Magic Time!

This column is named after that magical moment between life and art just before a show begins. In it John Stoltenberg explores how art makes sense of life—and vice versa—as he reflects on meanings that matter in the theater he sees.

‘If/Then’ (Revisited) by John Stoltenberg

The first time I saw If/Then, I knew I would be seeing it again. The show’s beauty, originality, and heart won me over, and...

Magic Time! Reflections on ‘Mies Julie’ by John Stoltenberg

On the evidence of Mies Julie, Yael Farber, who wrote and directed it, must be counted among the most important theater artists on the world stage...

‘Magic Time!’ ‘The Laramie Project’ at Ford’s Theatre by John Stoltenberg

If you’re a theater buff who’s worried that the shutdown’s shuttering of Ford’s Theatre and the shunting of The Laramie Project to a nearby church means...

Magic Time!: ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by John Stoltenberg

The notorious aesthete Oscar Wilde believed that beauty is be-all and end-all. After The Painting of Dorian Gray met with moral outrage upon its publication in...

‘The Velocity of Autumn’ at Arena Stage at The Mead Center...

For $64,000, the funny thing about aging is…? Funny like strange or funny like—? Like LOL. Oh, okay, lemme think.  Haven’t got all day. Please, I need more time! Come...

Magic Time: ‘Molière’s Don Juan’ at Faction of Fools by John...

On top of the antic hilarity in Faction of Fools’ new production of Molière’s Don Juan, I had the funny feeling while watching this...

‘After the Revolution’ at Theater J by John Stoltenberg

Who would have guessed that a family drama about everyday ethics and far-left ideology could be so engrossing and engaging, the characters so real...

‘Torch Song Trilogy’ at The Studio Theatre by John Stoltenberg

Some plays don’t age well; they get dated but dusted off anyway. Some time-travel okay, and get mounted in modern dress. But rare is...

‘Inventing “Bell” at National Geographic: A Q&A with Rick Foucheux and...

National Geographic has been thinking outside its trademark yellow box a lot lately. The Society’s mission is “Inspiring people to care about the planet.”...

Reporting from The Page-to-Stage Festival: ‘The Good Devil, In Spite of...

If you’ve never made your way to The Kennedy Center’s Page-to-Stage fest, let me let you in on a few pleasures that await you...

Magic Time! ‘Now That ‘Bradass87’ Is Chelsea: A Q&A With Playwright...

Claire Lebowitz conceived a documentary theater piece called Bradass87 and crafted the script from primary sources—including Bradley Manning’s own online chats and instant messages, in which...

Mladinsko Theatre’s Production of ‘Nijinsky’s Last Dance’ by John Stoltenberg

“I am Nijinsky,” says the actor/dancer Primož Bezjak, in a tone almost primal. “The great Nijinsky.” He speaks in Slovenian as his words appear on...

‘Bradass87’ at Universalist National Memorial Church by John Stoltenberg

Who is the real Bradley Manning? Does anyone know? Can anyone know? These pressing and compelling questions ricochet today even in mainstream news media, which—more beholden to...

Magic Time! Keegan Theatre’s ‘A Few Good Men’ by John Stoltenberg

Exploding onstage like a fusillade of biting wit and badinage, A Few Good Men is getting a crackling-good production that makes this power-packed 1991 play feel...

Magic Time! Film Review: ‘Lovelace’ by John Stoltenberg

In 1972 some men made a film that did her wrong. Unspeakably and indelibly wrong. The film was named Deep Throat. Now some men—with two women...

Magic Time: ‘The Third Breast’ by John Stoltenberg

The Third Breast is a gritty play, produced by a gutsy company. The three actors are arresting; the music and visuals, appealing. But for...

Magic Time!: ‘Holy Joseph Smith! Lessons Learned From The Book of...

The Book of Mormon... CONTAINS HERESY. That’s not a preshow advisory you’ll find posted at The Kennedy Center where The Book of Mormon is playing to standing-room houses....

Magic Time! ‘One Night in New York!’ by John Stoltenberg

The term “gay musical theater” is almost redundant, especially for countless closeted teens who found they could forget their troubles and get happy when...

Magic Time: Oscar Wilde’s Salomé at Scena Theatre by John Stoltenberg

There’s some wondrous strange stuff in the Bible, but for out and out bizarro it’s hard to top the tale of the king Herod’s...