The conceit may be strange, but one performer’s energy can make all the difference. In Daniel Beaty’s show, Emergence-See!, now being performed at Arena Stage, a slave ship has shown up in a modern-day New York harbor. Protagonist Rodney’s father’s headed right towards it, as it’s messing up the poetry slam in which he’s supposed to be performing. A little farfetched? Truly. But Emergence-See! isn’t a show that is dependent on its set-up. It’s one…

The Arena Stage is holding their 14th Annual Benefit production of the The Pundit Whodunit: The Case of the Political Puzzle tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the Kreeger Theater. If you’ve got an extra $200 to $400 lying around, you too can be seated front and center for a one night only performance of local playwright and director Harry M. Bagdasian’s comedic murder mystery, starring prominent members of Congress and the media. Members of the…