Capital Finge Fest and Paying it Forward

A few plays at the Capital Fringe Festival I had a chance to review during previous productions. I didn't want to review them a second time but I thought it might be fun to compare reviews. 

First up Alice in Wonderland presented by the Greenbelt Arts Center. Lauren Katz gave it 3.5 stars and you can read her review here. I reviewed it back in November when it was playing in Greenbelt. I gave it four stars and you can read my review here. Betsy Marks Delaney wrote a preview of the production and you can read that here. That is pretty neat only a half star difference. I apparently enjoyed it more, or I was nicer, or perhaps it was a bit better at the home venue.

Next is Dead Man's Mambo here is John Bellomo's preview of the show.Carolyn Keleman saw the Fringe show and gave it five stars you can read her review here. I reviewed the production at the Maryland Shakespeare Festival and I also raved about it! You can read my review here. It really is a good time and if you get the chance check it out!

Here is a little taste from the Maryland run of the show..

Well I will be back soon with a new post!

Levon Helm

Sad news Levon Helm passed away today. He was a drummer, mandolin player, and vocalist for The Band.
He was the first concert I reviewed on the Maryland Theatre Guide and the only one I co-wrote with Erica Laxson. You can read it here. Actually Erica wrote most of it, I added a little bit to it. She also moved over to DC Metro Theater Arts as well and you can read more about her here.

Here is a picture I took with my phone from that concert last year...


At least he got to tour with family and friends during his latter years. I'm sure it was fun for him to watch his family members become musicians and to be close to them. It is sad cancer took another person. Here is a song from the show "Attics of My Life"

News of his death..

A recent version of "The Weight" featuring Wilco...

Rest in peace..Levon Helm

Rooms: The End of My Rocking Week

I had one of those super cool weeks. I got to cover Bryan Adams on Monday and Ryan Adams on Tuesday. On Friday night I went back to covering theatre. Well, I covered Rooms: A Rock Romance being performed by the Elden Street Players in Herndon. I like it when theatre combines with music to end a week like that. Plus the musical made a perfect date night for my wife and I. You can read my review here.

Here is the trailer for it:

It's good music, good theatre and a good time. If you are in Northern Virginia check it out.

Short blog today since it is late and I need some rest before the day job.

A Bit of Shakespeare

The Washington, D.C. has a lot of Shakespeare Theatre action going on at the moment. If you live in the area or are planning a road trip and you are a fan of the Bard I have a few suggestions. Yes there will be a little shameless self promotion but hey that's what I do. However, in the spirit of pay it forward I will share some other folks work as well.

This has to be one of the best reviews I have read. Jordan Wright reviewed "Othello" at the Synetic Theatre which is having their Shakespeare Fest. Imagine outstanding performances without words. It runs through November 6, 2011 in Crystal City.

If you like your "Othello" with words it is playing at the Folger Theatre through December 4, 2011. You can read what Jessica Pearson had to say about the show here.

If you are still thinking about summer, A Midsummer Night's Dream might be for you. If you like the play the Elden Street Players have one heck of a performance running through |November 12, 2011. It has an outstanding cast and I was very impressed by Ian Pederson, a teen actor who is wow as Puck. You can read my review here.

I needed to mix up my blog a bit it isn't all about football or sports. A lot of it is theatre and music and a few surprises now and then.

Pop! at the Studio Theatre in Washington D.C.

My latest review is published you can read it here. The musical was performed at the Studio Theatre's 2nd stage in Washington, D.C. It was really neat you entered the set as soon you entered the stairs leading up to the stage. The seating was very close to the stage as well creating a very intimate theatrical experience. If you want to read more check out the review.

I went to the play on Wednesday and it was a sizzling day in the city. The temperature at 10:40 was 87 degrees. It was one of Washington's typical summer days hot, hazy, and humid. However, it was neat to walk through the DuPont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. We had a quick dinner at the Playbill right across the street from the Studio.

|Stayed tune for upcoming reviews..

Rock of Ages

It was my first theater review for the MD Theatre Review and I think it was a success. I based my review on if the play was entertaining or not. Considering it was not a deep work it had to be entertaining, and it had to have talent to pull it off. Rock of Ages certainly did.You can read the review here. It was quoted by the National Theatre on their website and that was a thrill for me!

I don't want to spoil it. The National Theatre in Washington, D.C. is beautiful inside. It was also easy to get to using Metro by getting off at the Metro Center stop. It was a very fun evening. I hope to publish several more reviews soon. My next review will probably be Pop at the Studio Theatre in Washington.