Now at The National Theatre the Multi Tony Award-Winning Play Stereophonic Reflects the Personal Struggles of a Band Who Made Some of the Most Beloved Iconic Music of Its Day
Broadway at the National
Jordan Wright
February 12, 2026
 Jack Barrett (Grover) in the First National Tour of Stereophonic. (Photo/Julieta Cervantes)
Let’s just get this one particular misconception about this production out of the way. Stereophonic is not a rock concert per se. As many, myself included, have envisioned it to be. The producers call it “a play”. Nevertheless, it most assuredly has gorgeous original music by composer Will Butler (formerly of the band Arcade Fire) and an emotional story based on Fleetwood Mac’s years’ long effort to complete their iconic album “Rumours”. And, just to clear up one more thing, the show, Stereophonic, is in no way related to the Welsh band of the same name.
Writer David Adjmi’s story recalls 70’s era music production and that period’s notorious reputation of drugs, booze and Rock and Roll. Divided into four acts, the story focuses on a dysfunctional five-member band and two studio engineers, Grover (Jack Barrett), “We’ll just give them coke and booze.” and Charlie (Steven Lee Johnson), his assistant engineer and gofer, both young men trying futilely to keep the band’s massive egos under control. Lead singer and producer of the album Peter (Denver Milord) and the beautiful lead singer Diana (Claire Dejean) are an on-again-off-again couple, and, for a time, so are bass player, coke head and philanderer Reg (Christopher Mowod) and his wife keyboardist and vocalist Holly (Emilie Kouatchou), who seems to be the only band member who is sober and neatly grounded. Simon (Cornelius McMoyler), the drummer, the group’s manager and resident control freak, pines for his wife and kids back in England, who sadly never reunite with him in California. Despite their feuds, gaslighting and drama the group lays down beautiful music and gorgeous harmonies.
 Claire DeJean (Diana), Emilie Kouatchou (Holly), and Denver Milord (Peter). (Photo/ Julieta Cervantes)
Set Designer David Zinn’s two-story set is remarkable. The lower half is a control room with a large mixing board cum lounge where the band hangs out, freaks out and disses each other, and listens to their playbacks. The upper half is the ‘live room’ where the group performs and is separated from the control room by glass walls so that the cast is always within our view and where we can hear them. In their chats they reference 70’s pop culture, debating the movie, Don’t Look Back, which starred filmdom’s “It Girl”, Julie Christie, and her co-star Donald Sutherland and mentioning Carlos Casteneda, a Peruvian shaman whose books on magical realism were all the rage at the time.
In the fourth and final act the band moves to a studio in Los Angeles where the album at last comes to fruition. Expect mental breakdowns and mind games in this searing psychodrama as the unlikely group rises to the top of the charts in this wildly successful, five-time Tony Award-winning production. What sets this story apart from other “rock musicals” is the candor and intimacy between the group members and how, despite all odds, they are able to produce incredibly harmonious music.
In April 2024, Stereophonic became the most Tony-nominated play in history receiving 13 Award nominations. It then became the most Tony Award-winning show of the 2024 season, winning 5 Tony Awards including “Best Play”.
 Denver Milord (Peter), Christopher Mowod (Reg), Claire DeJean as (Diana), and Emilie Kouatchou (Holly). (Photo/Julieta Cervantes)
Directed by Tony Award winner, Daniel Aukin, it’s a stunner with a terrific cast!
Costume Design by Enver Chakartash; Lighting Design by Jiyoun Chang; Sound Design by Ryan Rumery; Orchestrations by Will Butler & Justin Craig; Music Direction by Justin Craig.
Through March 1st at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.628.6161 or visit www.BroadwayatTheNational.com
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry to the Big Top for Broadway’s Water for Elephants at The National Theatre
Water for Elephants – The Broadway Musical
Broadway at The National
The National Theatre
Jordan Wright
December 10, 2025
 The Cast of Water for Elephants. (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
Step right up to a heart-stopping, tender-hearted musical steeped in early 20th century circus culture and enhanced by life-sized puppets. If you loved the huge puppets in Life of Pi, The War Horse, and other spectacular productions like Disney’s The Lion King, this show is for you. What sets Water for Elephants apart from those mega hits, is a cast peppered with Cirque du Soleil alums. So wow! The acrobatics are breathtaking!
