17 Must-See Productions in 2022-2023

This piece is part of our Performing Arts Guide in the September 2022 print issue of District Fray.

“Hamilton”

The Kennedy Center | through October 9

Many have been waiting since 2015 to get tickets to “Hamilton,” and the day has finally arrived. In fact, it’s so popular that The Kennedy Center decided to cap the number of tickets each person can buy over the course of the musical’s run. Come see Pierre Jean Gonzalez take his shot as Alexander Hamilton. 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter

“Ain’t No Mo’”

Woolly Mammoth | September 11 – October 9

The New York Times called this play “…thrilling, bewildering, campy, shrewd, mortifying, scary, devastating, and deep.” The first production in Woolly’s 2022-23 season themed Breakout is a comedy about African American Airlines’ Flight 1619 to Africa, for which every Black person in the United States gets a free ticket. 641 D St. NW, DC; woollymammoth.net // @woollymammothtc

“Host and Guest”

Synetic Theater | September 12 – October 2

This year marks the 20th anniversary of “Host and Guest.” Based on a Georgian folk poem, the play depicts a family who cares for a stranger, only to learn he’s from an enemy group. When the family’s village rejects the stranger, the family fights to save him. Originally staged directly post 9/11, the play’s message of conflict and cultural clashing is no less relevant today. 1800 S Bell St. Arlington, VA; synetictheater.org // @synetictheater

“The Till Trilogy”

Mosaic Theater Company | October 4 – November 20

If you’re looking for something new and thought provoking, turn out to see playwright Ifa Bayeza’s latest creation. “The Till Trilogy” is a series of three plays, performed by 10 actors, that ponders Emmett Till’s life, death and legacy. “The Ballad of Emmett Till” and “Benevolence” have been performed before, but this will be the world premiere of “That Summer in Sumner.” It’s the perfect chance to dive deep, with an additional opportunity to engage with the play’s themes in “The Till Trilogy Reflection Series.” 1333 H St. NE, DC; mosaictheater.org // @mosaictheaterdc

“Monstress”

Silver Spring Black Box Theatre | October 21-29

Specializing in world-building and larger-than-life moments, Flying V is bringing the Filipino manananggal — a vampiric creature that detaches part of its body — to life on stage. See a modern take on the legend this October. 8641 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; flyingvtheatre.com // @flyingvtheatre

“Into the Woods”

Signature Theatre | November 8 – January 29

Dive deep into a twisted, mystical land of fairy tales. Don’t expect your textbook happily-ever-after, though, because “Into the Woods” is all about the costs of making your dreams come true. This may not be the first performance of James Lapine’s musical success here in D.C., but if you missed the last production — or were so enchanted you had to return — then this is a must-see of the season. 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; sigtheatre.org // @sigtheatre

“The Tempest”

Round House Theatre | November 23 – January 1

Check out this collaboration between the Folger Shakespeare and Round House Theatre: Shakespeare’s enchanted tale of love, revenge and betrayal, with a twist. The sorcerer Prospero typically lives on an island, but in this creative restaging, the setting’s been transformed into a traveling tent show. This production was a hit throughout the country — don’t miss its regional premiere. 4545 East-West Hwy. Bethesda, MD; roundhousetheatre.org // @roundhousetheatre; folger.edu // @folgerlibrary

“Jane Anger”

Shakespeare Theatre Company | December 13 – January 8

If Round House Theatre’s “The Tempest” isn’t an unconventional enough take on Shakespeare for you, STC’s “Jane Anger” is probably right up your alley. In 1606, Shakespeare’s stuck in quarantine by the plague — so there’s plenty to relate to — and Jane Anger comes climbing through his window, ready to help him write “King Lear.” 450 7th St. NW, DC; shakespearetheatre.org // @shakespeareindc

“A Soldier’s Play”

The Kennedy Center | December 13 – January 8

First published in 1981, “A Soldier’s Play” is back on stage across the country thanks to its 2020 Best Revival Tony Award. Set in 1944, a Black sergeant in an all-Black unit in Louisiana is murdered, forcing questions about sacrifice, duty, service and identity to the forefront. The story follows the investigation of his murder, and it’s sure to steal your breath away. 2700 F St. NW, DC; kennedy-center.org // @kennedycenter

“The High Ground”

Arena Stage | February 10 – April 2

Set in conversation with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, “The High Ground” looks at how to proceed after devastation. Thematically similar to “A Soldier’s Play,” it centers around the story of a Black man in an Army uniform watching the destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, as others attempt to remove him. Nathan Alan Davis’ play will be shown for the first time at Arena Stage this season. 1101 6th St. SW, DC; arenastage.org // @arenastage

“Love Like Tuesday”

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop | February 16 – March 11

Check out Faction of Fools’ new play, written by Doug Robinson in collaboration with the fun-loving comedy theatre company. Using Faction’s distinct commedia dell’arte style, emphasizing masks and physicality, “Love Like Tuesday” highlights the adventures of Pangolin High’s lunch lady, Doreen Dawkins, in a romcom-like production. 545 7th St. SE, DC; factionoffools.org // @factionoffools

“SHOUT SISTER SHOUT!”

Ford’s Theatre | March 15 – May 13

Dive into the history of Sister Rosetta Tharpe: a rock, R&B and gospel singer and guitarist who fought for women’s rights and racial equality, transforming the music scene of her time. The emotional new musical bares the roots of rock and roll and helps highlight a musician who deserves to be heard. 511 10th St. NW, DC; fords.org // @fordstheatre

“Angels in America”

Arena Stage | March 24 – April 23

Maybe you’ve been watching “Angels in America” for years, or maybe you’ve never quite gotten around to it. Either way, you’ll want to see director János Szász’s take on the classic examination of AIDS and queerness in the 1980s. More than 30 years after “Angels in America” first premiered, come watch “Part One: Millennium Approaches” and learn the story of Louis, Prior, Harper and Joe. 1101 6th St. SW, DC; arenastage.org // @arenastage

“My Fair Lady”

The National Theatre | April 6-9

Watch linguistics professor Henry Higgins try to make flower-seller Eliza Doolittle into a “proper lady,” as they sing to a great soundtrack with hits like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.” It’s Broadway at its best. 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; thenationaldc.com // @broadwaynatdc

“Good Bones”

Studio Theatre | May 10 – June 11

Urban planner Aisha returns to her neighborhood to find it changed. As she and her husband try to figure out home renovations, an act of violence throws a wrench into her homecoming. Studio Theatre commissioned 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames to write this play, a story wrestling with questions of gentrification, belonging and legacy. 1501 14th St. NW, DC; studiotheatre.org // @studiotheatre

“Hadestown”

The National Theatre | June 6-18

“Hadestown” has been the talk of the town ever since it premiered on Broadway in 2019. A modern adaptation of a Greek myth, “Hadestown” features a version of Eurydice as a girl who takes work in an industrial underworld to escape poverty caused by climate change. Orpheus is Eurydice’s poor singer-songwriter partner who aims to rescue her. 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; thenationaldc.com // @broadwaynatdc

“KUMANANA! An Afro-Peruvian Musical Revue”

GALA Hispanic Theatre | June 7-25

Victoria and Nicomedes Santa Cruz helped preserve forgotten and ignored parts of Afro-Peruvian arts and cultural history in Lima in the 1960s. Their efforts pushed back against the marginalization of Afro-Peruvians at a key historical moment. “KUMANANA!” honors that work, celebrating their legacy in a musical that features the Santa Cruz siblings’ own music and writing. 3333 14th St. NW, DC; galatheatre.org // @teatrogala

Aviva Bechky