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What’s Onstage in the DMV February/Early March 2026

What’s Onstage in the DMV February/Early March 2026

Jordan Wright

January 10, 2026

Special to The Zebra

The First National Tour Cast of Stereophonic. (Photo/Julieta Cervantes)

 

Broadway at The National  www.BroadwayattheNational.com

Stereophonic  Feb 10 – Mar 8

The Simon and Garfunkel Story  Mar 14 and Mar 15 only

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast  Mar 18 – Apr 5

 

Signature Theatre  www.SigTheatre.org

I’m Here: Black Broadway  Feb 24 – Mar 15

Safety Not Guaranteed  Mar 3 – Apr 12

 

MetroStage at the Lyceum  www.MetroStage.org

Roots & Reverence: The Spirituals That Shaped America Feb 23 only

 

Workhouse Arts Center  www.WorkhouseArts.org/theater-performances

Murder on the Orient Express  Mar 6 – April 12

 

Folger Theatre  www.Folger.edu

As You Like It  Mar 10 – Apr 12

 

Hamnet via Shakespeare Theatre Company

 

Shakespeare Theatre Company  www.ShakespeareTheatre.org

On Beckett  Feb 11 – Mar 15

Hamnet  Mar 17 – Apr 12

 

Avant Bard  www.AvantBard.org

Two Gentlemen of Killarney  Mar 5 – 28

 

Theatre J  www.EDCJCC.org

The World to Come  Feb 3 – Mar 1

Eureka Day  Mar 11 – April 5

 

Atlas Performing Arts Center  www.AtlasArts.org

INTERSECTIONS Festival  Feb 14 – Mar 15

 

NextStop Theatre Company  www.NextStopTheatre.org

Drowner [Renword]  through Feb 22

 

Little Miss Perfect via Olney Theatre

 

Olney Theatre  www.OlneyTheatre.org

Little Miss Perfect  Feb 8 – Mar 8

Appropriate  Mar 13 – Apr 19

 

Studio Theatre  www.StudioTheatre.org

Octet  through Feb 22

 

GALA Theatre  www.GALATheatre.org

La Casa de Bernarda Alba – The House of Bernarda Alba  Feb 5 – Mar 1

 

Imagination Stage  www.ImaginationStage.org

Balloonacy  through Feb 15

Havana Hop  Feb 14 – Mar 7

 

Adventure Theatre MTC  www.My.AdventureTheatre-MTC.org

Freckleface Strawberry Pajama Party: The Musical  Feb 12 – Mar 29

 

1776 via Ford’s Theatre (Artwork created from photos by Scott Suchman)

 

Ford’s Theatre www.MyFords.org

1776  Mar 13 – May 16

 

Arena Stage  www.ArenaStage.org

Chez Joey  through Mar 15

Inherit the Wind  Feb 27 – April 5

 

1st Stage  www.1stStage.org

Between Riverside and Crazy  Feb 19 – Mar 8

 

Washington Stage Guild  www.StageGuild.org

Happy Days  through Feb 26

 

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company  www.WoollyMammoth.net

The World to Come  through Mar 1

 

Rock of Ages via Toby’s Dinner Theatre

 

Toby’s Dinner Theatre  www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com

Rock of Ages  through Mar 15

 

Round House Theatre  www.RoundHouseTheatre.org

Nothing Up My Sleeve  Feb 11 – Mar 15

 

Dominion Stage  www.DominionStage.org

Xanadu  through Feb 14

 

Creative Cauldron  www.CreativeCauldron.org

Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook  Feb 12 – Mar 8

Twelve Dancing Princesses  Mar 13 – 29

 

Compass Rose Theatre  www.CompassRoseTheater.org

Rent  Feb 6 – Mar 8

 

Back to the Future via Baltimore Broadway

 

Hippodrome Baltimore  www.Baltimore.Broadway.com

Back to the Future  Feb 14 – Mar 1

Hadestown  Mar 13 and 14

 

Everyman Theatre  www.EverymanTheatre.org

Dawn  through Mar 1

 

Damascus Theatre Company  www.DamascusTheatre.org

Company  Feb 6 – 22

 

Little Theatre of Alexandria  www.TheLittleTheatre.com

School of Rock  Feb 7 – 28

 

Perisphere Theater  www.PerisphereTheater.com

Silent Sky  through Feb 14

 

Keegan Theatre  www.KeeganTheatre.com

John Doe  through Feb 22

Midiculous  Feb 24 – Mar 8

 

Tambo & Bones via Spooky Action Theatre

 

Spooky Action Theatre  www.SpookyAction.org

Tambo & Bones  Feb 12 – Mar 8

 

