MetroStage
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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Still Enjoying Life!
Arlington, VA1,074 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Friends
For the past few holiday seasons, we've thoroughly enjoyed seeing MetroStage's production of "A Broadway Christmas Carol" - a hilarious and fun re-telling of the story with 3 actors, live piano & 30+ Broadway show tunes.

THIS year, the new production is the equally enjoyable & a "Must See": "Christmas at the Old Bull & Bush" -- a co-production between Washington, DC veteran stage actor Catherine Flye's Interact Theatre Company & MetroStage. Ms. Flye "triples" as writer, director and also stars as "Miss Joyce Grenfell".

The show is a true delight ... a classic British Music Hall Variety Show set in 1912 at the Old Bull & Bush Public House in Hampstead, London. From the outset, "The Chairman" and all the other characters in the show interact with the audience, explaining how British show-goers responded when attending such a revue ... and that we, too will be expected to get involved and enjoy ourselves! Easy to do as we quickly discovered!

The various acts include great humor, corny jokes, 38 songs - including some audience "sing-a-longs" (word sheets provided) - & a "volunteer" specially selected by "Miss Florrie Forde" to come up on stage to play the role of Tiny Tim. There is also an especially dramatic and touching "Christmas in the Trenches" that left more than a few of us wiping away our tears.

MetroStage has also set up a small 'pub' bar in the lobby where you can purchase British Beer, Sausage Rolls and Mince Pies amongst other goodies -- So Come Early!

During the "interval" between the two acts, we also purchased our individual English "Christmas Crackers" which we then 'popped open' in the second act - allowing us the chance to wear our paper crowns and tell a few of the corny jokes (found inside the 'cracker') to everyone else in the house.

If the title of the show sounds familiar, it's because this show was last performed at Arena Stage's Old Vat theatre in D.C. from 1997-2003.

Now in 2017, we are now very lucky to be able to see it once again ... and we are already scheduling a time later in the run to see and participate in it a second time!

MetroStage is one of the best values for theater in this area, with plentiful parking and friendly and helpful staff. More often than not, you'll also find yourself engaging with Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director both before and after the show. We also had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Catherine Flye and a number of her colleagues from the show in the lobby after the show.

We can't wait to return!
Written 26 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Still Enjoying Life!
Arlington, VA1,074 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Couples
This is our 2nd review of MetroStage and again we give it 5*****

As our first review mentioned, we've been attending shows at MetroStage for a number of years now and have always come away simply amazed at the high quality of work presented.

The most recent play we just saw was a VERY powerful "Anne & Emmett" -- an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank & Emmett Till (along with Anne's father and Emmett's mother.) The play's themes of innocence lost and institutionalized terrorism left us emotionally drained (and sadly, reminded us that this danger still exists in our world today).

The 'minimalist' sets of MetroStage's offerings, along with its small audience venue ensure that patrons attending a play here will be able to see, hear and "participate" in every show -- opportunities not possible in so many & much larger theater venues.

We've often heard audience members say that they couldn't imagine such powerful and professional work could be presented in such a small theater setting.

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin has been with MetroStage since its founding in 1984 and continues to offer the Northern Virginia/Metro DC area some of the most incredible theater at bargain prices.

As an added bonus, many of the shows offer 'post-show discussions' with the actors, playwright &/or local community members which provide an even deeper understanding and appreciation of the work we've just seen.

For those who find a single, $100+ ticket at the Kennedy Center & other venues economically 'out of range' ... we HIGHLY recommend they consider a visit to a MetroStage production!
Written 6 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cmschw@comcast.net
Alexandria, VA4,516 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Couples
Metro Stage theater had the Alexandria Singers perform. It was an excellent Cabaret type performance. We have not seen them perform in this style before and it increased our appreciation for the Singers! The individual voices in this setting really shone through! We will certainly see them again.

My only comment about Metro Stage is that the theater seats are a difficult to get to because of the awkward layout of the stairs. Too narrow and not so safe for someone who is not mobile. We were fine but saw people struggling a bit to get up with canes, etc. Over all it is still worth coming to for us.
Written 19 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nelson
Gettysburg, PA16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Couples
I have attended several productions at this theatre but have not written a review until now. MetroStage has quality productions. I just saw "The Gin Game" which was really powerful. The first performance was on Broadway in 1977. I was able to hear very well and no seat is bad in the house. One is able to see the stage from wherever one is seated.The price for tickets is very reasonable compared to what one would pay in large cities. It is a enjoyable place to go for a date or an evening out to the theatre.
Written 12 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Still Enjoying Life!
Arlington, VA1,074 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
Have been going to plays, musicals & cabaret shows @MetroStage for years now & enjoy it more each and every time.

Whenever we mention it to people it's often the first time they've even heard of MetroStage - which is a shame because the shows produced there are some of the best in both quality and 'value' in the Alexandria-Arlington-DC-Maryland area. In fact, it's the oldest professional theatre in Northern Virginia!

With only 130 seats set on risers wrapping around a “thrust” stage, you're never far from either stage or the actors. This intimate 'feel' is rarely found in other theaters in the DC area - although "The Little Theatre of Alexandria" in Old Town & "Synetic Theater" in Arlington are similar in size & should be enjoyed in their own right as well.

There is both on-site & street parking + a number of great shops & restaurants nearby for both 'before and after' the show. While finding the theater might be a bit tricky the first time you go, just go to metrostage.org for directions and a map.

We've seen 'serious, thought-provoking' plays', one-actor presentations, musicals with live band placed just off stage and intimate 'cabaret-style' shows. Our favorite of all is MetroStage's annual & hilarious holiday presentation of "A Broadway Christmas Carol". Just 3 actors (+ piano player) play all the roles in the Dickens story, changing costumes before your eyes, dancing and singing 30+ Broadway show tunes along the way!

During the years we've been going we've learned that artistic director Carolyn Griffin has been with MetroStage since its founding in 1984 and has produced over 75 main stage productions, including 3 plays and 7 musicals that were world premieres by Washington area and national playwrights.

As we say in the 'title' to our review: MetroStage is a "Theater Gem" that shouldn't be missed.
Written 27 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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