Happenings at MetroStage

Readings of Two New Plays

2008-05-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

presented by
Women's Writers Group

and MetroStage

Night Sky

by Patricia Connelly

Facing financial hardship, 76-year-old Julia fights to hold onto her home and life as she knows it. A drama about the bonds between mother, daughter and granddaughter.

Monday, May 12, 2008

at 7:00 pm

Fred and Frieda

by Nicole J. Burton

Fred, an African-American veteran, rescued Frieda, a German Jewish girl, from Ohrdruf concentration camp. Fifty years later when they reunite, the life he saves may be his own.

Monday, May 19, 2008

at 7:00 pm

FREE - $5 Donation Suggested

No reservations necessary.

Stephen Schwartz visits MetroStage

2008-04-29T15:00:00.001-04:00

There was “magic to do” when Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz arrived at MetroStage for his first look at the premiere of The Stephen Schwartz Project for the 3pm performance on Saturday, April 26th.

An hour before showtime, he sat down with Joel Markowitz (of DC Theatre Scene) to discuss what had attracted him to DC director/choreographer Michael J. Bobbitt’s concept - the unusual takes on his songs and the unconventional arrangements by John Cornelius II.

Schwartz flew to Houston to see the first workshop at Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS). Done with high school students, the concept of a showcase for young talent became part of the show.

Before closing, he talked about his upcoming project for Opera Santa Barbara, an intriguing opera titled Séance on a Wet Afternoon scheduled to open Fall, 2009.

Listen to Joel Markowitz's interview with Stephen Schwartz.

After the performance, he held a talk-back and answered many audience questions and he stayed to sign autographs and take pictures. Below is a photo of Director Michael Bobbitt, Stephen Schwartz and Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin.

Announcing MetroStage's 2008-2009 Season

2008-04-27T21:30:00.006-04:00

ROOMS, a rock romance
July 24 - September 9, 2008

Music and Lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman (Bright Lights, Big City)

Book by Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon
Directed by Scott Schwartz

Monica, an ambitious singer/songwriter and Ian, a hard driving rocker, become creatively and romantically entangled as they journey from their native Glasgow to London and New York and are catapulted into the punk rock explosion and a quest for stardom. A gritty rock musical, Rooms explores the universal desire to escape and create, to love and explore.

Cast will include Broadway performers, Natascia Diaz (Man of La Mancha) and Doug Kreeger (Les Miz). Most recently, Ms. Diaz was seen in Jacques Brel off-Broadway and locally in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Mr. Kreeger will be performing locally this Spring in The Visit.

Originally produced as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2005. A co-production with Geva Theatre, Rochester, NY.

Isn’t It Romantic
November 20 - December 21, 2008

Written and Directed by David Koch

Music Direction by William Knowles

MetroStage favorite Jimi Ray Malary returns to MetroStage after past hit shows Ellington: The Life and Music of The Duke and Nat King Cole: King of Cool. This tribute features the songs that epitomize romance from three of popular music’s most prolific and enduring song writing teams: Jerome Kern, Rodgers & Hart and George & Ira Gershwin.

Direct from the Stackner Cabaret at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Mr. Malary will be joined by Lori Williams (another MetroStage favorite featured in All Night Strut in 2005.)

Cool Papa’s Party
January 29 - March 8, 2009

Book and Lyrics by Thomas W. Jones II
Original music by William Knowles

Directed by Thomas W. Jones II

Music Direction by William Knowles

A 20th century musical odyssey through the eyes of the "last great American hipster." It is to Sammy Davis, Jr. and Nat King Cole what "Dreamgirls" was to the Supremes, Barry Gordy and Motown. Mr. Cool Papa's life stands on the world stage as a testament to the traveler, the survivor, the conqueror. And what a life defined by artistry, underscored by excellence and distinguished always by style.

Workshopped in Atlanta, this will be the world premiere, by the same artistic team that brought Bricktop and Three Sistahs to MetroStage last season. Featuring MetroStage favorite William Hubbard.

