All articles by Elle Marie Sullivan
In 1998 the hit television series "Whose Line is it Anyway?" premiered. This show brought improvisational comedy to a wider audience and introduced folks to the comedy of the original cast. …
One of the most famous Romantic composers is Johannes Brahms. His work is meticulous and highly structured and a common concert selection. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Pe…
This month throughout The Kennedy Center there is programming surrounding the theme of "Unexpected Italy." The National Symphony Orchestra will feature two programs, the first contained work…
The National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a true delight right here in Washington, DC. Their strength as an ensemble allows them to master many…
4 men. 3 years. No women. Only studying and fasting. This is the start of William Shakespeare's "Love's Labor's Lost." What ensues is a wildly outrageous comedy unlike any of Shakespeare's o…
What happens when a Canadian teenage heartthrob pop star wants to revamp his image with the help of his favorite hip-hop duo? They, of course, create a reality TV show. That is the premise b…
Choral Arts Society of Washington created a beautiful program for Dupont Underground, the creative and urban venue truly beneath Dupont Circle. It's cavernous feeling space created gorgeous …
Art Basel is one of the premier art events of the year in Miami Beach. It attracts the ultra-wealthy with its lavish parties and wild festivities. It portrays a relevant backdrop to a modern…
One of the most identifiable operas has to be Georges Bizet's "Carmen," which was first performed in 1875. The "Habanera" and the "Toreador Song" are two recognizable arias that even non-ope…
Solas Nua, the DC- based Irish arts group, has worked for years to highlight modern Irish art and culture. This organization is committed to presenting and producing engaging Irish art to au…
Refugees are a big topic lately here in Washington, DC. The land of in-between, where your future hangs on a packet of paperwork and some interviews is daunting, no matter where you come fro…
To hear Sephardic music is to learn Sephardic history and culture. These are the songs that were passed down orally by the Jewish people in Spain and Portugal to their children where they se…
J.B. Priestley's “An Inspector Calls” was first performed in 1945 and was dropped into that vast genre of "drawing-room drama." In 1992 Stephen Daldry revived the play in London …
Molly Smith Metzler's play “Cry it Out” follows three new moms as they begin their journey into parenthood. Every mother-baby relationship is different but how much to socio econ…
Leonard Bernstein was one of the most influential conductors and composers of the 20th century. His lasting legacy has been celebrated all over the world this year to celebrate his centenary…
Baritone John Brancy and pianist Peter Dugan have committed their careers to exploring and honoring the music of the First World War. Their performance of 'Armistice: The Journey Home' at th…
Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Two great Americans few people have not at least heard of. Few realize that the two were dear friends who both desperately fought for voting rights a…
Washington Bach Consort is committed to celebrating the work of Johann Sebastian Bach and his Baroque contemporaries. Over the years they have performed many concerts around the world of his…
Niccolò Jommelli's “Cerere Placata” with libretto by Michele Sarcone was written in 1772 for the baptism of Princess Maria Teresia di Borbonne of Naples and Sicily. It is of a…
Faction of Fools, Washington DC's only Commedia dell'arte company, has brought “Henry V” to life with its signature style. With a scrappy and nimble aesthetic, they took what is …
Young soprano Hyesang Park has been making a name for herself in opera around the world. Vocal Arts DC brought this charming and sweet young singer to The Kennedy Center for her Washington, …
What do Mozart's celebrated opera “The Marriage of Figaro” and TS Eliot's masterpiece "Four Quartets" have to do with one another? “Figaro in Four Quartets” brings th…
In 2015 the University of Cape Town (UCT) in Cape Town, South Africa, faced something pivotal that has since brought the topic of decolonization to a more global audience. The statue of Ceci…
Bram Stoker's classic horror story “Dracula” has captivated and terrified audiences since 1897. Stoker paved the way for vampire lore and fantasy. In the original novel, Count Dr…
The 1994 musical “Passion” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine won the Tony Award that year for best musical. It was inspired by the film 'Passione d'Amore' which was based on t…
