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Washington, DC Interviews

The latest interviews about live + streaming theatre in Washington, DC.

Interview: Theatre Life with Danny Troob Photo
Interview: Theatre Life with Danny Troob
by Elliot Lanes - August 30, 2024

Today’s subject, Danny Troob, has been living his theatre life for over 50 years as an accomplished orchestrator and dance music composer. You can currently hear his orchestral brilliance in Signature Theatre’s production of Soft Power. The show runs through September 15th in The MAX....

Interview: Theatre Life with Christine Sherrill
by Elliot Lanes - August 15, 2024


Today’s subject Christine Sherrill is currently living her theatre life spreading the gospel of the joys of ABBA in the US National Tour of Mamma Mia! where she is playing the lead role of Donna. The show is currently running now through September first in the Opera House at Kennedy Center....

Interview: Theatre Life with Burke Swanson
by Elliot Lanes - August 05, 2024


Today’s subject Burke Swanson is currently living his theatre life playing the iconic role of George McFly in the North American tour of Back to The Future The Musical. The show is currently playing in the Opera House at Kennedy Center through August 11th....

Interview: Give Credit Where Credit is Due When it Comes to The Orchestrator!
by Elliot Lanes - June 21, 2024


Recently I wrote a Broadway World feature dealing with a partial restoration of Robert Ginzler’s original orchestrations for Bye, Bye, Birdie at the Kennedy Center by conductor John Bell with additional work by Joshua Clayton. When the piece was shared on social media, it started a bigger conversati...

Interview: Theatre Life with Abigail Bengson
by Elliot Lanes - June 19, 2024


Today’s subject Abigail Bengson is one half of the singer/songwriter folk song performing group known as The Bengsons. Their songs and music are currently helping to underscore and tell the story for Jeff Augustine’s play Where The Mountain Meets the Sea. The show is currently running in Signature T...

Interview: Theatre Life with Salar Nader
by Elliot Lanes - June 14, 2024


Today’s subject Salar Nader is currently living his theatre life as the Tabla Artist in the national tour of The Kite Runner. The show will conclude it’s tour in the Eisenhower Theater at Kennedy Center starting on June 25th and playing through June 30th....

Interview: Kennedy Center's Musical Director on Why BYE, BYE, BIRDIE's Orchestrations Sound Better Than Ever
by Elliot Lanes - June 10, 2024


Nowadays orchestra size has become more and more of an issue for me. Even when seeing productions of classic Broadway musicals, there is a tendency to reduce the size of the orchestra for more in the way of production elements. It’s even worse when a production “reimagines” the charts completely and...

Interview: Theatre Life with Simon Godwin
by Elliot Lanes - June 05, 2024


Today’s subject Simon Godwin is currently living his theatre life as the Artistic Director of DC’s Tony Award winning Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC). He assumed the position in 2019 succeeding the company’s founder Michael Kahn after a stunning 33-year reign....

Interview: Theatre Life with Stephen Cole
by Elliot Lanes - June 02, 2024


Today’s subject Stephen Cole is an accomplished lyricist, performer, and book writer. You can now add novelist to that already impressive list of accomplishments. Stephen Cole’s latest literary endeavor takes us back to the Golden Age of Broadway with his first novel entitled Mary & Ethel…and Mikey ...

This is Love! A Musical Supervisor Champions the Score of Broadway's THE NOTEBOOK
by Elliot Lanes - May 25, 2024


As we all know, the 23/24 Broadway theatre season has been one of the busiest in a very long time with many new plays and musicals opening within a short period. One of those shows was The Notebook. It features a score by pop writer Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunsetter. The show had a pr...

Interview: Theatre Life with Nora Palka
by Elliot Lanes - May 02, 2024


Today’s subject Nora Palka is currently living her theatre life at Signature Theatre playing Jeanie in their current production of Hair. The production runs through July seventh in the MAX. Hair is a homecoming for Nora to be sure. She grew up in the DC area and as you will read, credits Signature ...

Interview: Theatre Life with Katherine Goforth
by Elliot Lanes - April 19, 2024


Today’s subject Katherine Goforth is someone who can definitely be called a breakthrough artist to be sure. She is the inaugural recipient of Washington National Opera’s True Voice Award for transgender and non-binary singers. She will be making her Kennedy Center debut on May first at 6:00pm with a...

Interview: Theatre Life with Judy Kuhn
by Elliot Lanes - April 15, 2024


Today’s subject Judy Kuhn is known to musical theatre aficionados from her performances in Rags, Chess, Fun Home and more on Broadway. Currently this off the charts performer is living her theatre life at Arena Stage in Unknown Soldier in the role of Lucy Anderson. The production runs through May 5t...

Interview: Theatre Life with the Creative Team of PENELOPE
by Elliot Lanes - April 05, 2024


Today’s subjects Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz are currently living their theatre lives as the creative team for the DC premeire of Signature Theatre’s latest piece of musical greatness Penelope. The Greek myth inspired solo performer musical runs through April 28th in Signature’s AR...