HEROES
April 22 - May 17, 2009

Written by Gerald Sibleyras

Translated by Tom Stoppard
Directed by John Vreeke

"Waiting for Godot" meets "Art"

Three soldiers in a Parisian veterans' home pass the time with tales that are at once achingly funny and piercingly sad. With his rapier wit and dazzling use of language, Tom Stoppard offers a brilliant new translation that mixes comic curmudgeonry, camaraderie and nostalgia.

A smash hit when it premiered in Paris, Heroes received four Moliere nominations. The London production won the 2006 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOW TO METROSTAGE'S 2008-2009 SEASON

Check out these moments from The Stephen Schwartz Project

2008-04-26T23:00:00.003-04:00

What Everyone Is Saying About The Stephen Schwartz Project

2008-04-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

"...the brand-new arrangements by John L Cornelius II soar in Bobbitt's bouncy revue, with medleys that blend well with enough solo material to feature almost every one of the nine bubbly performers." -Jolene Munch, The Examiner

"...Amber Iman Moorer, is still in college but possesses the poise and roof-raising voice of a seasoned professional, as does another student performer, Jobari Parker-Namdar." -Jayne Blanchard, Washington Times

"The Stephen Schwartz Project company (a cast of nine young, gifted performers) bookends the Project with rousing renditions of “The Spark of Creation” from Children of Eden." -GaryMcMillan, DCTheatreScene.com

"Director and choreographer Michael Bobbitt finds new ways to present well-known songs..." -Brad Hathaway, Alexandria Gazette Packet

"...this is a great venue to which I will certainly want to return. The cast showed tremendous talent and seemed to having fun with the material. The costumes were the best I've seen in a long time."

"[Florrie] Bagel enlivens 'West End Avenue' with her big, warm voice and ebullience and sings 'Since I Gave My Heart Away' with admirably straightforward lyricism. [Priscilla] Cuellar also eschews the vocal furbelows for simple, heartfelt singing in her solos 'Defying Gravity' ... and 'Where Is The Warmth.'" -Jayne Blanchard, Washington Times

"This is a lively musical revue... The cast is spirited with fine voices and the choreography is simple but well done."

"Felicia Curry is featured frequently enough to lift any audiences’ spirits, especially in the rousing “Ain’t It Good?” from Children of Eden.... Jobari Parker-Namdar delivers a very sweet rendition of “Cold Enough to Snow” that is heartwarming enough to melt a glacier. Kerry Deitrick sings beautifully through the challenging ballad, “Meadowlark"..." -GaryMcMillan, DCTheatreScene.com

"The cast's youthful appeal and skill with the demands of full-out Broadway-style singing make "The Stephen Schwartz Project" worth seeing." -Jayne Blanchard, WashingtonTimes

"...it was very entertaining... I think everyone should take advantage of this at this price. Where can you go in D.C. where any seat is a great one and be entertained at this cost? No where else."

"If you enjoy seeing a young troupe of talented performers sell the heck out of up-tempo tunes, catch this show." -Brad Hathaway, Alexandria Gazette Packet

Upcoming Special Event: Talk Back with Stephen Schwartz

2008-04-18T23:23:00.010-04:00

Stephen Schwartz will attend the 3pm performance on Saturday, April 26th and he will hold a talk-back afterwards for about 30 minutes.

Tickets are still available for $38.00 by calling 800-494-8497 or visiting www.BoxOfficeTickets.com.

Mr. Schwartz was last at MetroStage when he attended a performance of Becoming George on May 2, 2006, and he participated in a panel discussion with director Brett Smock, Michael Kerker (ASCAP) and the authors of "How A New Musical Is Developed."

Schwartz has won almost every major award in his field including 3 Oscars, 3 Grammys, 4 Drama Desk Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award and a self-described "tiny handful of tennis trophies." Although his music has been nominated five times for Tony Awards, and he also received one nomination for Best Book of a Musical, he has not yet won a Tony.

Schwartz wrote lyrics for the successful 2007 Disney film Enchanted, collaborating with Alan Menken. Three songs from the film, "Happy Working Song," "That's How You Know" and "So Close" were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. A recent project is incidental music for his son Scott Schwartz's adaptation of Willa Cather's My Antonia. He has also written the theme song for the new Playhouse Disney show Johnny and the Sprites, starring John Tartaglia.

