What’s Onstage in the DMV – July 2025
Jordan Wright
Special to The Zebra
 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour (Photo/Matthew Murphy)
The National Theatre – Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – July 8th – Sept 6th – www.TheNationalDC.org
Arena Stage – A Wrinkle in Time – through July 20th – www.ArenaStage.org
Faction of Fools – How the Sausage Gets Made – Jul 17th – Aug 9th – www.FactionofFools.org
Contemporary American Theater Festival – Shepherdstown, WV – July 11th – August 3rd [email protected]
 Summer Passport Music Festival via Creative Cauldron
Creative Cauldron – Summer Passport Music Festival – June 20th – Sept 14th –
www.CreativeCauldron.org
Olney Theatre – Kim’s Convenience – June 25th – July 27th
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (a Synetic Theater production) – July 17th – Aug 10th – www.Tickets.olneytheatre.org
Theatre J – The Rise of the Superhero – July 21st – Aug 25th www.EDCJCC.org
 The cast of The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical at Signature Theatre (Photo/Christopher Mueller)
Signature Theatre – The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical – through Jul 13th
You’ve Got a Friend – Women Pop Rock: Women Songwriters – July 2nd – July 13th
Broadway in the Park at Wolf Trap – June 28th one night only
www.SigTheatre.org
Keegan Theatre – Apropos of Nothing, A Comedy – Jul 12th – Aug 3rd – www.KeeganTheatre.com
 Cast of Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern US Tour
The Kennedy Center – Les Miserables – through July 13th
Sesame Street the Musical – July 10th – Aug 31st
Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern – July 22nd – Aug 3rd
www.Kennnedy-Center.org
Toby’s Dinner Theatre – Disney’s The Little Mermaid – through Aug 17th – www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com
 Wipeout via Studio Theatre
Studio Theatre – Wipeout – through July 27th – www.StudioTheatre.org
Shakespeare Theatre Company – Duel Reality – July 1st – July 20th – www.ShakespeareTheatre.org
Imagination Stage – Dory Phantasmagory – through Aug 3rd – www.ImaginationStage.org
 Bye Bye Birdie via Port Tobacco Players
Adventure Theatre – The Lightning Thief – through Aug 17th – www.AdventureTheatre-MTC.org
Port Tobacco Players – Bye Bye Birdie – July 11 – Aug 3rd – www.PTPlayers.com
The Little Theatre of Alexandria – Kinky Boots – July 26th – Aug 16th – www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Woolly Mammoth – Dead Inside – July 9th – July 27th – www.WoollyMammoth.net
A Rollicking Brit Sendup Delivers in Spades with The Play That Goes Wrong at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
The Play That Goes Wrong
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Jordan Wright
June 9, 2025
Special to The Zebra
 Sydné Marie Chesson (Annie), Justin Beland (Robert Grove), Jermaine Mitchel (Trevor Watson), Andy Izquierdo (Jonathan Harris), and Suzy Alden (Sandra Wilkinson) in The Play That Goes Wrong at The Little Theatre of Alexandria. (Photo/Bob Aronstam) Take a deep breath or two, then prepare to fall down laughing. Oh, righto, dear reader, thankfully you’re already well seated. From start to rollicking finish this hilarious play-within-a-play on steroids never misses a comedic beat as this splendid twelve-member cast proves that anything that can go wrong, will… spectacularly. You’ll recall the old chestnut of Murphy’s Law, well, its tidy aphorism is cheekily born out here. Someone must have said the forbidden word, “Macbeth” backstage, because the Cornley Drama Society proceeds to offer up a shining example of the ineptest group of actors to ever tread the boards.
In trying to stage “The Murder at Haversham Manor”, this cockeyed amateur troupe shows that the play’s the thing – until it isn’t. Pratfalls, mishaps, blown cues and botched exits abound, dead bodies won’t stay dead and malapropisms are the order of the day, all done with a straight face and a stiff upper lip. That we, the audience, are in on the farcical nonsense, is the clever conceit.
 Adam R. Adkins (Inspector Carter) (Photo/Bob Aronstam)
It is the night of the engagement party of Florence Colleymore (Suzy Alden) to Charles Haversham (Andy Izquierdo) who has been found murdered. When Inspector Carter (Adam R. Adkins) arrives at the manor to interrogate the estate’s fashionable guests, he doesn’t know whether to point the finger at Florence the seductress; her supercilious brother Thomas (Justin Beland); Charles’ cuckolding brother Cecil (Cameron McBride); Perkins the bumbling Butler (William Wheat); or Arthur the absent gardener (Cameron McBride) But it hardly matters in this whodunnit. With all the mayhem and mischief, everyone is under the microscope.
