EVENT CATEGORIES
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EVENTS HIGHLIGHT
We’re Busy This Month!
The Washington Diplomat is hosting a trio of events this month for the local international, government and business communities. Our 12th annual Embassy Golf Tournament on May 6 is co-hosted by Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Yousef Al Otaiba. The popular annual event — the only one of its kind in the city — regularly attracts more than 150 ambassadors and diplomats, as well as members of Congress and officials from the U.S. government, multilateral agencies and the corporate world.
Participants enjoy a casual, relaxed day of golf and networking in addition to lunch, post-tournament dinner reception and awards presentation. Among the past prizes are iPads, high-definition televisions, local hotel excursions and airline tickets.
The tournament starts at noon at Worthington Manor Golf Club in Maryland, a U.S. Open Qualifying site with accolades ranging from “Best Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek to “Middle Atlantic’s 50 Best Courses” by GolfStyles. All levels of golfers are welcome.
Also this month, The Washington Diplomat presents two of its Ambassador Insider Series discussions, an exclusive program that allows guests to meet and mingle with the city’s foreign envoys and learn about their nations in an intimate setting at some of D.C.’s top venues.
On May 4, enjoy authentic Bajan rum and top-quality Nicaraguan cigars while learning about two of the most interesting, yet lesser-known, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Barbados and Nicaragua. The event is also an opportunity to bid farewell to John Beale, Bridgetown’s longtime ambassador in Washington, who is returning to his beloved Barbados after seven years in the United States.
Following the discussion at the Westin Georgetown hotel’s Promenade Room, participants will move to the outdoor terrace to enjoy a networking reception with plenty to eat, drink and smoke (a veteran cigar roller will be on hand to craft authentic Nicaraguan cigars on the spot).
Then on May 19, European Union Ambassador David O’Sullivan discusses the array of pressing challenges facing the EU — from radical Islamic extremists to the unprecedented influx of refugees from war-torn nations — at the Willard InterContinental Washington hotel.
O’Sullivan, who appeared on the July 2015 cover of The Washington Diplomat, will examine issues such as terrorism, the migrant crisis, the euro crisis, NATO and the possibility of a so-called “Brexit” that has triggered alarm bells on both sides of the Atlantic.
For more information, visit www.washdiplomat.com/DiplomatEvents/.
ART
May 3 to 20
Half-Lives and Half-Truths in the Radioactive Shadowlands
In “Shadowlands,” Robert Knoth (photographer) and Antoinette de Jong (interviewer) visited the Fukushima region with Greenpeace in 2011 to witness the effects wrought on the region by the nuclear fallout from the triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. In “Chernobyl Revisited: Half-Lives & Half-Truths,” the “worst environmental catastrophe” is captured through the everyday lives of the people of Ukraine and Belarus by D.C.-based award-winning documentary photographer and multimedia artist Gabriela Bulisova.
Goethe-Institut
May 6 to 31
Migration and Identity
This exhibition of textile and installation artwork by TeaYoun Kim-Kassor explores the inextricable connection between “Who am I?” and “Where am I?” that defines us as individuals. An associate professor at Georgia College, Kim-Kassor has dedicated much of her diverse artistic career to the nature of identity, and the profound impact of migration on that fundamental personal question. Here, she presents two of her signature collections. In “Migration Series,” a traditional Korean sewing technique, nubi, provides the basis for delicately layered textiles which — like one’s identity, built up from countless experiences, places and people — are dimensionless, boundless and defy perfect description. In “Tension,” she takes this complexity of self a step further, physically and visually illustrating the constant push and pull on the fabric that constitutes our lives: Our homeland can pull us back, while our destination pushes us forward.
Korean Cultural Center
Through May 8
Seeing Nature: Landscape Masterworks from the Paul G. Allen Family Collection
This major exhibition exploring the evolution of American and European landscape painting features 39 masterpieces, spanning five centuries, on loan from the collection of philanthropist and entrepreneur Paul G. Allen. “Seeing Nature” showcases the development of landscape painting from intimate views of the world to artists’ personal experiences with their surroundings.
The Phillips Collection
May 8 to Sept. 18
In Celebration of Paul Mellon
Paul Mellon was one of America’s greatest art collectors and remains one of the gallery’s leading benefactors. Timed to coincide with the gallery’s 75th anniversary, a special exhibition features 80 of the finest pastels, watercolors, drawings, prints, and illustrated books selected from his donations.
National Gallery of Art
May 11 to 27
Wolfgang Sagmeister: Indisputable Evidence?
This exhibition presents works by Wolfgang Sagmeister and Krista Kim. Sagmeister was born 1963 in Vienna and received his doctorate in historical and cultural studies from the University of Vienna in 2006. Kim is a Techism artist whose work is a response to our constant exposure to LED lights through our devices. Her work expresses digital consciousness and questions our current aesthetic principles, examining digital technology’s revolutionary effects on human perception, media, social structures and communication. For information, visit acfdc.org.
Embassy of Austria
Through May 15
Louise Bourgeois: No Exit
Louise Bourgeois’s ties to surrealism and existentialism will be explored through 17 works on paper and four sculptures.
National Gallery of Art
Through May 18
South Arabia Revisited: The Work of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Yemen
Archaeologists have always been fascinated by the impressive remains of monumental architecture, sculptures and artifacts of South Arabia’s past. This exhibit of archival documents, photographs, notebooks and drawings highlight stories from the field and collaborative efforts, showcasing important archaeological sites such as Barāqish and Tamna. The Italian Archaeological Mission in Yemen was launched in 1980 with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On view by appointment only; for information, visit www.iicwashington.esteri.it/iic_washington/en/.
Embassy of Italy
May 18 to Jan. 2
Senses of Time: Video and Film-Based Works of Africa
This exhibition features six internationally recognized African artists and examines how time is experienced and produced by the body. Bodies stand, climb, dance and dissolve in seven works of video and film art by Sammy Baloji, Theo Eshetu, Moataz Nasr, Berni Searle, Yinka Shonibare and Sue Williamson, all of whom repeat, resist and reverse the expectation that time must move relentlessly forward.
National Museum of African Art
Through May 22
Salon Style: French Portraits from the Collection
Presenting works at the salon — an exhibition sponsored by the Royal Academy of Art in Paris — marked success for artists in 18th-century France. The famed artist Élisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun was among the first women to exhibit at the event, yet she was by no means the only one. Drawn from the museum’s rich collection, this focus exhibition visualizes the world of the art salon and reveals how French women artists inspired each other as well as male artists who noted their great success.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
May 23 to June 12
Math You Can Touch
Mathematics, sometimes an abstract science, is brought to life via more than 160 experiments at the Mathematikum in Giessen, Germany, the first interactive mathematics museum in the world.
Goethe-Institut
Through May 29
Rimer Cardillo: A Journey to Ombú Bellaumbra
This exhibition features a diverse body of Uruguayan artist Rimer Cardillo’s work, including prints, photography, sculpture and installations. In addition to creating site-specific pieces that he refers to as cupí (the Guaraní word for anthill) and his collaborations in the fields of entomology and archaeology, Cardillo is also noted for his journalistic explorations of the Amazonian interior, rural estancias of northern Uruguay and southern Paraguay, and other remote regions of the South American continent.
Art Museum of the Americas
May 29 to Jan. 2
Intersections: Photographs and Videos from the National Gallery of Art and Corcoran Gallery of Art
Nearly 700 photographs from Eadweard Muybridge’s groundbreaking publication “Animal Locomotion,” acquired by the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1887, became the foundation for the institution’s early interest in photography. The Key Set of more than 1,600 works by Alfred Stieglitz, donated by Georgia O’Keeffe and the Alfred Stieglitz Estate, launched the photography collection at the National Gallery of Art in 1949. Inspired by these two seminal artists, Muybridge and Stieglitz, the exhibition brings together highlights of the recently merged collections of the Corcoran and the National Gallery of Art by a range of artists from the 1840s to today.
National Gallery of Art
Through May 30
The Lost Symphony: Whistler and the Perfection of Art
As part of “Peacock Room REMIX,” this exhibition reconstructs how Whistler’s unrealized quest for “the perfection of art” intersected with less-rarified concerns about patronage, payment, and professional reputation.
Freer Gallery of Art
Through May 31
Explore Canada: Manulife Art Collection
A selection of works from the Manulife art collection explores Canada through pieces from various regions, genres and artistic talents from across the country. The exhibit provides a unique view into the dynamic artistic pieces that were produced in Canada over the last 165 years. Manulife is a Canadian-based international financial services company with operations in the United States, Asia and Canada. In the United States, Manulife operates as John Hancock, which has been serving Americans for more than 150 years.