He is currently writing an opera based on the film Seance on a Wet Afternoon.

PROMO for The Stephen Schwartz Project

2008-04-16T10:54:00.002-04:00

The Stephen Schwartz Project: Now Playing

2008-04-15T10:38:00.003-04:00

Priscilla Cuellar sings "Defying Gravity"

Costume Ideas

2008-04-04T19:24:00.010-04:00

Costume Designer Emily Dere has been working hard pulling together some contemporary outfits for the cast of The Stephen Schwartz Project.
Take a look at what's she got planned...

The Stephen Schwartz Project BEGINS April 10th

2008-04-02T23:51:00.005-04:00

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that the world premiere of a new musical revue, The Stephen Schwartz Project, will open April 10 and run through May 25, 2008 at MetroStage. Conceived, directed and choreographed by Michael Bobbitt, The Stephen Schwartz Project will feature “wicked” new arrangements by John L. Cornelius II of Schwartz’s most beloved music.

In September 2007, this new revue was workshopped in Houston, Texas, with more than 45 students at Houston’s Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS). It included songs from Schwartz's legendary portfolio of award-winning hits; songs such as "Defying Gravity" from his latest blockbuster Wicked, "When You Believe" from the animated film The Prince of Egypt and "Spark of Creation" from Children Of Eden and had audience members jumping to their feet and roaring with approval throughout the performances. Mr. Schwartz was in the audience and was very pleased with the new arrangements. He will be attending the premiere here at MetroStage which will feature nine professional actors from the Washington DC area, and a five piece band.

Director and choreographer Michael Bobbitt is the Artistic Director at Adventure Theatre. He most recently directed and choreographed Petite Rouge at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Locally he choreographed Once On This Island and Frog and Toad at Round House Theatre. He is currently collaborating with Mr. Cornelius on a musical adaptation of The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings. Music Director Doug Bowles is on the voice faculty at American University, is a private voice teacher, and performer and has music directed many shows including Grand Night For Singing, Always Patsy Cline and The Yellow Rose. His company SingCo Music has produced many cabaret style entertainments and includes the SingCo Music Orchestra.

The Stephen Schwartz Project will feature a wide variety of songs from this award-winning composer/lyricist. Songs from Broadway and regional favorites Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, The Baker's Wife, The Magic Show and Wicked, and award-winning films Prince of Egypt, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be performed with new arrangements and great choreography.

The set designer is Alex Cooper, costumes will be by Emily Dere and the lighting designer is Jason Arnold. Jessica Lee Winfield is the Stage Manager and Kevin Laughon is the Production Manager/ Scenic Artist.

The Stephen Schwartz Project will be in performance from April 10 - May 25, Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm. Press Night is Sunday April 13 at 7 pm. Tickets are $35-40 and can be reserved by calling 1-800-494-8497 or go to BoxOfficeTickets.com.

Updating The Stephen Schwartz Project

2008-03-18T21:04:00.014-04:00

Rehearsals started today with the nine young cast members having music rehearsals with the new arrangements by John L. Cornelius II.

And the set has begun to take shape. Set designer Alex Cooper has been inspired by artist Joseph Cornell who was an American artist and sculpure whose most characteristic art works were boxed assemblages created from found objects. He could create poetry from the commonplace and created very unique flat collages.

Using this concept, Alex has created a set that involves romantic swirls, natural elements and sleek urban designs to update the look of the songs portrayed in Stephen Schwartz's musicals. Actors and artwork peek through boxed openings of this bold idea...Here's another panel that will appear behind the action onstage...

NEW ADDITION

2008-03-04T16:00:00.002-05:00

Take a tour of MetroStage with photographs taken by Jennifer Fleet, a student at the Art Institute of Washington. See the lobby, theater (stage & seating) and backstage, presented as a slideshow. Click on the link below...

