Upcoming Free Showcase

(Artwork by Jim Colwell)

Join
Alliance for New Music-Theatre
in a FREE showcase of its new work

A Woman Changed Into a Fox
a chamber opera

Conceived by Susan Galbraith
Based on a novella by David Garnet
Music by Robert B. Johnson
Libretto by Susan Galbraith
with Musical Direction by George Fulginiti-Shakar

Part detective story part magical fairy tale,
the showcase features
Phil Bender, John Boulanger, Chris Flint,
Cindy Hutchins, Laura Lewis and Kara Morgan

Wednesday, May 18 at 7:30pm
Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30pm
at
MetroStage
1201 North Royal Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Seating is limited
To reserve a space, call 703-548-9044

Or go online to http://www.newmusictheatre.org/

And All That Jazz

Recording artist Lori Williams launched her debut CD, "Healing Within," with a standing-room only concert at MetroStage Oct. 11. Guest artists included Sylver Logan Sharp, Allyn Johnson and Divine Order and dancer Rita Burns. Williams performed songs from her CD that ranged from R&B to jazz and included a cover of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" to a soaring version of "Amazing Grace." "It's such an honor to host an event like this," said MetroStage Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin. "What a gift Lori has given everyone with this CD."

Lori William, seated, is joined by Tabitha Pearson, Robert Person, Sylver Logan Sharp and William Knowles at the launch of Williams' new CD Monday night at MetroStage.

Lori Williams signs copies of her new CD at the MetroStage launch party October 11.
Lonnie Rich, Donnan Wintermute, Marcia Rich, Carolyn Griffin and Adron Krekeler celebrate the launch of Lori Williams' CD at MetroStage Monday night.

Pictures from Lori Williams "Healing Within" CD Release Concert

Allison Seymour, from Fox 5 News
Sylver Logan Sharp

Ellys Abrams, Jessica Winfield, Lori Williams, Dannielle Hutchinson,

Kevin Laughon and Carolyn Griffin

Lori Williams "Healing Within" CD Release Concert

Calvin Ramsey returns to Washington with The Green Book

In 2007, MetroStage produced Bricktop which had the book and lyrics co-written by Thomas W. Jones II and Calvin Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey is returning to Washington this September to participate in a staged reading of his play The Green Book at the Lincoln Theatre on September 15.

We would encourage our MetroStage patrons to take advantage of this opportunity to experience this important play about this historic time. The fact that Julian Bond is participating in the reading makes it even more historic. We hope to see you there.

CLICK HERE to read Celia McGee's article, "The Open Road Wasn't Quite Open To All" in the August 23rd edition of The New York Times >

A Special Offer to MetroStage Patrons for Super Claudio Bros.

SUPER CLAUDIO BROS EXTENDS
Best Musical 2010 DC Fringe

"Bright as a pack of skittles, loopy as a Loony Tunes cartoon."
- DC Theater Scene

6 MORE SHOWS THIS WEEKEND ONLY

"The casting reads like the DC musical theater producer's wish list it likely was."
- Glen Weldon, Washington City Paper

In fact, four of this dream cast are in MetroStage's production of Glimpses of the Moon, beginning September 8th.

STARRING:
Stephen Gregory Smith, Sam Ludwig, Lauren Williams, Gia Mora, Matthew Anderson, Harry Winter, Chris Sizemore, Karissa Swanigan and Gillian Shelly

THE WAREHOUSE THEATER
1021 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Thursday, July 29 @ 8pm
Friday, July 30 @ 8pm
Saturday, July 31 @ 8 & 10:30pm
Sunday, August 1 @ 3 & 8pm

Friends of MetroStage get tickets for $15
(Regular prices are $25 in advance/ $30 at the door)

Use CODE: Metro

Get your tickets by calling 866-811-4111
or going to www.claudiobros.com

Come see SUPER CLAUDIO BROS. and see a great show with a great cast and save money!!!

Gary E. Vincent LIVE!

THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported Gary E. Vincent (and MetroStage) for his one-man show, making a life-long dream come true.

One customer stated it was "a seamless and invigorating mixture of recital, broadway musical and church service. Gary and William are AMAZING!!!"

To those who asked at the box office if a CD of Gary's singing was available, unfortunately nothing's been produced.... YET.

Below is a video segment from show, featuring William Hubbard, with Gary performing "You've Got A Friend."

ONE WEEKEND ONLY THIS SUMMER - GARY E. VINCENT LIVE!

Gary E. Vincent, who has been seen on our stage in Two Queens One Castle and Cool Papa's Party, performed his one man cabaret GARY E. VINCENT LIVE! at the famous Triad Theatre in New York City a few weeks ago. MetroStage's own William Hubbard accompanied him on the piano. It was so fabulous that at the end of the show I told Gary that we had to bring it to our Washington area audiences.
So here is your chance this summer to see GARY E. VINCENT LIVE!. On July 23, 24 and 25, Gary and William will be performing their show at MetroStage for your enjoyment.

Please put this on your calendar and call us now to reserve your seats (they filled the Triad and they will fill MetroStage). I saw it. It is fabulous, and I want you to see it here on our stage. Gary and William are very special friends and artists here at MetroStage and I am very proud to be sharing their exciting show with you this summer.

Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director

Pictures from Starlit Soiree 2009 held Monday, October 19th

Thank you to all of our wonderful patrons who believe in the importance of live theatre to a community and a nation.

Our Silver Anniversary fundraising event was a great success and a very memorable evening that applauded our little corner of the world here in North Old Town Alexandria.