Setting the story is a young Polish man, Jacob Jankowski, played and sung beautifully by Zachary Keller, who we saw last year in the role of Hero in Signature Theatre’s A Funny Thing Happened at the Forum. Jacob has lost his beloved family in a car crash, and the family home has been taken by the bank. In despair, he sets out to find his future and discovers a strange life and passionate love in a traveling circus. Done as a flashback with Jacob’s father appearing throughout, it forms a circle of thrills and chills, romance and heartbreak, among the most fascinating characters you’ll ever encounter.
 Zachary Keller (Jacob Jankowski) and the cast of Water for Elephants. (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
Jumping on a freight train, Jacob, a veterinarian student, meets these unique characters with the ragtag Berzini Brothers circus. After some dustups with the circus workers, he is hired to care for the wild animals – a horse, a lion, a llama, a zebra, a tiger, a bear, an orangutan and a giraffe are revealed. But it is when the circus’s cruel yet dashing ringmaster, August and his beautiful wife, Marlena, come into Jacob’s life that the story takes a turn and Rosie, the elephant, becomes Marlena’s star act.
Based on the best-selling, historical novel by Sara Gruen with a beautiful score written by the Pigpen Theatre Co., this musical received 7 Tony Award nominations including “Best Book”, “Best Musical” and “Best Direction”.
 Helen Krushinski (Marlena). (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
Twenty-one great numbers backed by a full orchestra, fill this magical production with stirring ballads, spirited hoedown dancing and more flips, cartwheels, throws, aerialists and lifts than a three-ring circus.
It’s “tip top” and a must see this season!!!
 The cast of Water for Elephants. (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade)
With Robert Tully as Mr. Kankowski; Javier Garcia as Camel; Connor Sullivan as August/Charlie; the fabulous voice of Helen Krushinski as Marlena/June; Grant Huneycutt as Wade; Tyler West as Walter; Bradley Parrish as Sal; Ruby Gibbs as Barbara; Nancy Luna as Agnes, an orangutan; Yemie Woo as Sue; Zakeyia Lacey as Vera; Yves Artières as Silver Star, a horse; Adam Fullick as Rex, a lion; John Neurohr as Caretaker; Ella Huestis, Bradley Parrish, John Neurohr, Carl Robinett, Grant Huneycutt as Rosie, an elephant; Ella Huestis as Nurse Rosemary; Carl Robinett as Orderly and Bradley Parrish as Worker.
Book by Rick Elice; Original Direction by Jessica Stone; Circus Design by Shana Carroll; Scenic Design by Takeshi Kata; Choreography by Jesse Robb & Shana Carroll; Costume Design by David I. Reynoso; Lighting Design by Bradley King; Puppet Design by Ray Wetmore & Jr. Goodman and Camille LaBarre; Projection Design by David Bengali; Orchestra Conducted by Sarah Pool Wilhelm.
At The National Theatre through December 14th at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004, For tickets and information call the box office at 800.513.7540 or visit www.TheNationalDC.com.
Kimberly Akimbo, A Sweet, Quirky, Edgy Love Story with a Jeanine Tesori Score – Now at The National Theatre
Kimberly Akimbo
Broadway at the National
National Theatre
Jordan Wright
May 21, 2025
 Carolee Carmello (Kim) and Miguel Gil (Seth) in the National Tour of Kimberly Akimbo at the National Theatre (Photo/Joan Marcus) Social life for this close group of teens in suburban New Jersey centers around the school choir and a local ice-skating rink. It’s 1999 and an awkwardly nerdy yet adorable Seth runs Skater Planet’s activities. He likes to solve puzzles, make anagrams out of names (Kimberly Locaro becomes Cleverly Akimbo), play the tuba and speak in Elvish from The Lord of the Rings. He’s had a tough life with the death of his mother, an absent father and a brother in rehab. He’s determined to be the “good son”.
Soon Seth falls for Kimberly who has her own dismal home life. Kim suffers from the rare and debilitating genetic disease that speed-ages her. She’s 15, looks 60, and is already post-menopausal. Her life clock is ticking down. For science class the teens are assigned to write a paper on a disease. Seth partners up with Kim, choosing her disease so he can understand her better. With her life expectancy a mere 16 years, she wants to make the most of the time she has left. Seth fills the bill and becomes her ride-or-die partner in the sweetest, most unusual, and solidly quirky love story.