The Welders  www.TheConservatory.com

Cake Eaters  Feb 5 – Feb 22

 

Arlington Players  www.ArlingtonPlayers.org

Peter and the Starcatcher  through Feb 15

 

Providence Players of Fairfax  www.ProvidencePlayers.org

Crimes of the Heart  Mar 13 – 22

 

Maryland Ensemble Theatre  www.MarylandEnsemble.org

Small Mouth Sounds Feb 13 – Mar 15

What’s Onstage in the DMV January/February 2026

What’s Onstage in the DMV January/February 2026

Jordan Wright

December 18, 2025

Special to The Zebra

The Company of the Second North American tour of Clue. (Photo/Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

 

Broadway at The National  www.BroadwayattheNational.com

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical  Dec 30 -Jan 4

Stomp  Jan 16 -18

DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!  Jan 21 & 22

Clue  Jan 27 – Feb 1

Stereophonic  Feb 10 – Mar 8

 

Synetic Theater  www.SyneticTheater.org

Antony & Cleopatra  Jan 9 – 25 production will be at STC’s Klein Theatre

 

GALA Theatre  www.GALATheatre.org

La Casa de Bernarda Alba – The House of Bernarda Alba  Feb 5 – Mar 1

 

Olney Theatre  www.OlneyTheatre.org

Little Miss Perfect  Feb 8 – Mar 8

 

The cast of Guys and Dolls at Shakespeare Theatre Company. (Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

Shakespeare Theatre Company  www.ShakespeareTheatre.org

Guys and Dolls  through Jan 8

Paranormal Activity  Jan 28 – Feb 7

On Beckett  Feb 11 – Mar 15

 

NextStop Theatre Company  www.NextStopTheatre.org

Drowner [Renword]  Jan 29 – Feb 22

 

Studio Theatre  www.StudioTheatre.org

Octet  Jan 14 – Feb 22

New Pages, New Stages  – A Festival of Play Readings from Arena Stage, Theater Alliance, Theater J and Solas Nua  Jan 23 – 25

 

Theatre J  www.EDCJCC.org

Stories from the Brink  Jan 24 & 25

 

Imagination Stage  www.ImaginationStage.org

Balloonacy  Jan 10 – Feb 15

 

Alex Finke (Marie Berthe Cazin) in In Clay at Signature Theatre (Photo/DJ Corey)

 

Signature Theatre  www.SigTheatre.org

Fiddler on the Roof  through Jan 25

In Clay  through Feb 1

This Ends in Blood  Jan 19 and 20 only

 

Atlas Performing Arts Center  www.AtlasArts.org

INTERSECTIONS Festival  Feb 14 – Mar 15

 

Spooky Action Theatre  www.SpookyAction.org

Tambo & Bones  Feb 12 – Mar 8

 

Constellation Theatre  www.ConstellationTheatre.org

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors  Jan 23 – Feb 15

 

Laurel Mill Playhouse  www.LaurelMillPlayhouse.org

Save My Black Soul  Jan 6 – Feb 1

 

Chez Joey via Arena Stage

 

Arena Stage  www.ArenaStage.org

Chez Joey  Jan 30 – Mar 15

 

1st Stage  www.1stStage.org

Between Riverside and Crazy  opens Feb 19 – Mar 8

 

Washington Stage Guild  www.StageGuild.org

Happy Days  Jan 29 – Feb 26

 

Workhouse Arts Center  www.WorkhouseArts.org

Into the Woods  through Jan 25

 

Hippodrome Baltimore  www.Baltimore.Broadway.com

The Great Gatsby  Jan 31 – Feb 7

 

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company  www.WoollyMammoth.net

The World to Come  Feb 3 – Mar 1

 

Rock of Ages via Toby’s Dinner Theatre

 

Toby’s Dinner Theatre www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com

Rock of Ages  Jan 9 – Mar 15

 

Round House Theatre  www.RoundHouseTheatre.org

Nothing Up My Sleeve  Feb 11 – Mar 15

 

Dominion Stage  www.DominionStage.org

Xanadu  Jan 30 – Feb 14

 

Creative Cauldron  www.CreativeCauldron.org

Passport to the World of Music Festival  Jan 10 – Feb 1

 

Compass Rose Theatre  www.CompassRoseTheater.org

Rent  Feb 6 – Mar 8

 

Dawn via Everyman Theatre

 

Everyman Theatre  www.EverymanTheatre.org

Dawn  Feb 1 – Mar 1

 

Little Theatre of Alexandria  www.TheLittleTheatre.com

School of Rock  Feb 7 – 28

 

Aldersgate Theatre  www.ACCTonline.org

Beetlejuice JR  Jan 16 – 25

 

