All Articles
20+ Can't-Miss Spring Theater Performances in Washington, DC
Every season, Washington, DC and its incredible lineup of theaters offers up can’t-miss productions, from acclaimed Broadway plays to exciting new shows from local dance companies. Read on for highlights of the spring theater season. • • • Washington National Opera: ‘Samson and Delilah' - Through March 21 A legendary tale of love and deceit comes to the Kennedy Center thanks to the Washington National Opera. Samson possesses superhuman strength and aims to free enslaved Hebrews from the Philistines. However, the irresistible Delilah is the Philistines’ most powerful weapon, and her seductive powers threaten to reveal the source of Samson’s power. Filled with unforgettable songs, costumes, set designs and glorious vocal performances, this production is a highlight of the season. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • Washington National Opera: ‘Don Giovanni’ – Through March 22 Time’s up for Don Giovanni! Mozart’s classic tragicomedy comes to the Kennedy Center thanks to the Washington National Opera. Giovanni is a manipulative and malicious womanizer, a man whose past is filled with malevolence and sexism. However, when the women of his past unite, he’s set to meet the hellish fate he so richly deserves. This timeless (and wholly relevant to 2020) tale will captivate theatergoers just as it did when Mozart wrote it. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • ‘Celia and Fidel’ – Through April 12 Celia Sánchez was the most trusted advisor of one Fidel Castro, always by his side as he mulled how to improve his Cuban homeland. Celia and Fidel is set in 1980, as 10,000 Cuban citizens seek asylum at the Peruvian Embassy. Castro must decide, through an intense conversation with the revolutionary Celia, whether he wants to be mighty or merciful. Magical realism is woven into this captivating tale that ruminates on the battle between power and morality. Tickets Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 • • • 'Pass Over' – Through April 12 A modern story that blends elements of Waiting for Godot and the Exodus saga, Pass Over promises to be one of the most thought-provoking productions in DC this spring. Kitch and Moses spend their days on the street corner, talking and joking through what they’ll see and who they’ll meet once their time on the block is over and they’ve reached the promised land. Vividly illuminating the forces that keep Kitch and Moses where they are, this play written by Antoinette Nwandu pulls no punches in its frank depiction of urban life. Tickets Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 • • • ExPats Theatre: ‘Einstein’s Wife’ – Through March 22 You’re familiar with Albert Einstein and his theory of relativity. But did you know that Einstein’s first wife, the physicist and mathematician Mileva Maric, was a substantial contributor to the man’s scientific success? The Atlas Performing Arts Center hosts this ExPats Theatre production that dives deep into Maric and Einstein’s tumultuous relationship that was torn apart by motherhood and a culture not ready to honor the professional accomplishments of women. Tickets Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 • • • Direct Current – Through March 21 A festival of contemporary American art, music, film, dance and activism converges at the Kennedy Center with fascinating presentations that will be new to Washington audiences. The programming, which focuses on female creatives this year, will tap creative luminaries such as Ava DuVernay, Camila Meza and Patti Smith. Expect film screenings, new theater productions and live music. Learn more The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • Mosaic Theater Company Presents: ‘Inherit The Windbag’ - Through March 29 Political punditry was redefined forever (for better or worse) by a series of televised debates between liberal Gore Vidal and conservative William F. Buckley in the summer of 1968. Flash forward to the Dismal Beyond (which also goes by the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, Ca.) and Vidal and Buckley are set to reprise their arguments. Before you know it, the two are battling for history itself, with a few friends like Aaron Burr and Ayn Rand passing through. Tickets Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 • • • ‘Guys & Dolls’ – March 13 - May 20 Journey back to 1950s New York, where gamblers, missionaries and showgirls all mingle. Guys and Dolls is a classic musical comedy that follows a high stakes game of love. Nathan Detroit bets Sky Masterson $1,000 to woo Sarah Brown. Nathan has also been engaged to cabaret singer Adelaide for 14 years … and she’s ready to tie the knot. Enjoy legendary songs like “Luck be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” during this romp at Ford’s Theatre. Tickets Ford’s Theatre, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘Genderosity' – March 14-15 Celebrate the spectrum of gender identity with this new spectacle from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. Genderosity will go all-out with costumes, dancers and uplifting songs, including “Born