Jeff Walker teaches theatre arts in Northern Virginia. He is also an award-winning theatre critic. Currently he is a regular contributor to DC Theatre Scene and Broadway World's DC region. He also writes Stage Views, a regular column for the theatre reviews and views for the Culpeper Times. Jeff is also an experienced director and actor and has performed in musicals, Shakespeare, classics, operettas, and contemporary works.
 BWW Reviews: TWELFTH NIGHT is Perfect at the Folger
May 8, 2013
Folger Theatre's TWELFTH NIGHT is simply perfection. A complete triumph, TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Robert Richmond, is a clear, funny and touching rendering of a Shakespeare play that can appeal to any theatre-goer. After their sell-out production of HENRY V, which received all sorts of accolades, Folger may have topped itself. TWELFTH NIGHT is one you don't want to miss.
 BWW Reviews: SHOW BOAT Rolls Along at Washington National Opera
May 6, 2013
SHOW BOAT is back in an appealing production by the Washington National Opera. The Kennedy Center Opera House is a fitting berth for Captain Andy's Cotton Blossom and the happy/troubled show folk who make it their home. Boasting a cast and chorus of 100, WNO's SHOW BOAT allows the story to roll along the 40-year time span and the glorious music to enthrall the audience once again.
 BWW Reviews: OTHER DESERT CITIES at Arena Stage Boasts Strong Performances
May 4, 2013
Lead by Helen Carey and Larry Bryggman, Jon Robin Baitz's OTHER DESERT CITIES at Arena Stage boasts strong performances and clear direction by Kyle Donnelly.
 BWW Reviews: Rediscover the Brilliance and Cunning of WALLENSTEIN at Shakespeare Theatre Company
April 19, 2013
WALLENSTEIN deserves to be considered a regular visitor to classical theatres throughout the world. Robert Pinsky's free adaptation of an 18th century epic is one more fabulous rediscovery of a near-forgotten classic to the company's production. The play is anchored by Steve Pickering's performance in the title role.
 BWW Reviews: THE FULL MONTY with Sally Struthers is a Crowd Pleaser at Riverside Center
April 17, 2013
Beefcake, in all shapes and sizes, is front and center in the musical romp The Full Monty. As produced by Riverside Dinner Theatre in Fredericksburg, the show is a crowd-pleaser. A bit naughty, yes, so leave the kids at home. Otherwise, featured player Sally Struthers and company give the audience a rollicking good time.
 BWW: RUMORS spread and laughter follows when McLean Community Players presents Neil Simon Farce
April 17, 2013
RUMORS, Neil Simon's one and only farce, comes to McLean Community Players in a production directed by Rosemary Hartman. Broadway World's Jeffrey Walker sat in on rehearsal to get a preview of the production.
The production runs Fridays-Sundays, April 19-May 4, 2013, at the Alden Theatre in the McLean Community Center.
 BWW Reviews: Shakespeare Theatre Company Offers Powerful CORIOLANUS
April 16, 2013
Shakespeare Theatre Company's new production of Coriolanus offers a no-nonsense approach to the text and memorable performances that go a long way to make a case for audiences to discover this difficult play.
 BWW Reviews: HELLO, DOLLY! at Ford's Theatre is Musical Heaven
April 3, 2013
Ford's Theatre and Signature Theatre have come together for a roof-raising revival of what might be the feel good musical of the year: their joint production of HELLO, DOLLY! Washington audiences should not miss this gorgeous looking show fabulously lead by Broadway veteran Nancy Opel as Dolly Levi. This is musical theatre heaven!
 BWW Reviews: 1st Stage Offers Tour-de-Force with NEVER THE SINNER
March 28, 2013
The sordid tale of Leopold and Loeb is the subject of NEVER THE SINNER now receiving a strong production at 1st Stage in Tysons. Directed by Jeremy Skidmore, the play is carefully crafted and is a winning blend of theatrical bravura, sexual tension, calculating criminals, and period flair. Stephen Russell Murray and Alex Mandell also give tour-de-force performances.
 BWW Reviews: Take a Worthwhile Trip to 4,000 MILES at Studio Theatre
March 27, 2013
4,000 Miles is right at home at Studio Theatre: a crackling good contemporary script, first class actors, and a top notch production. If we gave out stars at Broadway World, I would give this show five out of five.
 BWW Interviews: JASON INVISIBLE at Kennedy Center - a Talk with director Rosemary Newcott
March 22, 2013
A humorous stage adaptation of an award-winning book, JASON INVISIBLE is a world premiere commission by the Kennedy Center and VSA. The story of a young teenager dealing with a mentally ill father, JASON INVISIBLE shows the power of friendship in an interactive theatrical experience directed by Rosemary Newcott of Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
 BWW Reviews: HUGHIE Shines at Shakespeare Theatre Company
February 12, 2013
HUGHIE, by Eugene O'Neill, shines in a handsome production at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. Lead by Emmy-winner, Richard Schiff HUGHIE is an O'Neill curiosity that is worth seeing. Just ignore the voice-overs, please.
