OPENING THIS MONTH
Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts the Isango Ensemble, a South African troupe, for its take on the Bard’s epic poem Venus and Adonis, performed in three African languages as well as English and incorporating traditional music and dance. September 13 through 20 in the Lansburgh Theatre.
At Artisphere September 20 and 21 is The Intergalactic Nemesis: Robot Planet Rising, a “live-action graphic novel.” The production involves projecting more than 1,250 comic-book panels on a large screen as three actors play the few dozen characters, a Foley artist provides sound effects, and a pianist accompanies the action.
Ford’s Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy, which explores the friendship between an elderly white Southern woman and her black chauffeur. Nancy Robinette and Craig Wallace star. September 26 through October 26.
Starting September 3 is Colossal, Andrew Hinderaker’s story of a college football player paralyzed from the waist down in a game accident who must come to terms with his new reality with the help of his football squad. The play is structured like a football match, with four quarters and a halftime show. Tim Riggins will unfortunately not be making an appearance. Through September 28 at Olney Theatre.
At 1st Stage September 12 through October 11 is Take Me Out, a comedy about a charismatic, all-American baseball star whose reveal of his sexual orientation sends ripples throughout the country.
Awake and Sing!, Clifford Odets’s 1935 drama, centers on a Jewish family trying to maintain their bond while keeping themselves afloat in the Depression-era Bronx. September 24 through October 19 at Olney Theatre.
To mark its upcoming tenth anniversary, Taffety Punk stages a revised version of its first production, The Devil in His Own Words, which weaves together depictions of the devil in literature over several centuries. September 12 through October 4.
September 20 through October 11 at American Century Theater is The Seven-Year Itch, the story of a languid New York summer immortalized by Marilyn Monroe and a strategically placed subway grate.
Round House Theatre producing artistic director Ryan Rilette directs Fool for Love, Sam Shepard’s tale of love, hate, and betrayal in the Old West. September 3 through 27.
Theater Alliance presents Spark, a world premiere by Caridad Svich about three sisters in the United States attempting to maintain their family ties and their livelihoods in the aftermath of a contemporary war. September 4 through 28.
Belleville, by Amy Herzog (4000 Miles), is the story of Abby and Zack, an outwardly perfect couple whose balance is thrown off when Abby discovers some seemingly inconsequential facts about her partner. September 3 through October 12 at Studio Theatre.
Woolly Mammoth’s Marie Antoinette, directed by Yury Urnov, looks at the French queen through a present-day lens, considering the modern obsessions with celebrity, politics, and image. September 15 through October 12.
September 17 through November 2 at MetroStage is Three Sistahs, a musical based on Chekhov’s Three Sisters, featuring gospel, R&B, funk, and folk music by William Hubbard.
Shakespeare’s Globe presents King Lear, starring Joseph Marcell—a.k.a. Geoffrey the butler from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air—as the ill-fated king who divides his estate among his three daughters, to disastrous results. September 5 through 21 at Folger Theatre.
Morris Panych’s world-premiere comedy The Shoplifters centers on a battle of wills between Alma, a senior citizen who’s gotten quite used to five-finger discounts, and the rookie security guard who catches her in the act. September 5 through October 19 at Arena Stage. arenastage.org.
Dog and Pony DC puts on Toast, a “participatory-performance-meets-science-fair” that looks at developments in technology and their impact on society. September 11 through October 18 at seven venues around Washington; see the website for full details.
E.B. White’s beloved children’s book Stuart Little, about an adventurous mouse born to human parents, gets an adaptation by Joseph Robinette at Adventure Theatre. September 19 through October 26.
The touring production of the Broadway revival of Evita comes to the Kennedy Center September 30 through October 19, starring Caroline Bowman as Argentina’s First Lady.
ONGOING/LAST CHANCE
Dirty Dancing closes September 14 at National Theatre.
Gidion’s Knot plays at Herndon’s NextStop Theatre through September 14. Read our review.
Scena Theater’s Molly and Shining City close September 21 at Atlas Arts Center. Read our review of Molly.
Rorschach Theatre’s She Kills Monsters closes at Atlas Arts Center on September 14.
Sunday in the Park With George closes September 21 at Signature Theatre.
