EC Glass Theatre

The E.C. Glass Theatre offers remarkably sophisticated and highly enjoyable dramatic performances that are among some of the best entertainment deals going.
«High school theater,» you ask, incredulously? Yup.
I, too, was skeptical at first. Having grown up with the Kennedy Center and other well-​known DC venues (National Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Warner Theatre, Wolf Trap, etc.) in my backyard, I am used to elaborate productions of Broadway and off-​Broadway shows that feature lavish sets, rousing music, and dazzling voices and acting. Plus, there’s something wondrous about the buildings themselves — the history, architecture and stunning performance halls. How could a high school production compare with that?
Well, it’s a matter of perspective. Clearly, Glass Theatre doesn’t have the professional actors, budget and ambiance of the aforementioned. But to dismiss it entirely just because the players are high school students would be foolish. And, you’d be missing some very impressive performances and ambitious productions. Indeed, first-​time patrons can often be heard exclaiming, «These are really high school actors?» The sets are fantastic; the music is outstanding; the quality of acting and singing is striking; and the theater itself is comfortable accommodating — there’s not a bad seat in the house. We have seen Cats, Chicago and, recently, Beauty and the Beast at Glass Theatre and have found the productions highly engaging and entertaining.
Glass Theatre performances are also extremely accessible. In contrast, big-​city theater experience comes at a very steep price: tickets are expensive (made more exorbitant by the «handling fees» charged by various ticket sales outlets). Then there’s the equally-​high cost to park and the overall aggravation and exhaustion of negotiating the densely-​populated city streets. Tickets at Glass Theatre are an easy $ 10 — about the same amount one would shell out for some brainless Hollywood movie. Parking, of course, is free. And ingress and egress is a cinch.
To be sure, there’s something magical about the big-​city theater experience — for instance, seeing Phantom of the Opera on its first run or Michael Flatley in the lead in Riverdance. But for entertainment that’s more easily reached and affordable, musical theater productions at Glass Theatre can’t be beat.