The only ones who remain relatively unscathed from accusation in this twisted mystery are Trevor Watson (Jermaine Mitchell), the Lighting and Sound Operator and Duran Duran fanboy, whose miscues and mishaps add to the cast’s confusion, and the Stage Manager (Sydné Marie Chesson) who tickles the audience when both of them wind up on stage to fill in for cast members who have been knocked unconscious by falling portraits or hidden behind secret revolving doors and the fourth wall is irretrievably open for business.
 Cameron McBride (Cecil) and Justin Beland (Thomas) (Photo/Bob Aronstam)
If you’ve ever acted in or staged a production, you’ll commiserate with props that aren’t where they’re supposed to be, actors who are self-absorbed hams, sets that fall apart, and doors that won’t open. Especially funny are the ongoing, dueling divas’ scenes when Florence revives from an accident only to discover her role has been taken over by the totally inept, Stage Manager, who becomes feverishly attached to Florence’s femme fatale role.
Highly recommended!!! This excellent cast nails their upper crust British accents in a hugely physical comedy that gallops along at lightning speed. It’s a rollicking goofball sendup that’s guaranteed to keep you guffawing long after you’ve left your seat.
 Andy Izquierdo (Charles Haversham), William Wheat (Perkins), and Justin Beland (Thomas) (Photo/Bob Aronstam)
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields; Directed by Frank D. Shutts II; Set Design by Dan Diesz and Dan Remmers; Lighting and Special Effects by Ken and Patti Crowley; Costume Design by Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley; Fight Director Ian Claar; Dialect Coach Carol Strachan; Sound Design by Alan Wray.
Through June 28th at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information call the box office at 703.683.0496 or visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com.
What’s Onstage in the DMV for June and July
What’s Onstage in the DMV
June and July
Jordan Wright
May 11, 2025
Special to The Zebra
 A Wrinkle in Time via Arena Stage Arena Stage – A Wrinkle in Time June 12th – July 15th
We Are Gathered through June 15th www.ArenaStage.org
The Little Theatre of Alexandria – The Play That Goes Wrong June 7th – June 24th www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Studio Theatre – Wipeout June 18th – July 27th www.StudioTheatre.org
Perisphere Theater – Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh June 6th – June 21stwww.PerisphereTheater.com
Toby’s Dinner Theatre – Disney’s The Little Mermaid through Aug 17th www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com
Imagination Stage – Dory Fantasmagory Jun 18th – Aug 3rd www.ImaginationStage.org
 Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations via Broadway at The National (Photo/Joan Marcus) Broadway at The National – Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations June 17th – June 22nd www.TicketMaster.com
Everyman Theatre – The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful through June 22nd www.EverymanTheatre.org
1st Stage Theatre – The Piano Lesson Jun 5th – Jun 22nd www.1stStageTheatre.org
Keegan Theatre – Falsettos through June 15th www.KeeganTheatre.com
Synetic Theater – A Midsummer Night’s Dream July 17th – Aug 10th www.SyneticTheater.org
Shakespeare Theatre Company – Frankenstein through June 29th
Duel Reality July 1st – July 20th
www.ShakespeareTheatre.org
 The Berlin Diaries via Theatre J Theatre J – The Berlin Diaries June 4th – June 15th www.EDCJCC.org
Signature Theatre – Hedwig and the Angry Inch through June 22nd
The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical through Jul 13th
Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap Present Broadway in the Park June 28th
www.SigTheatre.org
Olney Theatre – Senior Class through June 22nd
Kim’s Convenience June 25th – Jul 27th
www.OlneyTheatre.org
Atlas Arts Mosaic Theatre – Andy Warhol in Iran through June 29th www.AtlasArts.org
The Kennedy Center – Dungeons & Dragons – The Twenty Sided Tavern July 22nd – Aug 3rd
Les Miserables June 11th – July 13th
www.Kennedy-Center.org
The Puppet Company – Twisted Tales: The Three Goldilocks Gruff June 7th – June 29th www.ThePuppetCompany.org
Creative Cauldron – Disney’s Aladdin through June 15th www.CreativeCauldron.org
Folger Theatre – Twelfth Night through June 22nd www.Folger.edu
Workhouse Arts Center – Jesus Christ Superstar through June 15th www.WorkhouseArts.org
Round House Theatre – King James through June 22nd www.RoundHouseTheatre.org
 A Lovely Day to Kill Your Spouse via Dominion Stage Dominion Stage – A Lovely Day to Kill Your Spouse June 13th – June 21st www.DominionStage.org
Providence Players of Fairfax – Shooting Star June 6th – June 24th www.ProvidencePlayers.org
The Gaithersburg Arts Barn – Bull in a China Shop June 6th – June 22nd www.GaithersburgMD.gov
Arlington Players – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown June 6th – June 8th and June 13th – 15thwww.TheArlingtonPlayers.org
Be sure to check with your favorite theaters to discover summer theater camps and classes for kids and adults.
