Sometimes Mom would rather do something or go somewhere than unwrap another gift. If you think your Mom would like an afternoon or evening out, why not take her to a local theater performance?
The weekend of May 11-12 is the final weekend of performances of “Visiting Mr. Green,” an award-winning play that made its debut at the Union Square Theatre in New York only four years ago. The Center Company — the professional theater company of the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, located in Annandale — is helping to celebrate Mother's Day by offering Mom a free ticket for the 2 p.m. matinee performance on Mother's Day, May 12.
"If you purchase one full price ticket for $24, " said Susan Drachsler, theater manager, "then Mom comes free."
Drachsler is enthusiastic about the play, which was nominated by the Drama League and was awarded the KulturPreis Europa 2001. Playwright Jeff Baron came to the Center the last weekend in April to see the performance of what was his first play. Two men with nothing in common come together while serving a sentence of community service. The deceptively quiet play has been presented in 15 countries in eight languages on five continents.
For those who cannot make the Sunday matinee, there is also a performance Saturday, May 11, at 8 p.m. For information and reservations, call 703-323-7965l
PERHAPS MOM WOULD LIKE a romantic love story. Metro Stage in Alexandria is offering "Sea Marks" by Gardner McKay, a romance between Colm an Irish fisherman living on a remote island and Timothea, a Welsh woman working in Liverpool. The fisherman must choose between the woman he loves and the sea to which he belongs. The play stars Catherine Flye and Michael Tolaydo. It is directed by Nick Olcott, who has been acting, directing and writing for Washington theaters for 20 years. There are performances Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $30, seniors (62 and up) $25. If you want to combine theater and dinner Cafe Marianna, a popular neighborhood spot, which is right next door, is open for Sunday brunch as well as Saturday evening, and the romantic and elegant Stardust is a short distance away on Montgomery Street.
IF DINNER THEATER is on the menu, the West End Dinner Theatre at 4615 Duke Street in Alexandria is presenting "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," through June 30, with two shows on Mother's Day, May 12. The meal is at noon with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. In the evening dinner is at 6 o’clock with a performance at 8. The spokesman for the theater noted that the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is "a fast-paced show that's lots of fun — all singing and dancing." The leads are played by Jeffrey Shankle and Janine Gulisano. Tickets are $32 for the matinee, $33 for the evening performance. Children under 12 are $22.
The menu is the same for the matinee and the evening — salad, bread, dessert and four choices of entree: beef Guinness; ginger-mustard salmon; baked chicken or spaghetti marinara with or without meatballs.
THE STERLING PLAYMAKERS are offering a little murder with their dinner on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, beginning at 7 p.m.
The production “Murder in the News,” an original script by Sandy and Terry Smith, is being directed by Karen Schlumpf and produced by Mark Humphrey, with Leah Daily serving as assistant director. The cast includes Peter Hardingue, Paul Gernhardt, Brian Farrell, Beth Robertson, Angela Hepola, Mark Malkasian, Joe Campanella, Allison Polin and Paula Towry.
Tickets are $25 per person, which includes the production, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert. Seating is limited, so make reservations in advance by calling the box office at 703-430-6969. The play and dinner will be held at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace. Tickets can also be purchased at the Senior Center, which is open weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
THE VIENNA THEATRE COMPANY is producing the French comedy classic “Gigi,” made famous by Leslie Caron. The title role of Gigi, the courtesan in training, is played by Kelly Shue, and Gaston La Chailles is played by Christopher Gerken. Directed by Dave Costa, the play will be performed at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and students. Tickets are available at the community center. For more information, call 703-255-6360.
THAT ACERBIC CLASSIC by Clare Booth Luce, "The Women," is being offered by the Reston Community Players at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road.
The satiric play, considered outrageous when first produced in the ‘30s, deals with a group of New York socialites coping with their friends, reputations, marriages and divorces.
Appearing in the send up of thirties mores are in alphabetical order: Kim Allison, Gee Austin, Lisa Bailey, Andrea Blackford, Dawn Chila, Deb Crawford, Heather Daly, Monica Dionysiou, Robinette Dorsey, Romica Gantt, Susan Garvey, Erin Gray, Caroline Guthrie, Karen Harvey, Karn Henderson, Marian Holmes, Andrea Kojan, Mary McMurray, Maggie Miller, Kim Minus and Elizabeth Williamson as Little Mary.
Performances are Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Mother's Day, at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens. Saturday is $12. You may contact the Web site at www.restonplayers.org or call 703-476-1111.