Wednesday, January 29, 2025
By Mark Edelman
February is for lovers, so take that special someone to one of these special productions this month. Fall head over heels over these labors of love, live on stage in the DMV
“Downstate”
Studio Theatre
Now through Feb. 16
Plays introduce us to worlds we may never know; great plays pull us into those worlds, whether we like them or not. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bruce Norris grabs us by the conscience in this effective play, given a terrific production under the able hand of Studio artistic director David Muse. The world is that of the pedophile, “monsters” who nevertheless must carry on after paying their debts to society. When—and can—we forgive their odious, criminal acts? Where does redemption fit in this picture? An exceptional cast led by Stephen Conrad Moore, Dan Daily and Tim Getman helps us find the answers, if there are answers to be found. This is a profound experience in the theater, albeit an uncomfortable one. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org.
“What the Constitution Means to Me”
Round House Theatre
Now through Feb. 16
Plumbing a topic that’s suddenly become front-page news, playwright Heidi Schreck takes a closer look at our Constitution and its impact on four generations of women in her family in this personal look at the evolution of our nation’s most debated document. A hit on Broadway, now live! in Bethesda in this new Round House production. Tickets at www.roundhousetheatre.org
“Guac”
Woolly Mammoth
Now through Feb. 16
Direct from its engagement at the Public Theatre in NYC, Manuel Oliver offers stirring testimony to the tragedy that, as the father of a Parkland shooting victim, he had to endure. Oliver pulls no punches in this fearless, funny one-man tour-de-force theatrical experience about an immigrant family yearning for the American Dream, only to be confronted by an American Nightmare. Tickets at www.woollymammoth.net
GUAC photo by Peter Johnston.
“Job”
Signature Theatre
Now through March 16
A gripping tale about a fragile young woman and the psychotherapist who must decide whether she can return to work and earn her livelihood. Secrets emerge and facades are torn down as doctor and patient edge toward an epic showdown. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
“Schmigadoon”
Kennedy Center
Now through Feb. 6
New York doctors Josh and Melissa go backpacking in a last-ditch effort to save their failing relationship. Wouldn’t you know it though– they get lost in the woods and end up trapped in a magical town that’s a classic Golden Age Broadway musical come ridiculously to life! Jeffrey Finn and his team at the Ken Cen score an impressive bullseye, getting the world’s stage premiere of this Emmy Award®–winning TV show, a must-see if you’re a fan of the great American musical. Tickets at www.kennedy-center.org.
“The Bedwetter”
Arena Stage
Now through March 6
This world premier musical from the in-your-face comedy wunderkindl Sarah Silverman, based on her bestselling memoir, follows ten-year-old Sarah as she navigates a new school, her parents’ divorce, and a painful secret you’ve probably already guessed. Tickets at www.arenastage.org.
“Hand to God”
Keegan Theatre
Now through March 2
Troubled youth Jason discovers an outlet for his anxiety at a Christian Puppet Ministry in smalltown Texas. His complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and his mom take on an other-worldly dimension when Jason’s hand puppet Tyrone takes on a shocking personality all its own. Tickets at www.keegantheatre.com.
“Constellations”
Constellation Theatre
Now through March 9
A hit in London’s West End, this of-the-moment new play transports us thru a swirling multiverse, where two star-crossed lovers share experiences from barbecue to ballroom dancing to bar-hopping and beekeeping. Through it all, their love illuminates destiny, adversity, and hope and their infinite possibilities. A Valentine’s Day must see! Tickets at www.constellationtheatre.org.
“Dragons Love Tacos”
Adventure MTC Theatre
Feb. 7 through March 30
A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. As the title implies, Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out! Fun y divertidos for the whole family. Tickets to the production over in Glen Echo Park at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org.
“In the Heights”
Signature Theatre
Feb. 11 through May 4
Before Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda celebrated his Washington Heights heritage with this tuneful treasure, which earned him his first Tony ® Award. With his ‘hood on the brink of gentrification and a life-changing winning lottery ticket somewhere in their midst, Usnavi and his neighbors share hope, loss and love the American way. Immigrants—they get it done! Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org
“Waitress”
Olney Theatre Center
Feb. 13 through March 30
Pop star Sarah Bareilles’ charming musical rom com follows the tale—like the movie it’s based on—of a hapless young woman who finds strength and purpose in the one-of-a-kind pies she makes for all emotional occasions. Tickets at www.olneytheatre.org.
“Kunene and the King”
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Feb. 16 through March 16
A celebrated South African actor takes on the role of King Lear in the midst of a painful diagnosis. As he faces his own mortality, the actor clashes and connects with his at-home caregiver, discovering in the Bard’s play and his own machinations aspects of the meaning of life. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatre.org.
“Shucked”
National Theatre
Feb. 25 through March 2
A fall-out-of-your chair funny musical comedy about, of all things, corn. There’s a love story, some backwoods skullduggery and enough great songs by acclaimed tunesmiths Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally to keep you in a state of Broadway bliss. Some of the jokes get a bit bawdy, but that’s all part of the fun. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com.
The writer is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter.