On Stage in February

February may be the shortest month, but it sure isn't short on drama. The magic of Shakespeare comes to the stage in a whole new way, while an Academy Award-winning screenwriter turns his talent from screen to the stage. Also look for the unexpected side of your local megamart and some crazy book club shenanigans debuting on stage this month.

The Grimm Brothers visit K-Mart in "Lost & Foundling" at Imagination Stage. Appropriate for children ages 6 and older, the play follows a young girl who was raised by the employees of a mega-mart. After hearing about the mythical lost and found, the girl sets off on a mission and endures the heckling customers, long lines and other tribulations to find her destination. (Feb. 2-March 2)

Three unconventional couples explore dreams, commitment and ideologies in the wacky "Swimming in the Shallows." Produced by Catalyst Theatre at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the show features a love affair with a shark and a few heavy Rhode Island accents. (Feb. 6-March 8)

Anybody deciding between a night curled up with a book and a night on the town can have the best of both with "The Book Club Play" at Round House Theatre in Bethesda. the play follows the members of a book club who invite a new character into their tight-knit group. The show incorporates talk about dozens of books including "Lolita," "The DaVinci Code," "Charlotte's Web" and "Jane Eyre."
(Feb. 6-March 2)

Teatro de la Luna presents the national premiere of "Frida Kahlo, the Pasion" at Gunston Arts Center. The production follows the Mexican artist during her confinement. It incorporates music and surrealist techniques in bringing the artist's touch to the stage. The show is performed in Spanish with English surtitles.(Feb. 7- March 1)

Alan Ball, the Academy Awards-winning writer behind "American Beauty" and "Six Feet Under," brings his complex personal interactions to the stage at Studio Theatre with "All That I will Ever Be." the show follows men from different backgrounds coming to terms with their homosexuality. (Feb. 13-March 9)

Shakespeare Theatre investigates the timeless clash between family and beliefs with George Bernard Shaw's "Major Barbara" at the Harman Hall. The witty and ironic play centers around an idealistic major with the Salvation Army who must evaluate her leanings when an estranged, crooked family member donates a large sum of money to the charity. (Feb. 19-March 23)

With witches and a ghost, "Macbeth" has always been one of Shakespeare's more magical plays. Now Folger Theatre amps up the mystique with a production conceived and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (of Penn & Teller.) The ever-talented Kate Eastwood Norris stars as Lady Macbeth and Ian Merrill Peakes takes the title role.(Feb. 28-April 13)

There's still time to see the exuberant mission of Jason and the Argonauts in Shakespeare Theatre's "Argonautika" (through March 2) and to return to school with the riotous solo "No Child" at Woolly Mammoth Theatre or the musical reminiscences on high school in "Glory Days" at Signature Theatre (both through Feb. 17).

--Erin

By Erin |  February 1, 2008; 2:13 PM ET Theater
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Posted by: Joe Leotta | March 3, 2008 7:58 PM

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