Best Theater
1. “Arias with a Twist”: Drag diva Joey Arias sings magical songs against a backdrop of fantastical puppets.
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW
When: Through May 6
Info: $35 to $72.50; 202-393-3939; woollymammoth.net
2. “The Taming of the Shrew”: Synetic Theater produces Shakespeare’s immortal comedy.
Where: Lansburgh Theatre, 610 F St. NW
When: Through April 22
Info: $45 to $55; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
3. “Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!”: Jay Alvarez recounts his father’s escape from Cuba in 1964, five years after Castro’s rise to power.
Where: MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria
When: Through April 22
Info: $25 to $50; 800-494-8497; metrostage.org
4. “God of Carnage”: Two upper-middle-class Brooklyn couples meet to discuss an incident of playground violence between their sons. Though the evening begins with polite pleasantries, it quickly descends into primal madness as tempers flare, loyalties shift and the parents devolve into children.
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
When: Tuesday through June 24
Info: $55 to $68; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
5. “John & Beatrice”: The Hub Theatre presents an urban fairy tale, in which the search for love is heightened to a surreal story about the lengths we go to, in order to find that special someone.
Where: The Hub Theatre, John Swayze Theatre, 9431 Silver King Court, Alexandria
When: April 13 through May 5
Info: $15 to $25; 800-494-8497; thehubtheatre.org
6. “Working”: Based on Studs Terkel’s book, this musical celebrates all the working people of America who are often overlooked: the teacher, fireman, welder, librarian, policeman, homemaker and more.
Where: The Keegan Theatre, 1742 Church St. NW
When: April 14 through May 13
Info: $35 to $40; 703-892-0202; keegantheatre.com
7. “Strange Interlude”: Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about love, physical attraction and deception spans two decades. One of O’Neill’s early plays, “Strange Interlude” was hailed as revolutionary and became a smash hit.
Where: Shakespeare Theatre, Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW
When: Through April 29
Info: $20 to $100; discounts available; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org
8. “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”: Eugene O’Neill’s autobiographical masterwork exposes the lies we tell, the deceptions we craft and the undercurrent of compassion that, if uncovered, can redeem us in the end, in this Pulitzer Prize-winning American treasure.
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW
When: Through May 6
Info: $40 to $85; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
9. “The Whipping Man”: 1865; Richmond: Two newly freed slaves and the son of their former master — a Jewish Confederate soldier who has retreated to the burnt remains of his home — inhabit the disordered aftermath of the just-concluded War Between the States. As the three men celebrate a most unconventional Passover Seder, they uncover a snarl of secrets and examine what it really means to be free.
Where: Theater J, 1529 16th St. NW
When: April 18 to May 20
Info: $15 to $60; 202-518-9400; washingtondcjcc.org
10. “The Big Meal”: Dan LeFranc pictures the emotional arc of five generations of a family’s experience from a single table in a chain restaurant.
Where: Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW
When: April 25 through May 20
Info: $30 to $35; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org
11. “The Taming of the Shrew”: Riotous events lead to the seemingly ill-fated marriage of the arrogant Petruchio and the headstrong Kate. Full of wit and lusty humor, Shakespeare’s quintessential battle of the sexes redefines the boundaries of love.
Where: Folger Theatre, 201 E. Capitol St. SE
When: May 1 to June 10
Info: $35 to $65; 202-544-7077; folger.edu
12. “Xanadu”: 1980; Venice, Calif.: Legwarmers are in and roller skates are way sexy. “Xanadu,” a zany send-up of the cult film, delivers rock-star hilarity in an electrifying tale of forbidden love. Kira, one of seven quirky Greek muses, is sworn to three things: to inspire mortals, never reveal her identity and never, ever fall in love. But can Kira comply?
Where: Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave.