Best of the Best Jekyll & Hyde the Musical Thrills and Chills at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Jekyll & Hyde
The Musical
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Jordan Wright
October 22, 2024
Special to The Zebra
 (L to R): Shelby Young, Michael McGovern “In each of us there are two natures,” asserts Dr. Henry Jekyll who before long will take his claim of psychological duality to the depths of diabolical depravity surrounded by his fellow Victorians. Within a society so prim, proper and structured some of the most horrific crimes were committed and fantasized about.
Jekyll & Hyde, the musical, is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s original Gothic horror novella. Set in 1888, Year One of the twelve gruesome Whitechapel murders in London’s East End and the start of Jack the Ripper’s staggering crime spree, it becomes the framework for Dr. Jekyll’s forays into the sordid side of London where he finds himself celebrating his engagement at the Red Rat cabaret with his trusted attorney, Gabriel John Utterson. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Ostracized for his dangerous theories by the Board of Governors of the local hospital and given no latitude to pursue his experiments, the young doctor retreats to his home laboratory to prove he can rid society of the evils of all mankind. Using himself as the subject experiment, Jekyll begins his transformation into the murderous monster he will become as Mr. Edward Hyde.
 (L to R): Michael McGovern, James Best, Mylo Cluff, Andrew Cosner, Nathaniel McCay, Amanda Jones, Cristian Bustillos (Photo/Mark Armstrong) Underpinned by a lavish score, this jaw-dropping production, framed by an astounding 40 musical numbers, offers up a terrific cast. Led by a treasure of a performer in Michael E. McGovern (where has he been hiding?) as both Jekyll and Hyde, this show delivers on all levels from stellar cast to inventive set design to intricate staging on a two-tiered stage. With a 24-member cast and 12-piece orchestra playing multiple instruments, high praise goes to Director Jennifer Hardin, Choreographer Stefan Sittig, Fight Captain Nathaniel McCay and Music Director Mark V. Deal. It takes a village to stage this mammoth musical and do it justice and this production team has achieved it magnificently.
Complementing McGovern is Shelby Young as Emma, Jekyll’s fiancée. Emma is the perfect Jekyll’s descent into madness in her charm, beauty and grace. With her gorgeous soprano voice, Young fulfills this role to perfection. Her rival for Jekyll’s affections is Lucy Harris, played by Lexi Mellott. Mellott has terrific timing plus outstanding vocal and dance chops wowing the audience in her seductive cabaret number “Bring on the Men” backed by the Red Rat chorus line. Hyde’s unctuous obsession with the captivating gamin is compelling.
You will thrill to Emma’s heart-wrenching number, “Once Upon a Dream”, Jekyll’s “I Need to Know”, “This is the Moment” and “Alive” as well as Lucy’s poignant “A New Life” and her duet with Hyde in a danse macabre “Dangerous Game”.
 Michael McGovern (Photo/Mark Armstrong) Watching McGovern transform into Mr. Hyde, the incalculably villainous monster, is both riveting and frightening. Over the past decade I have reviewed some amazing, WATCH award-winning musicals at LTA, but this one stands among the top ten on my “Best of the Best” list.
If you like Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret, imagine those iconic musicals combined in one show and you’ve got the picture. Here sweet romance, grisly murders, a hot jazz club and high and low society coexist in one rip-roaring musical.
Highly recommended. An absolute must-see show!
 (L to R): Cristina Casais, Shannon Hardy, Dani Lock, Melanie Campbell With Matt Yinger as Gabriel John Utterson; Brian Ash as Sir Danvers Carew; Michael Blinde as Jekyll’s Father/Inmate/Priest/Ensemble; Nathaniel McCay as Simon Stride; Amanda Jones as Lady Beaconsfield; Andrew Cosner as The Bishop of Basingstoke; Mylo Cluff as Lord Savage; Cristian Bustillos as General Lord Glossop; James Best as Sir Archibald Proops; Melanie Campbell, Cristina Casais, Shannon Hardy and Dani Lock as Red Rat Girl/Ensemble; Robin Lewis as Nellie, a prostitute; Jae Damauier as Spider, a pimp; Dino Vergura as Bisset Apothecary/Featured Ensemble; and Sharon Eddy, Josh Katz, Jillian Rubino and Garrett Walsh in the ensemble.
Conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden & Frank Wildhorn; Book and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse; Music by Frank Wildhorn; Orchestration by Kim Scharnberg; Arrangements by Jason Howland; Produced by Luana Bossolo & Sheri Ratick Stroud; Directed by Jennifer Hardin; Music Direction by Mark V. Deal; Choreography by Stefan Sittig; Set Design by Lawrence “Skip” Gresko; Lighting Design by JK Lighting; Sound Design by David Correia; Period Costume Design by Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley; Stage Combat/Intimacy Co-Directors Brianna Goode and Stefan Sittig; Special Effects and Multimedia Design by David Moretti; Dialect Coach Alden Michels; Hair Design/Makeup Design by Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett.
Through November 9th at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information call the box office at 703 683-5778 or visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Young Frankenstein is The Funniest, Most Risque, Goofball Comedy Now Playing at The Little Theatre
Young Frankenstein
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Jordan Wright
October 22, 2023
Special to The Zebra
 Joshua Nettinger as the Monster; Noah Mutterperl as Dr. Frankenstein (Photo/Matt Liptak) If your taste runs to wacky sendups and zany schtick, you could do no better than Young Frankenstein at The Little Theatre. According to the program’s synopsis the comedy picks up where most tales of the famed monster leave off. This introduces us to his grandson, the young Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, a young scientist and man about town who travels to the family castle in Transylvania, bent on claiming his inheritance before racing back to his fiancée Elizabeth. With the encouragement of the adorably sexy, Inga, his grandfather’s laboratory assistant and hunchback Igor, and his grandfather’s former paramour the stern-faced Frau Blücher, Frederick agrees to stay and complete his grandfather’s experiment by bringing the monster back to life with a new and improved brain. What a life! And what a premise! When the monster is given life, we discover he’s a veritable vaudeville trooper!
 Young Frankenstein Cast in “Putting on the Ritz” (Photo/Matt Liptak) Thanks to Mel Brooks who wrote the music and lyrics and shared credit for the book with Thomas Meehan, we’ve got a rollicking musical comedy with more sight gags, double entendres, mashups and old-time burlesque jokes than you can count.
Director Frank D. Shutts II has rounded up some of the best local talent in the biz to bring his vision to the mainstage. Eighty-one actors came to the casting call – sixteen were chosen. He’s also chosen London’s West End version of the show which is more finessed than the original Broadway version. Twenty-one musical numbers backed by fourteen instruments create a big sound in the little theatre. A tricked-out stage set features a revolving library door, grand castle gates, a farmer’s wagon pulled by two “horses” and multiple surprises I want you to discover for yourself.
 Noah Mutterperl as Dr. Frankenstein (Photo/Matt Liptak) The acting, dancing and singing are excellent. As far as I’m concerned Noah Mutterperl who plays Frederick, could get on a train and open on Broadway tomorrow night. His style, indefatigable energy, talent and comic timing are spot on in every way. As for Joshua Nettinga who plays The Monster, he too could snag a lead role in a heartbeat. Performing in seven-inch lift monster shoes while pratfalling, getting up and tap dancing in top hat and tails, would grant him major street cred on the Great White Way. That doesn’t mean to throw shade on the three female leads – Claire Jeffrey as Inga who is as precious as she is hilarious, Liz Colandene as Elizabeth Benning who belts like a young Ethel Merman and Judy Lewis as Frau Blücher who is deadpan-perfect as the cigar-smoking chatelaine. Not to leave out James Maxted who plays The Hermit and croons “Please Send Me Someone” in the style of Al Jolson’s “Mammy” and Brian Ash as Inspector Hans Kemp whose chorus of Bavarian villagers rise up with torches and pitchforks in “He’s Loose”.
In the immortal words of Mel Brooks, “You’ll laugh till you plotz!” (He didn’t really say that. I did.)
 Joshua Nettinga and Liz Colandene (Photo/Matt Liptak) Ensemble – Daria Butler (Swing), Emily Carbone, Andrew Edwards, Lewis Eggleston, Odette Gutierrez del Arroyo, Patrick Kearney, Evie Korovesis, Luke Martin, James Nugent (Swing), Lourdes Turnblom.
Music Directors Francine Krasowska and Christopher A. Tomasino; Choreographer, Stefan Sittig; Dance Captain Evie Korovesis; Set Design by Robert S. Barr Jr.; Lighting and Special Effects Design by Ken and Patti Crowley; Costume Design by Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley; Hair/Wig Design by Kadira Coley; and Makeup Design by Natalie Turkevich.
