My wife invited me and my teenage son to watch a work colleague perform in a fun community theater…read moreversion of Shakespeake's "Much Ado about Nothing". The 2-hour show (with intermission) was entertaining with the setting in New Orleans. This little theater had several pluses. First, the interior space is cozy and provides a fun vibe of live theater in which audience engagement is part of the experience. Second, it's only a few blocks away from restaurants on King Street. Street parking is not difficult to find if you arrive early. Third, the overall quality of individual theatrical performances was quite good. All the performers seemed to have regular day-jobs, but love theater for its own sake (perhaps from college). The only minus is the theater seats are very close to each other (think ballpark). Thus, if you happen to sit behind someone who is really tall, it may require a bit of peeking around to see parts of the stage. Hopefully, the folks in front of you will not be tall. Would definitely return for a future performance.

Cute, little quaint theatre! I was staying in the area and looking for something to do. I came upon…read moreA CHRISTMAS CAROL that was playing here on a tuesday evening. I reserved my seat online (got to choose my seat!) which was for E1 Street parking in the local neighborhood. I ended up parking and walking almost a block or so. not bad When I got in , there were ppl standing around waiting to be let in the auditorium. I checked in with a woman who had a printed list of ticket holder names. The seats were very close to one another and infront and back of you. I could see the stage very well It was hard to understand what the actors were saying at times, there is a speaker but in genera I couldn't understand some of the words (plus im deaf in my right ear, so theres that) Production was for an hour. Cute little theatre!

Don't be misled by the humble surroundings of this theater. Inside this small space something…read morewonderful invariably happens. I have seen numerous performances here, and they are all consistently at a high level. I have been to NYC. You don't need to spend $250 to be up close to great theater. The talent that comes to Metro Stage have Broadway in their resumes. The current performance of Black Pearl Sings set in the post depression 1930's, takes 2 women from different worlds and shows how they can bond through music. Their story stands on its own, and is not just a backdrop to launch into song. The show takes the viewer through a full range of emotions. The outcome is bittersweet. If you live in the DC. metro area, don't overlook what is in your own backyard. After all, it is a "Metro Stage."

What a wonderful little theater. I had no idea this little gem was tucked away in this corner of…read moreOld Town but now I know! I love that's it's small, cozy and personal. This play is set in 1971 and Maria Callas is teaching at Julliard. What a great performance. A wonderful evening.

For years, I have heard about how good the Signature Theatre is and how well produced and high…read morequality its shows are. But, for some reason or other, I have never gone there. Either I think it is too far for me to go or its performance dates just don't work for me or it just never made it on my radar screen. But last week, I got tickets to "Safety Not Guaranteed" and I am really glad I did. The experience at Signature Theatre was great as was the show. The facility is new and modern. The seats are comfortable. The ushers and others who worked there were knowledgeable and pleasant. The whole audience experience was a complete A+ for me! You know, so many of the other area theaters have become unpleasant in my experience. I used to be a big fan of the Studio Theatre on 14th Street in Washington DC until all of its shows simply preached at me about moral topics, political issues and how I should lead my life as a better person in their opinion. I did not like it and, as a result, they lost me as an audience member. But I am pleased to say that Signature Theatre has gained me as an audience member. I liked everything about it. When I look at the season, I see plays that I actually want to see. And, from the performance I saw of Safety Not Guaranteed, I have experienced a theater that I want to be a part of. Everyone involved with Signature Theatre should be proud of what they have built. I know that I am happy to have found this place. Thank you!

I saw Safety Not Guaranteed at Signature Theatre and it was a wonderful performance. The play was…read moreinteresting and fun and the actors were phenomenal. The theatre is small and seems like you have a great view no matter where you sit. There is a Lobby area where you can purchase drinks/ snacks with some seating available, you can take drinks in to the theatre but it is expensive- 2 cocktails and a bottle of water was $53.

