In West Side Story at the National Theater, a bilingual production is hardly a language barrier. In fact, the directorial choice of Arthur Laurents to set some of the dialogue and a number of the musical numbers performed by the Sharks (the Puerto Rican contingent of the two warring gangs) and their women in Spanish, is easily the most innovative and powerful aspect of this Broadway-bound production. The show is getting an early debut…
By this point, you’re probably quite aware whether you’re someone who would roll eyes at the concept of dancing gangs snapping their fingers on the street, or someone whose heart soars when subjected to the lush, romantic melodies of Leonard Bernstein. For those of us in the latter category, Wolf Trap has just what we need as summer comes to an end – a traditional take on the musical theater classic, West Side Story. Alan…
>> The Jets are gonna have their day tonight at Wolf Trap with the first night of a one week stand of the Leonard Bernstein/Steven Sondheim classic West Side Story. The production celebrates the 50th anniversary of the musical. 8 p.m., $18-$55. >> It’s a great evening for movies. If the Jim Jarmusch classic we recommended last week isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then there’s also a FREE screening of Butch Cassidy and…
MONDAY >> Three Stars alums The Chance and J. Forté + the Secret Pop Band, D.C.’s favorite lofi power-poppers, are playing a great double-bill (bothThree Stars veterans) at the Black Cat Backstage. 9 p.m. $6. TUESDAY >> Yet another revival of West Side Story comes to Wolf Trap and stays there until Sunday. Apparently it’s the 50th anniversary. 8 p.m. with matinée shows at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. $18-68. WEDNESDAY >> The Rock…
The doldrums of August are notorious in D.C. – the politicians leave, the lobbyists take vacation, and overtaken by humidity, the city doesn’t pulse with as much life as it normally does. The theater world is often no exception, with many houses remaining dark during the month. Luckily, a couple companies are intrepid enough to mount productions regardless, and here are some of the highlights: The always thoughtful Journeymen Theater tries its hands at Getting…
Seattlest has a talk with the photographer from last week’s “Segway Mom” and then experiences some dissension in the ranks over the question of wine vs. beer. It’s not West Side Story, but about as close as they’ll get. They’re also still waiting on some inbox relief after a spammer is arrested. As Chicagoist counts down the days to its third anniversary party, they found all-organic pizza to be underwhelming amidst the hoopla, tried…
If you’re going to stage a free reading of Twelfth Night, having it January 6 to kick off the city’s “Shakespeare in Washington” festival counts as pretty good timing. Plus, it has Balki. The event will take place at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall at 6 p.m. tomorrow, and will star Bronson Pinchot, Veanne Cox, Jennifer Dundas, as well as a number of our favorite D.C. actors, like Will Gartshore, Scott McCormick and Regina Aquino….
With over a dozen dancers, three programs and two well-know composers, the Washington Ballet offered a compelling night of dance this past weekend at the Kennedy Center. The troupe displayed their versatility, presenting performances of wildly different styles. Starting the performance was Jerome Robbins’ In the Night, a set of romantic pas de deuxs scored to a few Chopin nocturnes. Robbins is best known for his inventive choreography in the film version of West Side…
His lyrics have poignantly expressed everything from the inner turmoil of assassin John Wilkes Booth to the life lessons Jack learned when climbing the beanstalk. And the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washingtonis kicking off its 25th Annversary season by giving DC audiences the chance to appreciate his incomparable career. The man in question, of course, is the almost universally-admired Stephen Sondheim, and the chorus’ latest production, “Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim,” takes a one-song sample…
Nationals Mascot Announced: In a surprising move, the Washington Nationals presented the team’s new mascot to reporters this morning. The choice? A giant walking bow tie. Meant to memorialize the efforts of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams in bringing baseball back to the District after a three-decade absence, the “Nat Cravate,” as the mascot is to be known, will spin every time a National hits a home run and will loosen slightly during the seventh-inning stretch….
