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Stephen Sondheim’s Musical “Merrily We Roll Along” is a Hit at Signature Theatre

Stephen Sondheim’s Musical “Merrily We Roll Along” is a Hit at Signature Theatre

Merrily We Roll Along

Signature Theatre

September 6, 2026

Jason Gotay (Franklin Shepard), Melanie Field (Mary Flynn), and Jake Loewenthal (Charley Kringas) in Merrily We Roll Along at Signature Theatre (Photo/Christopher Mueller).

 

Deliciously witty, snarky and cleverly tuneful, Sondheim’s musical lures us into a world of backstage and backstabbing – where composers, lyricists, producers, actors and their pals play a glamorous, throat-cutting game of oneupmanship fueled by booze and the sweet smell of success. Who’s in and who’s out? Who to adore and who to ignore? In the world of show biz, the “movers and shapers” crave fame and fortune or, at the very least, to share in the celebrity’s spotlight.

 

In Merrily We Roll Along the plot toggles between 1959 to 1973 – and not in chronological order. For instance, it’s not until the second act that we learn how Mary, Franklin and Charley began their friendship one starry night on a shared rooftop in New York City searching the sky for the Russian satellite Sputnik.

 

To set the stage, Franklin Shepard is a matinee-idol-handsome, young Broadway composer. His sidekick Charley writes the lyrics and magazine writer slash theatre critic and neighbor Mary, is their BFF. Mary is madly in love with Frank, yet keeps it on the QT, because Frank is soon to be married to and divorced from sweet, adorable Beth and hard-on-the-bottle Mary is not in his league as a love interest. However, Mary is the glue that keeps everything and everyone merrily rolling along.

 

James Whalen (Joe Josephson), Kerstin Anderson (Beth Spencer), Jason Gotay (Franklin Shepard), Melanie Field (Mary Flynn), and Jake Loewenthal (Charley Kringas) (Photo/Daniel Rader).

 

Despite the vagaries of a friendship regularly sealed by pinky promises, Frank, Charley and Mary continue to navigate their fights and betrayals. Frank becomes a wildly successful film producer with a wealth of glamorous friends Charley raises a family, while Mary’s desire to remain in Frank’s orbit keeps his fawning fans in check – including Gussie, his seductive leading lady.

 

Co-written by composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with book by George FurthMerrily We Roll Along is based on a 1934 play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. Directed in 1981 by Hal Prince, it had a very short run but a relevant theme about the perils and pitfalls of success. Recently revived on Broadway to huge acclaim, it garnered a stack of Tony Awards. I say this to let you know that this is not a national touring company. It is directed and choreographed by Signature Theatre’s Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner whose work I greatly admire. I’m only to see him named in press releases as ‘Director’ that I will be first in line to see whatever he has put his hand to.

 

From page to stage this production is dripping with glitz and glam featuring a shiny, tight cast who fling the show into star-studded orbit with a wealth of brilliant production creatives who nail every opportunity to elevate the visuals, the choreography and the music. And speaking of the music, it is rich and layered, funny and passionate, tender and torpid. Twenty-six glorious numbers backed by award-winning conductor Jon Kalbfleisch’s terrific 12-piece orchestra.

 

Maria Rizzo (Gussie Carnegie) and the cast of Merrily We Roll Along (Photo/Christopher Mueller),

 

Did I love this? Hell, yes! Consider buying two tickets per person – one for a later date. Because, as soon as you see it, you’ll want to see it again.

 

Starring Jason Gotay as Franklin; Jake Loewenthal as Charley; Melanie Field as Mary Flynn; Maria Rizzo as Gussie Carnegie; James Whelan as Joe Josephson and Kerstin Anderson as Beth Shepard. With Neal Gaensehals as Frank Jr., Joel Ashur as Jerome; Ben Beckley as Terry/Mr. Spencer; Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Scotty/Mrs. Spencer; Alonda Trinidad-Colon as Meg Kincaid/Make-up Artist; Eric Easter as Ru/Minister; Jonah Ho’okano as Tyler; Stephen Russell Murray as Bunker/Newscaster/Photographer; and Sarah Anne Sillers as KT.

