SOLD OUT - "Signature Scene" for Young Professionals

UPDATE:
Sorry to say this event is sold out. The show is running for several weeks and has tickets available but tomorrow's event is sold out. I'll let you know if I find out about any other opportunities for reduced prices tickets or special events.


In my humble opinion, Les Miserables is the best musical ever. So you better believe I'm headed to Signature Theatre tomorrow night for the "Signature Scene" event.

Signature's offering a package with 1/2 tickets for young professionals (under 40) and a special wine and cheese reception before the show. The package is $32.50, which is quite reasonable when you consider the costs of going out and the quality of the show.

The venue is in Shirlington which is packed with great options for dining beforehand or going out after.

Not available this Thursday? It appears that Signature Theatre hosts a Signature Scene event on the first Thursday of a run each time a new show opens. The next one is a satiric comedy, "The Little Dog Laughed" on February 12th.

Upcoming: Kathie Lee (Where's Regis?) at Signature (FREE)

Kathie Lee Gifford? Huh? She has a life after Regis? Who knew? Do you think she has a burning dislike for Kelly Ripa?

Anyways, if you're a theatre fan, and particularly if you're a fan of Signature Theatre, these two upcoming events sound like great opportunities to get behind the scenes info.

Event #1: From Page to Stage: The Making of a Musical with Eric Schaefer

Learn more about the upcoming premier of Saving Aimee, The American Musical Voices Project, and other works in development with Eric Schaeffer of Signature Theatre.

Monday, April 2

7:00 - 8:00pm
NEW Shirlington Library
2800 S. Stafford Street

Event #2:
The Making of a Musical with Kathie Lee Gifford

Apparently, Kathie Lee is the writer and lyricist for the upcoming production at Signature - Saving Aimee. Who knew? Anyway, come chat with Kathie Lee and learn more about the upcoming musical. Kathie Lee even has a blog about the show - although I find it rather amusing that she refers to herself as a "starving" playwright.

Thursday, April 5,
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Signature Theatre
The Mead Lobby
2800 S. Stafford St.

Into the Woods

This post was going to be my review of the new production of Into the Woods at the new Signature Theatre. But I'm not going to do that. It has always been the goal of this blog to give honest opinions of the things I do in Arlington, and I just can't do that with this show - not that the show was bad; it wasn't - I really enjoyed it. I think it was a very good show. But because I simply can not be objective.

You see, a good friend of mine from high school is one of the main characters in this show. He's been in New York off and on Broadway and now he is down here for a few months doing this show and then a show at Ford's Theatre. And I just think that is really cool. A guy I played basketball with in high school is making a living doing professional theatre. It's just kind of fun to go see him. So, that's why I can't give an objective review.

Here are some things, I think I can objectively say:

• The set is super cool. You really feel like you are in the woods, even as an audience member.
• The new theatre space is fantastic - very modern, very nice
• Tickets are expensive ($45-$63)- not necessarily unfairly expensive. You pay for high level professional theatre and you get high level professional theatre. Plus, you are much closer than you would be at say, National or Warner, for the same price.
• Tickets are selling super fast.
• Signature has it's very own blog -- and while it doesn't appear to be updated super often, I like the behind the scenes idea

Update: I may not feel like a can give a fair review, but I think DCIst does a nice review. And as for my buddy from high school, here's what they have to say:

And we cannot forget the two princes, one after Cinderella (James Moye, also
engaging as the feral, oversexed wolf), the other pursuing Rapunzel (Sean
MacLaughlin); together, they steal the show with their dramatic tale of
one-upmanship

Signature Theatre Open House

I had the privilege of checking out the new space for Signature Theatre recently. Let me just say - it is very very cool. It's very open, colorful, inviting, and just generally cool.

This weekend you can check out the space as well and enjoy some open house activities.

Free events include concerts by Tony® nominees Emily Skinner and Euan Morton, and a preview performance of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods. Signature is located in Shirlington Village at 2800 S. Stafford St (Google doesn't seem to like that address, but if you can get to Shirlington, you'll find it. . Events are free, but some are ticketed.

You can check out the full open house schedule on the Signature Theatre website.

Check back next week for my thoughts on the new show - Into the Woods.