Metro Weekly

11/10/2025

The Supreme Court has denied Kim Davis’ appeal, ending her long legal fight over same-sex marriage and leaving her personally liable for $360,000 in damages and fees to the gay couple she refused to marry.

The former Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples must now pay $360,000 to the couple she turned away.

11/09/2025

“Beautifully brutal.” That’s how Metro Weekly critic André Hereford sums up Lizzie the Musical, now rocking the Keegan Theatre.

A fierce, feminist reimagining of the infamous Borden murders, Lizzie channels pure rage and rebellion through a pulsing, grunge-punk score. As Hereford writes, “Lizzie’s voice — and her rage and riveting determination — reside in Caroline Graham,” who leads a powerhouse cast under Jennifer J. Hopkins’ bold direction.

“Graham positively shreds,” Hereford adds, “in a production that turns fury into art — and makes it sing.”

Read the full review:

Keegan’s Lizzie the Musical explodes with rage, rebellion, and rock in a fierce retelling of the infamous Borden murders.

11/09/2025

“You’ve never seen a Frankenstein like it.”

In her Metro Weekly review, critic Kate Wingfield calls Synetic’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus “a beautifully orchestrated feast for the senses” — a breathtaking fusion of movement, music, and myth that reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic in ways only Synetic can.

From director Paata Tsikurishvili’s haunting vision to Irina Tsikurishvili’s exquisite choreography, every moment pulses with creativity and emotion. The result is a production that feels both timeless and urgently new — a living, breathing work of art.

Wingfield praises the company’s unrelenting drive to innovate:

“It’s impossible not to root for a company that continues, against all odds, to ask the difficult questions and push the boundaries of creativity.”

Frankenstein is a reminder of why Synetic remains one of D.C.’s most fearless artistic forces — and why, even performing in a borrowed middle school auditorium, they continue to deliver unforgettable, world-class theater.

Read the full ★★★★★ review here.

Paata Tsikurishvili’s stunning production melds dance, myth, and emotion into a haunting reimagining of Shelley’s classic.

11/09/2025

“Ragtime has been staged often, but rarely with a company that both sounds and acts this superbly.”

Metro Weekly Broadway critic Ryan Leeds praises Lincoln Center’s stunning new revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, as one of the season’s most emotionally charged and musically accomplished productions.

Featuring powerhouse performances from Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy, this lavish revival of E.L. Doctorow’s American epic blends heart, history, and humanity to deliver a timely reflection on race, class, and the enduring promise of the American Dream.

Read Ryan’s full review and find out why Ragtime still resonates so powerfully today.

🎭 Full story:

Lincoln Center’s Ragtime revival dazzles with powerhouse vocals and a timely take on race, class, and the American Dream.

11/08/2025

A D.C. jury has acquitted Sean Dunn, a gay Air Force veteran accused of assault for tossing a Subway footlong at a federal agent during President Trump’s short-lived law enforcement “takeover” of Washington.

Prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, alleged Dunn threw the sandwich “at point-blank range.” His defense attorney countered that the case was overblown — even pointing out that agents later mocked the incident with gag gifts, including a toy sandwich and a “Felony Footlong” sticker.

After two days of testimony and seven hours of deliberation, the jury returned a “Not guilty” verdict — a setback for prosecutors pushing harsher penalties against those accused of assaulting law enforcement during the federal surge.

Dunn, who became a minor folk hero in D.C. memes and street art, said he was “relieved” by the outcome and ready to move on with his life.

Full story:

“Not guilty” verdict deals another embarrassing blow to D.C. prosecutors seeking harsher penalties for assaults on law enforcement.

11/08/2025

We’ve seen this kind of family drama before—but Furlough’s Paradise at Theater Alliance reminds us why these stories still resonate when done with care.

Playwright a.k. payne’s script brings two estranged cousins—one a successful tech professional, the other serving time in prison—together for a weekend of uneasy reconnection. What follows is part reckoning, part reflection, and part reminder of how deep family wounds can go.

Under Autumn Angelettie’s direction, the production is intimate and honest. Renea S. Brown and Hillary Jones give deeply felt performances that elevate material that might otherwise feel familiar. The result isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably heartfelt—a story about kinship, class, and identity that finds real power in its quiet moments.

🎭 Read Andre Hereford's full review of Furlough’s Paradise at Theater Alliance.

Theater Alliance’s “Furlough’s Paradise” boasts strong performances in a family drama that feels too familiar.

11/08/2025

Craig Winberry brings the sound, soul, and swagger of George Michael back to life in the hit musical tribute “The Life and Music of George Michael.” The show comes to D.C.’s National Theatre for one night only on November 15, part of a new North American tour celebrating the pop legend’s legacy.

Winberry, who stars as the Grammy-winning icon, says the concert-style production isn’t about imitation — it’s about honoring Michael’s truth, his artistry, and the power of his music to unite people across generations. Expect the hits — from “Faith” and “Freedom ’90” to “Careless Whisper” and “Father Figure” — along with the joy, style, and emotion that made George Michael one of the most beloved artists of his time.

🎤 “The Life and Music of George Michael” plays the National Theatre on November 15.
🎟️ Tickets: broadwayatthenational.com

The singer channels the spirit and soul of the late pop icon in the musical tribute “The Life and Music of George Michael.”

11/06/2025

Federal agents say they stopped an ISIS-inspired Halloween terror plot targeting LGBTQ bars near Detroit.
Two 20-year-old Dearborn men have been charged after allegedly scouting Ferndale nightspots and stockpiling weapons.
Read the full story:

The FBI claims that two 20-year-old Dearborn men targeted LGBTQ bars near Detroit in an ISIS-inspired Halloween plot.

11/06/2025

Philadelphia is expanding its “City of Brotherly Love” welcome with plans to open one of the nation’s first LGBTQ visitors' centers.

Opening in 2026, the Philly Pride Visitors Center will honor the city’s rich LGBTQ+ history and welcome travelers to Midtown Village. 🌈

The Philly Pride Visitors Center will open in the city’s LGBTQ neighborhood of Midtown Village, celebrating inclusion and local history.

11/06/2025

Across the country, LGBTQ candidates won local and school board seats in this week’s elections — expanding representation and helping fuel a broader Democratic surge.
We’re calling it the Big Gay Blue Wave. 🌈
Read more: https://www.metroweekly.com/2025/11/lgbtq-blue-wave-election-wins/

11/05/2025

John Reid, a Richmond radio host and Virginia’s first out gay statewide nominee, lost his bid for lieutenant governor to Democrat Ghazala Hashmi. His campaign -- marked by controversy, party infighting, and an AI “debate” stunt -- still made political history.
Read the full story:

The WRVA radio host and first out LGBTQ statewide nominee loses to Democrat Ghazala Hashmi after a campaign marked by controversy.

11/05/2025

Democrats swept this year’s off-year elections, lifting pro-LGBTQ allies Abigail Spanberger, Zohran Mamdani, and Mikie Sherrill to victory in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. Their wins underscore that standing by equality isn’t the political risk some claim it is. 🌈

LGBTQ allies Abigail Spanberger, Zohran Mamdani and Mikie Sherrill score decisive wins in Virginia, New York and New Jersey.