Immerse yourself in the dark arts and catch some live theater performances this October.
One of the many old superstitions of stage design is that every theater is haunted by its own ghost. Whether to soothe the mind or keep it at bay, theaters often keep a “ghost light” lit on stage when the building is otherwise dark. But in many District theaters, ghost hunters and ghouls, serial killers and witches, decapitated teenagers and many others are all invited on stage this season.
Up to 10.8
“Alceste” at Dupont Underground, Baltimore Theater Project + GALA Hispanic Theater
IN Opera Series descends into the Greek underworld this season, staging the old tragicomedy “Alceste” at the Dupont Underground. Using a score by Handel, a translation of Euripides’ ancient play by Ted Hughes, and additional poetry by Sylvia Plath, the work focuses on the heroine who offers her life in place of that of her husband.
“Last year, our first show was a version of the myth of Orpheus, another story set in Hades,” says Timothy Nelson, artistic director of IN Series Opera. “That’s why we chose the metro: we just love this space aesthetically and acoustically, and the public loves going there.”
For shows at the GALA Hispanic Theater, the audience sits on stage. The action takes place in front of the stage to recreate the experience of an ancient Greek drama.
Check the IN Series website for individual performances.
1835 14th Street NW, DC; inseries.org // @insertopera
Until 10/29
“The Paranormal Brothers” at the Olney Theater
“We are all haunted — by family, by the past, by a sense of displacement,” co-director Hallie Gordon says of “The Brothers Paranormal” onstage at the Olney Theater.
Written by Prince Gomolvilas and co-directed by Aria Velz, the play follows Thai-American ghost-hunting brothers Max and Visarut and their vexed relationship with a ghost haunting the home of a Hurricane Katrina evacuee.
“Like all good horror stories, ‘The Brothers Paranormal’ operates on both a visceral level – delivering frightening jolts that make the blood race – and a metaphorical level,” says Gordon. “With courage and good humor, these characters must confront the demons of guilt, grief and fear that we all share in these uncertain and unstable times. »
During production, Olney also hosted supernatural-themed community events.
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. Olney, MD; olneytheatre.org // @olney theater
Until 11.5
“The Tell-Tale Heart” at the Synetic Theater
Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling short story is re-envisioned as a live-action nightmare, in which young and old versions of the same character converge. Synetic Theater co-founder Paata Tsikurishvili returns to the director’s chair for this thought-provoking, time-warping tale of mania and murder.
“We also have a chorus of vultures that represent and symbolize the growing madness of the main character, young Poe,” says Tsikurishvili. “They push him towards murder, encourage him and support him along the way. (Old Poe) is not just any old man, like in the story. We made him a declining artist suffering from dementia, his art part of what drives Young Poe crazy.
Told in Synetic’s signature kinetic style, “The Tell-Tale Heart” promises to be poignant and atmospheric.
1800 S Bell St. Arlington, Virginia; synetictheater.org // @synetic theater
10:10-10:29 a.m.
“Macbee in stride” at the Shakespeare Theater Company
“The story of Lady Macbeth, who she was, who she is, who she could be, is endlessly fascinating,” says Whitney White, who wrote and stars in this answer to the Shakespeare classic “Macbeth.”
“Some of the things she desires are also the things many modern women seek in their lives: marriage, desire, and power. Why is the iconography of Lady Macbeth such a sticking point for us culturally, and how does it devalue women?
In “Macbeth in Stride,” on stage at the Shakespeare Theater Company, White rewrites his story by centering Lady Macbeth as an ambitious black woman who challenges the misogyny inherent in a “power-hungry woman” while creating a spellbinding rock musical. The show is complete with a trio of singing witches, a live band, choreography and a tattooed Macbeth.
450 7th Street NW, DC; shakespearetheater.org // @shakespeareindc
10:19-10:29 a.m.
“Monstrous” at the Black Box Theater in Silver Spring
The Flying V Theater invites brave souls to view a manananggal captured during its meal in a secure, gated exhibit. What could go wrong? The manananggal is a vampire-like creature from Philippine mythology, whose winged upper torso flies through the air at night in search of young lovers or happily pregnant women to feast on. Try to get this nightmare vision out of your head.
With “Monstress,” Flying V has developed an immersive horror experience for small audiences at the Silver Spring Black Box Theater, which combines live and digital performances to interact with a sense of dread and horror and with the question persistence of what we consider monstrous. Do you dare to look? For a first look, check out Flying V’s series of animated shorts about this unleashed monster on their YouTube channel.
8641 Colesville Road. Silver Spring, MD; Flyingvtheatre.com // @flying theater
10:25-11:18 a.m.
“Kill the Ripper” at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
“I’m thrilled to direct the U.S. premiere of ‘Kill the Ripper’ at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop,” shares director Megan Behm of the feminist revisionist play tackling the theme of the infamous Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper. “This play features hard-hitting action sequences, compelling characters, feminist themes, an awkward but heartwarming love story, and deliciously dark comedy. At its core, this show is about a group of women who are tired of feeling powerless and decide to take matters into their own hands. “Kill the Ripper celebrates what happens when marginalized people regain power from their oppressors – with satisfying (and bloody) results.”
For the broadcast of “Kill the Ripper”, special evening shows are organized during International Sherry Week and on Halloween night.
545 7th Street SE, DC; wehappyfewdc.com // @noushappyfewdc
10:27-11:26 a.m.
“Ride the Cyclone” at NextStop Theater Company
“Your lucky number is seven. You will soar to great heights. Make sure to ride the Cyclone.
With this generic prophecy, the fate of six teenagers was sealed. If you missed this cult musical phenomenon at Arena Stage last season, or want to spend more time with the Dead, get in line for this unforgettable roller coaster ride at NextStop Theater Company in Herndon, Virginia.
With book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, ‘Ride the Cyclone’ follows the untimely deaths of a group of Canadian choir students after a freak accident at an amusement park . Now the teenagers – all in limbo – have the chance to sing their stories and be given another chance at life. “Ride the Cyclone” is bold, macabre and incredibly invigorating.
269 Sunset Park Dr. Herndon, Virginia nextstoptheatre.org // @next stop theater
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Colleen Kennedy
Colleen Kennedy writes about art, culture and music for District Fray. She is also a publicist and editor for the Shakespeare Theater Company.