 

Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick; Scenic Design Wilson Chen; Costume Design Ivania Stack; Lighting Design by Cory Pattak; Sound Design by Eric Norris; Hair & Wig Design by Anne Nesmith; Fight Choreography by Casey Kaleba.

 

Jason Gotay (Franklin Shepard) and the cast of Merrily We Roll Along (Photo/Christopher Mueller).

 

Through November 1st at Signature Theatre in Shirlington Village, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA. For tickets and information call the box office at 703.820.9771 or visit www.SigTheatre.org.

The Notebook – The Musical – A Tender Story of Love and Loss at the National Theatre

The Notebook – The Musical – A Tender Story of Love and Loss at the National Theatre

The Notebook – The Musical

Broadway at the National

National Theatre

Jordan Wright

August 22, 2026

The Notebook North American Tour Company (Photo/Roger Mastroianni).

 

Readers and filmgoers of Nicholas Sparks’ romance novel turned movie turned musical were out in force for opening night of The Notebook – The Musical. For a book that came out in 1996 and soared to the New York Times ‘Bestseller List’, the story of an aging couple housed in an American nursing home has enjoyed 30 years of dedicated fans.

 

Its story is a tender journey encompassing three generations of a single family who navigated the shifting sands of enduring relationships amid familial strife through patience, hope and the power of love.

 

Unfolding through the eyes of Older Noah whose wife Allie has degenerative dementia and believes him to be a “friend”, we see them first as teens exploring a summer romance. Her parents disapprove of Young Noah, a cheerfully witty high school dropout with hazy plans for the future, while Young Allie hails from a prominent family and is bound for college after this seaside summer holiday. Nonetheless, like Romeo and Juliet, their secret romance flourishes fueled by dreams to be together forever and live in an old house he plans to restore for her. When Noah goes off to war, they lose touch until Allie discovers him living alone in the house he restored and they rekindle what was lost.

 

Alysha Deslorieux (Middle Allie) and Ken Wulf Clark (Middle Noah) (Photo/Roger Mastroianni).

 

The device that stitches the story together is a notebook, really a diary, written by Allie throughout her life before her memory loss and which her husband tenderly reads to her each day hoping to jog her memory and recognize him as her husband. It’s a heart-wrenching story for those with loved ones suffering this incurable disease, but Sparks gives it compassion, vision and hope, plus a happy ending, at least as happy as anyone could hope for.

 

Moments of joy and humor buoy grief and hopelessness, but the reality of care homes and the cycle of love and loss color the helplessness of those who do the caring. Twenty-two musical numbers backed by an eight-piece orchestra lift this emotionally charged musical.

 

The Notebook North American Tour Company (Photo/Roger Mastroianni).

 

With Beau Gravitte as Older Noah; Ken Wulf Clark as Middle Noah; Kyle Mangold as younger Noah; Yassmin Alers as Older Allie; Alysha Deslorieux as Middle Allie; Makena Jackson as Younger Allie; Anne Tolpegin as Mother/Nurse Lori; Connor Richardson as Johnny; Jesse Corbin as Lon/others; Jerome Harmann-Hardeman as Father/Son/others; Rayna Hickman as Nurse Joanna/others; Leonay Reina as Sarah/Granddaughter/others; Jordi Bertrán Ramírez as Fin/Grandson/others; Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg as Georgie/Concierge/others.

 

Directed by Michael Greif & Schele Williams; Choreography by Katie Spelman; Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson; Book by Bekah Brunstetter; Scenic Design by David Zinn & Brett J. Banakis; Costume Design by Paloma Young; Lighting Design by Ben Stanton; Sound Design Nevin Steinberg; Music Supervision & Arrangements by Carmel Dean.

 

Through August 30th at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.628.6161 or visit www.BroadwayattheNational.com

What’s Onstage in the DMV for September and Early October 2026

What’s Onstage in the DMV for September and Early October 2026

Jordan Wright

August 19, 2026

Steven Huynh (Oliver) and Claire Kwon (Claire) in the North American Tour of Maybe Happy Ending (Photo/Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman).