 Laura Woyasz (Pattie), Emily Koch (Debra), Carolee Carmello (Kim), and Jim Hogan (Buddy) (Photo/Patrick Gray) Kim’s mother Pattie, currently pregnant and a narcissistic hypochondriac, is married to Buddy, a beer-swilling drunk and gas station attendant who’s going nowhere fast. The wear and tear of their issues cripples the family’s interactions. Pattie and Buddy have secrets… deep dark secrets, and family secrets have a way of coming out at the most inopportune time. Amirite? Can you spell highly dysfunctional? But wait! Let’s throw Debra, Kim’s aunt, into this potboiler of a sitcom.
Aunt Debra balances out this unique love story with hellfire crazy. She’s a no-nonsense, trash-talking ex-felon, thief and serial scammer who co-opts the kids into a check washing scheme so Kim can pay for a family trip and the teens can get flashy outfits for their statewide singing competition. What could possibly go wrong?
 Cast of the National Touring Company of Kimberly Akimbo (Photo/Joan Marcus) This national touring company shows it’s up to the challenge in this funny, fast-paced, edgy musical with a terrific score. Did I mention it stars heavy hitter and B’way alum, Carolee Carmello as Kim? In 2023 the musical won five Tony Awards in 2023 for “Best New Musical” plus four other Tonys for “Best Original Score”, “Best Book of a Musical”, “Best Actress in a Leading Role”, and “Best Featured Actress in a Leading Role”. Am I surprised? Not when Jeanine Tesori is the composer known for such Broadway mega-hits as Fun Home, Shrek, Caroline, or Change, plus the new opera Blue (reviewed here) and the new opera Grounded (reviewed here recently) seen at the Kennedy Center before heading off to the Metropolitan Opera.
With Miguel Gil as Seth; Laura Woyasz as Pattie; Jim Hogan as Buddy; Emily Koch as Debra; Grace Capeless as Delia; Darron Hayes as Martin; Skye Alyssa Friedman as Teresa; Pierce Wheeler as Aaron.
Books & Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire based on his play; Scenic Design by David Zinn; Directed by Jessica Stone; Choreographed by Danny Mefford; Costume Design by Sarah Laux; Lighting Design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew; Video Design by Lucy MacKinnon.
Through June 1st 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 www.TicketMaster.com.
Jagged Little Pill Explodes with Alanis Morissette’s Pop Musical at National Theatre
Jagged Little Pill
Broadway at The National
Jordan Wright
March 15, 2023
Special To The Zebra
 (L to R) Heidi Blickenstaff, Allison Sheppard and Jena VanElslander (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade, 2022) Inspired by the seminal rock album of the same name by seven-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning bio-musical, opened in DC at the National Theatre this week. It stars one of my favorite Broadway actresses, Heidi Blickenstaff (as Mary Jane Healey) who played the lead when it reopened on Broadway last fall. You may remember her in the role of Katherine in Disney’s Freaky Friday when it debuted at Signature Theatre before moving on to Broadway.
Broadway legend Chris Hoch plays the dad, Steve Healy. But even without such heavy hitters, this company is on fire. For these power singers (thirteen are in the chorus!) and gifted dancers, it’s the perfect showcase for these young and talented unknowns. Twenty-three iconic numbers give the cast a chance to shine. And, shine, they do! The show is packed with high energy, romance, and real-life drama, addressing issues of drug addiction and teen angst in a relatable way.
 Jena VanElslander and Company of JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade, 2022) Mary Jane lives in the shadow of her two kids, Nick and Frankie, hiding her addiction to opioids from everyone. A pill-popping, hot yoga and spin-cycle-loving suburban mom, her gal pals think she’s the perfect mother (“Smiling” by Mary Jane and Company) when underneath the smooth veneer she’s scoring pills in a dark alley. Adopted daughter Frankie (Lauren Chanel) is Black, thinks she’s gay and doesn’t know where she fits in. To help her cope (“Ironic” sung by Frankie and Jo) girlfriend, Jo (Jade McLeod) tells her, “Your mom is one salad away from a psychotic break.”