This Way,” “Dancing Queen,” and “My Strongest Suit”. With a glam-rock vibe and the self-expression turned all the way up, you’ll see LGBTQ+ performers strut their stuff in one of the liveliest shows of the season. Tickets Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 • • • • • • Washington National Opera: ‘Blue’ - March 15-28 Inspired by Black literature like Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, this modern opera is a timely and turbulent look at race, violence and law enforcement in today’s America. A Harlem couple celebrates the birth of their baby boy, but the mother worries for his future and his father wrestles with being a police officer. Years later, tragedy strikes, shattering the family and their community. Blue asks audiences to encounter and consider police violence and its impact through emotional songs and a powerful story. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • < BYT Presents: Future is Festival – March 26-29 The newest festival experience from Brightest Young Things launches in late March and includes events at Lincoln Theatre and The REACH. Future is Festival will showcase the talents of podcasters, filmmakers, comedians, musicians and innovators, including Nora from The Lily, Jonathan Coulton, Ophira Eisenberg, Rhea Butcher, Alex Elle and many more. To cap it off, there’s a Lizzo daytime dance party at Eaton Workshop that you do not want to miss. Tickets • • • 'The Last Ship' - March 27 - April 5 Starring Sting and inspired by his 1991 album, The Soul Cages, this new musical production at National Theatre details a community brought to its demise thanks to the collapse of the shipbuilding industry. Gideon Fletcher comes back home after 17 years at sea only to find his neighborhood in tatters, with the shipyard set to close and his family in disarray. A half-built ship ominously towers over everyone as Jackie White (Sting) rallies the town to unite in the face of calamity. Tickets National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • The Till Trilogy at Atlas Performing Arts Center - April 1 - June 21 The Mosaic Theater Company will present a three-part series of plays that focus on the story of Emmett “Bo” Till and his tragic and racially motivated death at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. The first, The Ballad of Emmett Till (April 1 – June 20), details the last two weeks of Till’s life. That Summer in Sumner (April 30 – June 21) is the tale of the five-day trial concerning Till’s murder, an eventual miscarriage of justice. The finale of the trilogy, Benevolence (May 22 – June 21), covers the events surrounding Till’s death and the impact that his murder had on the Civil Rights movement. Tickets Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 • • • August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’ – April 3 - May 3 August Wilson’s fifth cycle play and the second in Arena Stage’s August Wilson Festival will take audiences to 1940s Pittsburgh, where blues singer Floyd Barton has decided to alter his lifestyle after an unexpected windfall has him thinking about second chances. Seven lives will be affected by Floyd’s decision in a story injected with powerful blues rhythms. Tickets Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 • • • ‘There’s Always the Hudson' – April 6 - May 3 T and Lola have a mission. After meeting in a support group for sexual abuse survivors years ago, the two made a pact to take out revenge on those who have wronged them. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company presents this riveting production written by Paola Lázaro, a tale of two damaged souls ready to confront their trauma and deliver some well-deserved justice. Note that There’s Always the Hudson contains discussions and depictions of sexual abuse and assault, profanity and drug use. Tickets Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘Shen Yun’ – April 7-12 China was once known as the Middle Kingdom, and Shen Yun will bring this ancient world to life through dance, an orchestra and incredible backdrops. All these elements come together to reveal 5,000 years of awe-inspiring Chinese stories and history. Discover new dimensions, powerful heritage and historical wisdom in this jaw-dropping performance. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ – April 7-12 Consider this your golden ticket. A production based on Roald Dahl’s legendary book will touch down at the National Theatre stage for a limited engagement this April. When Willy Wonka opens his wonderful (and mysterious) new chocolate factory, five lucky golden ticket recipients, including Charlie Bucket, are invited on the adventure of a lifetime. Prepare for Oompa-Loompas, wild inventions, the glass elevator and a new score from the acclaimed songwriters of Hairspray. Tickets National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘Romantics Anonymous’ – April 7 – May 17 Two shy chocolatiers find romance in this musical comedy from Shakespeare Theatre Company. Love is in the air when these two anxious sweethearts cross paths in a city ripe for a budding relationship: Paris. From there, expect to hear passionate songs in this whimsical tale based on the film Les Émotifs Anonymes and adapted by Emma Rice. Tickets Michael R. Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘Swan Lake’ – April 9-19 The Washington Ballet’s take on Swan Lake will reveal the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried and a swan princess, a dizzying tale full of magic and suspense. Audiences will be treated to beautiful costume designs, jaw-dropping sets and staging and choreography that will take your breath away. Witness the DC’s favorite company in top form in one of the most famous ballets of all-time. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ – April 14-26 This new North American production of one of the best musicals of all-time honors the 50th anniversary of the play’s first staging. Jesus Christ Superstar details the final weeks of the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas, filled with indelible rock songs like “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Superstar”. The award-winning and legendary music and lyrics were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, masters of their craft. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • ‘Toni Stone’ – April 23 – May 31 The latest from award-winning playwright Lydia R. Diamond is set to hit a home run at Arena Stage. Toni Stone is the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues and the first woman to play professionally in a men’s league in the 1950s. Stone dominates the competition and makes her own rules in the male-dominated sports world. This inspiring story will showcase the courage, determination and confidence of its alluring main character. Tickets Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 • • • ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ – May 5 – June 14 The essential romantic comedy written by one William Shakespeare concerns a group of soldiers returning home after years of war, trading in their uniforms for wedding bands. Two ex-lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, are about to be reunited, but not before a faked death, terrible law enforcement practices, an interrupted wedding and plenty of double crossing. The Bard’s funniest is not to be missed this summer. Tickets Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ – May 6-10 Justin Audibert reimagines a classic Shakespeare comedy in this exciting upcoming production at the Kennedy Center. The year is 1590 and society is ruled by women – all the power and the control of the state and all of its property belongs to them. Lady Baptista decides to sell off her two sons to the highest bidder, creating a battle of the sexes and an explosion of gender politics that you will not soon forget – or see on another stage any time soon. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • The Gershwins’ ‘Porgy and Bess’ – May 9-23 The timeless folk opera from George Gershwin comes to the Kennedy Center stage this May. A murder has shaken things up in Catfish Row, a fishing town in South Carolina. Bess is tempted to return to a drug-fueled past but Porgy, a crippled beggar, becomes an unlikely confidant. As a hurricane is on its way, Bess’ old flame returns to town, putting her in a precarious position. Francesca Zambello adapts this spellbinding American classic that features jazz, gospel and folk elements in its spectacular songs. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • Scottish Ballet: ‘The Crucible’ – May 13-17 This brand new ballet is based on Arthur Miller’s riveting play about the Salem Witch Trials. DC audiences will be the first to see this thought-provoking and suspenseful rendition of a story that boldly details a society as it unwinds into hysteria and chaos. Equipped with a haunting score and beautiful choreography, Scottish Ballet does justice to Miller’s masterpiece. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 • • • ‘Coppélia’ – May 13-17 The Washington Ballet aims to charm with this May spectacle. The music of Léo Delibes provides the backdrop for Coppélia, the story of scientist Dr. Coppelius and his mechanical doll creation. The doll quickly becomes the obsession of a young man already engaged to another woman. A series of incredible events unfolds, featuring magic, trickery and of course, awe-inspiring choreography and dances. Tickets Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 • • • ‘Fun Home’ – May 13 – June 21 Based on Alison Bechdel’s universally acclaimed graphic novel, this production at Studio Theatre promises to be one of the most emotionally powerful plays of the season. The autobiographical tale follows Alison at ages 9, 19 and 43, as she reckons with her sexuality and her closeted father’s life and tragic death. Alison wants to know how she survived her hometown and how her father didn’t – and how coming out could help her come to terms with her family’s secrets. Featuring ‘70s pop as well as songs of longing and pain, Fun Home will pack a punch for audiences this spring. Tickets Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 • • •
20+ Films & TV Shows to Watch Featuring DC