Artie Shaughnessy wants to write music for the movies. Bunny Flingus wants to see the pope. Ronnie Shaughnessy wants to be noticed. Bananas Shaughnessy wants to feel loved. These four wants …
The music of Motown shaped a generation and is still popular today. It contributed greatly to racial integration in popular music. Motown now refers to the distinct soul meets pop sound, but…
Life is unpredictable. Very few people end up where they thought or got there the way they planned. It is little things that change our course. Theatre Du Jour's latest devised piece “…
Recently the American political narrative has been pretty ridiculous, so much so that it has been difficult to decipher the truth from the fiction. Often times the truth has been so bizarre …
It is 1889 and Johnstown, Pennsylvania has just experienced a devastating flood. The survivors must face what to do and who to blame. A certain survivor, with a shocking injury, has been see…
One of this year's Artists in Residence at Strathmore is Cecily, a bright and vibrant young singer-songwriter who is all soul. She is a truly entrancing artist with incredible vocal power wh…
Now playing at the Spookey Action Theater, “The Small Room at the Top of the Stairs” by Carole Fréchette is an exploration of love, pain, and isolation. What starts out like a b…
“The Remains” is a "Where are they now?" story of sorts about one of the first gay couples to be legally married in Massachusetts. The play is set 10 years after that historic oc…
George Bernard Shaw's “Saint Joan” is about the young farm girl Joan who became a military hero in 15th century France. She claimed to receive visions for Saint Catherine, Saint …
“10 Million” is an autobiographical play by Carlos Celdrán, the founder of Argos Teatros. The play started its life as Celdrán's diary about the relationships he shared wit…
Based on the Biblical book of Genesis, 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' follows Jacob's favorite son Joseph through a series of misfortunes that start because he dreams that hi…
'The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant' follows the glamorous Petra as she begins her life after the end of a marriage. Her relationships with the women in her life change drastically due to he…
Igor Stravinsky's controversial orchestral piece, 'The Rite of Spring' premiered in 1913 at the Ballet Russes in Paris. It caused riots with its opening performance. Stravinsky's experiments…
Samuel Beckett's iconic work 'Waiting for Godot' follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for the elusive Godot. This existential tale of boredom and humanity is sure to leave th…
“Roz and Ray” by Karen Hartman is a different type of AIDS drama. This story follows Dr. Roz Kagan and her relationship with Ray and his twin boys. These young boys were living w…
Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens have created a completely absurd story about a young man who feels his life is not going anywhere and is suddenly thrust into an adventure. Harry Witherspoon…
Blending together folk, trad (traditional), rock, and Americana has created a beautiful and powerful sound for Skerryvore from Scotland. This group is engaging and combines bagpipes, whistle…
Anthony Walker is a gifted jazz pianist who takes inspiration from gospel, classical, and rhythm and blues. He is a performer who connects with the audience and genuinely looks like he is ha…
What an utter delight to have the opportunity to see Paddy Maloney and the Chieftains at Strathmore. This group, known for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention, is celeb…
1. Ice cream 2. Water Fights This is the start of the list that the character of Duncan Macmillan and Johnny Donahoe's play “Every Brilliant Thing” makes for his suicidal mother.…
George Gershwin's masterful folk-opera “Porgy and Bess” premiered in 1935. Unfortunately, it did not gain popularity until 1976 when the Houston Grand Opera brought it back to li…
It is not often that one gets to experience stand-up comedy in a venue as beautiful as AMP Powered by Strathmore. Â It has a warm and delightful atmosphere that puts the audience at ease a…
Pat Martino, legendary jazz guitarist and composer, is an elegant example of the timeless beauty of the genre. His incredibly dexterous playing and technical skill matched with the emotional…
What makes up an individual's identity? Where someone's family is from? Where one is born? One's name? These topics and more are explored in Danai Gurira's newest play 'Familiar.' This is th…
Today it is easier than ever to share information. A picture can be seen by an entire community in a limited amount of time. In “La Foto: A Selfie Affair” Venezuelan playwright G…