When Nick (Dillon Lena) gets into Harvard, praise from friends and family rains down on the prodigal son until he experiences a wild night at a friend’s party and he is called upon to be a witness to date rape. Will he say he didn’t see anything, or will he step up despite his mom’s begging him to stay silent? There are powerful life lessons drawn from the differing perspectives of both parents and teens.
 Dillon Klena and company (Photo/Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022) Watch for McLeod’s huge number in Act II “You Oughta Know” that brought the house down, Chanel’s big number in “Unprodigal Daughter”, the slo-mo dance in “Uninvited” when Mary Jane reflects on her younger self and Allison Sheppard as Bella singing “Predator”, reminiscent of a particular Senate confirmation hearing.
A terrific score by Morissette and Glen Ballard showcases some fantastic new and veteran voices with exciting choreography by Movement Director Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui to send this musical into orbit.
Highly recommended for teens and adults.
 Heidi Blickenstaff and the company of JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Photo/Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade, 2022) With Jason Goldston as Andrew; Rishi Golani as Phoenix; Jordan Leigh McCaskill as Pharmacist/Therapist; Camella Taitt as Barista; Bligh Voth as Jill/Teacher; Delaney Brown as Denise; Jena VanElslander as Courtney; Daniel Thimm as Drug Dealer; and Lee H. Alexander as Doctor. Cydney Kutcipal, Lee H. Alexander, Justin Scott Brown and Kei Tsuruharatani fill out a thirteen-person chorus.
Director Diane Paulus; Book by Diablo Cody; additional music by Michael Farrell & Guy Sigsworth; Scenic Design by Riccardo Hernández; Costume Design by Emily Rebholz; Lighting design by Justin Townsend; Sound Design by Jonathan Deans.
Through March 26th at the National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information visit www.BroadwayAtTheNational.com or in person at the box office.
Jordan Wright
May 17, 2018
I now know why New York critics went gaga over Waitress. It earned Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Original Score in 2016, won a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Award too. This sweet, funny, big-hearted musical by composer Sara Bareilles continues its run on Broadway with its first national tour here in DC at the National Theatre. How apropos!
 Desi Oakley, Charity Angel Dawson and Lenne Klingaman in the National Tour of WAITRESS – Photo Credit Joan Marcus Bareilles, if you recall, became successful as a singer/songwriter/actress and New York Times best-selling author. Nominated for six Grammys, the California native has composed a score loaded with catchy tunes and tender ballads transforming the rather dark original movie version into a feel-good musical tailor made for foodies. It’s Fried Green Tomatoes meets Nine to Five with the added attraction of a musical score.
 Nick Bailey and Desi Oakley in the National Tour of WAITRESS – Photo Credit Joan Marcus Set in a diner in a sleepy Southern town, waitress and amateur piemaker Jenna (Desi Oakley) discovers she is pregnant, just when she was planning to leave her abusive husband Earl (Nick Bailey). Her co-workers and gal pals, Dawn (Lenne Klingaman) and Becky (Charity Angel Dawson), and their boss Cal (Ryan G. Dunkin) try to keep her spirits up in spite of cranky customers and Earl’s insults. “You’re no Sara Lee,” he tells her as she secretly makes plans to enter the state pie contest.
 Maiesha McQueen, Desi Oakley and Bryan Fenkart in the National Tour of WAITRESS – Photo Credit Joan Marcus Soon Jenna meets the handsome gynecologist Dr. Pomatter (Bryan Fenkart) with whom she stealthily starts an affair. Meanwhile addled-headed Dawn and wise-cracking Becky are busy looking for Mr. Right. Soon Dawn finds Ogie, a poetry-spouting accountant á la Don Knotts who only eats white food and plays Paul Revere in reenactments. He’s a perfect match to her Betsey Ross fantasies. Recreating his Broadway role, scene-stealer Jeremy Morse plays Ogie. Veteran Broadway actor Larry Marshall plays Joe, the diner’s octogenarian owner and perennial grouch.
 Desi Oakley and Larry Marshall in the National Tour of WAITRESS – Photo Credit Joan Marcus Standout numbers by Dawson in “I Didn’t Plan It”, Morse with “Never Ever Getting Rid of Me” which brings the house down, and Oakley’s rendition of “She Used to Be Mine”, a tender ballad.
