‘A Quick 5’ with Aaron Angello, Director of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ presented by Ardeo Theatre Company at the Frederick Shakespeare Festival by Susan Brall

Acting and directing a Shakespearean play takes a special talent. First, one must understand the Elizabethan dialogue, including puns and metaphors that need to be clarified, via action, to …

Theatre Review: ‘Dear Evan Hanson’ presented by Reston Community Players at South Lakes High School by Susan Brall

“Dear Evan Hanson” has strong DVM roots. The show’s book is by Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It debuted in July of 2015 at DC’s Arena Stage. It…

Theatre Review: ‘The Colored Museum’ at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

In the “Colored Museum” director Nayanna Simone explores a kaleidoscope of African-American culture in this satirical play by George C. Wolfe. In a series of eleven “exhibits” (vigne…

‘A Quick 5’ with Nayanna Simone, Director of ‘The Colored Museum’ at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

‘A Quick 5’ with Zoe Walpole, Actor in ‘Precarious’ at Mosaic Theater Company by Susan Brall

Mosaic Theater Company is premiering a new comedy, “Precarious,” by Steph Del Rosso, about new starts and family relationships. It focuses on Vi and her daughter Tillie as Vi tries to fi…

Theatre Review: ‘Dracula’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

I have been lucky enough to see several unique versions of “Dracula.” Of course, there is the incomparable Bela Lugosi in his 1931 iconic film role. The best theater production was the B…

Theatre Review: ‘The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in the-Moon Marigolds’ at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

Over forty years ago, I directed Paul Zindel’s drama “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds” so I made every effort look at Caro Dubberly’s vision for  Silver Spring…

‘A Quick 5’ with Nehal Joshi, Actor in ‘The Motion’ at Arena Stage by Susan Brall

“The Motion,” a new play by Obie winner Christopher Chen is presently at the Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage. The format of the play is a bit different than traditional plays that we are…

Theatre Review: ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ presented by Rockville Little Theatre at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre by Susan Brall

It is hard to say at this point which is more famous—the 2003 book by Mark Haddon, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” or the award-winning play by Simon Stephens which…

‘A Quick 5’ with Pianist Joseph Holt Performing in ‘Censored Voices: Silent No More’ at the National Presbyterian Church by Susan Brall

Art and artists are usually the first to be censored in despotic regimes, sometimes more quickly in the performing arts. The theatre, popular music, and even dance are more visible. Shakespe…

Theatre Review: 'Appropriate' at Olney Theatre Center by Susan Brall

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' "Appropriate" is in some ways as American as apple pie. Americans, unlike say the British, show their angst. Whether it is Williams' Stanley Kowalski or Miller's Will…

'A Quick 5' with Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe, 'Anderson & Roe Piano Duo with Wordsmith, piano and spoken word' presented by Chambe by Susan Brall

When two brilliant artists team up to present performances, you know it will be special treat. That is the case with the two exceptionally talented pianists Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy R…

'A Quick 5' with Laura Andruski, Co-Writer and Director of 'The Snow Queen' at Arts Barn in partnership with The Montgomery Playhouse by Susan Brall

Sometimes theatrical professionals get the chance to write something special. Back in 1995, Laura Andruski (Book and Lyrics) and Sharilyn C. Reynolds (Music) created a musical version of Han…

'A Quick 5' with Jonathan Spector, Playwright of 'Eureka Day' at Theater J by Susan Brall

The 2025 Tony Award-winner for Best Revival of a Play, "Eureka Day," has finally come to Washington, DC. Written by Jonathan Spector and directed by Hayley Finn, the production will be openi…

Theatre Review: 'By the Way, Meet Vera Stark' at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

Award-winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, writes plays that deal with many of the issues of our times.  In "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark," she does not shy away from the racism in Hollywood …

Theatre Review: 'Little Miss Perfect' at Olney Theatre Center by Susan Brall

"Little Miss Perfect" began as a viral hit song by Joriah Kwamé on TikTok. It was developed into a full-length musical with the book, music, and lyrics by Kwamé. The production is debuting…

'A Quick 5' with Rob Gorman, Director, 'Enough to Let the Light In' at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