I saw a play called In The Next Room here today. The play itself was pretty great! There were a…read morefew flubbed lines and missteps, but the recovery was spectacular in all cases. The venue left a little to be desired. This is a very small Playhouse in an old church that desperately needs renovation. I would say that it seats probably 40 or so, which made for a rather intimate experience. Still, despite the chill in the air and the boarded up windows, I was transported. I was very impressed by the production that was put on using what must've been bare-bones and shoestring type budget. I cannot recommend this place enough! The more support that this troupe receives, the better it is going to get. The set designer did a terrific job and I appreciated the transitions between acts. By all means, drop several hundred dollars to go see a show at the Kennedy Center. I know that I do. I also like to drop $20 or so to spend a few hours enjoying local artists honing their craft. I can't wait to see what comes from this small playhouse next! I hope that you'll take the time to check it out.

My friend and I went last night and saw "Shining City". We could not have been more impressed…read more From beginning to end this thought provoking performance was a believable slice of everyday challenges. The play was perfectly selected for the delightfully intimate venue. The small cast was totally engaging and quite professional. We are definitely looking forward to their next production. A special shout out to the actor that played "John"......Tom Flatt ~ He really delivered. Limited parking but ample street parking. Water/soft drinks and snacks for sale.

Just saw "Antony & Cleopatra." Fantastic! No dialog, only music and movement, but the stories are…read moreclear (we've also seen "Romeo & Juliet," years ago - also great!).

Synetic Theater is a small, unassuming theater that packs a big punch! You won't be amazed by the…read moreactual theater space itself - it's small, the seats don't have the most cushion, and it's not as ornate as other D.C. theater's - but what Synetic is able to accomplish through their stage design, A/V, and production quality is absolutely mind-blowing! Everything is beautifully done and you feel fully immersed in the performance the minute you walk through the theater doors. There isn't a huge alcoholic beverage selection and snack bar doesn't have a ton of options to choose from, but there's going to be a least something there to hold you over if you aren't too picky. I am looking forward to seeing many more performances at Synetic in the near-future, and maybe even take a late lunch to check out one of their 45min afternoon performances as well.

A historic building with an ostentatious name which has somehow eluded my attention until now. It…read morehouses a free (!) art gallery, which is just a big room with a little add-on at street level. The basement is open and is also visibly historic, but doesn't have much in the way of art. It does have cool air and a restroom. The scope of the art gallery clearly isn't large (bearing in mind that a free art gallery the size of a mansion is ho-hum by DC standards), but I enjoyed what they had and it was a perfect use of the time I had to spend on it. Surprisingly enough, they seem to allow people to bring their dogs inside.

All of the Athenaeum staff was excellent to work with. During the initial planning stages, Veronica…read moreand Richard were my main points of contact, both of whom were very helpful answering questions. They were happy to entertain our questions both via email and during the various trips to check out the space. The contract process was fairly straight forward and fortunately renting out the space includes both the art gallery and the outside garden (it rained on our wedding day and the ceremony was initially going to take place in the garden). A few days before the wedding, we were informed that Amanda would be the staffer on hand on the actual wedding day. I sent Amanda my proposed timeline and we reviewed it over the phone. She was willing to assist with flow of show and confirming chair and floral deliveries/set up. She advised us of some renovations that were taking place in the alley behind the garden, which is where the ceremony was originally going to take place. While the staff had not previously informed us of the planned renovation, it all worked out in the end. Amanda emailed me photos of the renovations, offered alternate solutions to ensure the scaffolding wouldn't be as visible, emailed the contractor to ensure they would be done with the renovations for the day prior to our scheduled photo time and ceremony start time, and offered to be at the venue early to ensure that everything was clean. When I realized it was likely going to rain on the wedding day, I emailed Amanda asking for a quick discussion on a rain plan. She contacted me right away to confirm a time and we spoke the morning of the wedding to come up with a rain plan. She handled the new set up with both the chair rental company and the florist. The set up came out beautifully. Also, one of the photographers left a water behind and Amanda emailed me about the item so I was able to retrieve it the next day. I would definitely rent this space again!

