Favorite ‘Scene Stealers’ of the 2012-2013 DC Area Theater Season: Part 3

There were many wonderful Scene Stealing moments on DC Metro Area stages in our professional, community, children’s, and university theaters during the past theater season (August 1, 2012-August 1, 2013). The DCMetroTheaterArts staff has selected its favorite Scene Stealers. Here’s our third set of honorees:

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From Jessica Vaughan:

Kevin Adams is an old sourpuss who runs a struggling bar in Keegan Theatre’s. Photo by Jim Coates.
Kevin Adams is an old sourpuss who runs a struggling bar in Keegan Theatre’s. Photo by Jim Coates.

Kevin Adams’ transformation in An Irish Carol at The Keegan Theatre.

The Keegan Theatre company member and Irish ex-pat Matthew Keenan has rewritten Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to be set in a modern Irish pub. Kevin Adams stole the show as David, the modern day Scrooge. His supporting cast was fantastic as long-time pub customers who formed the ghosts of Christmas, but his epiphany came in the form of a letter from his former fiancée. It was a silent moment of great acting that had tears streaming down my face.

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From Jessica Vaughan:

Steve Beall and Janice Hall. Photo courtesy of Quotidian Theatre Company.
Steve Beall and Janice Hall. Photo courtesy of Quotidian Theatre Company.

Steve Beall and Janice Hall singing “Goldenhair” in James Joyce’s The Dead at the Quotidian Theatre Company.

These two actors stole the show with their portrayal of the old married couple Gabriel and Gretta Conroy, still very much in love but with a long past behind them. In her solo “Goldenhair,” Hall sang with a haunting voice about her first love, which was a shock to her husband narrating the piece. They were a match for each other in every way and that heartbreaking moment he realized you can never know another person completely seemed to capture the epitome of all of Joyce’s work.

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From Carolyn Kelemen:

Sonia in The Washington Ballet's 'The Sun Also Rises.' Photo by Brianne Bland.
Sona Kharatian in The Washington Ballet’s ‘Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises.’ Photo by Brianne Bland.

Sona Kharatian in The Washington Ballet’s Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises. 

The Washington Ballet’s recent production of offered at least a half dozen scene stealing moments, but my favorite was a sexy solo by Sona Kharatian who seduced the author and a whole lot more. With legs that go on forever, this beautiful woman knows how to wrap her legs around a man and wrap an audience with her talent.

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From Andrew Baughman:

Ben Lurye (Jesus), and Robert Bradley (Judas). Photo by Rosemary Malecki, courtesy of Opera AACC.
Ben Lurye (Jesus), and Robert Bradley (Judas). Photo by Rosemary Malecki, courtesy of Opera AACC.

Ben Luyre singing “Gethsemene” as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at Opera Anne Arundel Community College.

Singing one of the most challenging songs in the granddaddy of all rock operas, young Ben Luyre made an impression that lucky AACC audiences will never forget. His soaring rendition blended the technique of a highly trained vocalist with the passionate characterization of a gifted actor. Who knew that Sunday matinee production would deliver a Broadway caliber performance? One of the great joys of attending college productions is the moment you first spot a performer who seems destined for greatness. I look forward to following Ben’s career!
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From Keith Tittermary:

Helen Reddy. Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap.
Helen Reddy. Photo courtesy of Wolf Trap.

Helen Reddy Singing “I Am Woman” at Wolf Trap.

Helen Reddy’s rendition of her tour de force “I Am Woman” brought down the house at Wolf Trap in March. The recently “unretired” singer still has the vocal power that made her a 70’s music icon. Her entire concert was evening of highlights from her opening “The Stars Fell on California” to her witty banter with the audience. Ms. Reddy should have never left the stage and I’m glad she decided to return to where she belongs. 

From Jessica Vaughan:

The cast of 'Ragtime.' Photo courtesy of Kensington Arts Theatre.
The cast of ‘Ragtime.’ Photo courtesy of Kensington Arts Theatre.

The Cast of Ragtime sing the Opening Number of Ragtime at Kensington Arts Theatre.

I could not pick out one scene-stealer in this production, and that in itself became the scene stealer. So often in community theater there is one star that no one else can compare to or a company that are really good dancers with so-so voices or vice versa, but it was not true for this production. Throughout the whole thing, I couldn’t stop thinking, “Where did they find these actors?” Malinda Markland, Eben K. Logan, Sayne-Kharyi Lewis, Benjamin Greenfield, Harrison Smith and Brad Carnes-Stein had the major roles in the three immigrant families and every one of them shined, especially on the opening “Ragtime,” as they conjured hundreds of years of American history with their voices and moves

LINKS
Ben Lurye & Robert Bradley on Anne Arundel Community College’s Jesus Christ Superstar.

Favorite ‘Scene Stealers’ of the 2012-2013 DC Area Theater Season: Part 1
Favorite ‘Scene Stealers’ of the 2012-2013 DC Area Theater Season: Part 2.


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