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

‘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

Annandale has a parade

Columbia Pike was closed for a while this morning for the annual Annandale Parade sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. Scout troops, schools, businesses, a marching band, Bolivian dancers, local clubs, fire trucks, politicians, and more made their way down the street. Many paraders handed out candy to kids in Halloween costumes. [There are … Continued

Falls Church HS brings Homecoming to the streets

The Marching Jaguars lead the Falls Church High School Homecoming Parade. [Photos by Jason Anderson] Falls Church High School brought some school spirit into the community Oct. 20 as the annual Jaguar Homecoming Parade wound through the neighborhood. The cheerleaders and volleyball players.  After the parade, the FCHS community came together for a tailgate celebration … 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

Taste of Annandale: new details emerge

Check out the ad on a Fairfax Connector bus. With the Taste of Annandale just a few weeks away, we’ve got some updates to report, including new sponsors, food vendors, and entertainers. The Taste of Annandale is a free, family-friendly community festival on Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on Tom Davis Drive. That’s in … 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

In the moment: ‘A Little Night Music’ at Signature

Holly Twyford as Desiree Armfeldt, Will Gartshore as Carl-Magnus Malcolm, and Bobby Smith as Fredrik Egerman. [Photos by Christopher Mueller] By David Siegel Opening in 1973, “A Little Night Music” was part of the muscular turbulence of those well-remembered primal days of rage – rage that bred inhaled cynicism like a needed eye-opening drug into … Continued