Onstage Georgetown: August 2026
By • August 9, 2026 0 451
Though their ranks have thinned a bit before the new season begins, our DMV theaters nevertheless give us every reason to cool off in the air-conditioned comfort of their spaces this month. Spend a few bucks at one of the following box offices and keep free speech alive!
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Through August 23
After his mother’s death, our gentleman hero Monty learn that he’s a distant relative of a fabulous rich family. Hoping his newly discovered kin will help him out financially, he’s disappointed to learn that, as the eighth in line to the family jewels, he’s unlikely to inherit much — unless something happens to the other seven. Follow along and keep count of the murderous mayhem in this Tony Award-winning Best Musical.
MEAN GIRLS
Through August 23
Tina Fey of “30 Rock” fame adapted her hit movie into this new musical, nominated for twelve Tony Awards. When Cady, who grew up on the African savanna, finds her family transported to suburban Illinois, the culture shock is magnified when she runs into the queens of campus, the ruthless Plastics and their leader, most popular girl Regina George. Can Cady learn to fit into high school’s unforgiving pecking order? Musical comedy fun ensues when she gives it a try and proves two can play a mean girl’s game.
SLEEPING BEAUTY: THE TIME TRAVELER
Through August 23
A new spin on an old favorite finds Sleeping Beauty transplanted back to the year 1000, when Charlemagne rules all of Europe and his poor daughter Aurora is cooped up in the castle. From far off 2026, Rollie comes time traveling by to help Aurora find her way home. In Glen Echo Park, where kids get a first taste of musical theater.
WOODY GUTHRIE’S AMERICAN SONG
The Wharf Riverfront Park
Through August 29
While their name home is being built, the folks at Theatre Alliance bring us THE musical event of this, our 250th anniversary. From the iconic anthem “This Land Is Your Land” to timely protest songs like “All You Fascists Bound to Lose,” there’s a truth and sincerity in Woody Guthrie’s music — and an honest effort to raise up his fellow man.
GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
August 15 to September 6
Two kindred spirits find their way back to each other across a lifetime of scraped knees, broken bones and a whole host of imperfect moments in this new comedy by award-winning playwright Rajiv Joseph. Beneath the play’s sharp wit and darkly comic edge lies a tender story of love, resilience and the quiet ways we hold on to one another.
THE NOTEBOOK
August 18 to 30
Allie and Noah, from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart across the decades. Based on the popular film.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
August 25 to November 1
Those keepers of the Sondheim flame out in Shirlington dig into the composer-lyricist’s masterwork about friendship, ambition and the compromises that shape a life. Matthew Gardiner directs the show 20 years after its last Signature production.
FREDDIE: A GIRL
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
August 27 to September 13
Taffety Punk is back with a gripping tale about the Oversteegen sisters, teenage girls who fought in the Dutch Resistance during World War II by luring Nazi officials into the woods.
Mark Edelman 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.
