Synetic Theater is a physical theater company located in Arlington's Crystal City neighborhood. The theater, which was started in 2001 by the husband and wife team of Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili, aims to tell stories through a creative combination of movement, music, technology, and visual arts.
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On Sunday, August 18th, Arlington's Signature Theatre will open its door for its annual Open House. The all-day extravaganza will be free and open to the public and will feature live performances and art events across six different stages.
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Ford’s Theatre is a national park dedicated to the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, a working theatre, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center. In 1861 theatre manager John T. Ford leased out the abandoned First Baptist Church on Tenth Street to create Ford’s Theatre. Over the next few years, the venue became a popular stage for theatrical and musical productions. On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln visited Ford’s for his twelfth time for a performance of Our American Cousin. At this performance, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth; he died the next morning in the Petersen House, a boarding house located across the street. Ford’s Theatre remained closed for more than 100 years.
Ford’s Theatre officially reopened in 1968 as a national historic site and working theatre. It is operated through a public-private partnership between Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service. Through its inspiring theatrical productions, live historic interpretation and engaging education programs, Ford’s Theatre offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in America’s past while revealing meaningful connections to today.
And a picture from today:
Wolf Trap
Early history tells that in 16th century wolves were prevalent in what is today’s Wolf Trap which compromised the safety of the community. Thus, to deal with the danger, rewards were granted for those who could trap those fierce creatures. A parcel of land in this region was purchased by Wolf Trap’s Founder, Catherine Filene Shouse who chose to preserve the name Wolf Trap. She developed the property into a farm intending to give her children solitude away from their home close to nature. Mrs. Shouse later on donated the farm to the country with her intention to have the property preserved as a park. That donation marked the birth of the nation’s first and only national park for the
performing arts. What was once an agricultural farm now houses Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts commonly known as Wolf Trap.
It is a performing arts center that features both cultural richness and natural resources. It organizes various elements of the performing arts staged in multiple venues. While it showcases talents on pop music, opera, dance and theater, it also provides education on arts for different ages – from young children to adults. Wolf Trap’s venues include Filene Center, The Barns at Wolf Trap, Theater-in-the- Woods and the Center for Education.
Filene Center is an outdoor performance amphitheater with both covered and uncovered seating that can hold over 7,000 people. It hosts almost 100 performances covering different genre annually from May to September. Behind the Filene Center, at 1551 Trap Road stands the Theater-in-the- Woods situated in the middle of wooded and shady acres. If offers children-friendly performances covering music, storytelling, dance, puppetry and theater. The Barns at Wolf Trap is a casual indoor performance space inspired by the acoustical quality of the wooden barn Mrs. Shouse once visited for a concert. It seats almost 400 persons and provides cozy an ambiance ideal for jazz, folk and chamber music. Home to Wolf Traps education programs, the Center for Education offers a state-of-the art nonprofit resource center for artists, learners and educators.
Wolf Trap established the acclaimed Wolf Trap Opera Company in 1971 and is housed in the Center for Education. It is now recognized as one of the country’s highly respected companies in the operatic industry where professionals emerge and get careers at major opera houses.
Alexandria's Little Theatre is a wonderful addition to this community of Old Town Alexandria Virginia. In 1934 it was founded by Mary Lindsey and was first named Peacock Players. Located in the Old Town area at 60 Wolfe Street Alexandria, Virginia it not only produces intriguing shows, you can also volunteer, audition, or take a class. The theatre offers:
Adult Classes
Youth Classes
Summer Camps
Membership
One-Act Playwright Competition
Becoming a member, with an annual fee, you become part of the theatre family by volunteering, using your skills, receiving a newsletter and receiving discounted fees to the productions. If you have any questions or just want to see more you can visit The Little Theatre at www.thelittletheatre.com
Located near the Monroe at North Glebe and Wilson Blvd, the Ballston Common Mall is highly convenient for residents nearby.
The Ballston Common Mall is situated on 1.3 million square foot of land comprising of 4 levels of complete entertainment, dining and shopping experience.
Some of the featured shopper’s delights:
Comedy Spot
Four beauty salons
Kettler Capitals IcePlex – 2 full sized ice skating rinks
CVS Pharmacy
Cyber Star Services
Macy’s
Macy Furniture Gallery
Ballston’s Regal Cinema
Sport & Health Club
Regal Cinema movie theater
Ballston Common Mall is only 4 miles from Washington D.C in Arlington VA. It is found on the Metro’s Orange Line a block away from the Ballston Station.
In some music circles, the reputation of the Birchmere is legendary.
The reputation is owning to the fact that many prominent musical careers have been launched from the Birchmere. Birchmere alumni and friends include:
Mary Chapin Carpenter,
Lyle Lovett,
Shawn Colvin,
Jerry Jeff Walker,
Dave Matthews,
Vince Gill,
John Prine,
Emmylou Harris,
Linda Ronstadt, and
k.d. lang
This world-famous music hall hosts the biggest names in country, folk and rock music from Isaac Hayes and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes to the Bacon Brothers. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere. And thus there are a few simple rules:
Silence is requested while the performers are on stage.
You must remain seated during the performance (Unless the dance floor is set up).
No audio recording is permitted.
No video recording is permitted.
No Cameras are allowed.
The Birchmere is also available for private rentals. Birchmere has a rock-and-roll themed bar area available for private events and dancing. The capacity is 100 Reception, 500 Seated.
The Birchmere is located in Del Ray at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305. Call them for details or with questions at (703) 549-7500.
Are you looking for a home in Del Ray near the Birchmere?
Arena Stage in Crystal City on South Bell Street was founded in 1950 as one of the nation’s original resident regional theaters. Arena Stage has a focus on American playwrights, featuring the classics of American theater, but productions also include new American plays. Arena Stage has a distinguished record of leadership and innovation in the field, including several important firsts:
the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway;
the first regional theater invited by the U.S. State Department to tour behind the Iron Curtain; and ,
the first regional theater to receive a Tony Award.
Arena stage has produced everything from vast epics and charged dramas to rousing musicals and probing profiles. With the opening of the new Mead Center for American Theater in 2010, Arena Stage is recognized as a leading center for the production, development and study of the American theater. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000.
2009/2010 Season
THE QUALITY OF LIFE (C)
Jane Anderson
Directed by Lisa Peterson
THE FANTASTICKS (L)
Book and lyrics by Tom Jones
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Directed by Amanda DehnertSTICK FLY (C)
by Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Kenny Leon
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (C)
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and lyrics by Adam Guettel
Based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer
Directed by Molly Smith
DUKE ELLINGTON’S SOPHISTICATED LADIES (L)
Concept by Donald McKayle
Based on the music of Duke Ellington
Dance and musical arrangements by Lloyd Mayers
Vocal arrangements by Malcolm Dodds and Lloyd Mayers
Original music direction by Mercer Ellington
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright
Choreographed by Maurice Hines
R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (AND MYSTERY) OF THE UNIVERSE (C)
Written and directed by D.W. Jacobs
Key:
(A) Performed in the Arena
(renamed The Fichandler Stage in 1992 (F) )
(K) Performed in the Kreeger Theater
(O) Performed in the Old Vat Room
(S) Performed in The Scene Shop
(14&T) Performed at 14th and T downtown theater space
More Information About Arena Stage
Address: 1800 S Bell St, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (202) 488-3300
Website: Arena Stage