Performance Arts Preview

September 12, 2018

By Gary Tischler and Richard Selden OPERA Verdi’s ever-popular “La traviata” — his musical tribute to the life and especially death of every courtesan that ever entranced a swain and […]

Burt Reynolds: An American Original

September 10, 2018

The many faces of Reynolds, who died on Sept. 6 at 82, somehow meld into one: the rugged cop, the rugged private eye, the rugged cowboy, the rugged good ol’ boy.

Neil Simon’s Gift to Us

August 30, 2018

Hearing of the Broadway playwright’s death, on Aug. 26, our writer remembered laughter of all sorts: the guffaw, the broad burst of noise, the laughter that sounds like a soundtrack, even the silent laughter.

Sondheim’s ‘Passion’ at Signature

August 21, 2018

Running through Sept. 23, “Passion” takes something of a commitment, a willingness to open ourselves to feelings not usually accessed by a musical.

Farewell to the Queen of Soul

August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin died today, Aug. 16, at age 76 while in hospice care for pancreatic cancer. Whatever the ebb and flow of her career and her popularity, her music never lost its power.

A Rich ‘Color Purple’ at the Kennedy Center


Running through Aug. 26, “The Color Purple” has a strong cast and strong music, which overcome a dearth of physical stagecraft by going to the heart of character, situation and emotion.

Weekend Round Up August 16, 2018


Art lovers can take the kids to the Portrait Gallery’s open studio on Friday and learn about “degenerate art” at the National Gallery on Sunday — the last day of Summer Restaurant Week.

The Life and Lives of Alice Walker’s Celie

August 8, 2018

One is amazed by the life and lives Celie has led and embodied. She was born in triumph, often accompanied by controversy, the aura of which sometimes still remains. Writer […]

Arena’s ‘Dave’ Offers ’90s Nostalgia

August 6, 2018

The world-premiere production was written by a trifecta of industry stars: Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan (“Annie”), Tom Kitt (“Next to Normal”) and Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin (“Mean Girls”).

Aug. 7 Is National Night Out


Along with music and food, this year’s event at Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets NW, will feature a moon bounce, a game truck, clowns, face painters and information tables.