Embassy of Canada Art Gallery
Through June 3
In the Library: The Intersection of Commerce and Instruction in Art
The art we experience often depends as much upon the materials available to the artists who make it as it depends on the artists themselves. This exhibition looks at a variety of literature surrounding artists’ materials and instruction, and charts the ways in which the increasing commercialization of their production may have affected the practice of artists, especially following the industrial revolution.
National Gallery of Art
Through June 5
Perspectives: Lara Baladi
Egyptian-Lebanese artist Lara Baladi experiments with the photographic medium, investigating its history and its role in shaping perceptions of the Middle East, particularly Egypt, where she is based.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Through June 12
Konstantin Makovsky: The Tsar’s Painter
With Hillwood’s “A Boyar Wedding Feast” as the centerpiece, this exhibit offers a new perspective on Konstantin Makovsky’s work and its popularity in Gilded Age America, where it satisfied the appetite for dramatic historical stories, exotic settings and costumes, and admiration of European art and culture. In a dramatically lit setting, exquisite objects and details from the painting will be brought to life through groupings of 17th-century objects of boyar life, such as intricately embroidered garments and pearl-studded kokoshniki (women’s headdresses).
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Through June 26
Spanish Illustrators: The Color of Optimism
This show highlights outstanding works of contemporary illustrators in Spain that are creating new trends. Curated by journalist Mario Suárez, the exhibition showcases a generation of talented creators who frequently contribute to national and international publications, galleries, museums and popular brands.
Former Residence of the Ambassador of Spain
Through July 24
America’s Shakespeare
“America’s Shakespeare” reveals how Americans have made Shakespeare our own using a fascinating selection of rare letters, costumes, books and more.
Folger Shakespeare Library
Through July 24
Three Centuries of American Prints from the National Gallery of Art
Since opening in 1941, the gallery has amassed an outstanding collection of American prints representing the history of American art from the early 18th century to the present. Timed to coincide with the gallery’s 75th anniversary, this first comprehensive exhibition of American prints to encompass three centuries will highlight some 160 works from the gallery’s collection
National Gallery of Art
Through July 29
Caribbean in Motion: Improving Lives through Artistry and Animation
This video-based exhibit by Caribbean artists pays tribute to the Bahamas, host of the 2016 annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank Board of Governors. “Caribbean in Motion” explores the multifaceted social and economic benefits generated by the animation industry, underscoring the importance of nurturing a vibrant creative economy. Animation, the art of illustrating video sequences, has huge potential as both a business and an art form that supports sustainable social and economic development in the Caribbean.
Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center
Through July 31
Heart of an Empire: Herzfeld’s Discover of Pasargadae
Located in southwestern Iran, Pasargadae was the first capital of the ancient Achaemenid Persian Empire (circa 540 B.C.) and the last resting place of Cyrus the Great. Impressed with its ruins, German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld (1879–1948) briefly surveyed the site for the first time in 1905, returning to conduct more extensive excavations. Featuring selections from the Freer|Sackler Archives’ rich holdings of Herzfeld’s drawings, notes and photographs, this exhibition illuminates one of the most important sites of the ancient world.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Through July 31
She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World
This landmark exhibition of more than 80 photographs and a video installation challenges stereotypes surrounding the people, landscapes and cultures of Iran and the Arab world.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Through Sept. 4
Stories of Migration: Contemporary Artists Interpret Diaspora
In this juried and invitational exhibition, 44 artists share personal and universal stories of migration — from historic events that scattered communities across continents to today’s accounts of migrants and refugees adapting to a new homeland. The artists explore: historic events that scattered people and cultures across continents; today’s accounts of migrants from Syria, Latin America and Africa adapting to new homes; and personal experiences of family members. The exhibition will feature works by artists such as fashion designer Hussein Chalayan, Mexican-American fiber artist Consuelo Jiménez Underwood, French-Togolese artist William Adjété Wilson and American artists Faith Ringgold and Penny Mateer.
