Fall theater season in DC holds something for everyone
This fall brings an abundance of DC theatrical offerings for all ages. Whether your tastes run to Shakespeare or something more recent, chances are you will find it in the listings below, which provide a sampling of what local theaters are presenting between now and the end of the year.
Speaking of Shakespeare, Macbeth — his tragic tale of political ambition at any cost — has already kicked off the season at the Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill, where it seems especially relevant today. The Folger Consort, the early music ensemble-in-residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library, is providing period music for the play. Elsewhere, the Bard is represented by The Comedy of Errors in a Shakespeare Theatre Company production opening later this month at the Lansburgh Theatre. The company’s artistic director, Michael Kahn, will retire at the end of the season after 33 years at the helm, with Simon Godwin of the Royal National Theatre recently announced as his successor.
A musical version of Shakespeare’s As You Like It is on the calendar at the Keegan Theatre this November. Other musicals around town this fall include Elton John and Tim Rice’s version of Verdi’s tragic opera Aida by Constellation Theatre, and there is a new production of the Tony Award-winning Miss Saigon at the Kennedy Center. Musicals that started life as films abound. The National Theatre will host the pre-Broadway premiere of Beetlejuice, and the Kennedy Center will present Little Shop of Horrors and Anastasia.
Washington National Opera will present its annual “Opera in the Outfield” event Sept. 29 at Nationals Park, this year showing Rossini’s beloved The Barber of Seville on the jumbotron under the stars for free. Indoors, the company’s fall season will also include Verdi’s tragic tale of doomed love La traviata and a family holiday show based on Jeanette Winterson’s book The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me.
The holidays will also witness the return of the perennial favorite at Ford’s Theatre — Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, practically synonymous with Christmas. A later addition to the canon inspired by the Dickens classic is An Irish Carol, which has become a new tradition at Keegan. Rounding out the seasonal offerings is the Christmas Revels, an annual pageant of dance, song and stories presented by the Washington Revels, this year focusing on Elizabethan life in the age of Shakespeare.
Between now and year’s end, theatergoers will find plenty to pick from. Washington being a political town, many of those choices focus on civil rights, like Turn Me Loose at Arena Stage; women’s rights, like She the People at Woolly Mammoth; and just plain down-and-dirty politics, like Kings at Studio Theatre.
RECENTLY OPENED
Macbeth. Shakespeare’s foreboding tragedy is given a Restoration-era treatment and set in a London lunatic asylum, accompanied by period music by the Folger Consort. Folger Theatre through Sept. 23.
“Viva V.E.R.D.I. — The Promised End.” In Series presentation that pairs Shakespeare’s King Lear with Verdi’s Requiem. Source Theatre through Sept. 23.
Gloria. Playwright Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media in this satire about squabbling editorial assistants. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through Sept. 30.
The Pianist of Willesden Lane. Based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane, this Theater J production tells the story of a Jewish girl trying to become a pianist in Europe just before and during World War II. Kennedy Center through Sept. 30.
Marie and Rosetta. Set in the showroom of a Mississippi funeral home in 1946, this George Brant musical chronicles the unlikely first rehearsal of two black women whose music influenced Elvis Presley. Presented by the Mosaic Theater Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center through Sept. 30.
Como agua para Chocolate (Like Water Like Chocolate). Romantic comedy about a young woman trapped by traditions who finds relief in cooking magical meals. In Spanish with English surtitles. GALA Theatre through Oct. 7.
The Events. In this David Grieg drama, Claire — the lone survivor of a mass shooting — searches for the compassion, understanding and peace she needs to overcome her trauma. Presented by Theater Alliance at the Anacostia Playhouse through Oct. 7.
If I Forget. A modern Jewish family is falling apart in this political and personal play by Bethesda native Steven Levenson about history, responsibility and compromise. Studio Theatre through Oct. 14.
Turn Me Loose. A dramatic portrayal of the rise of comedian Dick Gregory, known for challenging bigotry with biting humor and charm. Arena Stage through Oct. 21 (a one-week extension from the original closing date).
