From Cold War inspired films to rhythmic mixed media plays , here are our top theater picks.
By: Jordan Wright
Dizzy Miss Lizzie's Roadside Revue (Courtesy photo) 
A spy versus counter-spy farce, á la “How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb”. Set during the Cold War days this madly irreverent spoof of Hollywood’s film noir spy movies of the ‘30’s and 40’s, deals with our Russian “frienemies”, a term coined by Walter Winchell, and is written by award-winning playwright Michael Hollinger.
Frank and Maggie in Washington Stage Guild's "Red Herring" ( Stanley Photography)
Through March 27th at The Undercroft Theatre at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church by the Washington Stage Guild.
Paige in Full
A theatrical mix-tape blending poetry, dance, media and live music from The Hegira, a performing group of DC-based artists that write pieces related to women of color. This one-woman coming of age performance piece is written by Paige Hernandez, resident artist and teacher at Arena Stage and Wolf Trap. In it Hernandez, who is also a dancer and choreographer, relates her auto-biographical journey of self-discovery as an Asian, African-American and Cuban woman living in Baltimore. Penetrating and poignant.
Paige Hernandez in Paige in Full at the Atlas Theatre (Photo credit: Jati Lindsay)
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 12th at Atlas Theatre during the Intersections Festival.
Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Revue Presents Finn McCool
Described as rowdy, raucous, loud and literate this rock n’ roll retelling of the classic story of the legendary Irish giant, Finn McCool, is guaranteed to get your Irish up in time for St. Patrick’s Day. A smash hit at last year’s Capital Fringe Festival, the show conjures a brave hero, a cycloptic henchman, Druids and one mean fairy. Crib the drinking song for your bar repertoire.
Through March 20th at Woolly Mammoth, Washington, DC.
Maximum India
Splashy, sexy and fun, this Bollywood-on-the-Potomac celebration has everything – theatre, music, exhibits and dance from all four corners of India. Featuring classic and contemporary performers, artists and film stars, this exotic cultural journey explores ancient temple dance forms as well as a modernist interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s play, “When We Dead Awaken”, performed in Manipuri with English subtitles.
Major Bling Alert: Check out the fabulous gems in the jewelry exhibition…one hundred thousand diamonds in a single wedding necklace…but who’s counting anyway.
Special Indian menus have been created by twelve master Indian chefs flown in for the occasion and will be served in the totally transformed Rooftop Restaurant and KC Café throughout the festival.
On March 16th the Indian film star, Shabana Azmi stars in the one-woman psychological thriller, “Broken Promises”.
Through March 20th at the Kennedy Center.
Madama Butterfly
Puccini’s most romantic opera, set in Nagasaki at the close of the 19th C, again graces the Kennedy Center stage. The tragic yet tender tale of interracial love, marriage and abandonment between the beautiful Japanese ‘Butterfly’ and an American serviceman resonates today. With music so haunting and beautiful, it’s no surprise it’s the most produced opera in America today.
Through March 19th at the Kennedy Center as presented by the Washington National Opera.
Scene in "Madama Butterfly" (Photo by:Scott Suchman for the Washington National Opera)
