Washington Area Theaters Offering Audio Description
During pauses in the dialog, via a small earpiece in one ear, low-vision or blind patrons hear a trained volunteer describe the stage action -- body language, costumes, scenery, lighting, colors -- as if a friend were seated next to them, and without bothering others nearby.
After purchasing a theatre ticket, audio description is a free service for selected performances in the Washington area, including those at National Theater, Arena's Fichandler and Kreeger Theaters; Lansburgh/Shakespeare; Hexagon; Ford's; Round House and Olney Theater.
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Arena Stage at Death of a Salesman This Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece was hailed by the New York
Times as "one of the finest dramas in the whole range of the
American theater." Exhibiting Arthur Miller’s skill as a storyteller and
social commentator, it has lost none of its potency or relevance as it
examines our national obsession with wealth and success. Describer: Dennis McCoy Program Notes: Allye Kranish |
Fri 3/14/08 Sun 5/18/08 |
Wed 4/23/08 Sat 5/17/08 |
8:00pm 2:00pm |
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Arena Stage at A View From the Bridge Describer: Alan Mayers Program Notes: Dennis McCoy |
Fri 3/21/08 Sun 5/18/08 |
Sat 4/26/08 Wed 4/30/08 |
2:00pm 7:30pm |
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Arena Stage at The Mystery of Irma Vep On a "dark and stormy
night,” Lady Enid (newly married to the controversial Lord Edgar) arrives at
an estate under the spell of his deceased first wife and haunted by something
that’s prowling the moors. She quickly encounters a werewolf, a vampire, an
Egyptian princess and the mystery of Irma Vep,
whose portrait hangs over the fireplace. With dozens of lightning-fast
changes, Brad Oscar (Tony-nominated
on Broadway for The Producers) and J. Fred Shiffman (She Loves Me,
Cabaret) portray all the characters men, women and monsters – in a
gender-bending tour-de-farce. Describer: Dennis McCoy Program
Notes: Alan Mayers |
Sun 6/6/08 Sun 7/13/08 |
Sat 6/28/08 Wed 7/9/08 |
2:00pm 7:30pm |
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Fords Theater: 202 347 4833 Nothing at this time |
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Kennedy Center Eisenhower
Theater: 202 467 4600 x 19 Nothing at this time |
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The Flying Dutchman |
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Sat 3/15/08 Sun 3/30/08 |
7:00pm 2:00pm |
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The Rigoletto |
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Sat 3/29/08 Sun 4/06/08 |
7:00pm 2:00pm |
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The Tameriano |
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Wed 4/30/08 Sun 5/4/08 |
7:00pm 2:00pm |
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The Elektra |
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Sat 5/10/08 Sun 5/18/08 |
7:00pm 2:00pm |
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Kennedy Center Terrace
Theater: 202 467-4600 ext. 19 Welcome Home Jenny Sutter |
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Sun 7/27/08 |
2:00pm |
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Kennedy Center Theater Lab:
202-467-4600 x19 |
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National Theater: 202 783 6854 Mamma Mia! Timeless songs such as Dancing
Queen, I Have a Dream, Voulez-Vous,
and Take a Chance on Me, are ingeniously woven into an
enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. On the eve of her wedding,
a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from
her mother's past back to the Greek island paradise they last visited 20
years ago. |
Sun June 24 Fri July 13 |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 Bad Dates Come walk
a mile in Haley Walker’s shoes, all 600 pairs. Join the Texan waitress as she
reenters the dating scene after a long hiatus. A terrible string of dates and
the Romanian Mafia all get in the way of finding the perfect man, but with
her mountain of shoes, she is sure to find Mr. Right. Describer: John Weber Program
Notes: Stephen Perialas |
WED 3/19/08 Sun 4/20/08 |
Wed 4/2/08 |
7:45pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 1776 Finally, a history lesson
you won’t sleep through! 1776 is a light hearted look at John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they grapple with the problems of
the continental congress and independence from Describer: John Weber Program Notes: Allye Kranish |
WED 4/9/08 Sun 5/11/08 |
Wed 4/23/08 |
8:00pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 The Mousetrap A young couple, a man
running from his past, an army major, a spinster, a foreigner, and a
policeman are stuck in a hotel during a snow storm. Unfortunately a murderer
is afoot and no one is above suspicion. You’ll be on the edge of you seat
throughout this classic whodunit by Agatha Christie. Program Notes: Allye Kranish |
WED 6/11/08 Sun 7/6/08 |
Wed 6/25/08 |
8:00pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 Stuff Happens Mixing verbatim recreations
of real speeches/meetings and fictionalized versions of private meetings, Stuff
Happens follows George Bush, Tony Blair, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell
and other world figures in the decisions that lead up to the Iraq War. Join
this dark comedy through a historical narrative full of human drama. Describer: Alan Cohen Program Notes: Stephen Perialas |
WED 6/18/08 Sun 7/20/08 |
Wed 7/2/08 |
7:45pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 Rabbit Hole Becca and Howie Corbett are
