Whit Davis

May 21, 2024 | dctheaterarts.org | Whit Davis

Musicals featuring Hip Hop don’t have much grey area these days; they’re either Hamilton or not. Hamilton broadened the theater audience, which helped launch the careers of formerly less celebrated actors into the mainstream. The success of the musical Hamilton arguably may be one of the reasons the Mexodus will be wildly successful. Mexodus functions to imaginatively explore the true, barely spoken history of the Underground Railroad into Mexico.

Apr 18, 2024 | dctheaterarts.org | Whit Davis

Distillation is an experiential, interactive production presented by Solas Nua and Abbey Theatre at Eaton DC, brought to life by creator and performer Luke Casserly. It’s a unique blend of performance art and theater, with Casserly serving as the bridge between them. At the heart of this bridge is the star performer, the Irish bog, symbolized by a circular custom-made table by sculptor Ger Clancy and miniature bottled fragrances to be discovered by the audience.

Apr 8, 2024 | dctheaterarts.org | Whit Davis

The story of a Black political prisoner who tries to reconcile with his family makes for a compelling hook. The themes of family, revolution, grief, trauma, and perhaps reconciliation will no doubt pique the curiosity of many. The re-emergence of Sunset Baby by playwright Dominique Morisseau to new audiences may feel timely given the political landscape. This production is only a hop-and-skip over at Anacostia Playhouse.

Nov 3, 2023 | dctheaterarts.org | Whit Davis |Langston Hughes

At the outset of the production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity at Howard University, I was immediately transported back home to the South Side of Chicago to the churches I attended in my youth. I suspect that Hughes’ goal was for this play to be experiential, a sort of journey home to the self, and the director Eric Ruffin is keenly aware of Hughes’ purpose with each scene intimately woven with Black gospel and hymns and choreography.

Oct 18, 2023 | dctheaterarts.org | Whit Davis |Katori Hall

I’ve always wanted to sit with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the mountaintop to gaze at the stars, to drink the Milky Way, and to pray silently to our ancestors. The mystery of Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner world has always been of great interest to me. Dr. King was a thoughtful writer. As much skill as he had on stages, in pulpits, in front of cameras, and on streets, he could command a page.