Onstage, Georgetown: March Into These Shows
By • February 21, 2024 0 419
Onstage, Georgetown by Mark Edelman
Maybe it comes in like a lion, maybe it doesn’t. Either way, it’s the perfect time to check out these plays and musical in and around Washington, D.C.:
‘Private Jones’ Signature Theater, Now through March 10
A world premiere musical inspired by the true story of a deaf Welshman who hides his hearing loss and fakes his way through enlistment, becoming a celebrated World War I sniper. An unexpectedly funny and gripping musical adventure about service, friendship, and the cost of war. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
‘Desperate Measures’ Constellation Theatre, Now through March 17
A gun-slinging nun teams up with a shrewd sheriff and salty saloon dancer to save Sister’s bad boy brother from certain death in this Wild West musical version of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. Tickets at www.constellationtheatre.org
‘Tempestuous Elements’ Arena Stage, Now through March 17
The story of Anna Julia Cooper, a visionary Black feminist and educator, and her herculean efforts to keep Black education alive, despite the racism, gossip and sexism that threatened to consign her to obscurity. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Shakespeare Theatre Company, Now through March 24
This brilliant new play — a hit in both London and on Broadway — introduces us to three immigrant brothers who build an American dream that crumbles into a chaotic nightmare for future generations. Covering 160 years of family struggles, achievements, and missteps, this cautionary tale examines the double-edged sword of capitalism and personal choices that created the largest financial crisis in American history. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org
Cate Ginsberg, Caroline Graham and Jordan Essex in “Junie B Jones.” Photo by Alan Kayanan.
‘Junie B. Jones the Musical’ Adventure Theatre MTC, Now through March 30
First grade has never been more daunting (and exciting) for Junie B in this stage musical adaptation of Barbara Park’s popular young reader series, now in its 30th year. Adventure is partnering with local org “So What Else” on a diaper drive during Junie…, so bring some nappies along when you visit historic Glen Echo Park for this family show. Tickets at www.adverturetheatre-mtc.org.
‘Through the Sunken Lands’ The Kennedy Center, March 2 to 17
Artemis, a wheelchair user, finds himself trapped in the library after a flood devastates his hometown. Trying to find a way back to Aunt Maggie’s house, Artemis learns of a new danger that could make his way impossible. A Kennedy Center commission, this new musical amplifies the voice of a commonly overlooked community and teaches us how we can make the world a little better for everyone. For young audiences age nine and above. Tickets www.kennedy-center.org.
‘The Book of Mormon’ National Theatre, March 5 to 17
TV’s “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone teamed up with Broadway composer Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q” and “Frozen”) to pen this wacky send up of America’s homegrown religion. Irreverent as it may be (have you watched “South Park?”), “Mormon” turns out to be a kinda sweet Rodgers & Hammerstein-like musical, albeit with plenty of fart jokes. The Tony Award-winning best musical returns to the DMV, this time playing the National Theatre. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com
‘Penelope’ Signature Theater, March 5 to April 21
Mrs. Odysseus is fed up and has some things she wants to say about those 20 years waiting back in Ithaca, while hubby got all the ink in Homer’s “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.” This world premier musical flips the script on the dutiful wife, as Penelope steps out of the background to claim her share of the spotlight. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
‘Quijote Y Sancho Panza’ Gala Hispanic Theatre, March 9 to 23
Join the lively misadventures of the gentleman from “La Mancha” and his loyal squire as they face daring rescues, unconventional challenges, and mistaken identities in this bi-lingual performance from Washington’s pre-eminent teatro en espanol. Tickets at www.galatheatre.org
National tour of “Company.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.
‘Company’ The Kennedy Center, March 12 to 31
Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical comedy about a group of New Yorkers celebrating their single friend Bobby’s birthday gets a change to the distaff side. This time, those friends of “Bobbie” keep asking why can’t she find the right man, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? In his Tony Award-winning score, Sondheim plumbs the depths of being single, being married and being alive. Tickets at www.kennedy-center.org
‘At the Wedding’ Studio Theatre, March 13 to April 20
Carlo crashes her ex’s wedding with three simple goals: Don’t get drunk. Don’t make any kids cry. Don’t try to win back the bride, no matter how boring the groom is. Studio offers up a new comedy about loneliness, estrangement, and a slow-burn romance with being alive. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Ford’s Theatre, March 15 to May 18
That big old scary plant returns to Ford’s in this musical theater favorite. Doo wop and Motown infuse a classic boy-meets-girl, boy-introduces-girl-to carnivorous, blood-thirsty plant story with a great score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who went on to save Disney animation with “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets at www.fords.org
‘Hester Street’ Theatre J, March 27 to April 21
The world premier of the stage adaptation of Joan Micklin Silver’s 1975 film tells the uplifting tale of a young woman from Eastern Europe who arrives with her little boy in New York’s Lower East Side circa 1890 where she discovers that her husband, who journeyed ahead of her, has already embraced a new American life she does not understand. Faced with the disintegration of her marriage, Gitl must find her voice, protect her son and redefine herself in this strange land. Tickets at www.edcjcc.org/theatre-j.
Mark Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony voter.