Interview: Theatre Life with Peter Anastos
by Elliot Lanes - April 02, 2024


Today’s subject Peter Anastos has been living his theatre life as one of the co-Founders of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. The all- male dance troupe has been parodying the classics of ballet for 50 years now. You can see the company in action for three performances only from April fourth th...

Interview: Andrew Lippa on Being One of The Heroes of The Story for his Musical BIG FISH
by Elliot Lanes - March 20, 2024


Composer Andrew Lippa is probably best known for his musical The Addams Family but his work spans far beyond that one show. He wrote additional songs for the Broadway production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and wrote the off-Broadway version of The Wild Party....

Interview: Theatre Life with Psalmayene 24
by Elliot Lanes - March 06, 2024


Today’s subject Psalmayene 24 is someone we can aptly classify as the whole package when we talk about artists in the DC theatre community. He is an accomplished writer/actor/performer and educator whose work has been enjoyed by audiences of all ages over the years. Currently Psalmayene 24 is the di...

Interview: Theatre Life with Amelia Hensley
by Elliot Lanes - February 13, 2024


Today’s subject Amelia Hensley is currently living her theatre life at Signature Theatre as The Storyteller for the World Premiere musical Private Jones. The production runs through March 10th in Signature’s MAX space....

Interview: Theatre Life with Stephen Oremus
by Elliot Lanes - January 31, 2024


Today’s subject Stephen Oremus has been living his theatre life for many years now as a music director/pianist/orchestrator/arranger/musical supervisor. His career is something many of us dream of having but very few of us actually achieve. His current project brings him full circle. Stephen is the ...

Feature: An Advocate in Providing Arts For All Deb Gottesman's Passion is Awe Inspiring
by Elliot Lanes - January 23, 2024


If you have been following my writings over the years, you know that when someone asks me about what arts in education to go to in the DMV, The Theatre Lab School of The Dramatic Arts is the ONLY one I will recommend. For over thirty years, The Theatre Lab has been helmed by co-Founders Deb Gottesma...

Interview: A Voice for DC Theater and Beyond Says Goodbye.
by Elliot Lanes - December 29, 2023


If you have been around DC theatre for any length of time, you are very familiar with the writing of Chief Theater Critic for The Washington Post, Peter Marks. He has been the definitive voice of theater for the DMV and beyond for 21 years. On December 31st, Peter Marks’ stunning reign at The Washin...

Interview: Theatre Life with Faith Seetoo
by Elliot Lanes - December 22, 2023


Today’s subject Faith Seetoo is currently living her theatre life on the conductor’s podium as the musical director of the North American Tour of Disney’s Frozen. The show is currently running in the Opera House at Kennedy Center continuing through January 21st,2024....

Video: Chelsea Rose is Bringing Shakespeare to the 60s at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - December 20, 2023


What happens when the Bard meets the Beatles? Audiences are finding out in Washington, D.C.  In this video, watch as Chelsea Rose discusses As You Like It at Shakespeare Theatre Company....

Interview: Theatre Life with Gaelyn D. Smith
by Elliot Lanes - December 13, 2023


Today’s subject Gaelyn D. Smith is currently living her theatre life onstage at Studio Theatre in the show that just seems to keep going and going Fat Ham playing the role of Opal. The show is now running through January 14th in Studio’s Mead Theatre. For those of you thinking, “I’ll wait because th...

Interview: Chris Miller and Brian Usifer On Orchestrating The Avett Brothers For The Stage
by Elliot Lanes - December 08, 2023


Chris Miller and Brian Usifer are currently living their theatre lives as the co- Music Arrangers/Orchestrators of The Avett Brothers’ new musical Swept Away. Brian also serves as the Musical Supervisor for the show which runs through January 14th in the Kreeger Theater space at Arena Stage....

Interview: Theatre Life with Jeanine Tesori
by Elliot Lanes - December 03, 2023


Today’s subject Jeanine Tesori is a two-time Tony Award winning composer whose work spans the gamut from large scale and chamber musicals for Broadway to grand opera and beyond. Her holiday children’s opera The Lion, The Unicorn and Me premiered ten years ago at Kennedy Center as a commission for Wa...

Interview: Theatre Life with Erin Driscoll
by Elliot Lanes - November 20, 2023


Today’s subject Erin Driscoll is someone you are most likely familiar with if you have been inhabiting productions in our area theatres for any length of time. Her memorable leading performances include the title character in Violet at Ford’s Theatre and Cloak and Daggar at Signature Theatre. You mi...

Interview: Theatre Life with Marcus Yi
by Elliot Lanes - November 17, 2023


Today’s subject Marcus Yi is living proof that you can do it all and succeed in the theatre. Currently he is living his theatre life as the book, music, and lyric writer of the World Premiere Musical The Dragon King’s Daughter. The show runs from November 18th through December 17th in the Family The...

Interview: Theatre Life with Don Michael H. Mendoza
by Elliot Lanes - November 14, 2023


Today’s subject Don Michael H. Mendoza is a local artist now living his theatre life as one of the Co-Producers of the Immersive Broadway musical Here Lies Love. The show is slated to close on November 26th at the Broadway Theatre in New York and to be perfectly honest, it’s a shame that it is. More...

