Anacostia Playhouse

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Now open! Theater Alliance’s Mnemonic

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Fiercely relevant to today’s turbulent political climate, Theater Alliance’s production, Mnemonic, uses physically driven storytelling and 21st century technology to reveal a shared humanity in a world that is always moving—by choice or circumstance.

Praised as “a compelling tale for the era of the global village” (Variety), this groundbreaking show—which was created and originally devised by the British theater company Complicite and directed by Simon McBurney—has been updated to reflect American touchstones and world events.

Mnemonic brings to life several interrelated stories. The narrative moves from the journey of a modern woman, Alice in search for her long-lost father in Eastern Europe, to her partner Virgil whom she suddenly left nine months ago, to the discovery of a 5,000 year-old iceman and an investigation into his mysterious fate. These stories will be woven together with vivid movement led by Colin Hovde and Dody DiSanto—director of the Center for Movement Theater and a teaching protégé of Jacques Lecoq himself—alongside expressive visuals from projections designer Patrick W. Lord.

Mnemonic features Scenic Design by Tony Cisek, Lighting Design by William K. D’Eugenio, Sound Design by Matthew M. Nielson, Costume Design by Danielle Preston, and Properties by Alex Vernon.

CAST

Virgil – Carlos Saldaña
Alice – Teresa Spencer
Ensemble – Jon Reynolds
Ensemble – Vanita Kalra
Ensemble – Elena Day
Ensemble – Jonathan Martin*
Ensemble – Michael Burgos
*Member Actor’s Equity Association

Mnemonic will run at:

Anacostia Playhouse
2020 Shannon Place SE
Washington, DC 20020

From March 16 to April 9: Thursday–Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM

TICKETS

Tickets for Mnemonic are available at www.theateralliance.com or by calling 202.241.2539.

Click here for tickets

Full-Price Adult $ 40 (no online ticketing fees)
Student/Student/Military $ 30 (no online ticketing fees)

Group Sales: Groups of 10 or more qualify for group discounts. Please call 202.241.2539 for more information or contact the box office at info@theateralliance.com

Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood ”Wides“ on stage!

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With over 20 local youth on stage, the Playhouse is proud to present Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood, a rollicking 50s musical based on, who else, Little Red Riding Hood. But this one has Big Green Riding Hood, Medium Purple Riding Hood (sisters, of course), a fairy godmother, lords and ladies, a king and queen… oh, and a Big Bad Wolf! You have to see it to believe it. The music is straight out of the fifties so get out your best Fonzie and Greased Lightning apparel and jitterbug on over to cheer on our young performers. There are only five performances so get your tickets early.

Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood is directed by Maryam Foye

Music Direction: Daniel Flores and Quae Simpson
Set Design: Mary Procter
Lighting Design: John Alexander
Costume Design: Anya Nebel
Stage Manager: Jared Shamberger
Assistant Stage Manager: Edwin Brown III

Performances are Thursday-Saturday April 20-22 at 7pm. Saturday and Sunday April 22 and 23 at 2pm.

Click here for tickets

LSS Universal Presents Love and Therapy

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It was the perfect life; the perfect relationship. At least it was during the first 3 years of marriage.

But what happens when one couple’s marriage takes a turn for the worse? The misunderstandings and lack of communications lead Terry and Tasha Owens down a path of emotional distress.

Contemplating the idea of filing for divorce, Terry convinces Tasha to attend marriage counseling to try and save their marriage one last time. Therapist Blair Barnette digs deep and discovers the root of the issue, helping this troubled couple with understanding what they thought was wrong, turns out to be just right.

Premiering live at The Anacostia Playhouse on Friday April 28th at 8 p.m. and Saturday April 29th at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. (SOLD OUT), 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. For more information and additional show dates, click here.

The puppets are here this Saturday, February 25!

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We’ve been having a great time in the magical forest with Shakespeare for the Young’s puppets and Midsummer Magic! So gather the family and come join the fun this Saturday at 10:30am at the Anacostia Playhouse…meet the puppets, sing songs, play some instruments and be part of the magic. But don’t let time run out!

The puppets will only return two more times this season: March 25 and April 8. Admission is free, donations are always welcome.

Thus Far: An Evening of Song with Darnell Rhoulac

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Winters Lane Artistic Director and Founder, Anya Randall Nebel and the Anacostia Playhouse are premiering what they hope will evolve into a Monday Night Playhouse Cabaret series at the Playhouse. Levar Betts serves as music director.

Thus Far is a solo cabaret conceived and performed by Darnell T. Roulhac. This musical feast features hits from Broadway (Don’t Rain on My Parade), Classic R&B (A Change is Gonna Come), and more.

Mr. Roulhac is a DC native and an accomplished musician who has performed on stages all over the world. Join him on a journey of life, love and laughter and celebrate memories made and lessons learned…thus far.

Thus Far runs for one night only at The Anacostia Playhouse, Monday, January 16 2017 @7:00pm
Tickets are now on sale: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thus-far-tickets-30653112284

District Community Playback: Sharing stories and dreams

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District Community Playback
Being The Dream…

We’d love to hear what you think it means to live out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream! As a community, we are now preparing ourselves for what the new year brings. Our city and country are constantly in change, there are new occupants moving into the White House, the Black Lives Matter Movement is still in effect and the work to celebrate  MLK’s dream is still needed. This Playback performance is rooted in the sharing of our stories and dreams. We are inviting people from different walks of life to come out and share their stories.

