A Note From The Artistic Director

MetroStage is proud to announce that Cool Papa's Party, which premiered at MetroStage January 2009, has received six Helen Hayes Awards nominations: Outstanding Director Thomas W. Jones II, Outstanding Music Director William Knowles, Outstanding Choreographer Maurice Hines, Outstanding Lead Actor Jahi Kearse, Outstanding Supporting Actor Anthony Manough and Outstanding Ensemble in a Resident Musical. Congratulations to Tom, William and Maurice and to this remarkable ensemble of Jahi, Roz, William, Anthony, Gary, Lori, Gia, and Ben who tapped, sang and acted as they told the story of the "world's greatest entertainer." Since its premiere, Cool Papa's Party has continued to be workshopped in Atlanta, here at MetroStage and later this spring in New York in anticipation of future productions prior to a New York run.

Heroes, translated by Tom Stoppard and starring Ralph Cosham, Michael Tolaydo, and John Dow who so exquisitely portrayed three old soldiers passing their time on a park bench and displaying their camaraderie with wit and poignance, was recognized by the Helen Hayes judges with a nomination as Outstanding Ensemble in a Resident Play. Congratulations to Ralph, Michael, John, and to director John Vreeke who was so instrumental in creating this amazing ensemble. Heroes received four Moliere nominations in Paris and won an Olivier in London. This Helen Hayes Awards nomination is another honor for this lovely "little gem" and its wonderful cast.

Carolyn Griffin

2010 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations Announced

We are pleased to announce that two MetroStage productions have received recognition from the Helen Hayes Awards. The 2010 nominations were announced this week and Cool Papa's Party and Heroes both received nominations. Congratulations and thanks to the casts, the creative teams and the crews that made these productions possible!

Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production
♦ Maurice Hines, Cool Papa's Party

Outstanding Director, Resident Musical
♦ Thomas W. Jones II, Cool Papa's Party

Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical
♦ Jahi Kearse, Cool Papa's Party

Outstanding Music Direction, Resident Production
♦ William Knowles, Cool Papa's Party

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical
♦ Anthony Manough, Cool Papa's Party

The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Musical
♦ Cool Papa's Party

The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play
♦ Heroes






The 26th Annual Helen Hayes Awards will be presented on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 8:00pm, a gala celebration bringing together 2,000 theatre makers and theatre lovers to The Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C.

Click here to see the complete list of nominees >

Click here to read Tim Treanor's article "Small is big..." from DC Theatre Scene >

Heroes Extended Thru May 31

Critics love it.

Audiences love it.

You will love it.

We are happy to announce that HEROES
has been extended thru May 31.

Call 703-548-9044 or 800-494-8497 now to order tickets
or go online to BoxOfficeTickets.com.

"gentle, affectionate performances that charm the audience for just under an hour and a half that make this lovely one act play a delight."

- Alexandria Gazette Packet

"With three of the finest, funniest and most tender performances to be seen, HEROES touches the hearts of anyone who has ever witnessed the unwavering dignity of an aging veteran."

- Alexandria Times

What the Critics (and some audience members) are Saying about HEROES

“Displaying spot-on timing, three expert actors mine the humor, tension and wistful profundity in this 80-minute piece.”
- Celia Wren, Washington Post

“The MetroStage production…had [the] audience shouting with laughter when they weren’t literally poised on the edge of their seats, listening to the clever wordplay…”
- Nancy Dunham, The Examiner

“Comprising the tenderly beguiling cast are three of Washington’s most beloved actors, each of whom delivers a splendid and achingly funny performance.”
- Jeanne Theismann, Alexandria Times

“Director John Vreeke paces the show nicely, not rushing it nor dragging it out.”
- Rich See, TheatreDC

“This production of HEROES is absolutely heartwarming, funny and brilliant. I truly enjoyed it 100%.”
- Ilona D.

“Vreeke takes the cast through the play with the grace of classical musicians performing an etude. The actors work beautifully and seamlessly together, with John Dow providing the proper balance between Michael Tolaydo's high ebullience and Ralph Cosham's consummately low notes.”
- Jayne Blanchard, Washington Times

“It was wonderful! [The play] had us in stitches from the opening act until the last scene. Must see it!”
- C.S.

“A Potomac Stages Pick for a short evening of charm, warm humor and fabulous acting.”
- Brad Hathaway, Potomac Stages

“A trio of talented actors and a wonderful script make this production an absolute joy. A more pleasurable theatrical experience than HEROES is hard to imagine. [It was] thoroughly enjoyable. Don’t miss this play!”
- Tom A.

A Psychoanalytic Perspective On Theater

A post-performance discussion will be held at MetroStage.

A psychoanalyst will discuss the play from a psychoanalytic perspective after the performance.

Tom Stoppard's

HEROES

Sunday, May 3, 2009

7:00pm

Discussant: L. David Levi, M.D.

Tickets are available online at BoxOfficeTickets.com

or by calling 800-494-8497

Save $5 (Mention code: WCP)

Sponsored by the Theater Program

of the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis, Inc.

www.washpsa.org

HEROES Production Photos

Set Photos

The model -
Set and Lighting Designer Colin Bills designed

our set and lights for HEROES.
The finished product -

The terrace behind a Veteran's home with a single bench,

a bare branch overhead and a stone dog statue in France

during the Autumn of 1959.

HEROES begins Thursday, April 23rd

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN PREVIEW

($10 suggested minimum)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

8:00pm

Please come directly to the theater

and check in with the Box Office upon arrival.

Box office opens one hour prior to performance.

Seating is general admission. Space is limited.

Performances run through until May 24, 2009.

Tickets are available online at BoxOfficeTickets.com.

Announcing the cast of HEROES

Ralph Cosham - Theater J (Either Or), Signature Theare (The Sex Habits of American Women), CENTERSTAGE (Arsenic & Old Lace), Shakespeare Theatre (Comedy of Errors, Othello, King Lear, Two Gentlemen of Verona), Arena Stage (Revengers’ Comedies, A Chorus of Disapproval, The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers), and Folger Theatre (A Midsummer Night's Dream, She Stoops to Conquer, HMS Pinafore, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night)

John Dow - Arena Stage (On the Jump, Our Town), Olney Theatre (Of Mice and Men, Anything Goes, To Kill A Mockingbird), Round House (Midwives), Studio Theatre (Desk Set), Theatre J (Either Or, Life in Refusal), Washington Savoyards (Kiss Me Kate), Woolly Mammoth (Our Lady of 121st Street, The Day Room, Freedomland)

Michael Tolaydo - Folger (Clandestine Marriage, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet), Round House (Treasure Island, Heartbreak House), Studio (Uncle Vanya, Privates on Parade, Waiting for Godot), Theatre J (The Accident, Pangs of the Messiah), Theater Alliance (St. Mark's Gospel, Blue/ Orange), MetroStage (Sea Marks), BROADWAY (A Moon for the Misbegotten, Kingdoms, Robber Bridegroom, The Time of Your Life).