Cookin' at the Cookery - Revisited by Debbie Minter Jackson

2008-02-26T08:00:00.008-05:00

"There’s always a bit of trepidation when a key cast member steps into a successful show. Audiences wonder how the show will be affected, may have concerns about different interpretations, altering how it’s “supposed” to be. In the case of Jackie Richardson who replaced the “irreplaceable” Earnestine Jackson in Cookin’ at the Cookery, the prep work has already been done because she has already performed the role with the irrepressible Janice Lorraine in Vancouver. While this is a reprise of sorts for them, the change for us is a fresh new experience to be cherished the second time around.

Just when you didn’t think the production could get any better, here comes Richardson who shakes it up with her own mighty gifts, talents and interpretation to the role-and we are all the better for it. If you didn’t catch this stellar production earlier in the run, don’t let it slip away. It is just as much fun the second time around, and Richardson is a major reason why. Her voice and stage presence will blow you away.

Richardson has a particularly effective musical sense that goes beyond belting out the notes. Her whole body seems to breathe the musical tones, and her voice crests and flows with unbelievable crescendo effect. She’s got a hefty bearing that contributes to her no-nonsense stance packaged in a charm-your-socks-off, walloping delivery. Yes, she’s got all the fun-loving facial expressions to relay the message, but there’s something more, a warm accessibility and down-home appeal that makes her rather irresistible. When she refers to the audience lovingly as “children,” she envelops us all as part of the precious few who were fortunate enough to catch Alberta Hunter at the Cookery in New York in Ms Hunter’s unbelievable return-at 82 years old!!"

READ COMPLETE STORY AT DCTHEATRESCENE.COM >

MetroStage's production of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) nominated for 2008 Helen Hayes Awards

2008-02-25T23:13:00.007-05:00

Congratulations to Bobby Smith - nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, Donna Migliaccio - nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical and Dan Kazemi - nominated for Outstanding Musical Direction, Resident Production!!!

We'd also to acknowledge and thank everyone associated with this production, especially director Larry Kaye, choreographer Nancy Harry and the rest of the extraordinary ensemble Janine Gulisano-Sunday and Russell Sunday.

The 24th Annual Helen Hayes Awards will be presented on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 8:00pm. This gala celebration will bring together 2,000 theatre makers and theatre lovers to The Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. One of the country’s most prestigious cultural honors, The Helen Hayes Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

MetroStage ranks in 2 of Joel Markowitz's (dctheatrescene.com) Winter Scene Stealers

2008-02-24T00:15:00.009-05:00

"FELICIA CURRY
singing “Come To Your Senses” in tick, tick…BOOM! at MetroStage.
It’s as close as I’ve seen to a roof almost blowing off when Felicia Curry rocked MetroStage with her soaring rendition. At the end, the audience jumped to their feet and I was reminded why I have always been a big Curry fan since I saw her in the title role at Toby’s-The Dinner Theatre of Columbia (she received a Helen Hayes nomination), and in Two Queens One Castle at MetroStage. Felicia is not only a powerful singer, but a powerful actress as she proved in tick, tick… BOOM!.," says Joel.

"JANICE LORRAINE
impersonating Louis Armstrong in Cookin’ at the Cookery at MetroStage.
Dead on!
Not only does Janice sound like Louis, but she manages to convince us she looks like him! If you don’t believe in resurrection, you will after seeing Janice drive the audience into a frenzy as she becomes the great Satchmo in front of their eyes.," says Joel.

See complete story here: http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/02/18/winter-scene-stealers/

Cookin' at the Cookery Promo

2008-02-22T12:00:00.003-05:00

With three weeks remaining, check out MetroStage's latest production...

Announcing the cast of The Stephen Schwartz Project

2008-02-20T18:19:00.013-05:00

A Hot New Musical Revue featuring the songs of award-winning composer/ lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Celebrate the work of one of Broadway’s most acclaimed writers with “Wicked” new musical arrangements from Broadway and regional favorites Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and The Baker’s Wife, the award-winning films Prince of Egypt, Pocahontas and more. There is ‘magic to do’ in our little ‘corner of the sky’…‘ when you believe’ you will ‘defy gravity’ …all at MetroStage this spring! Directed and choreographed by Michael Bobbitt with musical direction by Doug Bowles.