The theater is housed at The Lab, a multiuse facility housing classes, artist studios, performing…read morearts rehearsal space, theater productions (such as Brave Spirits Theatre), poetry readings, and open mic nights. The idea is fantastic and affordable for organizations that have limited amount of money to rent space for their events. My friend and I saw a performance of William Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" put on by Brave New Spirits Theatre troupe. When you have little or no budget for theater space, props, seating, stage, set, and decor, imagination is needed. The production made excellent use of space---in fact, the show spilled into the lobby area and began there. I've seen one other show in the past that did this, catching the audience by surprise and forcing an immediate immersion experience. Depending on where the audience members are standing, this yields a slightly different enactment every time, and different audiences enjoy different perspectives, which is smart. The theater is essentially a large open room with a carpeted floor and metal chairs arranged in a rectangular shape, with the four chairs on the edges turned the other direction so that the actors could sit when it wasn't their scene. There are multiple exits that make it convenient for actors to enter and depart the stage area. The props were just wooden pole. The actors put on a talented show; did not crash into each other's lines, have any awkward delays, or missed cue; and made excellent use of space and sound to deliver an engaging and meaningful performance. The actors sometimes sat right next to you and acted from the seats; others came close behind or in front of you. This is truly an intimate setting, and it would be very easy for a person in a wheelchair to find a spot to enjoy the show. There were some (likely newspaper) reviewers who were also at the show. I wonder how they perceived it; they were taking notes.

From the owner: Brave Spirits Theatre stages visceral and intimate productions of Shakespeare and his…read morecontemporaries with a focus on female artists and feminist perspectives.

The Magic Duel is just that...two Magicians competing to win the title of best of the night. You…read moredo actually vote on your phone at intermission. Mark Phillips and Ryan Phillips were both terrific. The one we voted for did indeed win, but they were both great! The Saturday we were there, there were two performances. We chose the 5pm one. It's a fast-paced show that kept us laughing, intrigued and highly entertained. A very fun, wonderful way to spend entertainment dollars in DC. Not a bad seat in the house! This is downstairs in the historic Mayflower Hotel, nice and close to the Farragut North Metro Stop. Definitely appropriate for all ages. Highly recommend!

This review is for the show at the Writers Center, Bethesda, MD, which doesn't seem to have a Yelp…read morepage of its own. I recognize that the Magic Duel takes huge pride in 5 star reviews on Yelp, which I deeply respect. But I did wish that we had seen the show in a different venue. I am no stage expert, but lights and sound do matter a lot in delivery of a magic show for a skeptic like me, going because the significant other loves magic shows. With better lighting, things would have been more "magical" (thinking bottles.) I was also surprised that a bubble artist, as good as she was in her profession, was considered a magician. After some quick research, you will end up at Magic Duel in this genre, so please go to Dupont or Georgetown.

