‘Best Line Wins’ at Contemporary American Theatre Festival

An entertaining new work about the legendary comedy team Nichols and May, as well as an in-depth look at the discrimination women experience. By ARNOLD SALTZMAN 

2026 District Fringe Review: ‘Swallowing My Shout’ by Theresa Cunningham (3 ½ stars)

Theresa Cunningham delivers a gripping autobiographical journey through abuse, survival, and the search for healing. By NICOLE HERTVIK

 ‘The Smoker’ at Contemporary American Theater Festival 

An apartment sidewalk in New York serves as a microcosm of a troubled America. By BOB ASHBY

‘Refugee Rhapsody’ at the Contemporary American Theater Festival

Yussef El Guindi’s play is a well-written, well-paced example of the thoughtful theater for which CATF is justly renowned. By BOB ASHBY

2026 District Fringe Review: ‘Who Did It? An Improvised Murder Mystery’ by Erick Acuña (4 ½ stars)

Kicking off District Fringe year two, the winner of the 2023 Capital Fringe Festival is a sure bet for a good time. By NICOLE HERTVIK

2026 District Fringe Review: ‘When I Was’ by MaKayla Baker Paxton (4 stars)

The playwright takes us back to her teenage angst in the early aughts, and her music-cued storytelling cuts deep. By JOHN STOLTENBERG

‘Best Line Wins’ at Contemporary American Theatre Festival

An entertaining new work about the legendary comedy team Nichols and May, as well as an in-depth look at the discrimination women experience. By ARNOLD SALTZMAN 

2026 District Fringe Review: ‘Swallowing My Shout’ by Theresa Cunningham (3...

Theresa Cunningham delivers a gripping autobiographical journey through abuse, survival, and the search for healing. By NICOLE HERTVIK

Come one, come all: how DMV-area community theaters approach accessibility and diverse audiences

With Pay-What-You-Can offers, sensory-friendly performances, ASL interpretation, and more, local theaters are striving for inclusivity. By VALERIE J. MIKLES

A grateful farewell to our New York correspondent, Deb Miller

For nearly a decade, Deb Miller has covered New York theater for DC Theater Arts superbly. By NICOLE HERTVIK

‘Beautiful: The Carole King Story’ showcases remarkable talent at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

The performers give every song energy and feeling and hit every comic and emotional moment spot on. By CHARLES GREEN

Calendar: Play Readings, Workshops, and Short-Run Theater Events in the DMV

Check back regularly for the most up-to-date information about workshops, readings, and short-run/single-performance events.