When: May 8 through July 1
Info: $71 to $76; 703-820-9771; signature-theatre.org
13. “The Music Man”: Having exhausted all 102 counties in Illinois, “Professor” Harold Hill gives Iowa a try and soon enough convinces River City of its trouble with the “sin and corruption” of the pool hall, trouble that can only be stopped by forming a boys’ band. Marian the librarian suspects he’s a con man, but she begins to trust him. Soon, this “Music Man” has transformed the entire town, not only turning the bickering school board into a barbershop quartet, but himself into an honest man.
Where: Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW
When: May 11 through July 22
Info: $46 to $90; 202-488-3300; arenastage.org
14. “Flora the Red Menace”: Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb. Not even the Great Depression is enough to dampen Flora’s determination to land a fashion job — that is, until she meets Harry, the stammering, handsome face of the local workers’ party.
Where: 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Drive, McLean
When: May 18 through June 17
Info: $15 to $30; 703-854-1856; 1ststagetysons.org
15. “Home of the Soldier”: The world premiere of a new text-based play, “Home of the Soldier,” commemorates the heroism of our armed forces. This dynamic story follows a young American through the landscape of war and tells a powerful tale of honor, courage and love.
Where: Synetic Theater, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington
When: May 31 through July 1
Info: $45 to $55; 703-494-8497; synetictheater.org
Best Music
Birchmere
3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
birchmere.com
The Bacon Brothers: Kevin and Michael tour behind their original music.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14
Info: $35; sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Glen Campbell: The country legends bids all farewell.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 17 and 18
Info: $75; sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: The original lineup returns to play the group’s blend of blues, jazz and classical music.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 23
Info: $59.50; sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Colin Hay: He plays the music the way he wrote it — not the radio-friendly pop versions.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 13 and 14
Info: $35; sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
The Avett Brothers. Bluegrass royalty comes calling. Presented by the Birchmere at the Patriot Center.
When: 8 p.m. May 11
Info: $39
Nick Lowe: Longtime Elvis Costello producer and a legendary performer in his own right, Lowe defines the original new wave sound. Tift Merritt completes the bill.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 30
Info: $35
9:30 Club
815 V St. NW
930.com
The All-American Rejects: The rockers tour behind their latest release, “The Kids in the Street.”
When: 7 p.m. April 15
Info: $30
Fountains of Wayne: New York-based power pop comes to D.C.
When: 7 p.m. April 19
Info: $25
Willie Nelson and Family: The Red Headed Stranger is back.
When: 7 p.m. May 7
Info: Sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Ingrid Michaelson: Ultracool singer-songwriter sounds.
When: 7 p.m. May 9
Info: Sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Reckless Kelly: Get ready for this country band to rock the house.
When: 10 p.m. May 11
Info: $15
Garbage: Welcome back these Scottish-American alt-rockers.
When: 7 p.m. May 23
Info: Sold out at press time; tickets might be available through resellers
Fillmore Silver Spring
8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring
fillmoresilverspring.com
Kix Brooks: Brooks & Dunn may be over, but Kix is still singing his brand of country.
When: 8 p.m. April 27
Info: $27.50
Marilyn Manson: Need we say more?
When: 8 p.m. May 1
Info: $49.50
Korn: The California-based nu metal band brings its beat to town.
When: 8 p.m. May 4
Info: $45
Heritage Hunter Tour: Opeth teams with Mastodon.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Info: $29.50
Merriweather Post Pavilion
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
merriweathermusic.com
Sweetlife Food and Music Festival: AVICII, Kid Cudi, the Shins and more.
When: Noon April 28
Info: $75 to $125
M3 Rock Festival (two days): Night Ranger, Ratt, Queensryche, Skid Row and more.
When: 4:30 p.m. May 11
Info: $25 to $45.
Metal Lords’ Day: Rob Zombie and Megadeth.
When: 3 p.m. May 13
Info: $40 to $55
The Black Keys: With the Arctic Monkeys.
When: 5 p.m. May 18
Info: $40 to $55
Own the Night 2012 World Tour: Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square.
When: 5:30 p.m. May 20
Info: $40 to $75
Zac Brown Band
When: $5:30 p.m. May 31
Info: $42 to $77
