DC Metro Spotlight: November 2007

The Studio Theatre delves deep into contemporary Irish storytelling with Conor McPherson’s drama, Shining City (November 7-December 16). Edward Gero stars as a widower who begins seeing his wife’s ghost, in this tale of love, loss, and faith. This production brings together two of the company’s fouunders: director Joy Zinoman and scenic designer Russell Metheny, working in the theatre named after Metheny.

Another great Irish storyteller is briefly featured at the Kennedy Center this month, as the National Theatre of Great Britain performs Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days (November 23-29), part of the Center’s etcetera! series. Fiona Shaw and Tim Potter star in the 1961 two-hander about a middle-aged woman who finds herself half buried in the earth. In this allegory of the human condition, Beckett has her clinging to daily rituals while trying to communicate with her inattentive husband.

The Irish parade continues at Keegan Theatre, which has two shows on the boards. Alone it Stands (Arlington’s Theatre on the Run, November 15-December 15) is the American premiere of John Breen’s story of Munster Rugby Team’s 1978 victory over New Zealand’s mighty All Blacks in Ireland. The company is also reprising last season’s charming hit, Mojo Mickybo (Church Street Theatre, November 15-December 1), Owen McCafferty’s joyous romp through youthful freedom played against the strife of 1970s Belfast.

The risqué puppets of Avenue Q (November 27-December 9) make their DC debut as the national tour of the Broadway smash about making it big in New York stops briefly at the National Theatre. And Olney Theatre Center stages Fiddler on the Roof (November 14-December 30) on its New Mainstage.

Signature Theatre presents the east coast premiere of The Studio (November 6-December 2). Written, directed, and choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, it takes us behind rehearsal room doors and into the world of dance and the lives of two dancers, one a jaded veteran and the other a newcomer.

Speaking of dance, no one combines dance, music, and story quite like Synetic Theatre, and this time they’re doing something the entire family might enjoy. A Christmas Carol (November 24-December 23) is Synetic’s version of the holiday classic, utilizing their stunningly visual movement-based performance.

Elsewhere about town, Didactic Theatre Company examines the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease with The Waverly Gallery (DC Arts Center, November 15-December 15). Scena Theatre stages Jean Genet’s The Maids (November 9-December 16), based on a true story of servants who kill their masters, at Warehouse Theatre. In addition, Tribute Productions is presenting a musical version of Zora Neale Hurston’s stories, Spunk (November 15-December 23), at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

For the kids, Imagination Stage has the east coast premiere of the new show from the creators of Seussical, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Twice Upon a Time: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and The Emperor’s New Clothes (November 23 – January 13) is based on the two familiar tales of the title.