The George Washington University Museum
Textile Museum
Through Sept. 18
Symbolic Cities: The World of Ahmed Mater
Born in 1979 in southern Saudi Arabia and trained as a medical doctor, Ahmed Mater has been a practicing artist since the early 1990s, creating works that offer an unparalleled perspective on contemporary Saudi Arabia. Now based in Jeddah, Mater has focused primarily on photography and video since 2010. From abandoned desert cities to the extraordinary transformation of Mecca, “Symbolic Cities” presents his visual and aural journeys observing economic and urban change in Saudi Arabia.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Through Jan. 29
Turquoise Mountain: Artists Transforming Afghanistan
Decades of civil unrest nearly destroyed Afghanistan’s vital artistic heritage. Over the past decade, Turquoise Mountain, an organization founded in 2006 at the request of the prince of Wales and the president of Afghanistan, has transformed the Murad Khani district of Old Kabul from slum conditions into a vibrant cultural and economic center.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
DANCE
May 4 to 15
Bowie & Queen: A Ballet Rock Tribute
The Washington Ballet presents a full-throttle evening of entertainment that combines the artistry and beauty of dance with the power of the world’s most innovative popular rock icons who defined an epoch and became fixtures in American pop culture: David Bowie and Queen. The performance features two company premieres: Trey McIntyre’s “Mercury Half-Life” and Edwaard Liang’s “Dancing in the Street,” and includes a live electric violin performance by S&R Foundation’s Artist-in-Residence Machiko Ozawa. Tickets are $32.25 to $130.
Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
DISCUSSIONS
Thu., May 5, 12:30 p.m.
How’s It Going, Germany? Germany’s Brand
Germany has been enjoying a golden age in terms of its image in the U.S. This is closely associated with the success of German industry and trade. How resilient is the brand, and how can faith in the brand be restored if it is damaged? Jake Jones of Daimler, Thomas Zielke of the Representative of German Industry and Trade and the Washington Post’s Charles Lane discuss the issue.
Goethe-Institut
Fri., May 20, 6:30 p.m.
The Botstiber Foundation: The Politics of Migration in America and Austria
The Botstiber Foundation presents a panel discussion on migration issues (including related issues of racism, nationalism and terrorism) confronting both Austria and the United States from the perspective of three leading academics who will compare and contrast the issues that afflict both countries. The issue dominates the 2016 campaign for the American presidency, where a Republican candidate would deport all illegal immigrants, refuse entry to all Muslims and build a wall between Mexico and the U.S. Austrians are polarized by the surge of Middle Eastern immigrants coming across their border, first from Hungary and later from Slovenia. Nearly 100,000 people have applied for asylum in Austria over the past year, raising fears of joblessness, terrorism and cultural collapse.
Embassy of Austria
FESTIVALS
May 1 to 31
Passport DC
Cultural Tourism DC hosts this month-long journey around the world highlighting D.C.’s thriving international diplomatic community and its lively and varied culture. Celebrated annually in May, which is International Cultural Awareness Month in Washington, Passport DC is 31 days of programming by 70 embassies and more than 40 of the city’s very best cultural institutions. In 2015, more than 250,000 people enjoyed the popular embassy open houses, street festivals, performances, exhibitions, workshops and more. For information, visit www.culturaltourismdc.org.
Various locations
May 13 to 15
SerbFest DC Spring 2016 Festival
Presented by the Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church of Potomac, Md., the epicenter of Serbian culture in and around D.C., this three-day festival spans an entire weekend to showcase authentic Serbian cuisine, customs and culture. SerbFest DC Spring 2016 has something for everyone, including traditional Serbian dishes, beverages, dance, music performances, gifts and boutique items and family-friendly activities. In addition, admission and parking are free, an indoor setup has been arranged in case of inclement weather and all a la carte food item proceeds benefit Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church. For more information, visit serbfestdc.com.
Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church
Sun., May 15, 12 to 5 p.m.
Fiesta Paraguaya
The Embassy of Paraguay hosts this free, open-air festival to celebrate 205 years of independence as well as Paraguayan Mother’s Day. The event with feature an array of Paraguayan culture and entertainment, including dance; live music by local and special guest artists from Paraguay; food stands with traditional dishes; arts and crafts; children’s games; a mini-soccer tournament; prizes and more. Follow “Fiesta Paraguaya” on Facebook.
Bretton Woods Recreation Center
Germantown, Md.
GALAS
Fri., May 13
The Phillips Collection Annual Gala: Arabesque: Patterns of Beauty East–West, A Salute to Qatar
The Phillips Collection’s annual gala partners with the Embassy of Qatar this year to pay homage to the impact of the arabesque on modern art, and celebrate artistic exchange and cultural diplomacy between Qatar and the United States. The glittering gala attracts 500 cultural, political, diplomatic and business leaders to dine among the Phillips’s masterworks. With the support of many local and national partners, the black-tie event includes a cocktail reception and dinner followed by live music, dessert and champagne. The evening coincides with “Contemporaries Bash: Dreaming of Doha” — a dazzling night of cocktails, music, food, fashion, and dancing at Dock 5 at Union Market that attracts more than 700 of the city’s young professionals. For information, visit www.phillipscollection.org/support/annual-gala.
