Washington, DC

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Since opening in 1971 on the banks of the Potomac River,  the nation's performing arts center has delivered some of the greatest performers and performances in America; although creation of the center was authorized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, the center functions as a living memorial to our slain president John Fitzgerald Kennedy; JFK was a lifelong supporter and advocate of the arts - his assassination on 22 November 1963 swiftly attracted federal money, foreign donations and private donations of money, time and materials to the partnership that produced the architecturally-stunning and crystal-laden Kennedy Center; its opening in 1971, triggered DC's rapid ascent as one of the world's major performing arts destinations; aside from the grand Foyer featuring an over-sized bust of JFK, the East Terrace overlooking the Potomac River is a favorite pre-and-post event gathering place; renovated in 1997, the 2,442-seat Concert Hall is superb for large musical productions; the 2,300-seat Opera House designed for ballet, opera and musical theater, has hosted its share of world renown performances; the 1,100-seat Eisenhower Theater primarily hosts smaller plays, operas, ballet and contemporary dance; separating the three large theatres are the flag-draped Hall of States and Hall of Nations; the 513-seat Terrace Theater was a Bicentennial gift from the people of Japan for intimate performances of chamber music, ballet and contemporary dance, theater, and family performances; the 324-seat Family Theater provides a new home for world-class family theater performances; in 2003, a small on-site library was recommissioned as the Kennedy Center Jazz Club; one of several lounges on site, the African Lounge, donated to the Kennedy Center by the nations of Africa, evokes the feeling of being in an African village; the center has programs for funding new American plays, plays-in-progress for young audiences, an American College Theatre Festival and a wellspring of arts education programs; just try getting tickets when the Kennedy Honors program features the nation’s best artists and children’s programs in six theatres; prices vary; some free performances are provided at 6p daily; the center also conducts tours of the venue; free tours of this architectural wonder; catch Metro to Foggy Bottom-GWU station then catch the free shuttle to the center
BOX OFFICE: Kennedy Center Hall of States Mon–Sat 10a–9p, Sundays and holidays Noon–9p
ADDRESS: 2700 F Street, NW  MAP
PARKING: garage on premises
TRANSIT: Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station
PHONE: 202-467-4600
WEBSITE: http://www.kennedy-center.org

National Theatre
For its relatively unassuming exterior, given its next to the White House, you’d never guess that DC showcases traveling Broadway plays if the marquee didn’t give it away; it’s a welcome addition to much needed nightlife in this part of downtown
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Sat 10a-9p, Sunday and holidays Noon-8p; but its known to remain closed during a hiatus without a play
ADDRESS: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave, NW  MAP
PARKING: garage nearby
TRANSIT: Metro Center Metro Station & Federal Triangle Metro Station
PHONE: 202-628-6161
WEBSITE: http://www.nationaltheatre.org

Arena Stage
A flagship not-for-profit theater who is also distinguished as the first regional theater to transfer a production to Broadway and the first to receive a Tony Award; they have practiced groundbreaking programs and diversity in all aspects of theater; aside from introducing new plays, its common to see them debut The Great White Hope to The Women of Brewster Place to Ella interspersed with Death of A Salesman and other American Classics; a $125 million upgrade/expansion is underway
BOX OFFICE: Mon—Sat 10a—8p, Sun 10a—8p; also at Washington Post on 1150 15th Street, NW beginning at 8:30a
ADDRESS: 1101 Sixth Street, SW  MAP
PARKING: garage on premises
TRANSIT: Waterfront-SEU Metro Station
PHONE: Sales 202-488-3300
WEBSITE: http://www.arenastage.org

Carter Barron Amphitheatre
Original amphitheatre plan in 1943 called for benches to seat 1,500 and a stage equipped with a movie screen; this plan was expanded by Carter Barron in 1947 as a way to memorialize the 150th Anniversary of Washington, DC as the nation's Capital; as Vice Chairman of the Sesquicentennial Commission, Rock Creek Park, Barron envisioned an amphitheatre where "all persons of every race, color and creed could attend musical, ballet, theater and other performing arts productions” – he succeeded in 1950
DAYS & HOURS: open in warm months
BOX OFFICE: Noon–8p
  MAP
ADDRESS: 4850 Colorado Ave, NW in Rock Creek Park
PARKING: garage on premises
TRANSIT: Metrobus
PHONE: 202-397-7328
WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/cbarron.htm

Shakespeare Theatre Company
Founded in 1985, the company is becoming one of the nation's leading forces in classic theatre; honors playwrights' language and intentions while viewing their plays through a 21st-century lens; has featured Othello many times; provides two state-of-the-art, affordable, mid-sized venues to showcase outstanding local, national and international performing arts companies; in Harmon Hall
BOX OFFICE: Mon–Sat 10a–6p, Sun Noon–6p
ADDRESS: 610 F Street, NW  MAP
PARKING: garages nearby
TRANSIT: Gallery Plaza-Chinatown Metro Station
PHONE: 202-547-1122 and Toll Free: 877-487-8849
WEBSITE: http://www.shakespearetheatre.org

Vienna, VA

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Established in 1971, Filene Center provides greater Washington a second world-class amphi-theatre operated in partnership with the National Park Service; Filene Center, the principal venue, houses over 90 performances from late May to early September, that range from Jazz, Blues, Classical, Hip-Hop and Country music genres; variety of education programs and special events are presented as well; after a fire destroyed the venue in 1982, a new structure seating 4,000 was built in its place; as before, lawn seating permits patrons to picnic during the performance; Wolf Trap Opera Company, one of America's outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers, also performs here
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-6p, Sat-Sun and holidays Noon-6p
ADDRESS: 1624 Trap Road  MAP
PARKING: parking on premises
TRANSIT: none
PHONE: 703-255-1900
WEBSITE: http://www.wolf-trap.org