CultureVulture Washington Archives

Q & A with Lanna Joffrey

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Nella Vera Etc February 28, 2020 Washington,

“A Thousand Splendid Suns”, a new play based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Khaled Hosseini (“Kite Runner”), focuses on the lives of two women in war-torn Afghanistan. Adapted for the stage by Ursula Rani Sarma and directed ...

Moby-Dick, Washington, DC

This operatic version of an American classic gets better the more it's performed.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music February 24, 2014 DC,

The Washington National Opera production of “Moby-Dick” is a crowd pleaser. Jake Heggie’s music is tonal, sometimes glancing off Puccini, but ventures out with touches of Philip Glass minimalism and other occasions of atonality that make it satisfyingly contemporary. Maestro ...

Mother Courage and Her Children, Washington, DC

This lively staging of Brecht's masterpiece gets its punch from the magnetic Kathleen Turner.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Theater February 7, 2014 DC,

Masterful, magnetic, and entertaining best describe the outstanding performance seen Feb. 6 by stage and screen star Kathleen Turner in the uniquely engaging Arena Stage production of Bertolt Brecht’s masterpiece “Mother Courage and Her Children.” With lines like “No one ...

Drew Cortese and Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan in the Folger's

Richard III, Washington, DC

The Folger's new production leaves the audience engaged, if not breathless.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Theater February 3, 2014 DC,

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s Elizabethan theater has been transformed from its usual proscenium stage to theater in the round for Robert Richmond’s extraordinary production of “Richard III.” Every element — actors, costumes, scenic design, lighting, sound design and music — ...

David Greilsammer at Kennedy Center

The pianist wows both sides of the classical divide with innovative performances of Scarlatti and Cage.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music January 13, 2014 DC,

Making his Kennedy Center debut, pianist David Greilsammer is not only a talented musician but also a man with engaging ideas that reach out to audiences across a wide spectrum of musical history. As part of its Hayes Piano Series, ...

Salome, Washington, DC

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music October 15, 2010 DC,

Deborah Voigt in the title role of "Salome" Photo by Scott Suchman Salome Music and libretto by Richard Strauss (in German, based on the Biblical story and Oscar Wilde’s play Salome) Conducted by Philippe Auguin Directed by Francesca ...

Hamlet, Washington National Opera

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music May 28, 2010 DC,

Hamlet Liam Bonner and Elizabeth Futral in Ambroise Thomas' "Hamlet" at Washington National Opera Opera in five acts Music by Ambroise Thomas Libretto in French by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier, adapted from William Shakespeare’s play "Hamlet" Conducted ...

Ariadne auf Naxos, Washington D.C.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music October 30, 2009 DC,

Ariadne auf Naxos Music by Richard Strauss Libretto by Hugo van Hofmannsthal Conducted by Andreas Delfs Directed by Chris Alexander Washington National Opera October 24-November 13, 2009 http://www.dc-opera.org/ Photo: Karin Cooper Transformation is the focus of Richard ...

Falstaff, Washington D.C.

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music October 17, 2009 DC,

Falstaff Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Arrigo Boito based on William Shakespeare’s plays The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV Conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing Directed by Christian Räth Washington National Opera October 10-30, 2009 http://www.dc-opera.org/ Photo: ...

Little Women

Karren LaLonde Alenier Music February 18, 2007 DC,

by Mark Adamo Summer Opera Theatre Company of Washington, DC June 16, 20, and 24, 2007 website Since it’s 1998 premiere by the Houston Grand Opera, Mark Adamo’s first opera Little Women has remarkably joined the ...