Bored of Capitol Hill? Go to the Theatre
It’s time to reveal a secret: I’m not actually an English major. My major is Dramatic Literature, which I like to describe as the lovechild of GW’s English and Theatre departments. As a DramaLit major, I try to see a performance in the District every month or so. In February, I saw a wonderfully intimate production of Les Miserables at Signature Theatre. This Friday I will be attending Richard III: An Arab Tragedy at the Kennedy Center, as part of a class taught by professor Leslie Jacobson of the Theatre and Dance Department. I and my Theatre Living and Learning Cohort (LLC) will be attending a Saturday matinee of The Winter’s Tale at the Folger. DC has a fantastic theatre community, but one that is sometimes overshadowed by the city’s political pedigree.
Experiencing outstanding theatre can be difficult on a student’s budget, but many companies in DC offer discount student tickets. I have had particular success with the Shakespeare Theatre Company and with the Kennedy Center’s Attend program, which both offer early-run tickets in the $10-$20 range. The Catalyst Theatre Company only sells $10 tickets, and their production of 1984 in September was outstanding. Even if a particular theatre does not offer student discounts, almost every one offers group discounts. Seeing Les Mis in a group of 10 saved each person about $30.
Since drama is not too far removed from literature, I’d like to share a few suggestions for upcoming performances. Every month, District blog DCist composes a useful roundup of upcoming theatre shows. Here are the highlights from March’s Theatre Preview:
- It’s all Greek to Shakespeare Theatre Company as they perform Ion (March 10).
- Olney’s got a world premiere up its sleeve in King of the Jews (March 11).
- Forum Theatre’s Marisol focuses on the plight of a copy editor (March 14).
- Two estranged friends try to avoid war in Theater J’s latest, Benedictus (March 14).
- Another Kennedy Center cameo: Khamsoun (“Fifty”), a Tunisian work. (March 14)
- I only want to say…that Ted Neely’s STILL in Jesus Christ Superstar, over at the Warner. (March 17).
- One woman’s vision=Stoop Stories at Studio. (March 20).
- Check out the fruits of Arena’s open casting call for the lead role in Crowns. (March 27).
- Woolly goes south in its intriguing-looking Antebellum (March 30).
Be sure to check out the original DCist post for a complete listing of current and upcoming shows. They have similar roundups at the beginning of every month.
For more information and reviews about shows I have seen with my LLC, visit our blog.
