Photo via Erin/Flickr
According to the results of a ridiculously interesting survey by the National Endowment for the Arts on entertainment habits, 51 percent of Americans attended some form of live arts in 2012— more than the 46 percent who were exercising or playing a sport in the same year.
If you’ve been to the gym yet this month, congratulations! You’ve already beat the 54 percent of people who won’t exercise even once this year— you can rest easy until 2016. As long as you’re accomplishing things left and right, why not resolve to go see a play this month? Here’s our list of shows playing in January:
>>THE T PARTY: That’s T as in “Transexual”, not Tea as in “I want to blame Obama for my taxes.” Important not to mix the two up. Forum Theatre is running this remount of a series of vignettes exploring gender and sexuality. It is also, at least in part, a dance party. Runs through January 17
>>THE TEMPEST: One of Shakespeare’s most action-packed plays is currently being performed by the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Director Ethan McSweeny has quite a few visual tricks up his sleeve that brings island nymphs, giant magical puppets, and, of course, the titular storm to life. Our reviewer, who I can confirm has a sleeve tattoo inspired by the play, was particularly charmed. Recently extended through January 18.
>>DINER: This musical has Sheryl Crow’s name all over it (she’s also been voicing plenty of area radio ads promoting the play), though Signature Theater does go to some lengths to remind potential ticket buyers that she wrote the lyrics but will not be appearing on-stage. The musical adaptation of the movie, once aiming for a Broadway opening, is instead premiering here, and is currently sold out through the end of its run. Through January 25.
>>BAD JEWS: Peter Marks called this the funniest play of 2014. Our reviewer was also charmed. So was everyone else: The show was one of the most-produced shows in 2014, and is now Studio Theatre’s best-selling show ever. The production traces three cousins’ reflections on their grandfather’s experience in the Holocaust. Yes, of course it’s a comedy. Recently re-re-extended through February 1. Tickets $20-78.
>>CHOIR BOY: Marking the fourth show Studio Theatre has produced by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, this play is a coming-of-age tale set at an all-male, historically black prep school. Expect an exploration of the unique mix of forced politeness, innate wildness, and occasional male nudity endemic to all-male schools. Through February 22.
>>LIFE SUCKS (OR THE PRESENT RIDICULOUS) : Consider it a spiritual successor to the ridiculously popular Stupid Fucking Bird. The gang’s all here: Once again, playwright and director Aaron Posner is adapting/updating/writing a love letter to Chekov, with omnipresent actress Kimberly Gilbert in a starring role. The world premiere is tonight at Theater J. Runs January 14 through February 15.
>>GIGI: The latest musical hitting the Kennedy Center on its way to Broadway (RIP, Side Show ), Gigi stars Vanessa Hudgens, and is, much like Side Show, a re-imagining of a previous Broadway show. This one is about rich people in Paris and presumably involves zero circus freaks. It’ll probably do great. Runs January 16 through February 12
>>BASKERVILLE: One of the most interesting stories in the Sherlock canon (and probably the worst episode of the otherwise brilliant British series), “The Hound of the Baskervilles” has been adapted into a new comedy where five actors take on over 40 roles. The show will see its world premiere at Arena Stage. Runs January 16 through February 22.
>>RAPTURE BURN BLISTER: I’m told that writing the word feminisim two times on the internet will summon the angry ghost of Phyllis Schlafly. Let’s not risk it. Instead, I’ll say this Pulitzer-nominated farce that will run at Round House Theater is a comedic take on, ahem, gender politics. Runs January 28 through February 22.
