is hitting the DMV. When Marvin leaves his wife Trina and son Jason to be with his lover Whizzer, tempers flare, problems escalate and everyone learns to grow up fast. “WE ARE GATHERED,” Arena Stage, May 16 to June 15
Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney offers a contemporary twist on a Shakespearean’s wedding plays. As they approach a milestone anniversary, W. Tre and Free wonder if they’ve met Mr. Right or had a long one-night stand with a lovely Mr. Maybe. “KIMBERLY AKIMBO,” National Theatre, May 20 to June 1
This Tony Award-winning musical about growing up and growing old welcomes us into the world of 16-year-old Kimberly, who is forced to navigate family dysfunction, her first crush, a rare genetic disorder and possible felony charges on her road to happiness against all odds. “PORGY AND BESS,” Kennedy Center, May 23 to 31
The Gershwin Brothers’ Great American opera, torn from the tales of the marginalized people who lived through and found love and redemption in their suffocating confines. “FRANKENSTEIN,” Shakespeare Theatre Company, May 27 to June 22
Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece is reimagined as a chilling exploration of what it means to create new life. Redefining the legend we know and the name we fear, this new adaptation asks us to reconsider the monstrous act at the heart of the tale. The writer is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony voter. Catch his monthly podcast at onstagedmv.org .
