When watching Synetic Theater's take on The Fall of the House of Usher, it seems almost inevitable that the talented troupe would tackle the work. The themes and abstract nature of Poe's short story are keenly suited to Synetic's signature style, one of gothic moods and Irina Tsikurishvili's original, attention-grabbing choreography. The story is familiar, of course: Edgar is summoned to the house of his friend Roderick, who claims he and his sister are suffering... more ›

So the big winners at last night’s Helen Hayes awards were… puppets? more ›

Tonight, the D.C. theater community will descend on Warner Theater, decked out in tuxes, kilts, ball gowns and whatever else the artsy crowd comes up with to approximate “black tie” attire. It's the night each year they get the chance to party their brains out and recognize the outstanding contributions they've made this year; it's the Helen Hayes Awards. As busy theater critics with day jobs, we don’t get the chance to attend and review... more ›

Silent Shakespeare? At first instinct, it almost seems a misguided endeavor. After all, for what is the Bard more beloved than his words, words, words? Shakespearean plots can often play out as hokey and contrived, when stripped of the beautiful language accompanying them. more ›

Dybbuk, the term for a spirit that enters the body of someone who is living, is derived from the Hebrew word "to cling". Appropriately, the Washington DC Jewish Community Center's (DCJCC) production of S. Anski's classic Jewish text, The Dybbuk, focuses on characters who cling to things a little too tightly. Leah's father Sender (Irakli Kavsadze), for example, clings to the idea that a marriage full of material riches, in contrast to one formed by love, is best for his daughter. Leah's (Irinia Tsikurishvili) love interest, Chonnon (Andrew Zox), clings to his scholarly works and becomes entranced by the mysticism of Kabbalah as a way to seek explanation for that which cannot be explained. more ›