All stories by Debbie Jackson on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Elephant & Piggie’s We Are In a Play! (review) by Debbie Jackson

Elephant & Piggie enthusiasts will pack the theater in search for their beloved friends, Gerald the bespectacled wary elephant who is devoted to his best friend, rambunctious Piggie the …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:01AM
Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Black Nativity at Theater Alliance (review) by Debbie Jackson

Having seen numerous renditions of Black Nativity over the years, I didn’t rush to Theater Alliance last year despite hearing how fabulous it was and ended up missing it.  When it swept …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:30AM
Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Akeelah and the Bee at Arena Stage (review) by Debbie Jackson

Those of us waiting anxiously for new work from playwright by Cheryl L. West can rest easy—she’s still got it and Akeelah and the Bee is worth the wait. Her adaptation of the screenplay …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:13AM
Friday, October 30, 2015

For the Love of Oscar from the New Millennium Howard Players by Debbie Jackson

This inaugural production of the New Millennium Howard Players opens with a sizzling first scene featuring a delectable Lily played by Annette James being thoroughly courted by Sowande Ticha…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:37AM
Thursday, October 22, 2015

Gimme a Band! Gimme a Banana! from Pointless Theatre by Debbie Jackson

Those of us at a certain age grew up with the image of Carmen Miranda as the exotic Brazilian fruit wearing artist who was all the rage in the 1950’s. With Gimme a Band!, Pointless Theatre…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 09:56AM
Monday, August 3, 2015

Oliver! The Musical from Adventure Theatre MTC (review) by Debbie Jackson

Oliver! The Musical is an ambitious undertaking blending top young talent with seasoned professionals on a prestigious stage, and man does it pop and zing!   Director Joseph Ritsch brings …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 12:01PM
Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Snow White and the 7 Dwarves (review) by Debbie Jackson

There is something about the energy that changes with non-traditional casting that thrusts a tale into new dimensions, even in puppet theater. In this innovative version of Snow White at the…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:24AM
Monday, June 8, 2015

Ring of Fire: the music of Johnny Cash is on fire at Infinity (Review) by Debbie Jackson

Johnny Cash— the name conjures up the iconic look, sound and feel of the man and his music which has become part of the American musical lexicon. Many of us have heard the voice, and recog…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 01:42PM
Thursday, June 4, 2015

New from The Welders: happiness (and other reasons to die) Review by Debbie Jackson

We are in darkness.  A shatteringly loud gunshot explodes.  The lights go up.  There is a body under a cover, and a gruesome splattering of blood all over the room.  Particularly disgust…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:00AM
Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Commedia-styled Our Town from Faction of Fools by Debbie Jackson

The endearingly minimalist Our Town by Thornton Wilder gets a Commedia dell’Arte treatment from Faction of Fools. Does a Commedia troupe have anything special to bring to the Pulitzer Priz…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:38AM
Friday, May 22, 2015

Puppet Co’s charming version of Cinderella (review) by Debbie Jackson

Having seen the movie, the Royal Ballet, and even the opera, it just makes sense to finish off my Cinderella fixation with the puppet version. In my case, no matter how many renditions I see…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:07AM
Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Letters at MetroStage. Masterful performances (review) by Debbie Jackson

On the surface, The Letters refers to communications written by the beloved Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky to his male lover – letters so full of explicit “degenerate” m…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 01:49PM
Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Blood Quilt by Katori Hall, a must-see at Arena Stage (review) by Debbie Jackson

The Blood Quilt, being given its world premiere at Arena Stage, is a loving portrayal of sisters battling their way through deep-seated, sometimes painful memories to get to a better, bright…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 06:09PM
Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Sinbad: the Untold Tale at Imagination Stage (review) by Debbie Jackson

Sinbad: the Untold Tale is based on the errant adventures of a mild mannered, even trepidatious porter, who just happens to have the same name as the famous sailor. The two Sinbads cross pat…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:18AM
Monday, April 13, 2015

Brack’s Don’t Die in the Dark reveals Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth by Debbie Jackson

There’s probably not a more perfect time to get inside of the head of John Wilkes Booth than now, the 150th commemoration of Lincoln’s death and Joe Brack smokes him out in his Don’t D…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:29AM
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

2015 Helen Hayes Awards celebration, reflections on legacy by Debbie Jackson

There is something mysteriously wonderful about Theater Alliance’s Black Nativity sweeping the Helen’s Outstanding Musical, Musical Direction and Ensemble Awards with the cast standi…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 09:43AM
Monday, April 6, 2015