Movies Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Rated PG-13, 133 min. Washington, DC is a prominent player in this Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) title that grossed more than $880 million worldwide upon its release. Marking the beginning of the second re-boot of the Spider-Man film franchise, this wild ride features Tom Holland as the central character, as the youngster attempts to balance his life between being Peter Parker and saving the world as a superhero. You’ll see Spider-Man clash with Vulture (played by Michael Keaton) and run into plenty of other MCU characters, including Iron Man and Captain America, as well as an incredible set piece in the nation’s capital. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Rated PG-13, 136 min. Considered one of the best films to emerge from the MCU, Winter Soldier is the second in a trilogy of Captain America films and the ninth movie in the MCU chronology. Don’t be afraid to just pop this one on, though; the action runs at a breakneck pace and uses more practical effects than most MCU films. The throwback style extends to the story, which hearkens back to conspiracy films of the 1970s, including Three Days of the Condor, which you’ll read more about later. Keep an eye out for an array of DC locations, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and Theodore Roosevelt Island. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) Rated PG; 105 min. Ben Stiller stars in this sequel to Night at the Museum, which takes viewers inside Smithsonian Institution museums (including the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History) as historic artifacts and artworks come to life. Stiller’s character, Larry Daley, is joined by an array of figures commemorated at Smithsonian museums, from Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams) to Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) to Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest). The movie is a potent mixture of comedy, history and adventure with an outstanding cast to boot. State of Play (2009) Rated R; 128 min. Various notable locations in DC, including Ben’s Chili Bowl, the Maine Avenue Fish Market and the Washington Monument, are featured in this tightly wound thriller based on a BBC miniseries that stars Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren. Crowe and McAdams play reporters for the fictional Washington Globe newspaper who attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a congressman’s (Affleck) aide and mistress. We’re not telling you much more about the plot as we’re not a fan of spoilers here, but expect to see plenty of the District along the way; the makers of State of Play estimated that the film set a record for longest studio shoot in the nation’s capital. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) Rated PG-13; 155 min. Set in 1984, this epic sequel takes place in Washington, DC as Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot, works against two foes to save the world from a dangerous fate after corruption ensues following the misuse of an ancient “dreamstone.” Throughout the movie, you’ll notice iconic DC scenes such as the Lincoln Memorial, the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, VUE at Hotel Washington, historic Georgetown and even the White House. Many Smithsonian museums are also featured, including the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. In addition to playing in some movie theatres, WW84 was also released on HBO Max on Christmas Day 2020 and became the most streamed title of the year. Burn After Reading (2008) Rated R; 97 min. This underrated Coen Brothers classic features Brad Pitt in quite possibly his funniest role – and one completely out of the norm for the Hollywood heartthrob. Idiocy rules the day in this caper, as George Clooney plays a buffoonish U.S. Marshal that is nearly as silly as Pitt’s gym instructor. The hilarity stems from a harmless set of files left at a gym by an irritated CIA analyst (played with maximum force by John Malkovich) and Pitt’s colleague’s (Frances McDormand) concurrent desire for reconstruction surgery. Sound confusing? You’re going to be laughing too hard to care. Be on the lookout for shots of Georgetown and other DC locales. Wedding Crashers (2005) Rated R; 119 min. Rowdy, raunchy and hilarious, Wedding Crashers was a blockbuster hit in 2005. John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) play two DC-based divorce lawyers who….well, crash weddings to meet and seduce women. That’s until the duo arrives at the Cleary wedding, where John quickly falls in love with Claire (Rachel McAdams), who’s unfortunately in a relationship with the egotistical Zachary (Bradley Cooper, in a breakout role). The movie makes regional references throughout and keep your eyes peeled for shots of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. National Treasure (2004) Rated PG; 131 min. Oh, did you think we’d leave this incredible Nic Cage vehicle out? No way. National Treasure is a classic Disney adventure that features DC landmarks in droves. Cage’s character, a historian and treasure hunter named Benjamin Franklin Gates (get it?) hoping