Onstage, Georgetown: October
By • September 26, 2024 0 326
By Mark Edelman
October leaves a few more weeks (now through Oct. 13) to enjoy Washington area Theater Week with tickets as low as $20 for a number of these productions. Discounts end Oct. 13—plenty of time to enjoy the great theater our area has to offer, including some of these (check each box office for participation and prices).
“Comedy of Errors” at Shakespeare Theatre. Photo by Teresa Castracane.
COMEDY OF ERRORS
Shakespeare Theatre Company Now through Oct. 20
The Nats may be out of the running, but Simon Godwin and his crew of merry pranksters at Shakespeare Theatre Company hit another grand slam with this delightful take on one of the Bard’s mistaken-identity trifles. Inspired casting brings Alex Brightman and David Fynn to STC’s Klein Theatre to play identical twins: both actors starred in the Lloyd Webber musical “School of Rock,” Alex on Broadway and David in the West End, and their resemblance is uncanny. The entire ensemble is terrific. Points are scored by all the designers, especially Alejo Vietti’s technicolor costumes; and Michael Bruce’s score sparkles with what could be the best finale number you’ll see on a DC stage this season. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Atlas Theatre Now through Oct. 13
In this handsome production of Lanie Robertson’s off-Broadway and Broadway hit, D.C.’s own Roz White makes the role of a down-on-her-heels Billie Holiday her own. That golden voice rings out just a little too true (Roz is in much better vocal shape than Billie was) in Mosaic Artistic Director Reginald Douglas’ deftly directed performance. Designer Nadir Bey creates a warm and friendly club environment — so snag a table up front. Tickets at www.mosaictheater.org
“Comeuppance” at Woolly Mammoth. Photo by Cameron Whitman.
THE COMEUPPANCE
Woolly Mammoth Now through Oct. 6
An excellent cast, anchored by the moody Jordan Bellow, animates Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s new play about a group of high school honor alums attending their 20th reunion. Morgan Green directs the eerie proceedings, as the spectre of mortality overshadows old friends facing hard truths past, present and future. You might say death becomes them. Tickets at www.woollymammoth.net
SOJOURNERS
Roundhouse Theatre Now through Oct. 6
A Nigerian couple living in Texas in the 1970s welcomes the promise of America but remains homesick for their roots. Tickets at www.roundhousetheatre.org
JA JA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING
Arena Stage Now through Oct. 13
This Tony Award-nominated Best Play takes us inside a bustling West African salon in Harlem where a lively group of braiders create masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
MISTER LINCOLN
Ford’s Theatre Now through Oct. 13
TV star Scott Bakula assays the role of our 16th president in the theater where we lost him. Tickets at www.fords.org
EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND
Olney Theatre Center Now through Oct. 27
Another presidential bioplay, this one stars Tony Award-winning actor John Rubinstein as POTUS #34, culled from our 34th president’s memoirs, speeches and letters. Tickets at www.olneytheatre.org
PRIMARY TRUST
Signature Theatre Now through Oct. 20
Kenneth never misses a happy hour with his best friend until a job loss upends his static existence. Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, this touching story takes him (and us) on a journey
to discover the courage to open a new door. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE
Studio Theatre Now through Oct. 27
When six high school students get stuck in after-school detention, things go awry. Where are all the teachers and how do they get out of this place? Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org
“Babbitt” at Shakespeare Theatre. Photo courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse.
BABBIT
Shakespeare Theatre Company Oct. 1 to Nov. 3
Matthew Broderick and a supporting cast of Broadway stalwarts star in this new adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s satirical masterpiece. When upstanding middle class everyman George F. Babbitt plunges headlong into the biggest rebellion of his life, trouble is bound to ensue. My guess is this one is headed for Broadway — so catch it at STC while you can. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org.
ROMEO & JULIET
Folger Library Theatre Oct. 1 to Nov. 10
The Bard’s fan favorite rom-com (except the lovers die at the end) opens the Folger’s first theater season since its sparkling new library renovation. The timeless story of star-crossed lovers is also a story of the politics of hatred and the violence that can consume society. Sound familiar? While you’re there, check out the amazing display of 82 First Folios — Shakespeare’s plays, bound and published. Tickets at www.folger.edu
SHE PERSISTED
Adventure MTC at Glen Echo Park Oct. 4 to Nov. 3
A new musical based on the book by Chelsea Clinton follows fourth-grader Naomi’s field trip to a Women’s History Museum. As she travels back in time, Naomi encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history, including Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner and Sonia Sotomayor. Tickets at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Keegan Theatre Oct. 12 to Nov. 17
The infamous West End melodrama returns to this Dupont Circle playhouse. A lawyer obsessed with a curse cast over his family by the eponymous Woman in Black tries to exorcise the fear that grips his soul. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t end well. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com
25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Kennedy Center Oct. 11 to 20
This little gem of a Broadway musical gets its own Ken Cen production. A first-rate cast of Main Stem veterans presides over the fun, including Broadway “Funny Girl” Beanie Feldstein. Tickets at www.kennedy-center.org.
“Mean Girls” at National Theatre. Photo by Jenny Anderson.
MEANS GIRLS
National Theatre Oct. 15 to 20
Back in Washington for an encore engagement, Tina Fey’s movie about high school angst and mischief features direction and choreography by Broadway stager extraordinaire Casey Nicholaw. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Capital One Hall Oct. 18 to 20
A touring production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical about teens dealing with the loss of a classmate visits Tysons, Virginia . Tickets at www.capitalonehall.com
THE OTHER AMERICANS
Arena Stage Oct. 18 to Nov. 24
Co-produced with NYC’s Public Theatre, Emmy Award-winning actor and playwright John Leguizamo introduces us to a Colombian-American laundromat owner grappling with a failing business and buried secrets. When son Nick returns after a traumatic incident, Nelson is forced to tackles racial and identity challenges to achieve his dream. Tickets at www.arenastage.org
Mark Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony voter.
