This March is chock full of modern adaptations of classic plays and literature mixed in with some unique and thrilling new works. There are a handful of energetic musical offerings, but drama seems to dominate the end of this chilly, unpredictable winter.
Last Call:
The Master and Margarita: This dark, funny, and surreal adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s famous Russian novel performed by Constellation Theatre Company (housed at the Source Theatre) is now extended through March 10. Read our review.
Richard III: David Muse returns to The Shakespeare Theatre at Sidney Harman Hall to direct this bloody, classic battle for the throne. Through March 10. Read our review.
Vanity Fair: Playwright Kate Hamill brings her sharp and witty adaptation of Thackeray’s novel about self-possessed social climber Becky Sharp to The Shakespeare Theatre at the Lansburgh. Through March 31.
Admissions: Studio Theatre has extended their hit show about white privilege and academia by local favorite playwright Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews) until March 17. Read our review.
Cyrano de Bergerac: This classic story of love both fulfilled and unrequited gets a new spin with Synetic Theatre’s signature acrobatics. This is Vato Tsikurishvili’s directorial debut with the theater. Not only is Vato the son of Synetic’s co-founders, but he’s also trained under Olympic caliber coaches in fencing and gymnastics. Through March 10.
Just Opening:
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity: The second production as part of the Heidi Thomas Writer’s Initiative (which funds a world premiere production by a female playwright and directed by a woman), D.C. area playwright Heather McDonald returns to Signature Theatre with an emotional story of three women trapped in a museum during the hundred years war. Through April 7.
Into the Woods: The moving and hilariously dark Sondheim hit about fairy tales gone awry comes to Ford’s Theatre. A long run anticipates this one will be a crowd-pleasing hit. March 8-May 22.
Native Son: Mosaic Theatre Company (at Atlas Performing Arts Center: Lang Theatre) heats up the end of winter with an exciting adaptation of Richard Wright’s novel. This show is also performed in repertory with Les Deux Noirs: Notes on a Native Son, a two-man show that reimagines a meeting between James Baldwin and Richard Wright. March 27-April 28.
Hands on a Hardbody: This daring musical follows a group of Texans who compete to win a brand new truck—the only catch is they have to keep a hand on the truck at all times. Keegan Theatre gets its hands on the regional premiere of this show, which boasts a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright and music by Amanda Green and Trey Anastasio (yes, that Trey from Phish). March 9–April 6.
Queen of Basel: Studio Theatre’s modern retelling of Strindberg’s play Miss Julie is transported to Miami and tackles issues of race and class in the Latinx community during the famed art world weekend of Art Basel. March 6-April 7.
The Jewish Queen Lear: A classic Yiddish play gets a new adaptation about an enterprising widow on the lookout for a wife for her son. During Theatre J’s renovation, this performance will be at Georgetown University’s Gonda Theatre. Considering the last meddling mother trying to matchmake her son made national headlines earlier this year, this 100-year-old play certainly seems to still have some modern relevance. March 13-April 7.
Blood at the Root: Theatre Alliance presents an electric play about a black high school student who takes a stand and enters a traditionally white space at her school, which devolves into violence of action and words. Based on the 2006 Jena Six case in Louisiana. Through March 24.
JQA: Playwright and hit-maker Aaron Posner brings his hilarious and provocative style to Arena Stage, this time tackling the story of one-term president John Quincy Adams. If you couldn’t get tickets to that other show about a notable Revolutionary-era political figure, this is an excellent alternative. March 1-April 14.
Quick Runs:
Hear Eye Stand: This year’s Round House Theatre Teen Performance Company returns with an original play written by D.C. playwright Caleen Sinnette Jennings. The meta story centers around the anxieties a group of teenagers face as the put on a school play. During Round House’s renovations, this year’s show will be at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. March 14-17.
Jogging: Catch this remarkable one-woman, Sundance Institute show while you can. Conceived and performed by Hanane Hajj Ali (winner of a best actor award for this show at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival), this play tells the story of a Lebanese woman and how her jogging routine brings physical changes within herself and her community. At The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Gallery, the show runs March 12-13.
A Bronx Tale: Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri’s personal story about his childhood caught between family and the mob in 1960s New York, leaps from the screen onto the stage at The National Theatre on a tour after a hit run on Broadway. With joyful, nostalgic doo-wop music by Beauty and the Beast songmaster Alan Menkin and a cast featuring 11 alums of the Broadway production, this performance brings a crowd-pleaser of Broadway to D.C.’s door. March 26-31.