Perisphere Theater  www.PerisphereTheater.com

Silent Sky  Jan 30 – Feb 14

 

Peter and the Starcatcher via Arlington Players

 

Arlington Players  www.ArlingtonPlayers.org

Peter and the Starcatcher  Jan 31 – Feb 15

 

Keegan Theatre  www.KeeganTheatre.com

John Doe  Jan 31 – Feb 22

Midiculous  Feb 24 – Mar 8

 

Voices Festival Productions  www.VoicesFestivalProductions.com

Rami and Bassam  Jan 8 – 11

 

Vienna Theatre Company  www.ViennaTheatreCompany.org

The Sunshine Boys  Jan 23 – Feb 8

Guys and Dolls Throws the Dice and Comes Up Big at the Shakespeare Theatre Company

Guys and Dolls Throws the Dice and Comes Up Big at the Shakespeare Theatre Company

Guys and Dolls

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Jordan Wright

December 15, 2025

Special to The Zebra

The cast of Guys and Dollsat Shakespeare Theatre Company. (Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

This beloved, oft performed, hilarious musical is from Broadway royalty, Frank Loesser, who composed and wrote the lyrics 75 years ago. The original production premiered on Broadway in 1950 winning the Tony for “Best Musical”. Inspired by the stories of Prohibition era author; hard news and sports reporter; and erstwhile backroom sociologist, Damon Runyon, who spun colorful tales of the grittier side of Broadway, Loesser takes Runyon’s world to craft a remarkable musical of the place and times when mobsters, gamblers, handicappers and hustlers in zoot suits ruled the mean streets and hoochie-coochie joints and where the Salvation Army worked to convert them at the Save-A-Soul Mission on Times Square.

Loesser’s memorable characters are the spark to two hilarious love stories – that between high-roller Sky Masterson and Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown; and gambler Nathan Detroit and ditzy-clever chorus girl, Miss Adelaide. Don’t look for 21st century women’s rights advances nor politically correct relationships here. This is an updated throwback to the way things were in the male-dominated 1950’s.

 

Jacob Dickey (Sky Masterson) and Julie Benko (Sister Sarah Brown). (Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

Led by Nathan Detroit we soon meet the goofball gamblers – Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet and Rusty Charlie – between them they run the “oldest established, permanently floating, crap game in New York” as they call it, and where Runyon’s vivid street slang defines the characters’ story. Challenged to find a new venue to hold the dice game, Detroit hears that Sky Masterson is in town and wants in. But the Biltmore Garage wants a thousand clams to host it, and Nathan doesn’t have the dough. He bets Sky the thou if he can correctly guess how many pastries Mindy’s restaurant has sold. Naturally, Nathan has the inside scoop. When that bet doesn’t play out, he bets him he can’t get a date to a casino in Havana, Cuba with the straitlaced Sarah. And now, all bets are on and Sky, the cunning Casanova must woo Sister Sarah. When the crap game finally commences, Big Julie has convinced Harry the Horse, a tough guy from Chicago, to join in. Big Julie is packing a pistol and keeps the game going until he can win his ‘clams’ back.

As expected, high jinks and hilarity ensue played out among the crafty characters while the adorable Miss Adelaide and her spangly ‘Hot Box Girls’ perform on a tracer-lit stage that rises up to showcase the chorines flouncing and flirty for the racy number “A Bushel and a Peck” followed by Miss Adelaide’s memorable number, “Adelaide’s Lament”, more familiarly remembered as “a person can develop a cold”.

 

Graciela Rey (Ensemble), Aria Christina Evans (Ensemble), Hayley Podschun (Miss Adelaide), Jessie Peltier, and Jimena Flores Sanchez (Mimi/Martha/Ensemble). (Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

There are so many crazy side stories and hilarious street slang, girls are “tomatoes”  and guys are “mugs” and “no-goodniks”, plus the most iconic songs in this wonderful musical, that you will come to love these colorful characters. Sky’s song, “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” showcases Jacob Dickey’s phenomenal voice along with Joshua Bergasse’s brilliant choreography. Another standout is Kyle Taylor Parker’s fantastic rendition of “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” which drove the audience wild with hoots and applause. Backed by a 12-piece orchestra, twenty numbers fill out this wonderfully wacky musical hit.

Set Designer Walt Spangler cleverly presents the scene in a Salvation Army thrift store chock-a-block with racks of used clothing, kitchenware and kitschy collectibles where the storefront windows allow for a continuous view of the orchestra – especially the conductor, dressed in Salvation Army military uniform. Snappy and snazzy 1930’s period costumes by Constance Hoffman set the tone for  where in this story, the guys get the dolls and everyone lives happily ever after as the ladies sing “Marry the Man Today”, a paean to changing the guy after the ring is firmly in place. Old school.

