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

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

‘Girlfriend’ at Signature: a tale of personal discovery with songs by Matthew Sweet

Lukas James Miller (standing) and Jimmy Mavrikes in “Girlfriend.” [Christopher Mueller] “Girlfriend,” currently appearing at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, is a sensitively constructed and gracefully performed coming-of-age musical about two late teen boys having an unexpected first crush that turns into love between them. The arc of this production is the journey of the two young men, … Continued

Free summer concerts start in June

Taiwanese Culture Night at Ossian Hall Park is scheduled for June 30. From big band to rock, bluegrass to international music, there will free concerts in Annandale four nights a week all summer long. The Spotlight by Starlight Summer Concert series starts June 16 with Chinese Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park, 7900 Heritage … Continued

‘Fly By Night’ soars at 1st Stage

Sasha Olinick, Tiziano D’Affuso, Ryan Manning, Caroline Wolfson, Aaron Bliden, Farrell Parker, and Jamie Smithson in “Fly By Night” at 1st Stage. [Teresa Castracane/1st Stage] By David Siegel With plenty of upbeat energy and buoyant voices, a clever musical, “Fly By Night,” is making its area premiere at 1st Stage in Tysons. It is the … Continued

Huge used book sale at George Mason Regional Library starts today

The used book sale at George Mason Regional Library has some rare antiquities, beautiful art books, signed first editions, and more treasures, as well as bestsellers, science fiction, how-to books, travel guides, cookbooks, children’s books, classics, romance novels, foreign language books, music CDs, movies, and much more. The book sale, hosted by George Mason Friends is … Continued

‘The Pavilion’ explores the human spirit

From the left: Matt Bassett, Nora Achrati, and Helen R. Murray in “The Pavilion.” [C. Stanley Photography] By David Siegel Aching and raw, sweet and lamenting, Hub Theatre’s production of “The Pavilion” is a master class of three D.C.-area actors in command of playwright Craig Wright’s lyrical, melodic language about love, loss, regret, and mercy. … Continued

Supervisors approve daycare facility for seniors/banquet hall in central Annandale

  An illustration of the proposed Sunflower senior daycare facility/banquet hall.  The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 20 approved a rezoning special exception to allow the construction of a combination adult daycare center and banquet hall on the site of the Kids’ Choice indoor sports center at 4317 Ravensworth Road in Annandale.   … Continued

Local theaters nominated for Helen Hayes Awards

“Crazy for You at Signature” was nominated for outstanding musical production, choreography, ensemble in a musical, and lead actor in a musical (Danny Gardner).   Several theatrical productions covered in the Annandale Blog have been nominated for 2018 Helen Hayes Awards. One of the country’s most prestigious cultural honors, the Helen Hayes Awards recognize and celebrate … Continued