The Phillips Collection
Sat., May 21
Opera Ball
The Washington National Opera (WNO) hosts its annual Opera Ball at the iconic headquarters of the Organization of American States this year. Under the joint chairmanship of Jane and Calvin Cafritz and Samia and A. Huda Farouki — and in celebration of WNO’s 60th Diamond Anniversary Season — the evening will feature intimate pre-ball dinners hosted by various ambassadors at their elegant residences and embassies throughout D.C., concluding at the OAS, where guests will experience a memorable evening of dessert, music and dancing. To receive more information, contact the Kennedy Center Special Events Office at (202) 416-8496
Organization of American States
MUSIC
Thu., May 5, 7:30 p.m.
Edgar Moreau, Cello
Jessica Osborne, Piano
“The rising star of the French cello,” 21-year-old cellist Edgar Moreau consistently captivates audiences with his effortless virtuosity and dynamic performances (Le Figaro Magazine). He performs a program of Bach, Franck, Schnittke and Chopin. Tickets are $150, including valet parking; for information, visit www.embassyseries.org.
Belmont Mansion
Tue., May 10, 7 p.m.
Washington Performing Arts: Itzhak Perlman, Violin, and Emanuel Ax, Piano
With numerous awards and honors between them, these celebrated statesmen of the classical music world prove their wit and charm are ever present, performing sonatas by Mozart, Fauré, Strauss and other selections to be announced from the stage. Tickets are $55 to $135.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Thu., May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Mozart in Vienna: Le Nozze di Figaro
Mozart in Vienna presents the composer’s opera “Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro),” which debuted in Vienna on May 1, 1786. Mozart’s comic masterpiece about love and marriage in the “upstairs-downstairs” castle of the Count and Countess Almaviva thrills with his magnificent melodies, glorious arias, comic fun and the timeless message of love, fidelity and forgiveness. This special performance celebrates the 230th anniversary debut of Mozart’s greatest opera and shines with internationally acclaimed singers, costumes and chamber ensemble in Italian with English narration. For ticket information, visit acfdc.org.
Embassy of Austria
Sat., May 21, 7:30 p.m.
Laufey Sigurðardóttir, Violin
Beth Levin, Piano
Reykjavik native Laufey Sigurðardóttir studied in Iceland, the U.S., Belgium and Italy, and has appeared as a recitalist and chamber musician in all of the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, Spain and Russia She performs a program of Schubert, Grieg and Beethoven. Tickets are $110, including buffet reception; for information, visit www.embassyseries.org.
Icelandic Ambassador’s Residence
Sat., May 21, 6:30 p.m.
Opera Camerata of Washington D.C. Spring Gala
Under the patronage of Greek Ambassador Christos P. Panagopoulos, the Opera Camerata of Washington D.C. hosts a dinner and performance of Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” at Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies. Opera Camerata offers both first-time and long-time fans of all ages a unique, intimate opera experience that combines world-class performances and orchestras with lavish receptions held in exclusive salon settings. Tickets start at $225; for information, visit www.operacamerata.org.
Center for Hellenic Studies
Sun., May 22, 4 p.m.
The Children’s Chorus of Washington: Around the World in 20 Years
A grand finale for D.C.’s premier children’s chorus founder, Joan Gregoryk, this concert features music from around the world performed by the Children’s Chorus of Washington’s ensembles, its alumni chorus and special guests. Call for ticket information.
GW Lisner Auditorium
Tue., May 24, 7:30 p.m.
Juan Vasle, Bass-Baritone
George Peachey, Piano
Juan Vasle, a Slovenian citizen, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he received his diploma as a singer at the Superior Institute of Arte of the Teatro Colón. Since 1990, he is a member of the solo ensemble of the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, where he has performed a long line of important bass roles. He performs a program of operatic arias, Lieder, tangos and South American and Slovenian folksongs. Tickets are $90, including buffet reception; for information, visit www.embassyseries.org.
Embassy of Slovenia
Fri., May 27, 7:30 p.m.
Kauder Trio
Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms? Famous names are rarely found on the programs of the Hugo Kauder Trio; however, great music definitely is. The three musicians are convinced that the jewels of sound can be found at eye level with the creations of the great masters, written by Kahn, Klughardt or Kauder. In addition to the qualities of the music itself, the unexpected spectrum of timbres in the rare combination of oboe, viola and piano plays a vital role in the success of this trio as well. They perform a program of Kauder, Dvořák, Kupkovič, Tchaikovsky and Scharwenka. Tickets are $80, including buffet reception; for information, visit www.embassyseries.org.