Interview: Theatre Life with Sir Bryn Terfel
by Elliot Lanes - November 13, 2023


Today’s subject Sir Bryn Terfel is a Grammy, Classical Brit, and Gramophone Award–winning recording artist with a discography encompassing operas of Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss, and more than 15 solo discs including Lieder, American musical theatre, Welsh songs, and sacred repertory. He is, rightful...

Interview: Theatre Life with Teal Wicks
by Elliot Lanes - November 08, 2023


Today’s subject Teal Wicks has what is known as the WOW factor. Every time I see her onstage in something, I can’t help using that expletive to describe her performance. Currently, Teal is living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre playing the role of Mother in Ragtime. The production runs...

Interview: Theatre Life with Danielle A. Drakes and Kelsey Mesa
by Elliot Lanes - September 29, 2023


Today’s subjects Danielle A. Drakes and Kelsey Mesa are currently living their theatre lives as the director and playwright respectively of Taffety Punk Theatre Company’s World Premiere production of La Salpêtrière. The show runs through October fourteenth at the company’s artistic home Capitol Hill...

Video: Meet the Leading Ladies (Who Lunch) of the COMPANY National Tour
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - September 26, 2023


In this video, watch as Company national tour stars Britney Coleman and Judy McLane chat with Richard Ridge about their iconic roles, the genius of Sondheim, and so much more!...

Interview: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD's Maeve Moynihan Shares her Journey to Becoming Scout in the National Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 26, 2023


In BroadwayWorld's exclusive interview, Maeve Moynihan discusses her journey and excitement of starring in the national tour of To Kill a Mockingbird. Read on to learn more about her experience and role as Scout....

Interview: Theatre Life with Erin Davie
by Elliot Lanes - September 08, 2023


Today’s subject Erin Davie is currently living her theatre life in Signature Theatre’s excellent production of Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman’s The Bridges of Madison County in which she plays the lead role of Francesca. The production continues through September 17th in Signature’s MAX space....

Interview: Theatre Life with Francis Jue
by Elliot Lanes - August 23, 2023


Today’s subject Francis Jue is currently living his theatre life performing the role of Duch in Cambodian Rock Band at Arena Stage. The production continues through August 27th in Arena’s Kreeger Theater space. The production will then continue without Jue on to Seattle’s ACT Contemporary Theatre as...

Interview: Theatre Life with Liz Mikel
by Elliot Lanes - July 05, 2023


Today’s subject Liz Mikel is currently living her theatre life on tour playing Dr. Benjamin Franklin, delegate from Pennsylvania, in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of 1776. The show is currently running through July 16th at Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre....

Interview: Theatre Life with Lea Salonga
by Elliot Lanes - June 14, 2023


The term Broadway royalty can only be given to a handful of performers. Today’s subject Leas Salonga is one of those people. You probably know her best as the singing voices of Princess Jasmine and Mulan in Disney’s Aladdin and Mulan, but she is also an accomplished Broadway and concert performer wh...

Interview: Theatre Life with Andrew Veyette
by Elliot Lanes - June 06, 2023


Today’s subject Andrew Veyette is currently living his theatre life as the longest running dancer with New York City Ballet. The company begins a two-program week-long engagement at Kennedy Center this evening that continues through June 11th in the Opera House....

Interview: Theatre Life with Peter Salem
by Elliot Lanes - May 25, 2023


Today’s subject Peter Salem is currently living his theatre life as the composer of Scottish Ballet’s production of The Crucible. The show runs now through May 28th at Kennedy Center in the Eisenhower Theater....

Interview: Theatre Life with Sarna Lapine
by Elliot Lanes - May 05, 2023


Today's subject Sarna Lapine is currently living her theatre life at the directing helm of Signature Theatre's upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's gothic musical masterpiece Sweeney Todd. The production begins performances on May 16th and will play through July 9th in Signature Theatre's MAX s...



Videos


The 22+ Weddings of Hugo in Washington, DC The 22+ Weddings of Hugo
GALA Hispanic Theatre (9/5 - 9/29) Tracker
Oh My Heart, Oh My Home in Washington, DC Oh My Heart, Oh My Home
Studio Theatre's Stage 4 (9/6 - 9/22)
Life of Pi in Washington, DC Life of Pi
The Kennedy Center - Eisenhower Theater (12/17 - 1/5)
Chicago in Washington, DC Chicago
Capital One Hall (5/30 - 6/1)
Matilda in Concert With Danny DeVito & David Newman in Washington, DC Matilda in Concert With Danny DeVito & David Newman
Concert Hall at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (4/25 - 4/26)
Shear Madness in Washington, DC Shear Madness
Theater Lab at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (10/3 - 9/29)
American Festival Pops Orchestra - Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season in Washington, DC American Festival Pops Orchestra - Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Center for the Arts at George Mason University (12/14 - 12/14)
Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque in Washington, DC Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque
Hylton Performing Arts Center (11/16 - 11/17)
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