The cast includes:

Amber Iman Moorer is a graduating Senior Musical Theatre Major at Howard University, from Atlanta, GA. Recently, she has appeared in Into the Woods (Jack’s Mother), Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line, Working and Eyes, to name a few.

Andrew Sonntag graduated from the Catholic University of America in 2007, where he received a BA in Drama. He recently appeared as Jimmy Harper in The Studio Theatre's production of Reefer Madness and he will appear as Atreyu in Imagination Stage's Neverending Story this Summer.
Kerry Deitrick is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts and recently received her BM in music theatre from Catholic University. Upcoming projects include this Summer's Jerry Springer: The Opera at The Studio Theatre.
Jobari Parker-Namdar is making his MetroStage debut. He is a recent graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
Felicia Curry has been seen previously at MetroStage in Two Queens One Castle, Three Sistahs and tick, tick…BOOM!
Benjamin Horen, an Ohio native, is a choral director in Fairfax County Public Schools and has served as the music director for US Performing Arts camps at The George Washington University. Ben has performed at The Kennedy Center, understudied the role of Cosme (Souvenir) at Studio Theatre and has performed in a backers’ audition with Stephen Schwartz for the upcoming Broadway production of Children of Eden.

Priscilla Cuellar has worked in various theatres in the area including Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre and Toby's Dinners Theatre. She has worked with some of Broadway's best including Carolee Carmello, E. Faye Butler and Judy Kuhn and she will be in Big River at Olney Theatre this Summer.
Clif Walker is a native Washingtonian and graduate of D.C.'s famed Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He has appeared in Arena Stage's South Pacific, Round House Theatre's Once On This Island and The Kennedy Center’s Soul Possessed among other countless musicals and revues.
Florrie Bagel has appeared in Into the Woods at Signature Theatre, Godspell at Olney Theater Center and, most recently, originated the role of “Bethany” in the new musical, Nobody’s Perfect, at The Kennedy Center. She will be performing next in Jerry Springer: The Opera at The Studio Theatre.

The set designer is Alex Cooper, costumes will be by Reggie Ray and the lighting designer is Jason Arnold.

WETA's Around Town discusses Cookin at the Cookery

2008-02-19T20:34:00.000-05:00

Jane Horwitz and Trey Graham discuss this award-winning musical about the life and music of legendary blues and jazz singer Alberta Hunter.

PLAY VIDEO >

Listen to Joel Markowitz's podcast with Jackie & Janice

2008-02-18T14:14:00.009-05:00

THE LADIES OF THE COOKERY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME

There is a new Alberta Hunter in town and Joel was there to greet her. The widely acclaimed Canadian actress and blues songstress, Jackie Richardson, recently stepped into the role of Alberta Hunter in Cookin’ at the Cookery at MetroStage and joins co-star Janice Lorraine in talking about the show and their history of performing it across Canada and the United States.

Joining them is William Knowles on piano as they give us a taste of "Downhearted Blues" and "I’m Having a Good Time". Janice, who plays many roles in the show, gives you an intro to Barney the club manager, young Alberta, Oscar Hammerstein II and her Louis Armstrong that has critics raving.

Get ready for a good time....

OR visit

http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/02/16/the-ladies-of-the-cookery/

Lobby artwork for Cookin' at the Cookery

2008-02-06T22:53:00.000-05:00

ALBERTA HUNTER
(April 1, 1895 - October 17, 1984)
Pastel portrait by Zeke Estep
from original photograph

In 1995, Zeke Estep was 22 years old when he was a passenger in a car that was hit head-on by a careless driver. He was in a coma ten days, in the hospital two months and in rehab for two years. He lost the use of his right hand and arm and had a limp plus many other cognitive disabilities. Zeke managed to overcome many of his disabilities and live independently with support from family members.

He learned to draw with his left hand and drew many pastel portraits selling for about $800 each. His artwork gave him alot of pleasure and a sense of fulfillment. He participated in numerous art shows in St. Louis and developed quite a following.

Zeke lived with his brain injury for ten years until he passed away on November 8, 2006, at the age of 32. He is survived by a son, Jaren, who was age 6, plus other family members. His artwork can be viewed on www.artjunkiesgallery.com.