Highly recommended. The funniest, most risqué, goofball comedy since the Marx Brothers spent the night at the opera!
 Andrew Edwards, Lourdes Turnblom, Joshua Redford, Patrick Kearney, Emily Carbone (Photo/Matt Liptak) Through November 11th at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com or call the box office at 703 683-5778.
A Directorial Triumph and Flawless Cast Reign in Mary Stuart at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Mary Stuart
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Jordan Wright
April 24, 2023
Special to The Zebra
 Thomas O’Neill, Maria Ciarrocchi (Photo/Matt Liptak) Two women, two countries, two rulers, two religions. For Mary Stuart Queen of Scots (Sarah Cusenza), it becomes a fight for her life when she is imprisoned by her cousin Elizabeth I Queen of England (Maria Ciarrocchi). While in her cell Mary has only her faithful nursemaid Hanna Kennedy to confide in, Elizabeth has legions of lords acting as her councilors. That doesn’t prove to be as useful as one might imagine when we see how their self-serving machinations muddy Elizabeth’s resolve.
In 1587 England is in a precarious state since Henry VIII divorced as a Catholic (Heaven forfend!) and converted to Protestantism. Wacky six-time wedded Henry even called his daughter Elizabeth a bastard child, but she wound up with the throne so sticks and stones didn’t throw shade on her after all. As for the never-married “Virgin Queen” Elizabeth, it seems she came away with some wisdom after witnessing the knavish ways of good old dad and decided to keep single. Plagued by the divergent views of her lords, she vacillates on what to do with Mary. Will it be more favorable to her reputation if she is seen to be sympathetic to Mary? Should she let her return unharmed to Scotland or show her the scaffold? If you know your history, you’ll know how that played out.
 John Paul Odle, Sarah Cusenza (Photo/Matt Liptak) Set in the 16th century, the play draws from a Shakespearean style of drama to reflect the bloody history within castle walls. Conspiracy, double dealing, spying, jealousy and murder are all on the table in this riveting political drama by author Peter Oswald. As the conniving Lord Burleigh (John Henderson) tells Elizabeth when a plot to murder her is revealed, “You must kill or be killed.” But whom should Elizabeth trust among the flatterers and sycophants? She has already survived three assassination attempts on her life. Each woman feels trapped. Mary in prison and Elizabeth in obeisance to her countrymen, “O, appalling servitude,” she laments.
 Maria Ciarrocchi (Photo/Matt Liptak) We must remember how very young these women were when they took the throne. Elizabeth was 25 years old. At that time a woman had never reigned in England before. Mary was a mere six days old when her father James V of Scotland died, and she was the only living heir. Although she was brought up in the lap of luxury and culture in France, she returned to Scotland and ascended to the throne at a mere girl of 19. Both women so young and with extraordinary power.
 Maria C, Sarah Cusenza, Sally Cusenza, Paul Donahoe (Photo/Matt Liptak) Since the play centers around Mary, it must have a strong actress, one who will imbue her performance with deep emotion and the gravitas befitting her role as a queen. I was totally taken with the acting brilliance of Sarah Cusenza whose Scottish accent was spot on and who held the stage with tremendous aplomb.
Mary Stuart is a powerful production, and it is flawless. You could hear a pin drop in the audience so fascinating are the story and the character’s interactions. Jaw-dropping period costumes by Juliana Cofrancesco, Abbie Mulberg, Carol Pappas and Robin Worthington coexist with Matt Liptak’s Elizabethan period set design to perfectly frame the pulsating action.
The Little Theatre has surprised this reviewer with yet another excellent production and a directorial triumph by Kathleen Barth who has assembled an impressive cast to manifest her vision.
Highly recommended.
With Sally Cusenza as Hanna Kennedy; John Paul Odle as Mortimer; Kirk Lambert as Amias; John Henderson as William Cecil, Lord Burleigh; John Barclay Burns as Count Aubespine and Melvil; Richard Fiske as Count Bellievre and Kent; Paul Donahoe as George Talbot; Stuart Fischer as Dungeon Drury and William Davison; Thomas O’Neill as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester; Lee Swanson as Officer and Sheriff; Sam Beeson as O’Kelly and Page.
Dramaturg, Griffin Voltmann; Lighting Design by Matthew Cheney; Sound Design by Janice Rivera; Makeup and Hair Design by Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett; Dialect Coach Hilary Adams.
Through May 13th at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com or call the box office at 703 683-0496.
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