Incredibly, I never ended up reviewing Arlington Drafthouse. I used to go there all the time when…read moreI lived in Arlington from 2014-2017. A lot of good memories here. Last time I was here was in March 2023. Representing February in this series, I went back to February 2016 without a Yelp review. I saw my old credit card bill had charges on Feb '16. When I lived in Arlington at this time, I paid for a year movie pass, & sometimes I would eat at Arlington Cinema & sometimes eat beforehand. Sadly, they were having financial problems in the later part of 2010's with 2nd run movie model as people were either watching movies new in the theater or waiting to stream. At some point, Drafthouse sent an email saying they weren't doing the movies anymore & just shows, special events, & the occasional themed movie night like a classic Christmas Story (at Christmastime) or whatever. I went for a couple of comedy shows & special events, but the vast majority of the times was for movies. Service was a bit of hit or miss. Sometimes the food took a while to get served, but the food was usually good. I got a variety of items over the years like the burger, sandwiches, wraps, wings, pizza, etc. Nothing was top notch, but nothing was bad either. It was on average pretty good. Servers were sometimes friendly, but not always. They are called Drafthouse because they serve Beer & alcohol, & I remember I put a few down back in the day! But in all honesty, I'm not sure I ever had more than one in a sitting; otherwise, I'd be drunk, broke, & even more broke needing to Uber home & Uber back to my car the next morning. So, I'd never do such a thing. There was one time when I lived on Columbia Pike in Arlington near the Fairfax County (Bailey's Crossroads) border, my car was in repair, & I was determined to see a movie that I want to say a Monday night & wanted to use my annual movie pass. So, I took the bus! The Columbia Pike line bus was very efficient, not much difference in timing as if I drove myself there. I continued with the 2nd run movies into 2017, but I moved from Arlington to MD in Fall 2017, so I generally stopped going here. However, I did continue to come on a few occasions for comedy shows. In 2019-2020, I was on INWEGO, which was an event based app, you paid $19 for one event in the month, $39 for 3, or $59 for 5. I generally did the $39 for 3, but sometimes did $19 depending on what they had for the month. It was cool things like concerts, plays, comedy shows, & sporting events. I took advantage of all of the above. My girlfriend at that time & her friend/other friend husband traveled from Wheaton, MD to Arlington on Friday, February 22, 2020 for a good comedy show. That was the only time I used INWEGO to go to Arlington Drafthouse. I joined INWEGO in mid-April 2019, & we know what happened in mid-March 2020. INWEGO sadly went defunct in September 2020 as they couldn't operate under the Covid environment. I joked the INWEGO era was the best 11 months of my life. I went on a couple of dates here over the years in the 2010's for movies. Prior to October 2014, I lived in Alexandria & sometimes went to Arlington Drafthouse. One time in January 2013, I had a first date at Lost Dog Cafe across the street & saw [deep breath] Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Bomb. We kissed at the end. So, that was a good example of a date. A funny example of a date was shortly after from February 2013 (see my November 2013 Bangkok 54 Yelp review), where we went for dinner & then a free comedy show. Here's that experience: "My experience was on Saturday, February 9 (2013). It was a date with an awesome black chick I met a couple of weeks earlier. We had a nice time & walked next door to the Arlington Drafthouse Cinema for a free comedy show in the Green Room. Check it out if you are over at Bangkok 54 or other area restaurants on a Friday or Saturday. During the comedy show, I had my arm around her, & one of the comedians pointed out to me in the audience & said 'you are a lucky guy to be with her. I never have any luck with black chicks. This guy is doing something right. We need to talk after the show.'. This made me feel great since it was only a first date. This was confirmation that the date went extremely well. However, we could never schedule a 2nd date. She later told me that she didn't feel the chemistry...at least she was honest, but after all that, I thought for sure it was an excellent date." Also, went here on another date in June 2016 & saw Zootopia here. My dating life was bad in 2016, & she was no exception. In January 2023, I went to a comedy show with a friend I hadn't seen in a while. I was bold talking to one of the female comedians who was local to the DC area, got one of the comedians Instagram & asked her on a date; not surprisingly no reply. Last time I went was March 2023 for Oscar party. Won a DVD in contest. Not a bad time.

We saw Elmo Phillips' standup comedy show at the Drafthouse (I'm old enough to remember when they…read moreused to show movie!), and he was a riot. Go for the show if you find it attractive, but come with measured expectations. The service is friendly and helpful, but the food is gross. Stick to alcohol, and you'll be fine.

Great community theater ! Love the local troop ! Great version of foot loose ! We were visiting our…read moreson in Arlington!

I volunteer with The Arlington Players and came here for the first time last night to see a preview…read moreperformance of Beauty and the Beast. I think this is an excellent resource for the community. The space is clean and safe. There is an orchestra pit, which gives the entire experience a more professional feeling. The theater is connected to a school. I am not sure whether the school holds assemblies in the theater, but having TAP perform there certainly may give students a more convenient opportunity to perform. I'm glad the company is using this space.