ordinary people living in an upscale suburban neighborhood. It seems they
have everything; but a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down
and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. With honesty and humor, Rabbit
Hole is about searching for hope, comfort, and forgiveness in the
darkest moments of our lives. Describer: John Weber Program Notes: Stephen Perialas |
WED 8/6/08 Sun 8/31/08 |
Wed 8/20/08 |
8:00pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 The Underpants No one wants to be caught
with their pants down. However, Theo and his young wife, Louise, are at the
center of a public scandal when her bloomers innocently fall down during a
parade for the king. Steve Martin brings his comic genius to this outrageous
look at feminism, sex, and politics. Describer: John Weber Program Notes: Alan Cohen |
WED 9/24/08 Sun 10/19/08 |
Wed 10/8/08 |
8:00pm |
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Olney Theatre 301 924 3400 Peter Pan Take a
magical adventure this holiday season. Fly to Neverland
with the Darling children, mischievous Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, swashbuckling
pirates, a spunky fairy, and of course Peter Pan himself. This musical stage
adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s children's classic is sure to delight audiences
of all ages, so it’s ok if you want to grow up! Program
Notes: Allye
Kranish |
Wed 11/19/08 Sun 1/4/09 |
Wed 12/3/08 |
8:00pm |
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Round
House Lord
of the Flies A group of English
schoolboys marooned on a tropical island sees the dark side of humanity as
they descend into savagery. Describer: Alan Cohen |
Wed 4/2/08 Sun 4/27/08 |
Sat 4/19/08 |
3:00 pm |
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Round
House Nixon’s
Nixon Secluded in the White House
on the eve of Nixon's resignation, the President and his Secretary of State
act out comic and provocative conversations with various world leaders as
they try to come to terms with the consequences of their political and
personal actions. Describer: Rita Tehan Program Notes: Stephen Perialas |
Wed 5/28/08 Sun 6/22/08 |
Sat 6/14/08 |
3:00 pm |
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Roundhouse Nothing at this time |
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Shakespeare
Lansburgh Theatre: 202-547-1122 Julius
Caesar As swift and enthralling as
a political thriller, Julius Caesar portrays the life-and-death
struggle for power in |
Sun 4/27/08 Sun 7/6/08 |
Thur 6/19/08 Sat 6/21/08 |
8:00pm 2:00pm |
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Shakespeare
Lansburgh Theatre: 202-547-1122 Featuring some of the most
sublime poetry of love and loss ever written, Antony and Cleopatra
is a dark, intimate portrait of an ill-fated love affair. The play begins two
years after the events of Julius Caesar, with civil unrest roiling
imperial Describer: Larry Heflin Program Notes: Pat Stewart |
Sat 4/26/08 Sun 7/6/08 |
Sat 6/14/08 Thur 6/26/08 |
2:00pm 8:00pm |
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Shakespeare
Lansburgh Theatre: 202 547-1122 The
Imaginary Invalid Written and first performed
while Molière was dying, The Imaginary Invalid
targets the medical quacks of 17th-century Describer: Rita Tehan Program Notes: Stephen Perialas |
Tues 6/10/08 Sun 7/27/08 |
Sat 7/5/08 Thur 7/10/08 |
2:00pm 8:00pm |
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Shakespeare: Sidney Harman Hall : 202-547-1122 Nothing
at this time |
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National Symphony Orchestra
Schedule – 9/1/2007 – 6/2008
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National Symphony Orchestra: Mark Elder, conductor/Louis Lortie, piano, performs Prokofiev |
Thur 3/27/08 Fri 3/28/08 Sat 3/29/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Iván Fischer, conductor/Mahler's Second Symphony Symphony No. 2 in C minor |
Thur 4/3/08 Fri 4/4/08 Sat 4/5/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor/Julian Rachlin, violin, perform Shostakovich |
Thur 4/10/08 Fri 4/11/08 Sat 4/12/08 |
7:00pm 1:30pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Hugh Wolff, conductor/Stephen Hough, piano, performs Saint-Saëns DUTILLEUX - Métaboles SAINT-SAËNS - Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103 ("Egyptian") DEBUSSY - Five Etudes, orchestrated by Aaron Jay Kernis |
Thur 4/24/08 Fri 4/25/08 Sat 4/26/08 |
7:00pm 1:30pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Composer Portrait: Copland COPLAND - Music
for a Great City COPLAND - A
This fascinating concert biography explores the music and life of Aaron Copland, one of the most popular American composers of all time. From Billy the Kid and Lincoln Portrait to The Red Pony and Rodeo, his music captures the essence of the American spirit like few others. |
Thur 5/1/08 Fri 5/2/08 Sat 5/3/08 |
7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm |
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NSO Teddy Bear Concert: More Tunes 'n' (Pig) Tales! Treat your children to this wonderful concert just like
they do in |
Thur 5/3/08 |
11:00AM 1:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Leonard Slatkin, conductor/Hilary Hahn, violin, performs Paganini VERDI - Overture to I vespri siciliani PAGANINI - Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 6 DEL TREDICI - Final |