Please join us at the Anacostia Playhouse Saturday, January 14 at 2pm for an afternoon of improvisational story telling that uses theater to bring your thoughts to life. Hope to see you there!‎

Admission is by donation at the door.

Anacostia Playhouse, 2020 Shannon Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020

Restoration Stage’s Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus On Stage Now!

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He lost everything, but she found him.

After receiving critical acclaim for its Helen Hayes Recommended show—Chocolate Covered Ants, Restoration Stage returns to present the world premiere of The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus, Steven A. Butler, Jr.’s intense and heartwarming drama about being Black entertainers in 1920s America. Laced with infectious musical performances and set in his rural hometown, this must-see production showcases a rare moment in African American history. The story is a love letter to the complicated lives, love, and loss of the forgotten Black circus performer.

THE PLOT:

Set at the 1927 Charles County, Maryland, Fair Grounds, playwright Steven A. Butler, Jr. tells the story of how his great-great grandparents Ollie Tyson and Ruby Dyson fell in love and settled in the small town of La Plata, Maryland. Interwoven into the intense drama is both original and 1920s music and you will be on the edge of your seats as the circus performers navigate the struggles that African American performers had to deal with in order to survive doing the art they love.

The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus is written by Arena Stage Playwrights’ Arena Playwright Steven A. Butler, Jr. (the first African-American man to be named to the program) and is directed by Courtney Baker-Oliver (Duke Ellington School of the Arts). Baker-Oliver and Christopher John Burnett have composed original songs. Raquis Petree (Set It Off, the Musical) is the Choreographer. Desire Dubose is the Assistant Director. Baker-Oliver, Butler and Rikki Howie Lacewell are producers.

The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus runs February 15– March 5, 2017 at Anacostia Playhouse located at 2020 Shannon Place, SE, Washington DC 20020. Tickets are $45-55, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees.

Featuring Ayanna Hardy, with Miles Folley, Robert Hamilton, Jenna Murphy, Corisa Myers, Charles W. Harris, Jr., Rikki Lacewell Howie, Suzanne Edgar, Sara Hernandez, Alexia Maree, Obinna Nwachukwu, Brittany Timmons, Pat Martin, Christopher Ezell, Mandrill Solomon, Andrea Gerald and Jeremy Keith Hunter

202.714-4174

www.RestorationStage.com

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Winter Holiday Theater Camp!

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What better way to spend holiday vacation from school than making theater, meeting new friends and having fun?

The Anacostia Playhouse will be hosting a week-long winter theater camp, Monday, December 26 to Friday, December 30 for ages 8-13. The day will run from 9:30-4:30 and will be taught by two wonderful theater professionals.

The first half of the day will feature actor, playwright and poet John Johnson who will teach Playback, an improv based theater form that builds listening and storytelling skills. Students learn to listen to a true story and the actually “play it back” using improvisational skills. John has been an improv and Playback practitioner for a number of years, working in spaces all over the region.

The afternoon session will be led by Anya Nebel, a professional actor performing regionally, nationally, and internationally for the past 25 years. She is the artistic director of Winters Lane Productions which she formed to share and train the next generation of actors in the art of the craft of acting. Anya will focus on the traditional craft of acting, helping students learn to develop character, find motivation and listen to each other through scene work.

Parents and families will be invited at the end of the week to a demonstration performance showing off the skills the young actors have learned during the week.

Students will bring a bag lunch and drinks will be provided. All sessions will be at the Anacostia Playhouse and will include attending a performance of Theater Alliance’s Black Nativity and the close of Monday’s session. They will also have a chance to meet and chat with the Black Nativity cast.

Charge for the week is $125.

If you are interested, please email Adele Robey at arobey@fusemail.com. Don’t delay, space is limited!

Do you shop at Amazon?

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Who doesn’t! Did you know you can give to Anacostia Playhouse just by shopping at Amazon? You do the shopping, they do the giving. Just go to smile.amazon.com and choose Anacostia Playhouse as your charity. That’s it! Your shopping experience and prices are all exactly the same. Amazon will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases and with the holidays coming that can really add up. So, please, before you start all that gift shopping, plug in the Anacostia Playhouse as your charity of choice. Everyone who calls Anacostia Playhouse home (or their second home) thanks you. For more information on the Smile program, click here. Happy shopping!

Summer season ends this weekend with Yellowman and Midsummer Magic Puppets

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Anacostia Playhouse closes out its summer season this weekend with the final performances of Yellowman (through Sunday at 3pm) and Midsummer Magic, our magical puppet show by Shakespeare for the Young. It’s been a terrific run, with many new friends coming to the Playhouse to see Riches and Yellowman. Thanks and congratulations to our casts, directors and hard working designers and crew. Everyone went the extra mile to get these productions up and running. And welcome to the newest member of our family, Shakespeare for the Young and their delightful interactive puppet show. Bring the young ones at 10:30am Saturday, August 13 and check that out. Catch up with a wonderful City Paper review of Yellowman here. We look forward to seeing everyone in the fall as Theater Alliance, our resident company kicks off the season with Brownsville Song, Restoration Stage returns with Chocolate Covered Ants and we welcome Story District‘s storytelling program that will have two performances by East of the River residents in October!

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