Photo: John Sonderman/flickr
We’ve got some excellent plays to see this month, from all varieties of Shakespeare (comedically reduced, all male cast, or modern remix) to video game interactive experiences to crazy glowing babies. Whether you’re interested in grounded historical dramas or whimsical flights of fancy, we’ve got you covered:
LAST CHANCE
>>ALL THE WAY. Here’s what we said last month: Playwright Robert Schenkkan has this Tony winning deep dive into the life of LBJ himself, Lyndon Johnson. At Arena Stage through May 8.
>>THE MYSTERY OF LOVE AND SEX. Here’s what we said last month: Jinkies, gang. Can two childhood friends take the plunge into romance and survive the experience? It probably doesn’t help that they have lots going against them—including the fact that they’re not even sure they’re that into each other. Read our review here. AtSignature Theatre through May 8.
>>CHRONICLE OF A DEATH FORETOLD an adaptation of master Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez, in Spanish with English surtitles. At GALA Hispanic Theatre, through May 8.
>>THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LONG LOST PLAY (ABRIDGED): A world premiere celebrating Reduced Shakespeare Company’s 35 year tradition of boiling the bard down to the most essential elements, to great comedic effect. At Folger Theatre, through May 8.
NOW PLAYING
>>110 IN THE SHADE. Here’s what we said last month: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of Texas. This musical based on The Rainmaker has been singing through the sweltering heat since the 60’s. Our reviewer found that the charming performances overcame a somewhat stifling script. At Fords Theatre through May 14.
>>THE ELECTRIC BABY, Our reviewer says this otherworldly offering “seems to have one foot in the real world and the other in abstract myth.” Guess which half the titular glowing baby falls in. No, really, guess; it won’t be immediately apparent if the glowing crib on stage is really there or some kind of symbol. Our lips are sealed. From Rorschach Theatre at Atlas Performing Arts Center, through May 15.
>>THE WIZARD OF OZ: This musical faithfully follows the definitive movie adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel, with a few new songs from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to boot. At National Theatre, through May 15.
>>JOURNEY TO THE WEST: A title like that deserves some good jokes about oxen fording rivers, but that’s a different western trail. This adaptation follows a journey from China to India, from playwright Mary Zimmerman. At Constellation Theatre at Source, through May 22.
>>BLACK PEARL SINGS!: A musical look at the lives of two very different women in Depression-era Texas. At MetroStage through May 29.
>>DISGRACED, this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winner about the American Dream and a dinner party that gets wildly out of control (as they do). At Arena Stage through May 29.
>>THE BODY OF AN AMERICAN: Playwright Dan O’Brien wrote this gripping two-hander about his (true) relationship working with war photographer Paul Watson, trying to develop a play about his life. At Theater J through May 29.
>>A LESSON FROM ALOES 1963 was a painful time to be in South Africa; Athol Fugard’s play takes a close look at the life of three people living in the midst of Apartheid. At Quotidian Theatre to May 29
OPENING SOON
>>DISTRICT MERCHANTS : Playwright Aaron Posner has penned his share of critically celebrated Chekhov adaptations, but this season turns for the first time to a modern and local remix of Shakespeare. World Premiere at Folger Theater, May 31 through July 3.
>>AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER: at Keegan Theatre at Church Street Theater, May 7 through May 28
>>HEDDA GABLER at Studio Theatre, May 11 through June 19
>>THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK at Synetic Theater, May 11 through June 19
>>BAKERSFIELD MIST at Olney Theatre, May 12 through June 12
>>HAPPY HOUR, a live video game experience (!!) at Spooky Action Theater, May 12 through June 5
>>THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, notably with an all male cast, from Shakespeare Theatre Company at Sidney Harmon Hall, May 17- through June 26
>>WHEN JANUARY FEELS LIKE SUMMER from Mosaic Theater at Atlas Performing Arts Center, May 19 through June 12
Have we overlooked a can’t-miss play? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