SEPTEMBER
21 — Born Yesterday. Garson Kanin’s 1946 screwball comedy about an opportunistic tycoon arriving in Washington to game the system, and the resistance he meets from his wife once she wises up to him. Ford’s Theatre through Oct. 21.
21 — How to Win a Race War. DC theater collective the Klunch presents the world premiere of Ian Allen’s three-part comic satire, which parodies white supremacist “race war” fiction. District of Columbia Arts Center through Oct. 20.
22 — Lincolnesque. John Strand’s political comedy about a speechwriter who thinks he’s Abraham Lincoln. Keegan Theatre through Oct. 14.
22 — The Last American Hammer. Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi musical about a conspiracy theorist on the run from the FBI for his unorthodox interpretation of the 13th Amendment, featuring soprano Elizabeth Futral. Presented by UrbanArias at the Atlas Performing Arts Center through Sept. 29.
25 — The Comedy of Errors. Two pairs of twins, each with the same name, lead to mass identity confusion in this madcap Shakespeare comedy. Presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company at the Lansburgh Theatre through Oct. 28.
29 — “Opera in the Outfield: The Barber of Seville.” A free outdoor presentation by Washington National Opera of Rossini’s favorite opera. Nationals Park, one night only.
OCTOBER
6 — La traviata. Washington National Opera presents Verdi’s tragic tale of doomed love. Kennedy Center through Oct. 21.
10 — Measure for Measure. Shakespeare’s dark comedy set in modern times in this collaboration by English company Cheek by Jowl and Russia’s Pushkin Theatre Moscow, presented as part of the Kennedy Center’s “World Stages” series. Kennedy Center through Oct. 13.
11 — Aida. Elton John and Tim Rice musical based on Verdi’s opera of the same name about star-crossed love. Presented by Constellation Theatre at CulturalDC’s Source Theatre through Nov. 18.
12 — American Revolution. Seven actors from physical-theater troupe Theater Unspeakable use their bodies to re-create the entire American fight for independence in 50 minutes. Kennedy Center through Oct. 14.
14 — The Fall. A collaborative production by seven actors who recount their efforts as student activists in South Africa to grapple with the lingering aftereffects of Apartheid. Studio Theatre through Nov. 18.
14 — Beetlejuice. The pre-Broadway world premiere of the musical comedy based on Tim Burton’s iconic film. National Theatre through Nov. 18.
17 — Actually. Theater J presents Anna Ziegler’s exploration of sexual consent and civil rights on a modern college campus. Arena Stage through Nov. 18.
18 — Blight. Presented by Pinky Swear Productions, John Bavoso’s play follows a DC couple as they move into a Delaware house where a mass killer lived with his mother. Anacostia Playhouse through Nov. 11.
20 — “Mozart’s Figaro in Four Quartets.” In Series presentation that pairs Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with the poetry of T.S. Elliot. GALA Theatre through Oct. 28.
23 — King John. Shakespeare’s biographical play about Richard the Lionheart’s younger brother is directed by Aaron Posner. Folger Theatre through Dec. 2.
24 — Little Shop of Horrors. Broadway Center Stage production of the hit musical about a carnivorous plant. Kennedy Center through Oct. 28.
24 — The Agitators. Matt Smart play examines the 45-year friendship and occasional rivalry between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Presented by the Mosaic Theatre Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center through Nov. 25.
27 — Long Way Down. DC-born Jason Reynolds’ best-selling book about a hair-raising elevator ride is transformed for the stage in this world premiere. Kennedy Center through Nov. 4.
30 — Anastasia. Based on the movie of the same name, this 2017 Broadway musical features music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, with a book by Terrence McNally. Kennedy Center through Nov. 25.
NOVEMBER
2 — Anything Goes. Cole Porter’s madcap shipboard musical. Arena Stage through Dec. 23.