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

2008-01-30T12:30:00.000-05:00

“[Cookin' at the Cookery] was just wonderful. Both stars have excellent voices and did a great job of acting. This is theater at it's best. I encourage anybody that can to see this fabulous show.” -Sandy P

“When I used to live in New York City, I had the privilege of seeing the real Alberta Hunter perform at the Cookery in Village, so I was very excited about seeing this production. The two actresses/singers were delightfully engaging and had the audience in the palms of their respective hands within minutes of their first entrances. The talented musical combo provided accompaniment which was jazzy and infectious. The narrative gave us some unknown insights into the life of this amazing woman and moved the story along at just the right pace. The intimate atmosphere of this theatre enhanced the feeling that the audience was included in the action. The audience I was with was fully engaged in the production, clapped and sang along on occasion, and were obviously having a great time. This is a crowd-pleaser not to be missed!”

“Cookin’ was GREAT!! The music, the actresses (they were really "into it" —especially the pianist)… Their delivery, poise, warmth, intensity, etc. were SPECTACULAR! The gift of being able to portray several characters "at the drop of a hat" (voice, facial expressions, walk, etc.) was SPELL-BOUNDING! Plus to learn so much about Ms. Hunter - WOW!!!”

“Not to be missed. Wonderful story and music. Besides that — only two women carry the whole show and they are stupendous!”

“MetroStage always produces quality and entertaining theatre… the staff is friendly and professional and the productions are always interesting and thought provoking.”

Casting change for Cookin' at the Cookery

2008-01-23T01:45:00.000-05:00

Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict that arose, the role of "Older Alberta" will now be played by two actresses who have done this role previously. We are grateful they were available.

The role of "Older Alberta" will be portrayed by Ernestine Jackson for the first two weeks.

CLICK HERE to read the biography of Ms. Jackson>

Jackie Richardson will assume the role beginning February 7th.

Born in Pittsburg, PA, Jackie moved to Toronto when she was very young. She began her career at the age of 7 singing in her church choir. She has acted in film, television and theater with roles in No! No! Nanette, Anything Goes, Hello Dolly! and Raisin in the Sun. She became well known for her part in Ain't Misbehavin', which earned her a Dora Award.

She has toured across Canada and the world performing with renowned artists such as Ray Charles, Anne Murray, Dr. John and Celine Dion to name a few. In 2003, Jackie's debut CD, "A Woman's View Through a Child's Eye" was released. The album is an experience of soul, a profoundly personal synthesis of the remarkable gospel, blues and jazz woman she has embodied on stage and screen.

Ms. Richardson is the 2004 Dora Mavor Moore Winner for Best Female Principal Role in Cookin' at the Cookery. She has received Gemini, Dora, Juno, Jessie, Betty, Toronto Blues Society and NAACP Award nominations.

Area premiere of Marion J. Caffey’s Cookin’ at the Cookery at MetroStage January 24- March 9

2008-01-15T10:27:00.000-05:00

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that the area premiere of Marion J. Caffey’s Cookin’ at the Cookery, (The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter, Told in the Key of the Blues), will be in performance at MetroStage January 24-March 9, 2008. Written by Marion J. Caffey after being inspired by Alberta Hunter’s story as told in a film documentary entitled My Castle’s Rockin’, Caffey will direct and choreograph this production. Danny Holgate is the musical supervisor and arranger and William Knowles is the music director. Cheryl Alexander will play Alberta Hunter and Janice Lorraine will play younger Alberta and multiple roles.

The world premiere of Cookin’ at the Cookery was at the Hippodrome State Theater in Gainesville Florida in 1997. Since then it has been produced in 36 theatres and toured multiple cities, garnering many nominations and awards in the U.S. and Canada. It has broken box office records at the GEVA Theatre in Rochester, NY and at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo as well as at CanStage in Toronto. It was most recently seen at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, with Janice Lorraine.