 BWW Interviews: Lisa Anne Bailey, Director of NEXT TO NORMAL, McLean Community Players
February 10, 2013
Broadway World-DC's Jeffrey Walker sat down with Lisa Anne Bailey, director of NEXT TO NORMAL at McLean Community Players. Bailey declares the show is 'brave on every front' and is a powerful story of love and family.
 BWW Reviews: KAFKA ON THE SHORE Succeeds at Spooky Action
February 6, 2013
Prepare for a waking dream as Spooky Action Theatre crosses through time and space with KAFKA ON THE SHORE.
 BWW Reviews: Fords Theatre Presents Reverential OUR TOWN For Our Time
February 2, 2013
OUR TOWN gets a reverent 75th anniversary production at Ford's Theatre. Thornton Wilder's classic drama still shines, in spite of some forced moments. Director Stephen Rayne allows the play to remain imaginative, while not offering a definitive take on it.
 BWW Reviews: National Tour of LES MISERABLES at DC's National Theatre - Still Impressive in Revised Version
December 16, 2012
Making its tenth visit to Washington, DC, LES MISERABLES is still impressive, boasting a revised look and sound and a dynamic duo Jean Valjean and Javert, Peter Lockyer and Andrew Varela. The national tour makes a holiday season stop at the National Theatre through December 30.
 BWW Reviews: ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN Sings With Heart and Soul at Arena Stage
October 15, 2012
Now running at Arena Stage through November 4, ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a living, breathing collage of musical theatre, time capsule, and reunion concert with the late Janis Joplin. Performer Mary Bridget Davies was born to play Janis Joplin and Johnson has given her the perfect vehicle for her talents.
 BWW REVIEWS: Adventure Theatre has a Hit with Premiere of BIG, THE MUSICAL
October 1, 2012
BIG, the Musical comes back in a new, Theatre for Young Audiences version that has a big heart. From ages 6 to 96, the TYA BIG will entertain and deserves to have a long life. Michael J. Bobbitt's production at Adventure Theatre-MTC is the world premiere.
 BWW REVIEWS: Roundhouse Theatre Offers a Monumental BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO
September 14, 2012
Round House Theatre has produced the area premiere of Rajiv Joseph's haunting and powerful BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO. Jeremy Skidmore's production is monumental and the acting ensemble is superb.
 BWW Reviews: Yeston and Kopit’s PHANTOM Has Passion at Riverside Center
September 2, 2012
Fredericksburg's Riverside Dinner Theatre offers haunting and romantic production of the other musical version of Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, featuring Patrick A'Hearn in the title role. PHANTOM continues through October 14, 2012.
 BWW Reviews: Wayside Theatre Takes Winning Trip for TUNA DOES VEGAS
September 2, 2012
Wayside Theatre takes a second trip to Tuna, Texas, and finds some laughs along the way. TUNA DOES VEGAS entertains through September 22, 2012 at Shenandoah Valley's venerable professional theatre.
 AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is a Masterpiece Production for Keegan Theatre
August 10, 2012
The Keegan Theatre now has a masterpiece production with AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, running through September 2, at Church Street, Washington, D.C. Director Mark A. Rhea has assembled a skillful acting company, lead by Rena Cherry Brown, mining the depth of this award-winning play by Tracy Letts.
 BWW Interviews: Director Hannah Malinowski Focuses on Fun for Fauquier Community Theatre’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
August 3, 2012
Director Hannah Malinowski talks about her experiences preparing A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM for the summer youth showcase at Fauquier Community Theatre. Shakespeare's romantic comedy runs August 3-12, 2012 at the group's theatre in Vint Hill.
 BWW Interviews: Keegan Theatre’s Mark A. Rhea on Opening AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and His Life’s Work
August 2, 2012
Keegan Theatre's producing artistic director Mark A. Rhea discusses the Washington, D.C.-based theatre company. The Keegan opens Tracy Letts' award-winning dark comedy AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY August 3, which runs through September 2, 2012 at the Church Street Theatre.
 BWW Reviews: Stylish PRIVATE LIVES Amuses at Wayside Theatre
August 2, 2012
PRIVATE LIVES, quintessential Noel Coward, still shows style and wit onstage at Wayside Theatre, Middletown, Va. But the well cast production is amusing without being a laugh riot. PRIVATE LIVES runs through August 11.
BWW Interviews: Director Hannah Malinowski Focuses on Fun for Fauquier Community Theatre’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
July 27, 2012
Director Hannah Malinowski talks about her experiences preparing A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM for the summer youth showcase at Fauquier Community Theatre. Shakespeare's romantic comedy runs August 3-12, 2012 at the group's theatre in Vint Hill.
BWW Reviews: Contemporary American Theater Festival Brings Exciting New American Plays to the Stage
July 24, 2012
The Contemporary American Theater Festival, an annual summer showcase for new plays is back for the 22nd season. Five new plays by American playwrights are presented at different venues on the Shepherd campus through July 29, 2012.
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