The Art of the Challenge part of the Alexandre Diop: Jooba, Jubba, L'Art du Defi, the Art of Challenge exhibit at the museum, showcases five potent works by the French-Senegalese artist. Diop tackles complex themes such as colonialism's lingering effects, violence, and suffering. While the themes he explores are timeless, his choice of found materials adds a fresh perspective, transforming them into a powerful commentary on the contemporary issues he grapples with
Read More“Phone rings, door chimes, in comes… Company?” That refrain is one of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest earworms (second only perhaps to “Bobby, Bobby baby, Bobby bubi, Robby,” etc. in the same song). And, in the shaky touring production of Marianne Elliott’s inventive reimagining of the beloved musical, playing at the Kennedy Center through March 31, it presents more like a cautious question than a confident declaration.
Read MoreIf Bravo had been spinning off franchises in the 12th century BC, one can only imagine that Penelope would be the wine-soaked breakout star of the Real Housewives of Ithaca. Known to classicists as Odysseus’ faithful, languishing queen in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, Penelope takes on a darker edge in a new musical bearing her name by composer and lyricist Alex Bechtel and co-book writers Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz. A pseudo-cabaret that asks audiences to consider the story from her point of view, Penelope runs at Arlington’s Signature Theatre through April 21.
Read More“It’s certainly important to have these conversations in real life. But in real life, either emotions take over or, at the other extreme, people are too careful to really address the issues. There’s certainly a lot of anger expressed in The Niceties, but, for the most part, the characters stay on point,” says director Kevin O’Connell.
Read MorePlaywright Marshall Pailet was captivated by Private Jones’ story and dreamed for many years of telling a First World War story through a unique lens—the true story of Private Jones, a deaf, Welsh sniper. Melding dramatic moments with comedy, music, and innovative sound design, Private Jones seeks to replicate Jones’ experience theatrically for both the hearing and hard-of-hearing audience.
Read MoreWhether an indulgence of the market or a rebellion against it, Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy is undoubtedly a triumph. Since its translation into English by Mirella Cheeseman and its significant adaptation by playwright Ben Power, the play has carved out a generous space in the theater world, touring and transferring between theaters across Broadway, LA, and the West End for the past seven years.
Read MoreLonging for a life beyond their exile, three Cuban sisters deal with loss and hope in GALA Theatre's Las Hermanas Palacios (The Palacios Sisters). Inspired by Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, this powerful production examines themes of longing and belonging in a vibrant 1980s Miami.
Read MoreSet in the D.C. suburbs in 1971, Len Kruger’s debut novel Bad Questions is a compelling coming-of-age story that follows a year in the life of twelve-year-old Billy Blumberg, who is adrift after his father’s death by suicide.
Read MoreI sat down with Donna Hemans to discuss her new novel, The House of Plain Truth, her fascination with Jamaican culture and history, and the themes she keeps returning to—including migration, colonialism, home, and belonging.
Read MoreIt was standing room only at Politics and Prose on Sunday for an event with Emily Wilson, acclaimed translator of Homer’s Odyssey and, most recently, The Iliad.
Read MorePublic Obscenities, written and directed by Shayok Misha Chowdhury was performed at Woolly Mammoth Theater until late this month.
Read MoreAs we contemplated our third annual holiday booklist, which features favorite books by D.C. area authors, we decided to reach out again to members of the D.C. area literary community.
Read MoreWatching the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s new production of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, I kept leaning forward in my seat, grinning, as the Bard’s poetry …
Read MoreIf you’ve been down the K Stree underpass between First and Second Street NE in NoMa at night, you’ve experienced the striking light projection installation by DC local artist Nekisha Durrett.
Read MoreAn event review of author David Brook’s new book release, How to Know A Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
Read MoreExpansion of women’s possibilities, the joys and fears of pregnancy, a transhuman future: Three recent books of poetry by DC-connected poets explore these and other topics.
Read MoreAcclaimed author Tim O’Brien sat down with Claiborne Smith, the literary director of the Library of Congress, at Arena Stage to discuss his new novel, America Fantastica.
Read MoreIt’s a rare comedy that manages to be witty, political, socially engaged, viciously smart, and so funny that you spend much of the show laughing out loud. And I mean, really loud laughter echoing through the theatre. Even joy.
Read MoreAngie Kim’s second novel, Happiness Falls, is a mystery novel, and a compassionate story of a family in crisis. Mia’s father, Adam Parson, has disappeared.
Read MoreD.C. readers gathered inside Sidwell Friends School’s oak-paneled meeting room, last month, to hear author Zadie Smith read from her latest novel, The Fraud.
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