 

Hippodrome Baltimore  Maybe Happy Ending  Sept 13 – 20  www.GoTickets.com

 

Workhouse Arts Center  Bat Boy: The Musical  Sept 5 – Oct 25  www.WorkhouseArts.org/theater-performances

 

1st Stage  Betrayal  Oct 6 – Oct 25  www.1stStage.org

 

Round House Theatre  Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom  Sept 9 – Oct 21  www.RoundHouseTheatre.org

 

Ford’s Theatre  Come From Away  Sept 10 – Oct 18 www.fords.org/performance/ 

 

Creative Cauldron  Monsters of the Villa Diodati  Oct 8 – Nov 1  www.CreativeCauldron.org

 

Brian Cox (Bach) and Peter De Jersey (Voltaire) in The Score at Shakespeare Theatre Company (Photo/Manuel Harlan).

 

Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Score  Sept 11 – Oct 18

Frida… A Self Portrait  Oct 8 – Nov 8  www.ShakespeareTheatre.org

 

Spooky Action Theater with Solas Nua  Hakawatis: Women of the Arabian Nights  Sept 24 – Oct 18  www.SpookyAction.org

 

Dominion Stage  A Midsummer Night’s Dream  Oct 9 – 24  www.DominionStage.org

 

Mosaic Theater  Somewhere Over the Border  Sept 10 – Oct 4  www.MosaicTheater.com

 

MetroStage at The Lyceum  Cousin Bella  Sept 22 only  www.MetroStage.org

 

Broadway at the National  Maybe Happy Ending  Oct 6 – 11  www.BoxOfficeTicketSales.com

 

A Beautiful Blue Morning Sky via Keegan Theatre

 

Keegan Theatre

A Beautiful Blue Morning Sky  Sept 11 – Sept 13

Hundred Days  Oct 10 – Nov 8  www.KeeganTheatre.com

 

Maryland Ensemble Theatre  Into the Woods  Sept 11 – Oct 4  www.MarylandEnsembleTheatre.org

 

Olney Theatre Center  Some Like It Hot  Sept 18 – Nov 8  www.OlneyTheatre.org

 

Studio Theatre  Wish You Were Here  Sept 23 – Nov 1  www.StudioTheatre.org

 

NOVA Night Sky Theater  The Curious Case of the Cottingley Fairies  Oct 1 – 17 www.NOVANightSkyTheater.com

 

NextStop Theatre Company The Second Best School Shooting  Sept 17 – Oct 11  www.NextStopTheatre.org

 

Blithe Spirit via The Little Theatre

 

The Little Theatre of Alexandria  Blithe Spirit  through Sept 19  www.TheLittleTheatre.com

 

INSeries  The M.A.K.A.do: Make America Kingly Again! at Atlas Theatre  Oct 10 – 25  www.INSeries.org

 

Prince William Little Theatre  Man of La Mancha  Oct 9 – Oct 18  www.PWLT.org

 

GALA Hispanic Theatre  Garbo: The Actor Who Saved the World  Sept 3 – 27  www.GALATheatre.org

 

Woolly Mammoth  Venus  Sept 9 – Oct 4  www.WoollyMammoth.net

 

Theatre J  The Flying Loves of Vitebsk  Oct 7 – Nov 1  www.EDCJCC.org

 

Melanie Field (Mary Flynn), Jason Gotay (Franklin Shepard), and Jake Loewenthal (Charley Kringas) in Merrily We Roll Along at Signature Theatre Photo/Christopher Mueller, Artwork/Anjali Nanda).

 

Signature Theatre  Merrily We Roll Along  through Nov 1  www.SigTheatre.org

 

Everyman Theatre  Kim’s Convenience  through Sept 27  www.EverymanTheatre.org

 

Voices Festival Productions  Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie  Oct 8 – 25  www.VoicesFestivalProductions.com

 

The Puppet Company  Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs  through Sept 20  www.ThePuppetCo.org

 

Imagination Stage  Chicka Chicka Boom Boom The Musical  Sept 26 – Oct 18  www.ImaginationStage.org

 

Folger Theatre Measure for Measure  Sept 22 – Nov 1  www.Folger.edu

 

Step Afrika: The Fruits of Our Labor via Arena Stage

 

Arena Stage  Step Afrika: The Fruits of Our Labor  Sept 10 – Nov 1  www.ArenaStage.org

 

Silver Spring Stage  Bernhardt/Hamlet  Sept 18 – Oct 4  www.SSStage.org

 

Arlington Players  Bonnie & Clyde  Sept 5 – 20  www.TheArlingtonPlayers.org

 

