Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Brave Spirits Theatre presents a riveting performance of ‘The Dutchess of Malfi’

Katie Culligan as the Duchess. [Claire Kimball] By David Siegel  Words have lethal consequences in the clear-eyed, unflinching production of The Duchess of Malfi from Brave Spirits Theatre. Under the sure-handed direction of Casey Kaleba, this is a gripping performance full of verbal wrath, physical terror, and compelling characters. First published in 1623, John Webster’s … Continued

Dark passions emerge in ‘The Changeling’

Danielle Scott and Musa Gurnis in The Changeling. [Claire Kimball] By David Siegel Sex, sin, retribution, and vengeance are only starting points for Brave Spirit Theatre’s amped-up production The Changeling at the Lab Studio Theater in Alexandria. The Changeling is a passionate, 400-year-old Jacobean drama by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. This dark tale gains … Continued

A woman takes revenge in Providence Players’ ‘Lovers and Executioners’

The cast includes (from the left): Jaclyn Robertson, Joshua McCreary, Emily-Grace Rowson, Chuck O’Toole, Chris Persil, Kirstin K. Apker, and Scotty Stofko. [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players] By David Siegel The Providence Players is bringing “Lovers and Executioners,” a blend of classic swashbuckling entertainment with a contemporary flair, to its 212-seat theater in the James Lee Community Center. … Continued

Signature Theatre goes deep with ‘Passion’

Claybourne Elder (Giorgio) and Natascia Diaz (Fosca) in “Passion” at Signature Theatre. [Margot Schulman]  By David Siegel  Leaving Stephen Sondheim’s “Passion,” directed by Matthew Gardiner, I found one word to describe my reaction: Believable. Yes, believable. This Signature Theatre production of “Passion” took me inside its characters in ways previous productions had not. It has honesty and openness and a … Continued

New play at the Hub features friendship between Albert Einstein and Marian Anderson

Sasha Olinick By David Siegel Fairfax’s Hub Theatre is presenting the fully staged, world premiere of “The Secrets of the Universe (and other songs).” The production is based on little-known measures combating racism by two icons of 20th century America: African-American singer Marian Anderson and Jewish-American scientist Albert Einstein. Performances run through July 29. The … Continued

Racial issues explored in musical at Signature

The cast of “The Scottsboro Boys” at Signature Theatre. [C Stanley Photography] By David Siegel “Strip me naked. Take my name. Make me an animal. So you can kill me. Then forget all about me. Like I never happened. Like I don’t matter.” No, those unsettling words are not reactions to a racially charged recent … Continued