Synesthesia: Audio-Described Performances in February 2014
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Tuesday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 15, at 2 p.m.
Audio Describer: Richard Collins; Program Notes: Sylvia Rosenthal (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
Violet
Ford’s Theatre
Washington, DC
A touching story of love, hope and healing. In the early 1960s, a young woman travels across the South in search of a miracle. On her journey, she meets two young soldiers who help her learn about courage, beauty and her own self-worth. With a dynamic score of bluegrass, gospel, country and rock by Jeanine Tesori. Directed by Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun.
For more information visit https://www.fords.org/event/violet
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Saturday, February 8 , at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 15 , at 1:30 p.m.
Audio Describers: Mary Lou Fisher or Marianne Metz
Peter and the Starcatcher
Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater
Washington, DC
Winner of five Tony Awards, this innovative and imaginative prequel to Peter Pan–based on the best-selling Disney-Hyperion novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson–takes a hilarious, swashbuckling romp through the Neverland you never knew. A company of twelve actors plays more than a hundred unforgettable characters, all on a journey to answer the century-old question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Never Grew Up? This epic origin story of one of popular culture’s most enduring and beloved characters proves that your imagination is the most captivating place in the world.
Visit https://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=TOTSG B, or call the box office, at (202) 467-4600.
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Saturday, February 8, at 2:00 p.m.
Audio Describer: Sylvia Rosenthal; Program Notes: Marianne Metz (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
The Tallest Tree in the Forest
Arena Stage – Kreeger, at the Mead Center
Washington, DC
Bursting with soulful music and poetic storytelling, The Tallest Tree in the Forest combines the theatrical talents of award-winning artist Daniel Beaty with acclaimed director Moisés Kaufman. Discover the true story of Paul Robeson, hailed as the ‘best known black man in the world’ for his incomparable singing and acting, brought low by accusations of disloyalty to America. Backed by a live band, Beaty examines how a man can remain an artist when his soul cries out to be an activist.
Visit https://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/the-tallest-tree-in-the-forest/, or call (202) 488-3300.
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Sunday, February 9, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Stones in His Pockets
CENTERSTAGE
Baltimore, Maryland
When a big Hollywood film crew takes over a small Irish town in this play by Marie Jones, the locals line up to earn their “40-quid-a-day” as extras—and maybe pursue some dreams of their own. Charlie wants to write a blockbuster screenplay, while Jake would settle for a date with the lovely leading lady. But where they and their neighbors ultimately end up surprises them all.
Call (410) 332-0033, or visit https://tix.centerstage.org.
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Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.
Audio Description and Program Notes by Janet Carsetti and Bob Coley (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Olney Theatre Center’s Mainstage
Olney, MD
A musical comedy of the “Mad Men” era, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who climbs the corporate ladder from window washer to high-powered exec. Can Finch tackle such potent dangers as the CEO’s nephew, the aggressively compliant “company man,” the office party, backstabbing co-workers, caffeine addiction and multiple inter-office love affairs?
Call (301) 924-3400, or visit https://www.olneytheatre.org.
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Saturday, February 15, at 3:00 p.m.
Audio Describer: Dennis McCoy; Program Notes: Bob Coley (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
Seminar
Round House Theatre
Silver Spring, MD
Writing turns into a contact sport in the fast, funny, and smart new comedy by Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck, Broadway’s most-produced female playwright. Four aspiring young novelists sign up for private classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon, and hearts come unmoored.
Call (240) 644-1100, or visit https://www.roundhousetheatre.org.
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Saturday, February 15, at 8:00 p.m.
Audio Describer: Marianne Metz; Program Notes: Dennis McCoy (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
La Cage aux Folles
McLean Community Players
The Alden Theatre
McLean, VA
“La Cage aux Folles, at its heart, is a story about family and the sacrifices that parents make to ensure their children’s happiness.” — Director Hans Bachmann.
Georges, the owner of a popular drag nightclub in San Tropez, and Albin, the club’s star, have lived together in unwedded bliss for twenty years. Jean Michel, the son they have raised together, throws the happy household into hilarious turmoil by announcing that he is going to marry Anne, the daughter of an ultra-conservative politician. The impending visit of Anne’s parents propels everyone into frenzied activity. The original 1984 production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
Call (703) 790-9223, or visit https://www.mcleanplayers.org/MCP/Show.cfm?ShowID=262
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Sunday, February 16, at 2:00 p.m.
Audio Describer: Mary Lou Fisher
Tribes
The Studio Theatre
Washington, DC
Tribes features a deaf protagonist, Billy, whose hearing family forces him to read lips. Billy has been deaf since birth. His sister, brother and parents are smart, cultured and love to argue, but they don’t listen very well. All of that changes when Billy meets a girl who is losing her own hearing.
Tribes, by British writer Nina Raine, won the New York Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play in 2012. Gallaudet University alumnus James “Joey” Caverly, who is deaf, stars as Billy.
Visit https://www.studiotheatre.org/calendar/view.aspx?id=4577, or call (202) 332-3300.
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Saturday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Audio Describers: John Feist or Mike Cohen
Washington National Opera: Moby-Dick
The Kennedy Center Opera House
Washington, DC
One man’s obsession leaves a lethal wake of destruction in Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s triumphant new opera of Herman Melville’s 19th-century literary masterwork.
Bent on killing the fabled white whale that severed his leg, Captain Ahab relentlessly scours the ocean without regard for the living souls who serve him aboard the Pequod. Among the loyal crew–including lookout Greenhorn, cabin boy Pip, and island native Queequeg-only first mate Starbuck recognizes the futility of their pursuits. As Ahab spirals further into madness with each rising wave, no one can escape the inevitable, epic showdown between man and beast, fanaticism and reason.
With its massive nautical sets, dazzling multimedia effects, and an achingly beautiful score, Jake Heggie’s critically acclaimed opera sweeps audiences straight out to the high seas as Director Leonard Foglia leads the cast in performances conducted by Evan Rogister, a dynamic young American maestro in his Washington National Opera debut.
Visit https://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=OOOSB, or call (202) 467-4600.
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Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m.
Audio Describer and Program Notes: To be announced (The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.)
American Idiot
National Theatre
Washington, DC
The winner of two Tony Awards, American Idiot is the story of three boyhood friends searching for meaning. Songs include “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. American Idiot features the music of Green Day and the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, direction by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), choreography by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Black Watch), music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), Tony Award-winning set design by Christine Jones and Tony Award-winning lighting design by Kevin Adams.
Visit https://thenationaldc.org, or call (800) 514-3849.
