Signature Theatre's production of Hairspray and Synetic's silent version of King Lear cleaned up at the 28th annual Helen Hayes Awards. Arena Stage's Ruined won for outstanding resident play. more ›

Romeo and Juliet? Been there, done that. Synetic Theater has a new pair of star-crossed lovers at the center of their latest silent Shakespeare production, and their story fuels one of the company's most arresting shows to date. more ›

After countless adaptations and revisions, what does the story of Dracula continue to bring to the table? Is it a cautionary tale? Case study of a haunting figure? An excuse for oozing sexuality? An almost comical villain at this point? more ›

The hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiills are aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive in Synetic Theater’s nonverbal, nonstop production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream! more ›

It’s November, so most minds are on turkey and stuffing, but two theater companies are getting a jump on Christmas festivities. While we won’t see Ford Theater’s annual production of A Christmas Carol until December, both Arena Stage and Synetic Theater have their own take on the classic. Arena's Christmas Carol 1941 emphasizes the DC Christmas experience (Nov 16), while Synetic's promises to be more choreography-driven (Nov. 24). The relatively new company Spooky Action Theater... more ›

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 ›

FRIDAY: >> What, you mean you don't already see enough of Ian Svenonius around town? The DJ, Internet talk show host and former head of Nation of Ulysses and The Make-Up is giving you another chance to eyeball his annoying multitalentedness with a slide show presentation in conjunction with the release of "The Psychic Soviet", a collection of essays he's recently published. 7 p.m. tonight at Crooked Beat Records. SATURDAY: >> There is an open... more ›

It’s refreshing to watch a take on Animal Farm that is less about heavy-handed political posturing and much more about artistic expression. That’s what we have in Synetic Theater's latest, a production that incorporates multi-media accents, impressive choreography and most of all amusing and effective anthropomorphic performances from their team of farm residents. The familiar allegory of the story is pretty straightforward; a group of pigs, hens and horses revolt against their oppressive farmer and... 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 ›

DCist was impressed by the Synetic Theater’s silent MacBeth, but a new production at the Studio Theater is attempting a similarly impressive feat. The stars not only remain silent, but their characters are performed with other people’s voices. Yes Washington, Lypsinka has returned, this time as Joan Crawford. Twenty-five years ago a star was born on Christopher Street as Creator/Performer John Epperson made his theatrical debut as an amalgam of the most glamorous leading ladies... 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 ›

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, but its emphasis on movement and mood conveys Synetic's signature style. more ›

If you like your composers Russian, your theater traditional and your Shakespeare, well, everywhere, the Kennedy Center's 2006/2007 season has much to please. As part of "Shakespeare In Washington," the Bard shows up in lots of the Center's theatre, dance and orchestral offerings, from a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Coriolanus to the Kirov Ballet's Romeo and Juliet. The season also brings with it two new partnerships: Arlington's Synetic Theater, which just had a hand... more ›

February’s theater scene brings a month of insomnia and exorcisms, dames and deaths. But before we outline the month’s offerings, allow us to say thanks to DCist reader Jeffrey, who reminded us that tickets for the Monty Python spectacular, Spamalot, coming to the National Theater in June, go on sale Februrary 26. They’ll be gone faster than you can say "shrubbery," so mark your calendars. In the meantime, how far would you go to protect... more ›

It's been a good summer. For DCist it has, anyway, filled with cheetah cubs and buttersticks, Nats games and Borf sightings, and lots of sweaty, booze-soaked cookouts. But fall is coming, people, and it's time to put the flip-flops aside, say goodbye to the interns, and fill out your autumn dance card. DCist humbly offers the following suggestions. Oh, they grow up so fast. One day they're lil, playing hoops and making MTV videos, the... more ›