“Something for everyone.” It’s a worn-out tagline, but when it comes to this fall’s DMV Theatre season, it’s mostly true. And many of the productions are directly or indirectly queer. Here are just a few of the films already in theaters and those yet to come.
Theater J Kicking off the new season, “How to Be a Korean Woman” (until September 22nd) tells the comedic and heartwarming story of Soon Mee Cho-mae’s search for her biological family in Seoul, South Korea. edcjcc.org
Woolly Mammoth Theatre The opening play is “The Comeuppance” (through October 6th), the latest work from Tony Award-winning playwright Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins.
“On the night of their 20th high school reunion, members of a self-described “multi-ethnic reject group” reunite during pre-game preparations in Prince George’s County, Maryland. But as they reminisce, an otherworldly presence forces these former classmates to confront their past head-on — and an unpredictable future.” Woolly Mammoth
Signature Theatre Season one kicks off with the DC premiere of Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Primary Trust (through Oct. 20). Booth’s tender tale of self-discovery and connection, infused with contemporary humor, will be followed by Signature’s big musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Oct. 29-Jan. 12), a classic musical comedy set in Rome by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Signature’s coming-out artistic director Matthew Gardiner. Sigtheatre.org
Gala Hispanic Theatre The season opener, Gustavo Otto’s Hugo’s 22+ Weddings (through September 29th), is based on a true story. Presented in Spanish with clear English subtitles, Otto’s tumultuous story seeks to encompass the various scenarios immigrants experience through the many weddings that take place. The cast also includes Carlos Castillo as Hugo, a taciturn postal worker, and Victor Salinas as Elmer, a gay writer seeking refuge. José Zayas is the director. Gala Theatre.
Mosaic Theatre Company Atlas Performing Arts Center presents “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” a musical theater production about jazz legend and queer icon Billie Holiday (through October 6), starring Roz White and directed by Mosaic’s out artistic director, Reginald L. Douglas. Mosaictheater.org
Ford Theatre Scott Bakula (stage and screen actor best known for TV’s “Quantum Leap”) will star in the “witty and revelatory” one-man show “Mister Lincoln” (Sept. 20-Oct. 13). Ford.org
Expats Theatre (also in the Atlas Theatre Collection) will open with “Marlene” (September 28th-October 20th), starring Karin Rosnitzek as the legendary Dietrich, a great star who famously defied social and gender conventions while captivating the world with her glamorous career. Expats
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts will be hosting a variety of events this fall, with the highlight being “An Evening with Lea Salonga” (Saturday, September 28th).
Tony Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga 2024 ARTS by George! Salonga hosted a benefit concert, performing songs from her 40-year career in hit Broadway and animated films. Born in the Philippines, Salonga played the role of Kim in Miss Saigon and was the first Asian cast member to play the role of Eponine in Broadway’s Les Miserables.
Other promising one-day entertainment from GMU includes Ballet Hispánico (Oct. 5) and Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble (Oct. 19). Source
Creative Cauldron Falls Church will pay tribute to musical legend Stephen Sondheim with the Sondheim Tribute Revue (Oct. 3-27), featuring eight performers singing 20 songs from the gay composer’s great collection of songs, including “Company,” “Follies,” “Into the Woods,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeney Todd” and recent Tony Award winner “Merrily We Roll Along.” Creative Cauldron
Olney Theatre “Eisenhower: The Land,” running from September 27 to October 20, explores what makes a president great. Disney fans won’t want to miss “Frozen,” running from October 24 to January 5. Olney Theatre
Kennedy Center Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount film and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue (Sept. 17-Oct. 6) will deliver laughs and nostalgia. Next up is the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Oct. 11-20).
Other notable events at the Kennedy Center include “An Evening with David Sedaris” (Oct. 15), in which the gay humorist will share his distinctive satire and hilarious observations, followed by sound healing artist Davin Youngs’ “The Reset” (Oct. 28), a “sound bath” that includes improvised singing, looping devices and healing instruments. kennedycenter.org
Fall is the perfect time to spend the day at the beach, so spend a weekend in Rehoboth and visit some of its amazing beaches. Clear Space Theatre“Venus in Furs” will run from September 19th to 29th, “Sweeney Todd” from October 11th to 27th and “Shrek” from November 8th to 10th. Clear Space Theatre
Autumn cabaret will be held in grand style Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC Soloists will share heartwarming stories and songs about road adventures (Oct. 19 at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.) And, of course, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the chorus’ annual holiday celebrations, scheduled for Dec. 7, 14 and 15. translation:
Folger Theatre Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” (Oct. 1-Nov. 10) is directed by inspired come-out director Raymond O. Caldwell and features a stellar and diverse cast, including Cole Taylor and Caro Reyes Rivera as the fatefully torn-apart lovers, as well as familiar local faces, including Luz Nicolas, Deirdre LaWan Stearns and come-out actor Fran Tapia in the role of Lady Capulet. Folger
Studio Theatre presents Summer, 1976 (opening November 13th), a memorable play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn (Proof). Directed by Vivian Benesch, the two-person play stars longtime DC favorite Kate Eastwood Norris and out actor Holly Twyford as two very different women whose unlikely friendship and subsequent connection changes their lives. Studio Theatre
And on Wednesday, December 4th, Strathmore in North Bethesda presents “A Swingin’ Little Christmas,” a fun take on the kitschy, classic ’50s and ’60s holiday specials, featuring TV stars Jane Lynch (“Glee,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) and Kate Flannery (“The Office”), Tim Davis (vocal arranger for “Glee”) and the Tony Guerrero Quintet. strathmore.org
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