Toby’s Dinner Theatre  Summer: The Donna Summer Musical  through Nov 1  www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com

 

Providence Players of Fairfax  Cactus Flower  Oct 9 – 24  www.ProvidencePlayers.org

 

 Washington Stage Guild  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow  Sept 24 – Oct 18  www.StageGuild.org

What’s Onstage in the DMV for August and Early September 2026

What’s Onstage in the DMV for August and Early September 2026

Jordan Wright

July 16, 2026

The Notebook via National Theatre (Photo/ Roger Mastroianni)

 

Broadway at the National  The Notebook – Aug 18 – Aug 30  www.BoxOfficeTicketSales.com

 

Mosaic Theater  Somewhere Over the Border – Sept 10 – Oct 4 www.MosaicTheater.com

 

Shakespeare Theatre Company  The Score – Sept 11 – Oct 18 www.ShakespeareTheatre.org

 

Studio Theatre  Wish You Were Here – Sept 23 – Nov 1  www.StudioTheatre.org

 

Ford’s Theatre  Come From Away – Sept 10 – Oct 18  www.Fords.org

 

Gruesome Playground Injuries via Keegan Theatre

 

Keegan Theatre  Gruesome Playground Injuries – Aug 15 – Sept 6 www.KeeganTheatre.com

 

Round House Theatre  Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Sept 9 – Oct 21 [email protected]

 

Monumental Theatre Company at Dance Place  The Rocky Horror Show – Aug 22 – Sept 6 www.MonumentalTheatre.org

 

The Little Theatre of Alexandria  Blithe Spirit  – Aug 29 – Sept 19 www.ThelittleTheatre.com

 

Signature Theatre  Merrily We Roll Along – Aug 25 – Nov 1  www.SigTheatre.org

 

The ensemble of “A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder” at Olney Theatre Center
(Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

Olney Theatre Center  A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder – through Aug 23

Some Like It Hot – Sept 18 – Nov 8  www.OlneyTheatre.org

 

1st Stage  Logan Festival of Solo Performance – Aug 20 – Aug 30  www.1stStage.org

 

Adventure Theatre  Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler – through Aug 23  www.AdventureTheatre-MTC.org

 

GALA Hispanic Theatre  GARBO: El Actor Que Salvó Al Mundo – The Actor Who Saved the World – Sept 3 – Sept 27  www.GALATheatre.org

 

Woolly Mammoth  Venus – Sept 9 – Oct 4  www.WoollyMammoth.net

 

Nu Sass Productions  Brönte Sister House Party  Aug 14 – Sept 12  www.NuSass.com

 

Woody Guthrie’s American Song via Theater Alliance

 

Theater Alliance  Woody Guthrie’s American Song – Aug 6 – Aug 29  www.TheaterAlliance.com

 

Arena Stage  The Fruits of Our Labor – Sept 18 – Nov 1 www.ArenaStage.org

 

Rapid Lemon Productions  Blood of the Lamb – Aug 28 – Sept 13 www.RapidLemon.org

 

Everyman Theatre  Kim’s Convenience – Aug 30 – Sept 27  www.EverymanTheatre.org

 

Toby’s Dinner Theatre  Mean Girls – through Aug 23

Donna Summer – The Donna Summer Musical – Aug 28 – Nov 1   www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com

 

Bonnie & Clyde via Arlington Players

 

Arlington Players  Bonnie & Clyde  Sept 5 – 20  www.TheArlingtonPlayers.org

 

Creative Cauldron  Passport Music Festival – through Sept 13  www.CreativeCauldron.org

 

 Colonial Players (Annapolis)  Our Town – Sept 11 – Oct 3  www.TheColonialPlayers.org

 

Port Tobacco Players  Steel Magnolias – Sept 18 – Oct 4  www.PTPlayers.com

 

Hippodrome Baltimore  All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg  Sept 16 – 19  www.Baltimore.Broadway.com

 

Silver Spring Stage  Bernhardt/Hamlet  Sept 18 – Oct 4  www.SSStage.org

Beetlejuice – The Musical Brings the Crazy Amazing World of the Dearly Departed to National Theatre

Beetlejuice – The Musical Brings the Crazy Amazing World of the Dearly Departed to National Theatre

Beetlejuice  – The Musical

The National Theatre

Jordan Wright

July 8, 2026

David Wilson (Adam), Kaitlin Feely (Barbara), Leianna Weaver (Lydia) and Ryan Stajmiger (Beetlejuice) in Bettlejuice -The Musical (Photo/Matthew Murphy).

