June Onstage, Georgetown
By • June 5, 2025 0 176
By Mark Edelman
June, as Oscar Hammerstein put it, is busting out all over. As the temperatures climb, why not spend a cool summer night at one of these great DMV theaters?
June 3-6
Pride Plays
Woolly Mammoth Theatre
In honor of this year’s Pride celebrations—and DC’s 50th anniversary thereof– here’s an exciting festival of plays devoted to LGBTQA themes, including Tony ® Award winner The Normal Heart, the searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man’s lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Six plays in total, and they’re all FREE! Sign up at www.woolly-mammoth.net.
June 3-July 13
The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter Thompson Musical
Signature Theatre
Tony Award ® winning director Christopher Ashley shepherded this new rock musical from his home base, the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, where the musicalization of the gonzo journalist’s life and times enjoyed a successful engagement. The story careens from the 1940s to 2005, as Thompson attempts to take down a corrupt president while in the throes of his own drug-fueled tornado that leaves a trail of destruction. Tickets are available here.
June 4-22
Berlin Diaries
Theatre J
How do you find home when a family history is scattered like the torn pages of a journal released to the wind? Two actors become whole generations of characters trying to stitch together memories lost in time. Tickets are available here.
June 11- July 14
Les Miserables
Kennedy Center
Back where it all again (at least in the States). Jean Valjean outruns single-minded Inspector Javier and saves the beauteous Cosette and virtuous Marius in this ravishing musical, based on some of Victor Hugo’s immortal novel. It’s not “the world’s most popular musical” for nothing. Tickets are available here.
June 12- July 20
A Wrinkle In Time
Arena Stage
Meg Murry’s father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must rescue him and outwit the forces of evil arrayed against them. Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning young adult novel, it’s a story that just might inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all. Tickets are available here.
June 17-22
Ain’t Too Proud
National Theatre
The tumultuous tale of the Temptations, Motown’s breakout artists and the talented and determined performers who were responsible for a generation of teens slow dancing to “My Girl” (thank you, David Ruffin). From a Detroit street corner to international stardom, the ups and downs of their story tells a cautionary tale about fame and friendship. Tickets are available here.
June 18 – July 27
Wipeout
Studio Theatre
Claudia is giving herself an early birthday present: surf lessons. Floating in the Pacific isn’t entirely her speed, but she’s hoping it will get both of her best friends to show up. Waves are caught and scores are settled in this new play about endings and beginnings. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org
Now thru June 15
Falsettos
Keegan Theatre
The Tony Award-winning musical is about family, relationships, bar mitvahs and baseball, among other life lessons. 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. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 15
We Are Gathered
Arena Stage
Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney offers a contemporary twist on one Shakespearean wedding play. Do Free and W. Tre make it to the altar? As they approach a milestone anniversary, each wonders if he’s met Mr. Right or had a long one-night stand with a lovely Mr. Maybe. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 22
Twelfth Night
Folger Theatre
When Viola washes up on shore after losing her twin brother in a shipwreck, falls in love with the debonair Count Orsino and is herself (himself?) pursued by the rich and beautiful Olivia, it’s fun with mistaken identifies Shakespeare-style. Folger Theatre presents a playful interpretation of this beloved Shakespeare comedy. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 22
King James
Round House Theatre
Two fans of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers bond over their shared love of basketball—especially phenom LeBron James. Over the course of many years, their relationship ebbs and flows with the ups and downs of their beloved team. Do they answer the eternal question GOAT or not? Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 22
Paradise
Studio Theatre
Award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau later this month at the National) transports us back to 1949 Detroit and the Paradise, a jazz club that’s seen better days. Blue, the club’s trumpet-playing owner, is ready to leave the Motor City , his house band and his best girl have dreams of their own. Studio transforms its theater into a jazz club for this immersive performance. Music and cocktails before the show. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 22
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Signature Theatre
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 thru a botched sex change operation and coming to America. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 29
Frankenstein
Shakespeare Theatre Co
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. Tickets are available here.
Now thru June 29
Andy Warhol In Iran
Mosaic Theater
True story—the Shah of Iran’s wife commissioned the pop artist to create portraits of the royal family. When a student takes Warhol hostage to publicize his group’s demands, a life and death struggle over revolution, responsibility and the arts ensues. Who knew? Tickets are available here.
June 28
Broadway in the Park
Filene Center at Wolf Trap
Signature Theatre’s annual homage to musical theater alfresco stars the DMV’s best (expect
Cast members from Sig’s recent hit In the Heights) along with Broadway stars Lindsay Mendez, so great in Merrily We Roll Along, and Tony Award ® winner Jessie Mueller, who brought Carol King to life in Beautiful. Tickets at www.wolftrap.org
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 www.onstagedmv.org.