"Enough to Let the Light In" by Paloma Nozicka is a "psychological thriller" focusing on two friends, Marc and Cynthia. They celebrate one night but find they must deal with buried secrets w…

Theatre Review: 'A Man for All Seasons' presented by Kentlands Community Players in Partnership with Arts Barn by Susan Brall

"A Man for All Seasons" by Robert Bolt follows the career of Sir Thomas More in England during the reign of Henry VIII. Moore was a friend of Henry's and rose to the role of Lord Chancellor.…

'A Quick Five' with Daniel Chong, Violinist with the Parker Quartet at Chamber Music Maryland by Susan Brall

Chamber Music of Maryland always presents top talent in the world of classical music.  On January 24, 2026 they will be presenting the Parker Quartet. The Parker Quartet was formed a by u…

'A Quick 5' with Jeremy Keith Hunter, Director of 'Save My Black Soul' at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

Laurel Mill Playhouse has always been a supporter of new playwrights. For the past several years they have also been a showcase for plays about the plights, past and present, of minorities, …

'A Quick 5' with Emma Whipday, Playwright of Adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' at Compass Rose Theatre by Susan Brall

This year will be Jane Austen's 250th birthday. Over the centuries, Austen has amassed many fans from all over the globe. Whether they enjoy the Victorian view of culture or they see Austen …

'A Quick 5' with Trish Pisarra, Co-Producer and Actor in 'The Dreidel Players Present…Best Hanukkah Show Ever!' presented by the Sandy Sprin by Susan Brall

The holiday season will be starting before we know it. With that comes a plethora of holiday plays, most of them dealing with the Christmas. However, there is always a sprinkle of Hanukkah p…

'A Quick 5' with Carols Benetó of Spanish Brass, performing at Chamber Music of Maryland by Susan Brall

In keeping with their international flavors, Chamber Music of Maryland, will be presenting Spanish Brass on November 2, 2025. This world renown ensemble will be performing a wind array of mu…

'A Quick 5' with Kevin Sockwell, Director of 'Oklahoma' at Fun and Fancy by Susan Brall

Several months ago, I moved to Leisure World, a large senior community in Montgomery County. I was very pleased to find out that the community had its own theatrical group, Fun and Fancy. Fu…

'A Quick 5' with Zéphyrin Rey-Bellet, Artistic Director of Camerata Nordica Octet presented by Chamber Music Maryland by Susan Brall

A real treat is coming to the Smith Theatre at Howard Community College 0n October 11, 2025. Presented by Chamber Music Maryland, the Camerata Nordica Octet will be performing Mozart, Tchaik…

Theatre Review: 'The Woman in Black' presented by Rockville Little Theatre at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre by Susan Brall

If you like a good ghost story, you will not be disappointed with Rockville Little Theatre's production of "The Woman in Black," written by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Noel Schoonover…

Theatre Review: 'Four Old Broads' at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

In the same vein of humor that kept us laughing for over forty years watching episodes of "The Golden Girls," Laurel Mill Playhouse's production of "Four Old Broads," by Leslie Kimbell and d…

'A Quick 5' with Ching-Yi Lin, Pianist, performing at the McLean Community Center by Susan Brall

On September 21, 2025 Ching-Yi Lin, a young but celebrated artist, will be bringing his concert tour highlighting the 150th Anniversary of the renowned composer, Maurice Ravel, to the McLean…

Theatre Review: 'Saturday Night Fever' at Toby's Dinner Theatre by Susan Brall

The room temperature seems to rise as soon as the performers begin singing and dancing at the start of the production of "Saturday Night Fever" at Toby's Dinner Theatre. The show is adapted …

Theatre Review: '2025 One-Act Festival' at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

One-act plays are uniquely different in some ways from full length plays. Often they are wonderful vehicles for new writers, but some more seasoned playwrights indulge in them as well. Somet…

'A Quick 5' with Ben Bogen, Actor in 'The Inheritance, Parts One and Two' at Round House Theatre by Susan Brall

The Tony Award winning experimental drama, "The Inheritance Part One and Two" will be having its regional premiere at the end of August at Round House Theatre. "The Inheritance" was written …