Hot Tips
You don't have to be a wealthy patron to enjoy everything the area's theater scene has to offer. Hot Tips is a place to discover the hidden gems gracing the stages of Washington. Whether it's a noteworthy dinner theater show, a staged reading of a new play or information on how to get discount tickets to a current production, you'll find it here.
Pay What You Want at the Source Theatre Co.
You can "Pay-What-You-Want" on the Wednesday and Thursday before the official Saturday opening of a Source Theatre Co.
production. Preview the same $20-$25 show
for whatever price your pockets like. There is no minimum charge, so you can indulge your
most frugal impulses—just remember it's called "Pay-What-You-Want," not
"Free Show Jamboree."
Tickets are availiable 1/2 hour before the show. Be sure to call Source Theatre Co. at 202/462-1073 to confirm
preview show times.
TICKETplace Discounts on the Internet
Thanks to Nicola Daval (cagw@patriot.net) for this tip:
TICKETplace, located at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, 21st and H Streets NW, sells half-price tickets to shows at more than 60 performing arts venues throughout the Washington area and in Baltimore on the day of the show. Ticket availability varies from day to day, which is where the web comes in: you can check their list of available tickets online. You will still need to go down to TICKETplace to purchase your tickets: hours are Tues.-Fri. noon-6 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. If you're away from your computer, you can also call 202-TIC-KETS (202-842-5387) to hear the recorded list and get directions to TICKETplace.
'Shear Madness' Celebrates You
Are you hosting a big group in town, celebrating a birthday, or planning a marriage proposal? If comedy is your thing, you may want to include "Shear Madness," Washington's longest running play, which is resident at the Kennedy Center Theatre Lab, in your plans. An audience-participation show of the highest order, performance of "Shear Madness" changes constantly on the basis of current events and audience suggestions.
If you'd like your group or event commemorated on stage, here's the procedure: Buy your tickets and write a letter to the Shear Madness company manager (Shear Madness, ATTN: Company Manager, Kennedy Center, 22700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20566) at least four weeks before you are going to attend. Include information about the group you're bringing or the special event you're celebrating, and the time and date of the performance you will be attending. Though they don't make any guarantees, they are likely to work the information into their show on the day you attend.
Membership Benefits at The Theatre Lab
Originally, the Theatre Lab's programs were geared primarily to actors, but in recent months the group has expanded their offerings to appeal to theater lovers as well. The Lab now holds "Theatre Appreciation" classes, in which students view six shows in the Washington area and then critique them with members of the casts and design crews, and "Creating a Role," a 14-week class for neophytes to try their hand at acting with guidance from the pros. Annual membership of $50 includes a subscription to the group's quarterly newsletter and discounts at area theaters, restaurants and the Backstage Bookstore. Call 202/588-8113 for information.
Submitting Your Hot Tips
We'd love to hear your hot tip! And if we print it, you'll get full credit. Please include the following information:
- If it's an organization, the full name, address and phone number of the organization.
- If it's an event or a show, the date the event will take place, where it will take place (name of the venue and the address) and a contact phone number (the box-office number is fine).
- If it's a Web site, the URL and a short description of why it would interest Washington theatergoers.
Our resident theater expert, Sara Cormeny, is on leave. Please submit tips to understudy Akiba Solomon at solomona@washpost.com. If we decide to use it, we'll include your name and e-mail address.
Enjoy the show!
© 1997 The Washington Post Co.
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