directed by Michael Rothhaar
Thru December 10
(added matinee Friday 11/24)
Shaw shatters romantic illusions about love and war in one of his most sparkling comedies. In the aftermath of the Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885, heroes turn out to be hypocrites and cowards turn out to be heroes. What is a romantic girl to do when she realizes she may be in love with the wrong one? First produced by the Stage Guild in 1992, Arms and the Man makes a welcome return in a fresh take.
“A DELIGHTFUL PRODUCTION. The play takes witty aim at class distinctions and military pomposity, wrapped in a plot that any rom-com screenwriter could envy. [Lynn] Steinmetz gives something of a master class in the use of specific, often subtle, hand gestures to command the stage on multiple occasions. Michael Rothhaar’s direction kept the pace lively…creating a HIGHLY ENTERTAINING performance.”
— DC Theater Arts
"…met with great applause, and the Washington Stage Guide company earned every bit of it. Zack Powell’s understated performance [as Bluntschli] makes it clear why Em Whitworth’s Raina is attracted to him despite herself…she is a delight."
— MD Theatre Guide
"DELICIOUS SATIRICAL COMEDY...a HILARIOUS AND INSIGHTFUL examination of the illusions we create for ourselves and impose on others–and what we gain when we cast off those illusions...A STRONG CAST, with particularly delightful performances from Lynn Steinmetz as Catherine, Em Whitworth as Raina, and Zack Powell as Bluntschli. Trust, they will keep audiences well entertained."
— Broadway World DC
Michael Rothhaar (Director)
is a Stage Guild Shaw veteran. He returns to the company where he directed Mrs. Warren’s Profession in 2022 and 1991 and The Millionairess in 1992. Michael served as the Artistic Director of Pennsylvania's Allenberry Playhouse from 1987 to 1992, directing 40 productions, notably Lettice and Lovage, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Agnes of God, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady. He has also directed numerous productions at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and Pacific Resident Theatre, including the Los Angeles premiere ofBecky’s New Car, Theatre of NOTE, and the Ensemble Theatre of Santa Barbara. His production of The Hasty Heart won the 2007 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Revival.
Em Whitworth (Raina)
is a NYC/DC-based theater maker whose selected stage acting credits include recent productions ofThe Pitchfork Disney at Red Rat (also producer) and Maple & Vine at Spooky Action Theater, as well as Rude Mechanics at Bridge Street Theater, Maybe She Dies with The Kennedy Center/Open Circle Theater, The Minotaur at American Theater of Actors, and Nathan The Wise with Theater J/Folger Theatre, and recently served as the movement coordinator for Monstress for Flying V.
Zack Powell (Bluntschli)
making his WSG debut, is a DC/Baltimore based actor and a Resident Company Member at Everyman Theatre where he has done The Sound Inside, The Lion in Winter, Sense and Sensibility, and The Skin of Our Teeth and next appears in The Book Club Play this spring. Regional credits including Red Velvet at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Shear Madness at The Kennedy Center and The Legend of Georgia McBride at Round House Theatre, among others.
Diana Afriye-Opoku (Louka)
is excited to be making her debut with Washington Stage Guild following productions ofA Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pandemic Project, Isle of Noises, Facing, and How to Bruise Gracefullyat James Madison University.
Matty Griffiths (Paul Petkoff)
is a freelance actor and director and former Executive Director/Founder of City Artistic Partnerships who returns to WSG after last season’s Endgame, and appeared in Gwen& Ida (Nu Sass), Clothes for a Summer Hotel (Rainbow Theatre Project), and Driving Miss Daisy (Anacostia Playhouse).
Lynn Steinmetz (Catherine Petkoff)
a founding company member of WSG, was most recently seen in the company’s The Good Doctor, Mrs. Warren's Profession, and The Nibroc Trilogy, and has performed with Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and Olney Theatre Center.
Nick DePinto (Nicola/Russian soldier)
last performed in WSG’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play in 2016, and has appeared most recently in Maple & Vine at Spooky Action Theatre. He has been seen on many other stages around town, has performed on three continents, including in London & Stratford Upon Avon, and on Amazon Prime can be seen in Meant to be Broken.
Thomas Daniels (Sergius)
is making his professional DMV debut after treading the boards in school, NYC, and at other regional theatres, including The Jewish King Lear at Metropolitan Playhouse, A Child’s Christmas in Wales at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Sherlock Holmes at Lake Dillon Theatre Company and Robin Hood and Sleuth at Winnipesaukee Playhouse, among others.