Embassy of Slovakia
THEATER
May 2 to 18
Washington National Opera: Ring Cycle – The Valkyrie
In the “Ring” second chapter, the offspring of Wotan, king of the gods, boldly test his will. Siegmund is attracted to his sister Sieglinde, while Brünnhilde is torn between obeying orders and preventing Siegmund’s demise. Tickets are $75 to $525.
Kennedy Center Opera House
May 4 to 20
Washington National Opera: Ring Cycle – Siegfried
The third opera in the “Ring Cycle” is a coming-of-age story at heart. Raised in the wilderness, Wotan’s grandchild Siegfried sets out to escape his wicked caretaker, slay a fearsome dragon and rescue the beautiful Brünnhilde. Tickets are $75 to $525.
Kennedy Center Opera House
May 6 to 22
Washington National Opera: Ring Cycle – Twilight of the Gods
The “Ring” reaches its supreme climax in this final saga of betrayal and sacrifice, destruction and renewal. Siegfried is tricked into abandoning Brünnhilde, who makes one final, shocking choice to restore the universe to its natural order. Tickets are $75 to $525.
Kennedy Center Opera House
Through May 8
All the Way
It’s not personal, it’s politics in this 2014 Tony Award-winning drama about President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s impassioned struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Tickets are $40 to $90.
Arena Stage
Through May 8
Chronicle of a Death Foretold (Crónica de una muerte anunciada)
Based on a true story, this tightly woven tale of a small town in Colombia unfolds against a conspiracy of silence, revenge and strict moral codes that lead to tragedy. After marrying against her will, Angela is returned to her mother when the angry new husband discovers she is not a virgin. Forced to name who deflowered her, Angela’s brothers embark on a murderous mission. Tickets are $38 to $42.
GALA Hispanic Theatre
Through May 8
C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert
For the first time, Max McLean takes audiences on a fascinating theatrical adventure as C.S. Lewis, tracing his journey from atheism to belief. Tickets are $36 to $96.
The Shakespeare Lansburgh Theatre
Through May 8
The Reduced Shakespeare Company: William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)
Discovered in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England, an ancient manuscript proves to be the long-lost first play by none other than the young William Shakespeare. Using questionable scholarship and street-performer smarts, the three comic actors throw themselves into a fast, funny, and frenzied festival of physical finesse, witty wordplay, and plentiful (pitiful) punning. Tickets are $35 to $75.
Folger Shakespeare Library
May 11 to June 19
The Man in the Iron Mask
In Synetic Theater’s follow-up to “The Three Musketeers,” our hero D’Artagnan finds himself alone in the service of King Louis XIV after his comrades have retired. Unbeknownst to D’Artagnan, his old friends plan to remove the corrupt king and replace him with his good twin, held captive in the Bastille. Tickets start at $35.
Synetic Theater
May 17 to June 26
The Taming of the Shrew
Stage and screen actors Maulik Pancholy (“Weeds,” “30 Rock”) and Peter Gadiot (“Once Upon a Time in Wonderland”) will be seen playing Katherina and Petruchio respectively in Ed Sylvanus Iskandar’s bold new interpretation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Spilling from the stage into the lobbies and the street, this production will use an all-male cast to examine the fluidity of identity, the authenticity of self-performance and the economics of love in one of Shakespeare’s most notorious texts. Call for ticket information.
Shakespeare Theatre Harman Hall
Through May 29
Disgraced
The son of South Asian immigrants, Amir has worked hard to achieve the American Dream — complete with a successful career, a beautiful wife and $600 custom-tailored shirts. But has he removed himself too far from his roots? And when a friendly dinner party conversation rockets out of control, will the internal battle between his culture and his identity raze all that he’s worked so hard to achieve? Tickets are $40 to $90.
Arena Stage
May 31 to July 3
District Merchants
Love and litigation, deep passions and predatory lending are taken to a new level in this uneasy comedy, which wades fearlessly into the endless complexities and contradictions of life in America. Set among the black and Jewish populations of an imagined time and place — simultaneously Shakespearean, post-Civil War D.C., and today— “District Merchants” is a remarkable tale of money, merchandise, and mercy brought to the stage by four-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Aaron Posner. Tickets are $35 to $75.
Folger Shakespeare Theatre