3 — As You Like It. Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy set in the Forest of Arden. Keegan Theatre through Dec. 2.
10 — Silent Night. Pulitzer Prize-winning opera about a spontaneous cease fire that took place on Christmas Eve during World War I. Kennedy Center through Nov. 25.
14 — Cry It Out. The lives of four new parents collide in this Molly Smith Metzler comedy about who gets to make which decisions in the tinderbox of parenthood and class in America. Studio Theatre through Dec. 16.
15 — A Christmas Carol. Dickens’ heartwarming holiday classic. Ford’s Theatre through Dec. 30.
18 — “Visions/Revisions.” Festival of new works about the effects of revisionist history on Anacostia. Anacostia Playhouse through Nov. 19.
18 — Sapho. Washington Concert Opera presents Charles Gounod’s first opera, a psychological exploration of competing love affairs. Lisner Auditorium, one night only.
20 — An Inspector Calls. Winner of multiple Tony, Olivier and Drama Desk awards, Stephen Daldry’s production of J.B. Priestley’s “drawing room” drama observes the unraveling of an English upper-middle-class family during a visit from a mysterious inspector. Presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company at Sidney Harman Hall through Dec. 23.
23 — Indecent. Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-winning play about the scandal that erupted around the 1923 debut of Sholem Asch’s Yiddish drama God of Vengeance. Arena Stage through Dec. 30.
27 — Beautiful — The Carole King Musical. Tony Award-winning hit about the legendary pop singer. National Theatre through Dec. 30.
28 — Barber Shop Chronicles. Set in barber shops in Africa and London, this play highlights the camaraderie African men find in such places. Kennedy Center through Dec. 1.
28 — “Operetta Wonderland.” In Series presents a selection of hits from operettas by Victor Herbert. DC Scottish Rite Temple through Dec. 2.
DECEMBER
3 — “She the People.” The Second City’s all-female team of sketch comics roasts the patriarchy. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company through Jan. 6.
4 — Love, Factually. Holiday show from Second City that spoofs the film Love, Actually. Kennedy Center through Dec. 31.
4 — The Panties, the Partner and the Profit: Scenes From the Heroic Life of the Middle Class. Directed by Michael Kahn, this David Ives adaptation of Carl Sternheim’s trilogy Scenes From the Heroic Life of the Middle Class leaps from 1950s Boston to 1986 Wall Street to present-day Malibu. Presented by the Shakespeare Theatre Company at the Lansburgh Theatre through Jan. 6.
7 — Talley’s Folly. Theater J presents this Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic comedy by Lanford Wilson, which follows a young Jewish-Protestant couple in 1944 Missouri. GALA Theatre through Dec. 30.
8 — The 2018 Christmas Revels: “An Elizabethan Celebration of the Winter Solstice.” Washington Revels presents its annual Christmas pageant of dance, song and story, this year focusing on Elizabethan England. Lisner Auditorium through Dec. 16.
11 — Miss Saigon. New production of the Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of Les Misérables. Kennedy Center through Jan. 13.
12 — Kings. Sarah Burgess’ searing comedy about a newly elected congresswoman who refuses to play by the rules of lobbyists, or even her own party. Studio Theatre through Jan. 6.
12 — Oh, God. A psychotherapist gets a visit from God, seeking treatment, in this Anat Gov play. Presented by the Mosaic Theatre Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center through Jan. 13.
13 — An Irish Carol. Homage to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol set in a Dublin pub. Keegan Theatre through Dec. 31.
14 — The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me. Washington National Opera presents this holiday family opera based on the book of the same name by Jeanette Winterson. Kennedy Center through Dec. 16.
18 — The Play That Goes Wrong. Sherlock Holmes meets Monty Python in this smash comic murder mystery. Kennedy Center through Jan. 6.
22 — The Elves and the Shoemaker. A seasonal family show in which elves save the day. Keegan Theatre through Dec. 30.
This post has been updated to include a new closing date for Turn Me Loose at Arena Stage.
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