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Donizetti’s ‘Elixir of Love’ is a busy TV rom-com at Annapolis...

Though there were stretches of sublime, finely-honed comedy, the effect was all too much happening at once. By SUSAN GALBRAITH

 ‘Migraaaaants!’ at ExPats Theatre on the border between sendup and serious

Subtitled 'There's Too Many of Us on This Damn Boat!,' the play is as enjoyable in its theatricality as it is heartwrenching in its content. By JOHN STOLTENBERG

Virginia Opera’s emotional ‘Madama Butterfly’ tells heartbreaking story

The tear-jerking plot, gripping score, and heartfelt singing combined to produce a powerful evening of opera. By WILLIAM POWELL

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ opens hearts with humor at Workhouse Arts Center

Transcendent themes about love, community, and the comforting humanity of pain anchor this brave show in a hopeful place. By JILLIAN PARKS

‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ spells must-see at Compass Rose Theater

The musical shows the quirky, chaotic side of middle school spelling bees, and the actors have excellent comic timing and hit the emotional moments well. By CHARLES GREEN

Raise a toast to reimagined ‘Company’ on tour at Kennedy Center

Fresh from its Tony Award–winning run on Broadway, a robust revival of Stephen Sondheim’s sophisticated and acerbic dark-comedy musical. By GEOFFREY MELADA

Waiting mate gets her say in spellbinding ‘Penelope’ at Signature Theatre

In new cabaret-style musical about Odysseus’ long-suffering wife, Jessica Phillips takes on Alex Bechtel’s stunning songs with total mastery. By AMY KOTKIN

The estates of Macbeth and Lady M face off uproariously in...

Some lawyers in the audience appeared to be following the arguments closely; others were laughing too hard. By SOPHIA HOWES

The ‘ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds’ exhibit at Artechouse: Is it theater?

A visit to fantasy worlds in technology-driven experiential art points to provocative possibilities in performance and production. By JOHN STOLTENBERG

Laugh-packed and hard-hitting ‘School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play’...

Jocelyn Bioh’s script cleverly weaves in the social issues African girls grapple with, and each member of the cast of eight is impressive in their role. By TENIOLA AYOOLA

IN Series’ music drama ‘Las Místicas de México’ mixes playful and...

Aiming to be more than mere entertainment, the marvelously well-sung immersive experience plays like a prophetic call to reckoning. By GREGORY FORD

Fresh new family show ‘Princess and the Pea’ premieres at Creative...

In this delightful musical retelling of the classic tale, the lowly pea takes centerstage. By DEBBIE MINTER JACKSON

‘Songbird’ soars into Kennedy Center with slapstick and farce galore

A kooky cast of characters and ridiculous comedy make up Washington National Opera's fun night in a 1920s New Orleans speakeasy. By KJ MORAN VELZ

A richly theatrical mother-and-son memoir in ‘Avaaz’ at Olney

Playwright Michael Shayan plays both a single Jewish woman immigrating from Tehran to Los Angeles and her queer American-born son, himself. By MORGAN PAVEY

With John Gallagher Jr., heartbreak feels good at a place like...

In heartfelt original music and moving covers, Gallagher revealed his easy versatility across genres, and his stellar dramatic talents were on full display. By D.R. LEWIS

Liberal thinking and racism on trial in ‘The Niceties’ at Perisphere...

A debate between a Black social activist college student and a white liberal history professor propels a brilliant and important play. By ANDY ARNOLD

‘Coriolanus’ as video game scores big at Avant Bard and Longacre...

In a co-production that enhances both companies' reputation for pushing creative boundaries, Coriolanus has been turned into a human weapon. By SOPHIA HOWES

Big laughs and bawdy fun in ‘The Book of Mormon’ on...

Each musical number is more hilarious than the last, and every crude line or lewd joke is delivered with radiant joy and innocence. By HALEY HUCHLER

Two Asian American mean girls get Macbethian, in ‘Peerless’ at GW

In a production featuring talented George Washington University students, the drama of college admissions takes on Shakespearean proportions. By DANIELLA IGNACIO

In ‘Prince Caspian’ at Museum of the Bible, true theatrical magic...

Magnificent puppets help bring C.S. Lewis’ adventure vividly to life in a touring production from Logos Theatre with not a dull moment. By JEFFREY WALKER