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

Community theater relocates to Mason District

The cast rehearses “Taking Sides,” [Port City Playhouse] Port City Playhouse, a community theater group that had been based in Alexandria since it was founded in 1977, has relocated to Mason District. The theater group moved into its new home at Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church, at 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, in November. Since … Continued

Youths are creating a vision of community through art

Some of the students involved in the GMU art project with Officer Kathleen O’Leary (center).  Local residents are invited to a community dialogue and pop-up art exhibit on the theme “Youth Re-imagining Community” May 3 at the DarAl-Hijrah Islamic Center in Seven Corners. The event, hosted by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community … Continued

Providence Players present “To Kill a Mockingbird”

From the left: Robert Heinly (as Atticus Finch), Caden Mitchell (Dill), Sophia Manicone (Scout), and Brendan Dure (Jem). [Chip Gertzog/Providence Players] By David Siegel A revered classic for five decades, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Harper Lee, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” will come to full life on stage in a presentation by the Providence Players. … Continued

School news: Big winners

Weyanoke students dressed up for the annual Heritage Festival. 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. A cultural celebration – Nearly 100 nationalities were represented at Weyanoke Elementary School’s annual Heritage Festival, which took place … Continued

‘Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing’ at Signature Theater

Debra Monk as Mrs. Miller. [Margot Schulman] By David Siegel With gentleness and clear affection for an unexpected heroine, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner James Lapine has written and directed with a disarming touch an endearing new play “with music” called “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing.” In its premiere at Signature Theatre, the production … Continued

An unusual evening of mind reading

Derek Jasper By David Siegel Local audience demand has been so robust that Evan Hoffmann, artistic director of NextStop Theatre in Herndon, said he “had to bring back Derek Jasper to the NextStop stage for a third time. It will be an evening of live entertainment like no other.” Jasper is a magician, mentalist, and … Continued

The Pipeline Playwrights host readings of new plays

From the left: Patricia Connelly, Jean Koppen, Soo-Jin Lee and Ann Timmons. [Pipeline Playwrights] By David Siegel Northern Virginia is very much alive in its support for original play development by local playwrights. The diversity of the Northern Virginia demographic provides for fresh experiences to base a play on. One example is the recent launch … Continued

School news – Lego logo

A Lego creation by professionals.  An occasional series highlighting information about Fairfax County Public Schools and programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information here is from FCPS and individual schools. A representatives from the Lego company’s U.S. headquarters in Connecticut visited Mason Crest Elementary School Feb. 21 to present a … Continued

In the Moment: the Jewish Plays Project at the JCC

Sarah Berry [JPP] By David Siegel We in the D.C. theater community are constantly on the prowl for new voices with diverse mindsets and new plays on emerging issues. There are many ongoing efforts to bring new playwrights and plays to the attention of theater leadership, current patrons, and a new generation of theater-goers. One … Continued

Edgy, unconventional dark comedy — ‘Trevor’ at 1st Stage theater in Tysons

Doug Wilder in “Trevor.” [Teresa Castracane] By David Siegel A rewarding tale about miscommunication in a family that generates plenty of laughs before a heart-wrenching turn of events makes “Trevor” a moving exploration of one family’s unusual bonds. The play can be seen at 1st Stage in Tysons Corner through Feb. 26. Inspired by true events, “Trevor” … Continued

Dramatic, suspenseful, colorful: ‘The Magic Marksman’ from the Virginia Opera

Corey Bix and Joseph Barron appear in “The Magic Marksman.” [Virginia Opera] By David Siegel “It’s a suspenseful thriller, with passionate romance and the struggle between good and evil.” That is how Adam Turner, principal conductor at the Virginia Opera, describes “The Magic Marksman,” the opera’s next offering at the Center for the Arts at George … Continued