to discover the ultimate prize. However, that will require him to steal the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives. Filled with elaborate set pieces and breathtaking action sequences, this family gem also showcases the National Mall, the Library of Congress and the J. Edgar Hoover Building. Minority Report (2002) Rated PG-13; 145 min. Tom Cruise stars in this Steven Spielberg-directed sci-fi romp based on a short story by legendary author Philip K. Dick. The year is 2054 and Cruise’s character, John Anderton, works for DC’s PreCrime police department, which uses “Precogs” to predict murders before they happen. When Department of Justice agent Danny Witwer (played by a young Colin Farrell) enters the fray, a prediction details that Anderton will commit a murder in the next 36 hours, sparking an epic showdown. Minority Report is a stunning meditation on modern technology and surveillance filled with visuals of a futuristic DC. Enemy of the State (1998) Rated R; 132 min. Is this another film based in DC that addresses issues of privacy, security, surveillance and entails a government conspiracy? You betcha! Does that mean it’s not worth your precious social distancing time? Absolutely not. With a prime Will Smith, a nutso Gene Hackman (in a role that calls back to his classic turn as Harry Caul in 1974’s The Conversation) and an array of late ‘90s studs like Jamie Kennedy, Scott Caan, Barry Pepper, Jason Lee and yes, Jack Black, how can Enemy of the State not be awesome? The late and great Tony Scott directs this action-packed thriller that winds through DC and Baltimore at a breakneck pace. Okay, it was mostly filmed in Los Angeles, but that’s the magic of movies for you! Wag the Dog (1997) Rated R; 97 min. Political hijinks are at the center of this dark comedy that stars two of the greatest actors of all-time. Robert De Niro plays political spin master Conrad Brean, tasked with covering up a presidential scandal in an election year. Brean’s big idea: staging a war with Albania with the help of Hollywood producer Stanley Motss, played by Dustin Hoffman. Director Barry Levinson lays the satire on thick in this hilariously prescient film. You can spot shots of Capitol Hill and the Hay-Adams Hotel and savor a supporting cast that includes Kirsten Dunst, Willie Nelson, Denis Leary, William H. Macy and Woody Harrelson. Forrest Gump (1994) Rated PG-13; 142 min. Honestly, Forrest Gump is more cultural touchstone than movie at this point. The film raked in more than $677 million domestically, won six Oscars (including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor) and has been shown on cable seemingly on loop for 20 years. And for good reason! Forrest journeys from his Alabama home to the Vietnam War to Washington, DC (the city will be tough to miss in this one) to New York City to the Bayou and back home again. Encompassing a litany of historical events and an unforgettable soundtrack, Forrest Gump is a cinematic voyage like none other. A Few Good Men (1992) Rated R; 138 min. Quite possibly the ultimate courtroom drama, A Few Good Men combines a dynamite cast and a pulse-pounding story to create one of the most memorable finales in film history. Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a lawyer with an aversion to trials, is assigned to defend two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine during a violent, extrajudicial punishment at Guantanamo Bay. With the help of Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore) and Lieutenant Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak), Kaffee uncovers foul play on the part of Colonel Nathan R. Jessup, the Base Commander at the Bay, leading to an epic showdown. Can you handle the truth? Portions of the production filmed on location in DC; Kaffee’s apartment is unmistakably located in Georgetown. Broadcast News (1987) Rated R; 133 min. James L. Brooks (you may know him as the original executive producer of some show called The Simpsons) wrote, produced and directed this romantic dramedy that depicts the inner workings of television news in its late-‘80s heyday. Set firmly in DC and the surrounding suburbs, Broadcast News focuses on a love triangle between producer Jane (Holly Hunter), brilliant reporter Aaron (Albert Brooks) and the inexperienced but strikingly attractive Tom (William Hurt). With riveting dialogue and powerful ruminations on the ethics of journalism, the film is a stirring snapshot of Reagan-era media culture. No Way Out (1987) Rated R; 114 min. Shot on location in DC, No Way Out made full use of the landscape, including locations such as Rock Creek Park, the Pentagon and the Omni Shoreham Hotel in its final cut. Kevin Costner, just emerging as a Hollywood leading man, plays Tom Farrell, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy caught in a deadly web of infidelity and deceit after beginning a relationship with Susan Atwell (Sean Young), who is ALSO having an affair with Secretary of Defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). It’s one messy and suspenseful ride from there. All the President’s Men (1976) Rated PG (Note: the film does contain