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