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

‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ will delight the whole family

Amanda Ranowsky as Tock and Susan Kaplan as the Spelling Bee in “The Phantom Tollbooth.” [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players] By David Siegel “For our 20th anniversary season, we wanted to do something non-traditional in the holiday time slot. We have always liked the idea of presenting a fantasy rather than a traditional holiday show,” says Chip … Continued

‘Crazy for You’: Irresistible fun at Signature

Danny Gardner as Bobby Child and Ashley Spencer as Polly Baker in “Crazy for You.” [C. Stanley Photography] By David Siegel What a giddy, joyful afterimage of mouthwatering kinetic alchemy. Under the confident direction of chemistry-setter Mathew Gardiner, Signature Theatre has produced an irresistible “Crazy for You.” It is a musical built upon an enduring … Continued

Arts Council selects artist team and concept for public art engagement project in Seven Corners

surcreative’s preliminary design for the INOUT art installation.  The Arts Council of Fairfax County has selected an artist team known as “surcreative” to develop a public art engagement project at Seven Corners. This project, titled “INOUT,” will begin in spring 2018. Public engagement will take place at sites throughout the Seven Corners area, and the … Continued

The Taste of Annandale is tomorrow: 15 things you need to know

Come out and celebrate with the community tomorrow at the third annual Taste of Annandale. This festival, which is amounting to a huge block party, is Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Tom Davis Drive. The event features food from local restaurants and food trucks, live entertainment, a 5K race, a full schedule of … Continued

Review: ‘The Mistress Cycle’

The “Mistress Cycle” cast, from the left: Julia Capizzi (Anais Nin), Iyona Blake (LuLu White), Erica Clare (Tess Walker), Abby Middleton (Diane de Poitiers), and Justine Icy Moral (Ching). [Keith Water, Kx Photography] By David Siegel Illuminating what has been in the shadows, or usually whispered about, a new musical offers a delicately rendered look … Continued

Traditional Chinese fashions showcased at Taste of Annandale

The Chinese Culture Institute’s Hanfu Club is presenting a couture fashion show at the Taste of Annandale featuring traditional Chinese dress from the Han period. It is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The Chinese Culture Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an understanding of traditional Chinese culture through programs in education, language, business, and … Continued

Port City players present ‘Hamlet’ with a twist

Port City Playhouse is performing William Shakespeare’s classic “Hamlet” – with a twist – Oct. 13-28 right here in Mason District. Performances are at Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church. Hamlet, considered to be one of the greatest plays in the English language, follows the exploits of the title character, … Continued

Review: ‘Rapture, Blister, Burn’

Gianna Rap and Aly B. Ettman in :Rapture, Blister, Burn.” [Peter’s Alley Theater Company]. By David Siegel In these days of constant bombast and weaponized words, when sounding reasonable and wanting to be open to another person’s point of view sounds almost quaint, Peter’s Alley Theatre has taken a quiet approach for its production of … Continued

Play at 1st Stage explores the world of the incarcerated

Teresa Castracane and Louis Alberto Gonzalez. [Teresa Wood/1st Stage] By David Siegel With pounding performances from fiercely committed actors, audiences at 1st Stage witness the nightmare world of the incarcerated. It is a transfixing and unapologetic tale. The searing production is “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis, appearing through … Continued

School news: Snowplows and robots

Sleepy Hollow Elementary School Principal Eric Johnson performs with students at the back-to-school assembly. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. Voting at Stuart – People who live within the JEB Stuart High School … Continued