 

Backstory: After a brief tryout here at the National Theatre in 2018, Beetlejuice headed to Broadway and the famed Winter Garden Theatre in 2019. The show had less than a year’s run before the pandemic hit shutting down all productions in early 2020. Nominated for eight Tony Awards in nearly every category and garnering a win for “Outstanding Set Design”, it proved to be a huge success. Luckily for us it’s back in town after a 2023 DC booking at the National Theatre and killin’ it. All that goes to say that the audience, some garbed in the black-and-white stripes favored by Beetlejuice, consisted of legions of fans of the quirky-cool story with its rock concert vibe.

 

Reality: It’s a show about death and the newly dead – in the best possible way, I promise – with an utterly irreverent script, electrifying rock music and hilarious lyrics fronted by a tremendously talented cast of singers and dancers, a blazing rock band and dazzling light show. Be prepared to embrace the far side. Can you love the living dead? They’ll prove you can and will.

 

Ryan Stajmiger (Beetlejuice) and Beetlejuice North American Touring Company (Photo/Matthew Murphy).

 

The cast in this show is wonderful and totally in sync. From lead demon, Beetlejuice, played to the hilt and heavy on vaudevillian schtick by veteran improv comedian and rock singer, Ryan Stajmiger, to the breathtaking vocals of newcomer Leianna Weaver who plays young Lydia, the Goth-garbed daughter grieving the untimely death of her mother. Weaver has a stunning powerhouse voice tempered by an adorable sweetness that left me and my plus-one wide-eyed in its wake. Chills and thrills.

 

Picture a young couple, Barbara (Kaitlin Feely) and Adam (David Wilson) living in a decaying Victorian house longing for a child yet consumed with their individual hobbies. In an unfortunate incident in the dark of night, they accidently electrocute themselves and are banished to the netherworld. Beetlejuice, who is “dying” to return amongst the living, needs someone to say his name three times. He cajoles the couple into haunting their old house, so he can con the new homeowners. To accomplish his nefarious ends, this slippery, double-crossing, gravelly-voiced specter unleashes a crazy amazing world of pandemonium filled with dancing skeletons and singing zombies. Enter Delia (the delightful, scene-stealing Bailey Frankenberg), a guru-loving seductress accompanied by her business-obsessed lover and father of Lydia, Charles (Jeff Brooks), who buy the now-haunted house where Barbara and Adam have been studying “The Handbook for the Recently Deceased” and preparing to pounce on the unsuspecting trio with ghoulish abandon.

 

One of the funniest, most energetic, wonderfully choreographed shows and high praise for the endearingly creepy characters – this reviewer has ever seen. Schtick rules! And so does a healthy dose of political quips and topical humor. A huge cast propelled by a kick-ass band and rock star voices send this musical beyond the beyond.

 

Leianna Weaver (Lydia), Jeff Brooks (Charles), and Beetlejuice North American Touring Company (Photo/Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade).

 

If I published all the bios of cast and crew, you would have a star-studded list of some of the best-known Broadway performers and designers, most notably Director Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!); Original Score by Eddie Perfect (King Kong); with Book by Scott Brown (Castle Rock) and Anthony King (Robbie); Choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom, Moana, Titanic); David Korins (Scenic Designer on Hamilton); Six-time Tony Award-winning Costume Designer William Ivey Long; Lighting Design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots, Wicked); with Sound Design by Peter Hylenski (Moulin Rouge!, Frozen); the fabulous projection design of Peter Nigrini (Dear Evan Hansen, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ); Puppet Design by Michael Curry (The Lion King, Cirque du Soleil); and Special Effects Design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hadestown)… to name but a handful of this extraordinary creative team.

 

With Dan Mason as Priest/Census Taker; Alessandra Casanova as Miss Argentina played by Carly Natania Grossman on opening night; Mai Caslowitz as Girl Scout; Da’Zaria Harris as Juno; Dan Mason as Otho; a 13-person ensemble and 7-person orchestra with searing synthesizers.