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – indeed! by Debbie Jackson

Adventure Theatre tackled L. Frank Baum’s epic story and brought it to life with a playful script by Jacqueline E. Lawton that highlights key messages of appreciating the wonderful wor…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 02:14PM
Tuesday, March 31, 2015

GW psychiatrist develops Tangles, a new musical about Alzheimer’s by Debbie Jackson

Don’t try to make GW’s Dr. Charles Samenow choose between his two passions, theater and medicine, because his plate is full with both currently, almost to overflowing. That’s becau…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:47AM
Monday, March 16, 2015

Nu Sass’ intimate Bright Room Called Day by Debbie Jackson

A small theater company has set up a living room in a tiny downtown second floor space to tackle the somersaulting polemics of Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day.  Filled with passio…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 12:48PM
Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me from Field Trip by Debbie Jackson

In this “If you see something, say something” era, what if what you saw didn’t happen, except in your mind? Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me explores what could be happening aro…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 10:08AM
Wednesday, February 25, 2015

A wondrous Aladdin and his wonderful lamp at Puppet Co by Debbie Jackson

The Puppet Co. uses all kinds of wizardry, creative projection design, and of course, terrific puppetry to bring the ageless tale of Aladdin to life.  Just when you thought you knew all the…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 09:32AM
Tuesday, February 17, 2015

a very scary Wiley and the Hairy Man at Imagination Stage by Debbie Jackson

Imagination stage brings the sights, sounds, and images alive of the backwoods where a young boy must face his biggest fears of life. Ian Anthony Coleman is perfectly cast as the sleepy, ret…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 10:19AM
Monday, February 16, 2015

August Wilson’s King Hedley II at Arena Stage by Debbie Jackson

Love, honor, revenge, blood sacrifice– these and other seminal elements flow through the inner workings of August Wilson’s King Hedley II. The script is masterful, the themes course …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 12:22PM
Monday, February 9, 2015

Petite Rouge Cajun-style at Adventure Theatre MTC by Debbie Jackson

Petite Rouge, a Cajun Red Riding Hood is so steeped in Louisiana back-water country you can almost smell the wafting aroma of gumbo and need cornbread to sop it up. Mike Artell adapted the b…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 10:41AM
Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Bessie’s Blues, a triumph at MetroStage by Debbie Jackson

Nothing can quite prepare you for the seismic impact of this innovative script in the hands of a stellar cast and designers with Bernardine Mitchell at the helm of Bessie’s Blues. Twenty y…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:27AM
Monday, December 15, 2014

A Very Pointless Holiday Spectacular by Debbie Jackson

There’s something about raunchy elves and an over the top Mrs. Claus as a potty-mouthed, grind-worthy, well-endowed and knows how to flaunt it M.C. that tickles even if the actual jokes ar…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 10:02AM
Wednesday, November 19, 2014

All new Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol brightens the holiday by Debbie Jackson

Just when you thought you’ve seen the absolute final rendition of a Christmas Carol that you can take, another version pops up that’s irresistible—Tiny Tim’s is one of those. A grown…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 12:12PM
Saturday, November 8, 2014

Africa Umoja at The National for only 2 more performances by Debbie Jackson

Thrusting hips and high stepping kicks are heating up the National Theater for just a few days with Umoja finally in town. Rescheduled due to visa difficulties, the company has resumed its l…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 08:43AM
Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Awake and Sing! at Olney Theatre Center by Debbie Jackson

It’s amazing how topical something from the 1930’s feels and fits right here and now when it’s a classic, expertly cast and directed. Awake and Sing! depicts one family’s story, one …

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 11:43AM
Thursday, September 25, 2014

Stuart Little at Adventure Theatre/MTC by Debbie Jackson

The adorable mouse Stuart Little sails into fun and adventure at Adventure Theatre/MTC. Director Colin Hovde brings out the humor in the award-winning story by believing in the magic of ever…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 10:46AM

Rapunzel at The Puppet Co by Debbie Jackson

The Puppet Co’s rendition of Rapunzel snaps with the vigor of fresh vegetables, which is what rapunzel actually is, a vine in the radish family. Master Puppeteer Christopher Piper pass…

SOURCE: DC Theatre Scene at 09:06AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards