All stories by Kristin Franco on BroadwayStars

Sunday, May 5, 2019

Concert Review: ‘Iron and Wine’ with National Symphony Orchestra Pops by Kristin Franco

The album “Our Endless Numbered Days” was released in March 2004 and quickly became a definitive indie album of the decade. Sam Beam, the driving force behind the band Iron and Wine, joi…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:44PM
Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Theatre News: Local Youth performance group Young Artists of America performs with Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth. by Kristin Franco

When famous Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth performed earlier this month on the Strathmore Music Center stage, she was joined for her final two songs by some familiar faces: students from lo…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:23PM
Sunday, April 28, 2019

Theatre Review: ‘Annie’ at Reston Community Players. by Kristin Franco

There’s an old adage in performance that you should never work with children or animals since they tend to steal the show. Reston Community Players do not shy away from this challenge with…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:01PM
Monday, April 15, 2019

Concert Review: ‘Kristin Chenoweth’ at Strathmore Music Center by Kristin Franco

She’s a musical theatre juggernaut, she’s got one of the most unique voices in modern musical theatre, she’s… Popular! Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth made her way to our area this A…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 02:51PM
Monday, April 8, 2019

Theatre Review: ‘David Sedaris’ at Strathmore Music Hall by Kristin Franco

David Sedaris once said, “what other people call dark and despairing, I call funny.” Mr. Sedaris brought his unique and particular brand of comedy to the Strathmore stage this past week,…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 06:47PM
Thursday, March 28, 2019

‘A Quick 5’ with Ella Gatlin, featured performer with Young Artists of America by Kristin Franco

Ella Gatlin is a junior at James Hubert Blake High School and is a member of the Young Artists of America program. She recently portrayed Cosette in their Spring musical, “Les Miserables.�…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:42PM
Wednesday, March 27, 2019

“Theatre Review: ‘A Bronx Tale’ at National Theatre by Kristin Franco

What is more powerful: fear or love? The autobiographical musical “A Bronx Tale” explores this question, with a lot of heart along the way. Many readers will be familiar with actor Chazz…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:50PM
Monday, March 25, 2019

Performance Report: ‘Titanic, the Musical’ at The Highwood Theatre by Kristin Franco

The sinking of the Titanic has transfixed our culture for over 100 years now, which you can see in its frequent re-tellings and interpretations within popular culture. Perhaps the most well-…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 11:07AM
Monday, March 18, 2019

Concert Review: ‘Les Miserables in Concert’ by Young Artists of America at Strathmore by Kristin Franco

“Do you hear the people sing?” This weekend, you could hear an impressive group of young people sing the music of the juggernaut musical “Les Miserables,” as the Young Artists of Ame…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:48PM
Sunday, March 17, 2019

Theatre Review: ‘Heathers, the Musical’ by Rockville Musical Theatre at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn by Kristin Franco

At Westerburg High, friendship can be murder. Rockville Musical Theatre brings this dark musical comedy to life at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn as they present “Heathers, the Musical,” now…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:28PM
Monday, March 11, 2019

Theatre Review: ‘Noises Off’ by The British Players at Kensington Town Hall by Kristin Franco

“That’s what it’s all about: doors and sardines!” This line, uttered by director Lloyd Dallas (Roger B. Stone) would be a decent descriptor of The British Player’s production of �…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 09:35PM
Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Dance Review:’Tap Dogs’ at The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre by Kristin Franco

When most people think of a tap dance troupe, they think a glittering group of girls on a polished stage. “Tap Dogs” is about as far from that idea as you can get; it’s a gritty and dy…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:35PM
Saturday, February 9, 2019

10 Romantic Shows to See This Valentine’s Day by Kristin Franco

February has come to the DMV, bringing with it icy-cold weather, a forecasting groundhog and, of course, romance! Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and with that, the Maryland The…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:52PM
Thursday, January 10, 2019

Theatre Review: ‘Catch Me if You Can’ by The Montgomery Playhouse at Gaithersburg Arts Barn by Kristin Franco

“A cop in the country has a thousand problems,” quips small town dick Inspector Levine (Stan Rosen). But the problem at the center of genre-defying mystery “Catch Me if You…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:44PM
Monday, December 31, 2018

Theatre Review: The Second City’s ‘Love, Factually’ at the Kennedy Center’s Theatre Lab by Kristin Franco

“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love, actually, is all around.” But is it? The Second City takes a comedic journey through the romantic cliche…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 02:02PM
Friday, December 7, 2018

Concert Review: ‘Mannheim Steamroller Christmas’ at Strathmore Music Center by Kristin Franco

During the holiday season, there’s never a shortage of lively entertainment options. How do you choose? Well, this year, this reviewer got the opportunity to see a performance that she…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 09:47AM
Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Concert Review: ‘Declassified: Ben Folds Presents Regina Spektor and Caleb Teicher’ at NSO by Kristin Franco

“We’ll pass it on to you, and you’ll blow us all away.” NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds continues his crusade to bring orchestral music to the masses with his concert …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:57PM
Thursday, November 1, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘Brigadoon’ by Rockville Musical Theatre by Kristin Franco

“The mist of May is in the gloamin’, and all the clouds are holdin’ still. So take my hand and let’s go roamin’ through the heather on the hill.” Rockvill…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:27PM
Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘King John’ at Folger Theatre by Kristin Franco

They say heavy is the head that wears the crown, but it’s even heavier when a rival nation and part of your own family see you as having usurped that crown. Power, family, loyalty, and…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 11:44AM
Sunday, October 28, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘How I Learned to Drive’ at Round House Theatre by Kristin Franco

“Family is family.” This seemingly straightforward and innocuous phrase takes on new meaning in the complex and deeply personal “How I Learned to Drive,” by Paula Vog…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:54PM
Monday, October 15, 2018

Concert Review: National Philharmonic ‘Lenny’s Playlist’ at Strathmore Music Center by Kristin Franco

Leonard Bernstein might be one of the most recognizable American composers of all time. This year, on the 100th anniversary of his birth, many notable musical groups are doing tributes to hi…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:04PM
Sunday, October 14, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘Measure for Measure’ at The Kennedy Center by Kristin Franco

“My false o’erweighs your true.” Though Shakespeare wrote those words over 400 years ago, they could not be more relevant to our world today. In the wake of “fake new…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 06:31PM
Thursday, September 20, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘Kindertransport’ by Sandy Spring Theatre Group at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn by Kristin Franco

“Our immortality comes through our children and their children. Through our roots and branches. The family is immortality. And Hitler has destroyed not just branches and roots, but entire …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 03:02PM

Theatre Review: ‘The Last 5 Years’ by Montgomery Playhouse and Theatre @ CBT by Kristin Franco

“All I could do was love you hard and let you go.” Unfortunately, not all love stories get a fairy-tale ending, which is true of the fraught relationship of Jaime and Cathy, the …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:16PM
Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘August: Osage County’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Kristin Franco

“There are few people in the world whom I love, and even fewer of whom I think well.” These sentiments, expressed by Austen heroine Elizabeth Bennett, accurately describe the com…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:00PM
Saturday, September 8, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘Small Mouth Sounds’ at Round House Theatre by Kristin Franco

Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu once said, “Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.” Six strangers take a journey towards both in the delightful dramedy …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:32PM
Monday, July 16, 2018

Concert Review: ‘Feinstein’s Cabaret at AMP: Marilyn Maye Cabaret Supper Club’ by Kristin Franco

The Johnny Mercer tune goes “Anywhere I Hang My Hat is Home;” well, the legendary jazz singer Marilyn Maye called North Bethesda home for one night only this past Saturday as a p…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 09:42PM
Monday, July 9, 2018

Concert Review: ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap by Kristin Franco

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Thousands of people flocked to the light of the big screen for the third film in the…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 09:53AM
Sunday, July 1, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘Generation Gap’ by The Second City at The Kennedy Center’s Theatre Lab by Kristin Franco

The Kennedy Center is abuzz lately with the juggernaut musical about a certain former DC resident, but it’s not the only game at the iconic theater complex. The Second City has done it…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 04:28PM
Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Concert Review: ‘Michael Feinstein’s Cabaret with Eva Noblezada’ at AMP Strathmore by Kristin Franco

“Music is the reason why I know time still exists.” This line from Elisa’s song “Dancing” embodied the spirit of Broadway and West End performer Eva Noblezada&#…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:00PM
Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Theatre Review: ‘The Bridges of Madison County’ by Damascus Theatre Company at Gaithersburg Arts Barn by Kristin Franco

“Love is always better.” This line takes many meanings in the musical adaptation of the iconic film, “The Bridges of Madison County,” now playing through June 24th at…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:18PM

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