In her directorial debut at STC, Francesca Zambello, current artistic director at the Kennedy Center for the Washington National Opera, has called in all her markers to showcase some of the best vocalists and performers in musical theatre.

 

The cast of Guys and Dolls. (Photo/Teresa Castracane Photography)

 

With Julie Benko as Sister Sarah Brown; Rob Collett as Nathan Detroit; Jacob Dickey as Sky Masterson; Hayley Podschun as Miss Adelaide; Kyle Taylor Parker as Nicely-Nicely Johnson; Calvin McCullough as Benny Southstreet/Ensemble; Ahmad Kamal as Big Julie/Ensemble; Tommy Gedrich as Rusty Charlie/Ensemble; Lawrence Redmond as Arvide Abernathy/Ensemble; Lamont Brown as Joey Biltmore/Ensemble; Garrett Marks as Harry the Horse/Ensemble; Holly Twyford as General Matilda B. Cartwright/Ensemble; Katherine Riddle as Agatha/Ensemble; Jimena Flores Sanchez as Mimi/Martha/Ensemble; John Sygar as Calvin/Ensemble, Todd Scofield as Lt. Branigan/Ensemble.

Additional Ensemble: Nick Alvino, Brendan Chan, Aria Christina Evans, David Paul Kidder, Chivas Merchant-Buckman, Jessie Peltier, Graciela Rey.

Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows; Music Director and Conductor, James Lowe; Lighting Design by Amith A. Chandrashaker; Sound Design by Andrew Harper; Dramaturg, Drew Lichtenberg; Wig & Hair Design by Kevin S. Foster;  Fight Choreography by Robb Hunter; Voice & Dialect Coach, Lisa Beley; Intimacy Coordinator, Bess Kaye.

Lady Luck shines on this superb production! Highly recommended!!!

Now playing through January 8th, 2026 at Harman Hall, 610 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.547.1122 or visit www.ShakespeareTheatre.org.  

In Series World Premiere Opera “The Delta King’s Blues” Shines a Blazing Light on the Life of Robert Johnson, Father of American Blues

In Series World Premiere Opera “The Delta King’s Blues” Shines a Blazing Light on the Life of Robert Johnson, Father of American Blues

The Delta King’s Blues

IN Series

Jordan Wright

December 13, 2025

Albert R. Lee (Robert), Marvin Wayne (Willy), Anthony Ballard (Son), and Christian Simmons (Devil) in The Delta King Blues. (Photo/Bayou Elom)

 

Robert Johnson, the acknowledged American “Father of the Blues”, came to a crossroads in his life. Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, he was a shy child with a burning desire to pick up a steel-string acoustic guitar. As the legend goes, he lacked the skills necessary to make a career out of his passion. One night the Devil appeared offering to teach him how to write, sing and play the blues like no other man before him. But there was a Faustian catch. You already guessed it. Johnson had to sell his soul to the slick trickster. In his desperation, he makes the bargain and the legend was born. “Now you’re cookin’ with fire,” the Devil tells him.

Noted composer Damien Geter’s and much-commissioned librettist Jarrod Lee’s fascinating world premiere opera recently premiered at IN Series new theater space here in DC before it heads off to Baltimore for three additional engagements. Introduced with a short but powerful set by Tennessee Blues guitar singer and performer, “Memphis Gold”, who has played with such legends as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, James Brown, Mavis Staple, Taj Mahal, John Hammond and dozens more, the veteran Blues man set the mood with songs of the period including Johnson’s signature number, “Crossroad”.

Albert R. Lee (Robert), Melissa Wimbish (Virginia), Marvin Wayne (Willy), and Anthony Ballard (Son). (Photo/Bayou Elom)

 

Set in the 1930’s this modern opera combines history, fantasy and musicality in a most appealing way – exposing audiences to a man who defined the Blues and provided with a backstory – whether fact or fiction – at the same time introducing newcomers to the roots of American musical culture. Three years to come to fruition, this opera has a very bright future.

A ten-piece orchestra led by multi-genre conductor, Darren Lin & Timothy Nelson, accompany the cast featuring Albert Lee as Robert, Christian Simmons as Devil, Melissa Wimbish as Virginia (Robert’s love interest), Marvin Wayne as Willy and Anthony Ballard as Son. Costumes by Rakell Foye; Set Design by Joshua Sticklin; Lighting Design by Paul Callahan; Commissioned by IN Series.

Through December 14th at Pop-Up Theater, 340 Maple Drive, SW, Washington, DC 20024. In Baltimore, MD December 19-21 at 2460 SPACE at 2460 St. Paul Street. For tickets call the box office at 410.752.8558 or visit www.ci.ovationtix.com   

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry to the Big Top for Broadway’s Water for Elephants at The National Theatre

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. 

Sassy, Sexy and Smoking’ Hot – You’ll Be Wowed at Some Like It Hot at the National Theatre

Sassy, Sexy and Smoking’ Hot – You’ll Be Wowed at Some Like It Hot at the National Theatre

Some Like It Hot

Broadway at The National

at The National Theatre

Jordan Wright

December 1, 2025

Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar) and the First National Touring Company of Some Like It Hot. (Photo/Matthew Murphy)

 

Calling all hoofers, tappers and high kickers. This show is for you… and everyone else too! It’s a dance-a-palooza musical comedy with dolls and lover boys and tunes drenched in Cole Porteresque lyrics. With sassy, sexy and smokin’ hot chorines, Sweet Sue and Her Society Syncopators rule the Cheetah Club and you’ll soon find yourself in Chicago in 1933 at the height of Prohibition in a speakeasy.

When pals Joe, a sax player and Jerry, a bassist, both hoofers, find themselves without work, they head to a club owned by mob boss, Spats. As the Tip Tap Twins (Joe is White and Jerry is Black) the hoofers convince Spats to hire them. At the club they soon witness a shootout masterminded by Spats and raided by the Feds and are forced to flee for their lives. With no money and less prospects, they discover the only gig in town with Sweet Sue’s all-girl band. They soon devise a plan to dress in drag nailing the audition and becoming part of Sue’s tour as Josephine and Daphne. Trying to keep ahead of Spats’ mob and the Feds who expect the men to sing like canaries, they cozy up to the gorgeous chorus girls and Joe falls head over heels for Sugar, the band’s adorable lead singer.

Between the huge dance numbers, eighteen songs and a swell orchestra, is a 31-member cast with the energy of a supernova. Sweet Sue is played brilliantly by Dequina Moore with a powerhouse voice reminiscent of Ethel Merman.

 

The First National Touring Company of Some Like It Hot. (Photo/Matthew Murphy)

 

The twist? There are many along with the jokes, but what you should know is Daphne finds his/her authenticity as a gay man and fireworks ensue with Osgood (a most appealing Edward Juvier), a soda pop scion and owner of San Diego’s Coronado Hotel where the ensemble is booked.

Although this cast is flawless – Broadway caliber flawless – I found Tavis Kordell absolutely riveting. Couldn’t take my eyes off him. 6’ 2’’ (without the heels he wears as Daphne) he towers over everyone executing his dance moves with elegance and grace. A quintuple threat as a dancer, actor, mezzo-soprano, musician and gorgeous man, I had to check his bio to learn more about his stage experience. What I found was a UNC grad with only regional and collegiate drama experience. Seriously? Watch for his star power solo on “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather”.

Matt Loehr as Joe/Josephine is a Broadway veteran and first-class hoofer with tons of Tony Award-winning shows listed in his bio. In the number “Dance the World Away” which he sings and dances in a starry set with Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar) as his dream lover, you’ll swear you’re watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

 

Matt Loehr (Joe), Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar), Tavis Kordell (Jerry), and the First National Touring Company of Some Like It Hot. (Photo/Matthew Murphy)

 

When you go to this spectacular show, and you should, you’ll come away feeling you’ve hit the jackpot of talent. Dazzling sets by Scott Task, eye-popping costumes by Gregg Barnes and unforgettable choreography and direction by Casey Nicholaw.

Highly recommended!!! With a massive cast of 30 performers, dancing and singing their way into your heart.

Darien Crago as Nellie/Syncopator; Devin Cortez as Mack; Jamal Stone as Sonny; Devon Goffman as Spats; Matt Allen as Mulligan; Michael Skrzek as Toothpick Charlie/Bar Manager; Devon Hadsell as Minnie; Nissi Shalome as Dolores/Syncopator; Ashley Marie Arnold as Ginger/Syncopator; Emily Kelly as Vivian/Syncopator; Kelly Berman as Syncopator; Madeline Kendall as Syncopator; Ranease Ryann as Syncopator; Stephen Michael Langton as Man with a Suitcase. Gangsters, Porters, Bellhops et al: Devin Cortez, Jonathan Duvelson, Drew Franklin, Stephen Michael Langton, Michael Skrzek and Jamal Stone.

Book by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin; Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman; Sound Design by Brian Ronan; Orchestrations by Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter.

 

Through December 7th 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.TheNationalDC.com.