Stage & Screen Events: April 2017

RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Mnemonic
A commentary on migration through physical movement, Mnemonic touches on the transportation of our ancestors and the parallels in today’s society of staying unsettled. Is this by choice or out of our control? Technology will be placed throughout the performance to effectively highlight the questions of “Where do we come from?” and “Where are we going?” Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40. Anacostia Playhouse: 2020 Shannon Pl. SE, DC; www.theatrealliance.com

RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Pike St.
With a hurricane making its way toward New York, a mother living in the Lower East Side is working tirelessly to keep the electricity running for her daughter’s respirator. On the brink of disaster and running out of options, she meets a host of colorful neighborhood characters ranging from her 80-something-year-old neighbor to a decorated war veteran who bring an entirely new meaning to the phrase “It takes a village.” From the same one-woman powerhouse that brought us No Child…, which garnered rave reviews, Pike St. is guaranteed to be a hit. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $29-$49. Woolly Mammoth Theatre: 641 D St. NW, DC; www.woollymammoth.net

RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 30
The Blood Knot
From South Africa’s most acclaimed playwright, The Blood Knot marks the first play in Mosaic Theater Company’s South Africa repertory. A fable about two brothers separated by color but bound by blood, The Blood Knot takes us on a harrowing journey of disguise and the truths behind living in one’s skin. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $20-$60. Atlas Performing Arts Center: 1333 H St. NE, DC; www.mosaictheater.org

RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 30
Midwestern Gothic
Signature Theatre is known in these parts for their grandiose musicals, and Midwestern Gothic is no different. Set in a small town in the middle of nowhere (sounds like where I grew up!), this thriller takes you on a journey of various ways to leave behind a town…but with a super creepy twist, I’m sure. Just the way I like it. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $69-$74. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell St. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 – SUNDAY, APRIL 16
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Present Out of This World
For people who fear clowns, this will be a welcome goodbye. For those who are super fans of the Ringling Bros., this might be your last chance to see them in action. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Out of This World is the infamous circus group’s last tour before they close their doors, so catch it while you can. It’s sure to be filled with lions, tigers and motorcycles, oh my! The reviews so far have been spectacular, so if you’re keen on spectacle and various mammals jumping through fiery hula hoops, don’t miss out. Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $25-$85. EagleBank Arena: 4500 Patriot Cr. Fairfax, VA; www.eaglebankarena.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 13
An Evening with David Sedaris
If there was ever a time in America to unwind with a hefty dose of laughter, it’s now. We need it. David Sedaris is bringing his wisdom and wit to the Strathmore, and it’s just for you (and everyone else who goes). The Grammy nominee and New York Times bestselling author’s shows have been described as “nothing short of mesmerizing.” If you need any more convincing, do you even laugh? 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $35-$75. The Music Center at Strathmore: 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Bethesda, MD; www.strathmore.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 14 – SUNDAY, MAY 21
Smart People
Smart People dives straight into the controversial subject of racism, and if it’s hardwired into us from the beginning or a product of our environment. Four professionals gather to assess the psychological effects of race on the human brain from various career perspectives (doctor, actress, psychologist and neurobiologist), and dive into the humanly desires of identity, love and acceptance. Where will the line be drawn between cold hard facts and political correctness? I guess you’ll just have to make your way to Arena Stage to see! Various dates and showtimes. Tickets are $66-$81. Kreeger Theatre at Arena Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 22
Sarah Silverman
Funny (and controversial) lady Sarah Silverman is bringing her sass to MGM National Harbor this April. From standup to television to making fun of literally everyone, Silverman has done it all and is not sorry, which is why we like her. Grab a date, prepare to laugh and head on over to Maryland’s finest! Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $54-$68. The Theater at MGM National Harbor: 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; www.mgmnationalharbor.com

Fun Home Comes to National Theatre
From April 18 to May 13, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Fun Home comes to National Theatre. The play marks the first Broadway musical with a lesbian protagonist, based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about discovering her sexuality. We caught up with actress Karen Eilbacher, who plays Joan (based on Alison’s first lesbian experience at Oberlin College), about performing in the 2015 Tony Award winner for Best Musical.

On Tap: How does it feel to be embarking on your first Broadway national tour?
Karen Eilbacher: It feels great. Empowering. Appropriate. The best possible timing. I could not have asked for a better Broadway debut than touring the United States inside this hella queer role. It’s exactly what I’m meant to do right now, where I’m meant to be, what I am meant to say.

OT: What do you find most enjoyable, and most challenging, about playing the character of Joan?
KE: What I find most enjoyable about playing Joan is the continuous curiosity I have in trying to understand who she is and what she wants. Joan is so alive. Most challenging in playing Joan is, well, she’s just damn cooler than I. That can be tough to keep up with sometimes. But only sometimes.

OT: Do you have a favorite song or scene in the play?
KE: When Big Alison and her father Bruce Bechdel enter his car, and the scene continues into musical number “Telephone Wire.” This is a scene and song that invites everyone present to watch, listen and engage, [and] to empathize and hopefully understand the commonality for an individual’s need to connect.

OT: Why do you think Fun Home is relevant to all theatergoers?
KE: We all are a child to someone; we may even be a parent to another, too. If you recognize and accept that you fit this description, Fun Home is a good fit for you. Simple as that. Fun Home sparks feeling things, so whether you are “prepared” or not, empathy is learned and this musical is teacher. Plus, it’s pretty to look at (thanks, David Zinn!)

OT: Do you have a favorite memory of DC?
KE: My fondest and (pretty sure) first memory of the city is being with mi familia, walking all about under the scorching sun, shelter nowhere to be found with our tourist pursuits and father’s  schedule in mind. And by the end of the day, finding and most appropriately selecting a little white foot that holds toothpicks and reads in red, “I walked my feet off in DC.” We still have it.

Tickets to Fun Home are $48-$98. Learn more at www.thenationaldc.org.

National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-628-6161; www.thenationaldc.org