 

Drop dead fabulous! Snag your tickets while you can!

 

Through July 19, 2026 at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.628.6161 or visit https://www.broadwayatthenational.com/BroadwayAtTheNational.com

Arena Stage’s World Premiere of CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical is the Hottest Show in Town!

Arena Stage’s World Premiere of CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical is the Hottest Show in Town!

CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical

Arena Stage

Jordan Wright

June 29, 2026

Jade Milan (Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes), Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas), and Holli’ Gabrielle Conway (Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins) in CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (Photo/Julieta Cervantes).

 

In the early 1990’s when male stars like MC Hammer (Christopher Henry Young) ruled the airwaves, an unlikely trio blazing with talent, attitude and sisterhood launched their girl group into the stratosphere. Eponymously named after their 1994 record-breaking album, CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical is an emotionally lit bio musical about the lives and times of TLC, three young women whom fate brought together, lights up the stage in this world premiere musical.

 

Led by their manager, Christina (Felicia Curry), the East Atlanta trio continued to set the nascent hip-hop world on fire with their “Hat 2 da Back”, baggy boyish streetwear, pure harmonies and cheeky attitudes. Grammys and a host of top music awards followed their platinum-selling singles and albums as their styles and music choices continued to evolve into ever steamier, ever raunchier lyrics. Promoting girl power and safe sex in the days of HIV,  these super music influencers and pop pioneers hit the airwaves like a typhoon.

 

Holli’ Gabrielle Conway (Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins), Jade Milan (Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes), and Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas) (Photo/Julieta Cervantes).

 

CrazySexyCool showcases the complicated personal lives and pioneering style successes of Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins (Holli’ Gabrielle Conway), Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopes (Jade Milan) and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas (Stoney B. Woods) in this blockbuster musical hoping for a Broadway debut. Promoted by MC Hammer after they crash his recording studio staging a rap battle, they begin their rocket ride to stardom. Left-Eye’s crusty attitude towards Blake Thomas (Josh A. Dawson), a major Atlanta pop music broadcaster, nearly derails their meteoric rise with trumped up slander against the girls. Happily, their avid fan base supersedes Blake’s vindictive tactics, and they get their career back on track. Through cheating boyfriends, personal struggles, drama and pathos, the intensity of touring, thieving agents and the death of Lisa Lopes while on a soul-searching mission in Guyana, the women prove that sisterhood and music can overcome all of life’s obstacles.

 

Twenty-six numbers include many of their biggest hits like “Creep”, “Perfect Girls”, “Waterfalls” and “Unpretty” and the powerhouse “Dance Again”, a moving spiritual sung by Chilli and the Ensemble.

 

Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas), Jade Milan (Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes), Holli’ Gabrielle Conway (Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins), and the company of CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical (Photo/Julieta Cervantes).

 

Speaking of the ensemble, the singers and dancers are absolutely, freakin’, jaw-dropping phenomenal!!! Tearing up the stage with eye-popping talent, hard bodies and heart-stopping endurance, the dancers and Chloe O. Davis’s choreography will take your breath away. Huge, huge, huge props to writer and director Kwame Kwei-Armah for shepherding this massive musical to the stage as well as the dozens of creatives involved in seeing it to fruition.

 

This show is lit! Highly recommended!!!

 

With Felicia Curry in dual roles as Christina and Dr. Nzinga; Ciara Alyse Harris as Rikara/Ensemble; Trenton McKenzie Beavers as Tommy/Ensemble; Darius Jordan Lee as Michael/Ensemble; Malik Shabazz Kitchen as Kavonne/Ensemble; Aaron Bliden as Danny/Ensemble; Deon’te Goodman as Rain/Ensemble; Nichole Forde, Ensemble; Bethany Hemmans, Ensemble; Kennedy Holmes, Ensemble; Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Ensemble and Dance Captain; Madison McBride, Ensemble.

 

Huge props to Dramaturg Hana S. Sharif, Hair and Wig Designer, Nikiya Mathis, Costume Designer Dede Ayite, Lighting Designer Japhy Weideman and Set Designer David Zinn with a blazing orchestra led by Jaret Landon.

 

Through August 9th at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street, NW, Washington DC 20024. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.488.3300 or visit www.ArenaStage.org.