Woolly Mammoth's Hir and Rick Foucheux's possibly-career-capping Avant Bard King Lear, reviewed.

Emily Townley and Joseph J. Parks in Hir. (Scott Suchman)

My review of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's "rich and fervent" production of Taylor Mac's family tragicomedy Hir is in this week's Washington City Paper, along with a shorter one of WSC Avant Bard's latest King Lear — which just might be the swan song of one of DC's most venerable actors, the great Rick Foucheux. Pick up a paper copy for old time's sake.

I Don't Think You're Ready for This Vile Jelly: King Lear and Spark, reviewed.

Joseph Marcell and Bethan Cullinane in King Lear (Ellie Kurttz).

My review of the Globe Theater's stripped-down touring production of King Lear -- the play that inspired Ira Glass to proclaim "Shakespeare sucks"! -- is in today's Washington City Paper. I also reviewed Theatre Alliance's production of Caridad Svich's Spark.

FURTHER READING: I reviewed Synetic Theatre's wordless King Lear in 2011. And I interviewed Ira Glass, who was and remains one of my heroes, in April 2008.