 Ryan G. Dunkin and the Cast of the National Tour of WAITRESS – Photo Credit Joan Marcus So, if it’s pie you want, be it ‘White Knuckle Cream Pie’, ‘Betrayed By My Eggs Pie’, ‘Mermaid Marshmallow Pie’, ‘Doesn’t Want The Baby Pie’ or any other of Jenna’s quirkily-named pies, you will love this sunny, funny, honey of a show. Just remember sugar, butter, eggs are just the start.
Highly recommended.
Breaking news from the diner! Six-time Grammy nominee and composer of Waitress, Sara Bareilles will be at the National Theatre to host “Cast Album Karaoke” following the 8pm show this Saturday, May 19. Limited seats for that performance remain. Interested audience members at that show will be chosen at random for the chance to sing any song from Waitress on the National Theatre’s historic stage accompanied by the show’s band. It’s the first time Sara Bareilles has hosted a post-show “Cast Album Karaoke” during the national tour of Waitress.
Two familiar faces from Washington, D.C.’s WUSA9 will host “Cast Album Karaoke” on Friday, May 25 and Friday, June 1: “Get Up DC!” host Reese Waters (May 25) and Andi Hauser from “Great Day Washington” (June 1).
Book by Jessie Nelson, orchestrations by Sara Bareilles, directed by Diane Paulus, conducted by Jenny Cartney, choreographed by Lorin Latarro, Set Design by Scott Pask, Costume Design by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Lighting Design by Ken Billington and Sound Design by Jonathan Deans.
With Grace Stockdale as Mother, Jim Hogan as Father, Maiesha McQueen as Nurse Norma, Kyra Kennedy as Francine, and Alexa M. Lueck and Eva Pieja as Lulu. With ensemble members Mark Christine, Donterrio Johnson, and Gerianne Pérez.
Through June 3rd, 2018 at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. For tickets call 202.628.6161 or visit online.
Jordan Wright
February 8, 2018
 Photo Credit ~ © Jeremy Daniel Loaded with top Broadway stars, Something Rotten! has got it all including actors who can sing, tap, rap and rock out up to the rafters. Welcome to the Renaissance from the team of composers/lyricists Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. It’s utterly delicious.
 From L: Blake Hammond and Rob McClure. ~ © Jeremy Daniel Down-on-their-luck brothers Nick (Rob McClure) and Nigel (Josh Grisetti) Bottom are eager to one-up Shakespeare (rock star actor Adam Pascal) with a show-stopper of their own creation. Nigel’s the writer and sensitive one falling for poetry-loving Portia (Autumn Hurlbert). Nick and his feminist wife Bea (Maggie Lakis) support Nigel’s aspirations. Pilfering from his wife’s savings, Nick seeks out Nostradamus (the marvelous Blake Hammond) to divine a fresh idea for a play. The seer predicts it will be musicals. “Song and dance and sweet romance. No talking. All of the dialogue is sung,” he assures. Convinced the idea will trump anything the Sultan of Sonnet could pen, Nick imagines a troupe of Rockettes-in-codpieces-with-giant-ostrich feathers song and dance. The show’s backer, Shylock, wonders if “Ham Omelette: The Musical” will sell to the masses. Notwithstanding Shylock’s doubts, critics agreed when this hilarious musical comedy opened on Broadway nominating it no less than 34 times to garner two wins.
 Autumn Hurlbert and Josh Grisetti. ~ © Jeremy Daniel Groan-worthy wordplay, over-the-top pastiches, and silly costumes abound. Eggs make an appearance. Naturally. It’s a mash-up of Shakespeare’s greatest quips meet the best of Broadway musical numbers in a crazy ass plot that fills the stage with ye olde rock and roll and vaudeville razzmatazz. Broadway babies will recognize snippets from Cats, The Sound of Music, Music Man, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and more (even Mary Poppins makes the cut) all sung and danced by a terrific cast.
 Adam Pascal and the cast of the Something Rotten! ~ Photo credit © Jeremy Daniel We need this. You need this. Go!
Highly recommended.
Through February 18th, 2018 at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. For tickets call 202.628.6161 or visit online.
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