Celebrating Washington Theater and More, Tonight Through April 29

Everybody in Washington’s theater community will show up tonight for the 28th annual Helen Hayes Awards at the Warner Theatre, but that’s only the beginning for what this year is theatreWeek in Washington, which would be April 23-29.

Sponsored and spearheaded by theatreWashington, the D.C. group that supports, promotes and represents Washington area theatres, artists and audiences, theatreWeek will make its debut with a series of special events including Playtime, a series of events aimed squarely at children.

The Helen Hayes Awards and Ovation Gala at the Warner Theatre and J.W. Marriott Hotel kicks everything off, featuring awards that showcase the general and specific excellence of Washington’s theatre world, with special honors going to two-time, Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey.

On Wednesday, D.C. professionals and Washington theater-lovers hook up with “Show Tunes and Cocktails with Joshua Morgan” from 7 to 8 p.m. at Napoleon Bistro and Lounge in Adams Morgan.

On Thursday, it’s time for “Theatre Critics: It’s Only Their Opinion, What They Do and How They Do It.” (While not attending, I can be reached at The Georgetowner, if you want my opinion). Actually, it’s a conversation with Washington Post Critic Peter Marks and other critics from 7 to 8 p.m. (Location to be announced)

On Friday, you get a sneak peek at “In Rehearsal,” a new book by actor and director Gary Sloan, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Bus Boys and Poets at 14th and V Streets, N.W.

And then there’s Playtime, with workshops, classes and tours for kids at 13 theatres throughout the region on April 22, 27, 28 and 29. Participating are Adventure Theatre, Compass Rose Studio Theater, Faction of Fools Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, the National Theatre, the Puppet Company, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, the Theatre Lab and Toby’s Dinner Theatre.