Thur 5/8/08 Fri 5/9/08 Sat 5/10/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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NSO Pops: A Date with Dave Koz / Marvin Hamlisch, conductor Over two decades, Dave Koz has established himself as a world-renowned saxophone player, platinum-selling recording artist, and wildly popular radio host. Hailed as a "smooth jazz superstar" by All About Jazz, his albums are a melting pot of pop, R&B, bebop, Christmas classics, movie music, and more. With four Grammy nominations to his credit, the list of his collaborators bears testament to his talent, from Burt Bacharach and Ray Charles to Natalie Cole and Barry Manilow. For the final NSO Pops concert of the season, Dave Koz puts his jazzy stamp on all your favorites. |
Thur 5/15/08 Fri 5/16/08 Sat 5/17/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor / All-Sibelius program SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 SIBELIUS - The Oceanides, Op. 73 SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 7 in C Major, Op. 105 |
Thur 5/29/08 Fri 5/30/08 Sat 5/31/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor/Grieg's Peer Gynt GRIEG - Peer Gynt, Incidental Music to Ibsen’s Drama, Op. 23 |
Thur 6/5/08 Fri 6/6/08 Sat 6/7/08 |
7:00pm 1:30pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Leonard Slatkin, conductor/Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, in concert Leonard Slatkin,
conductor TCHAIKOVSKY - Eugene Onegin, Lyric Scenes in Three Acts (Libretto by the composer and Konstatin Shilovsky, after Pushkin), Op. 24 This program will be 3 hours in length with one 15 minute intermission |
Thurs 6/12/08 Sat 6/14/08 Mon 6/16/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Leonard Slatkin, conductor/Sol Gabetta, cello, performs Tchaikovsky |
Thur 6/26/08 Fri 6/27/08 Sat 6/28/08 |
7:00pm 8:00pm 8:00pm |
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National Symphony Orchestra: Salute to Slatkin/Yo-Yo Ma, cello Join the Orchestra, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and special guest artists as they mark Leonard Slatkin's final concert as the NSO's Music Director. |
Sun 6/29/08 |
7:00pm |
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Sara Daneshpour,
piano Sara Daneshpour,
a young Iranian pianist and |
Thursday 3/27/08 |
7:30pm |
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Angela
Taylor – Singer/Songwriter/ Flutist With 7 years of classical
conservatory training behind her, Angela Taylor displays a vocal control and
range uncommon for most alternative rock musicians. Her conservatory
experience also molds her distinctive compositional style, including the
usage of winds, strings, piano, and classically inspired motifs. |
Wednesday 4/2/08 Wednesday 4/23/08 |
7:30pm 7:30pm |
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The
New Century Saxophone Quartet The New Century Saxophone
Quartet interprets the classics in a whole new way with arrangements for
saxophones ranging from soprano to baritone. |
Thursday 4/17/08 |
7:30pm |
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Antares Vesselin Gellev, violin Antares has “the gift of making whatever it’s playing seem
the most important piece in the world,” declared The Gramophone in its rave
review of the group’s 2005 debut CD Eclipse on the Innova
label, adding that the “ensemble has two things going for it: its
instrumentation and a fearlessly irrepressible energy.” Comprised of four
virtuoso instrumentalists, Antares draws from a
vast and colorful repertoire for violin, cello, piano and clarinet. This
versatility allows Antares to create programs,
which span the traditional eras of classical music from the 18th-century
through the music of today. |
Thursday 5/15/08 |
7:30pm |
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Anne
Murray This Grammy Award-winning
singer’s voice colors the memories of a generation, from her first hit
“Snowbird” to her popular television specials and chart-topping songs that
cross boundaries from pop to folk to country. With more than 50 million
recordings sold and countless awards to her credit, the Canadian songstress
is as beloved today as she was when her career began. |
Tuesday 3/18 |
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8:00pm |
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Angelique Kidjo – vocals Touring in support of her
soon-to-be-released album, DJIN DJIN (pronounced
“gin gin”), Kidjo’s music blends Jazz, funk, salsa, reggae, rumba, souk and makossa. The new
album, produced by the legendary Tony Visconti, finds Kidjo
partnering with such luminaries as Josh Groban
(with whom she just completed a major tour with in April), Alicia Keys, Peter
Gabriel, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis and Ziggy Marley. Angelique Kidjo – vocals |
Wed 3/26 |
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8:00pm |
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The
Seldom Scene and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver The evening will feature the
D.C.-based band and 2006 Wammie Award winners, The
Seldom Scene, which takes rock classics like “After Midnight” and turns them
into bluegrass tunes. 2006 National Heritage Award winner Doyle Lawson and
his band Quicksilver play modern bluegrass that appeals to gospel enthusiasts
and long-time bluegrass followers. Lawson also has the distinction of
receiving nine International Bluegrass Music Association honors, four Dove
Awards and three Grammy nominations. |
Friday 3/28 |
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8:00pm |
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Marin Alsop, conductor |
Sat 3/29 |
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8:00pm |
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Swedish Chamber Orchestra |
Tues 4/1 |
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8:00pm |
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The James MacMillan, conductor |