profanity); 138 min. The quintessential DC film chronicles the incredible investigative journalism of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) in their uncovering of the massive Watergate scandal that involved (and led to the eventual resignation of) President Richard Nixon. The nation’s capital is depicted as a haunting apparatus of Brutalist buildings and power structures; the city becomes a character in the film. Even though you know the ending, there’s nary a moment when you’re not fully enraptured, marking All the President’s Men as essential viewing, even more than 40 years after its release. Three Days of the Condor (1975) Rated R; 118 min. Robert Redford was all about paranoid thrillers set in Washington, DC in the mid-1970s. Three Days of the Condor hit theaters roughly six months before All the President’s Men, and each film masterfully wrestled with the country’s heightened paranoia towards U.S. government practices after the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. Detailing too much of Three Days’ plot will give it away; just know that the film starts with a literal bang and never lets up, as Redford’s character, Joe Turner, becomes embroiled in a violent CIA cover-up. Faye Dunaway and the brilliant Max von Sydow co-star in Sydney Pollack’s tense drama. The Exorcist (1973) Rated R; 121 min. Still considered one of the best horror movies of all-time, The Exorcist has its own special place in DC lore, as residents and visitors love to share photos of the infamous “Exorcist stairs” in Georgetown. No, we’re not about to tell you why the stairs are so famous! You need to watch the movie to find out. The story concerns the demonic possession of 12-year old Regan (Linda Blair) and her mother’s (Ellen Burstyn) attempts to save her. Fair warning: The Exorcist scared audiences out of their wits when it hit theaters in 1973, prompting calls for censorship. Prepare to be startled. TV Shows Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2018-Present) John Krasinski stars as the legendary Tom Clancy character, Jack Ryan, in this political spy thriller from Amazon Prime. The series follows the CIA analyst as he is promoted to field work from a cushy desk job in DC after discovering a string of questionable bank transfers by an Islamic extremist. Eventually, Jack is dropped into political warfare in Venezuela, the backdrop for the second season. Expect plenty of suspense and intrigue in this acclaimed series that has been renewed for a third installment. Veep (2012-19) Critics and politicos alike loved this HBO comedy smash that ran for seven seasons. Julia Louis-Dreyfus managed to pull off the second iconic role of her career in the form of Selina Meyer, a driven, foul-mouthed, energetic, manipulative vice president (she contains multitudes!) who aims to leave a legacy without being mired down by the political games of Washington. The one-liners and zingers fly relentlessly across the series’ 65 episodes, with memorable characters galore. Insiders have said that Veep is a more accurate depiction of national politics than dramas like The West Wing (highlighted below) and House of Cards, so…take that for what it’s worth. Scandal (2012-18) Kerry Washington became a household name thanks to this riveting ABC drama created by the incomparable Shonda Rhimes. Scandal focuses on Olivia Pope and her crisis management firm based in the District. Pope is partially based on Judy Smith, a press aide in the George H.W. Bush administration who also serves as a co-executive producer. Expect numerous twists and shocking moments as you make your way through the show’s seven seasons. The Americans (2013-18) One of the best shows of the 21st century concerns Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys), your standard American couple living in Falls Church, Va. They have two kids, Paige and Henry, and run a travel agency together. Harmless, right? Far from it. Philip and Elizabeth are in fact elite Russian spies, sent to the U.S. capital to foil American plans in the midst of the Cold War. In the series opener, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), an FBI agent, moves in across the street, further complicating matters. Throughout, notions of loyalty and morality are severely tested, and so is the stability of the family unit. Simply put, The Americans is essential viewing and should be on any list of must-watch programs. Fun fact: The chemistry between Russell and Rhys was so strong, the two began an off-screen relationship that continues to this day (the couple have a son together). The West Wing (1999-2006) Aaron Sorkin’s classic political drama won 26 Primetime Emmy Awards during its seven-season run on NBC. Martin Sheen stars as President Jed Bartlet, charged with guiding the country through crises, scandals and conflicts. Bartlet is supported by his outstanding crew of aides, from Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer) to Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) to Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney). Through its compelling storytelling and sharp dialogue, The West Wing set a new standard for network TV.