Marion J. Caffey began as a song and dance man before becoming a writer and director. Three Mo’ Divas was his last work seen in Washington at Arena Stage, receiving multiple Helen Hayes nominations. His production of Three Mo’ Tenors just completed a limited run in New York at the Little Shubert Theatre. Music Director William Knowles has been seen and heard at MetroStage in productions of The All Night Strut, Nat King Cole, King of Cool, and Ellington: Life and Music of the Duke. He received the Helen Hayes Award for Dinah Was (Arena Stage) and was nominated for Tambourines To Glory (Lincoln Theatre).

Playing Alberta Hunter, Cheryl Alexander was most recently seen in Arena Stage’s Women of Brewster Place. She has performed with many big bands and orchestras including the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Billy Taylor Big Band. On Broadway she has performed in Caroline or Change, Sophisticated Ladies, Dreamgirls and many others. This is her first appearance as Alberta in Cookin’ at the Cookery.

Janice Lorraine, playing multiple roles including the young Alberta, has lost count of how many times she has performed this role. For the role she has received the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Award, Chicago’s Black Theatre Alliance Award, and many more nominations. Broadway credits include Ragtime, Grease, Jelly’s Last Jam, Starlight Express, Dreamgirls and many more.

Designers are Dale Jordan, set and lights; Marilyn Wall, costumes, Bettie O. Rogers, wigs; all of whom are part of Caffey’s design team for Cookin’ at the Cookery. Jordan and Wall have both received nominations and awards for their work on this show. Kevin Laughon is production manager and scenic painter. Jessica Winfield is the Equity Stage Manager and Dannielle Hutchinson is Assistant Stage Manager.

Cookin’ at the Cookery is in performance January 24 thru March 9, 2008 - Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm, with matinees on both Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $35-40 and can be ordered through boxofficetickets.com at 800-494-8497. For group rates and information call 703-548-9044. MetroStage offers free parking and is fully accessible.

Press night is Saturday, January 26 at 8pm.

Productions Planned or Under Consideration for 2008-2009 at MetroStage

2007-12-29T17:03:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

Besides Cookin' at the Cookery, The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter (Told in the Key of Blues) opening January 24, 2008....here's what's coming soon to MetroStage:

April 10 - May 25, 2008 The Stephen Schwartz Project

A Hot New Musical Review featuring the songs of award-winning composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Conceived by Michael J. Bobbitt, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, musical arrangements by John L. Cornelius II, directed & choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt, musical direction by Doug Bowles. Celebrate the work of one of Broadway's most acclaimed writers with "Wicked" new musical arrangements from Broadway and regional favorites Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, The Baker's Wife, the award-winning films Prince of Egypt and Pocahontas, and more. There is 'magic to do' in our little 'corner of the sky'... 'when you believe' you will 'defy gravity'... all at MetroStage this Spring!

Summer 2008 Rooms

A rock musical, with music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman, and book by Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon, directed by Scott Schwartz (Golda's Balcony). Cast will include the original New York actress, Natascia Diaz. Originally produced as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival 2006 and the Zipper Theatre in NYC. Scheduled to open Off-Broadway following the run at MetroStage.

December 2008 TBD

The world premiere of a musical tribute commissioned by MetroStage starring Jimi Ray Malary, written and directed by David Koch, and music directed by William Knowles. The same team that brought the acclaimed Ellington and Nat King Cole specials to MetroStage.

January - March, 2009 Love, Johnny

A musical tribute to Johnny Mercer adapted from the Johnny Mercer Collection Letters at the Georgia State Special Collections, drawn from the personal letters exchanged with family and friends and show business luminaries such as Judy Garland, Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Henry Mancini and many more. Workshopped in Atlanta, this will be the world premiere, by the same artistic team that brought Bricktop to MetroStage last season.

April - May, 2009 Altar Boyz

The Off-Broadway sensation, Altar Boyz is a send-up of boy bands, religion and rock music, with book by Kevin Del Aguila, songs by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker. The self-anointed apostles of pop bring their soul-saving tour to this entertainment with five terrific roles and great music and choreography. Originally produced as part of the New York Music Theatre Festival 2004, it continues to play Off-Broadway.

A look at possible things to come...

2007-12-25T15:26:00.000-05:00