Thank you to the amazing MetroStage family of actors, singers and musicians artists who have graced our stage and performed for the audience.

Pianist Jenny Cartney and Hostess Tracy McMullan
Pianist Jenny Cartney and Kerry Deitrick singing "Meadowlark"

from The Stephen Schwartz Project

William Hubbard singing a song from Three Sistahs

Pianist William Knowles and Roz White singing songs from Pearl Bailey...By Request

and Two Queens One Castle

Lori Williams and Pianist William Knowles singing songs from Isn't It Romantic

and Cool Papa's Party

Felicia Curry and Stephen Gregory Smith performing a song from tick, tick...BOOM!

Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin

The reception

A Great Offer To MetroStage Patrons From Ford's Theatre

The good folks at Ford's Theatre would like to extend a special offer to patrons of MetroStage for their production of Black Pearl Sings.

50% discount to "Black Pearl Sings!"

at Ford's Theatre

by Frank Higgins

directed by Jennifer L. Nelson

September 25-October 18, 2009

Photo of Tonya Pinkins and Erika Rolfsrud by T. Charles Erickson

Susannah, a song collector for the Library of Congress, travels the country seeking little-known melodies. When she encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, she discovers dozens of musical treasures rooted in the African tradition. Pearl must decide whether to give away her ancestors' songs for a chance at her own freedom. Music unites strangers in a powerful story that illuminates America's racial divisions and the attempts of two women to bridge them. Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins makes her Ford's Theatre debut in the title role with Erika Rolfsrud as Susannah. Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of "Jitney."

To receive the 50% discount, use code SINGS at (202) 397-SEAT or online at www.fords.org. (Offer expires October 11. Discount is not available in the dress circle or on previously purchased tickets.)

Special fundraising event planned at MetroStage

MetroStage is pleased to be hosting our signature Starlit Soiree as a fundraiser for the theatre on Monday, October 19, 6:30-9:30. It will feature a fabulous cabaret starring our favorite artists and shows. Felicia Curry, Stephen Gregory Smith and Matt Pearson will reprise some of our favorite tick, tick...BOOM! anthems (Felicia's "Come to Your Senses" alone is worth the price of admission), the incomparable award-winning Natascia Diaz from ROOMS, a rock romance, will return, along with Roz White (our very own Pearl Bailey) and extraordinary musicians and composers the two Williams (Hubbard and Knowles), Gia Mora and Lori Williams (the lovely multifaceted singers and tappers from Cool Papa's Party), and Ben Horen, Florrie Bagel and Kerry Dietrick reprising some of the excitement of Stephen Schwartz and his beautiful pop ballads. Tracy McMullan will return as our auctioneer from years past with a few songs included in the mix.

Please save the date and plan to come to celebrate MetroStage and the wonderful actors and musicians that consistently grace our stage. It's for a good cause and will be great fun.

Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director

Special Event featuring Yusef Chisholm, MetroStage bass player

METROSTAGE & Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director

present

YUSEF CHISHOLM
and
COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Live CD and DVD Recording

Monday, September 21, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Admission: $20
(Free CD with purchase of ticket!)

METROSTAGE
1201 North Royal Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

703-548-9044

Be a part of the audience as Yusef Chisholm, one of the most innovative and stylistic bassists in traditional and contemporary music records his latest CD and DVD. A 2008 Agnes Meyers Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Yusef formed Common Knowledge, a contemporary jazz ensemble, in 1995. His 2008 debut project, A Well Kept Secret, earned rave reviews.

Yusef Chisholm, bass; Allyn Johnson, piano; Mark Prince, drums; Tracey Cutler, saxophone; Lori Williams, vocals

Featuring Lauren Highsmith, Donnell Wainwright, William Knowles, Gerry Gillespie and more!

A meet and greet with Yusef and the musicians will follow the concert.

Upcoming Film Event at MetroStage

JUNE 14, 2009

5:00 PM

TICKETS $25

703.838.6348

ALEXANDRIACOMMISSIONFORTHEARTS.ORG

Artistic Director's Round Table Discussion May 3rd

Artistic Director's Round Table Discussion
Sunday, May 3 at 5:00pm

Please join Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin who will be participating in Theater J's Artistic Director's Round Table Discussion: You're Gonna Love Tomorrow: Musical Theater in the New Millennium immediately following the Sunday matinee 3:00pm performance of The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall. The panel will be moderated by David Dower (Associate Artistic Director, Arena Stage) and Carolyn will be joined by Michael Baron (Associate Director, Signature Theater) and Matthew Gardiner (Resident Assistant Director, Signature Theater).

Theater J
1529 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036

TICKETS $30-$55: (800) 494-TIXS

www.theaterj.org

April 15-May 24, 2009
THE RISE AND FALL OF ANNIE HALL
A WORLD PREMIERE
By Sam Forman

Directed by Shirley Serotsky

Henry's a hungry librettist with a great idea and the moxie to pull it off. But complications ensue as he betrays his loved ones securing the rights to Woody Allen's famous film. The closer he gets to his dreams, the more havoc he wreaks. A hilarious tale about skyscraper ambitions in a celebrity driven town.

Upcoming Special Event

GENERAL ADMISSION
$25.00

VIP
(Reserved Seating, Concert Momento, Autographed Photo)
$50.00

FOR RESERVATIONS AND TICKETS, CONTACT:
MetroStage 703-548-9044
Becky Mays 202-306-6489
Paulette Taylor 571-315-8228
Jeanette Thorpe 301-396-4734