Experience Arlington's Performing Arts

As they say in they say in showbiz, “The show must go on!” Live performing arts programs have returned in a big way to Arlington, so make a night at the theater part of your capital area vacation.

Arlington is well-known for showcasing top talent in award-winning shows. Whether you prefer classical theater, musical comedy, modern dance or an innovative original drama, you will find it here. Here’s a taste of Arlington’s performing arts companies and their upcoming shows:

Signature Theatre

Arlington’s Tony Award®-winning Signature Theatre is best known for Broadway caliber contemporary musicals and reinvented plays. In fact, Signature has earned 90 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence. Signature is located in the Village at Shirlington, in a theater called “Swanky” by the New York Times, this year’s calendar of programming is guaranteed to rouse applause.

Rent (November 2, 2021 – January 2, 2022)
Daphne’s Dive (February 1 – March 20, 2022)
She Loves Me (March 1 – April 24, 2022)
The Upstairs Department (April 26 – June 12, 2022)
We Won’t Sleep (May 31 – July 3, 2022)
The Color Purple (August 16 – October 9, 2022)

Signature Theatre

Synetic Theater

Synetic Theater celebrates 20 years of exciting visual storytelling with performances that incorporate dance, acting and film. Synetic’s winter season debuts with a contemporary version of the fairytale Cinderella. It’s a joyful holiday show designed for audiences of all ages. Also on the schedule, The Servant of Two Masters, a high-energy adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac. Synetic Theater is located in Crystal City, and critics call its productions “brilliantly original.”

Cinderella (November 29 – December 26, 2021 at Synetic Theater in Crystal City)
The Servant of Two Masters (February 21 – March 13, 2022 at Synetic Theater in Crystal City)

Synetic Theater show

Avant Bard Theatre

The cast and crew of Avant Bard Theatre produce some of the most innovative and imaginative performances you’ll see on a professional stage. Avant Bard performs at Gunston Arts Center Theatre, a proscenium stage and black box space near Crystal City. For tickets the upcoming season, check here.

How I Learned What I Learned (December 1 - 19, 2021)
Ada and The Engine (March 3 – 26, 2022)
Suddenly Last Summer (May 26 – June 18, 2022)

Jane Franklin Dance

Jane Franklin Dance blends the joy of movement, sound and art to create expressive performances. The dance company performs at festivals, museums, and theaters throughout Virginia. Check the website for information upcoming shows.

UrbanArias

UrbanArias is a 12-year-old opera company producing engaging and entertaining operas. The 90 minute or shorter pieces are modern and accessible to all audiences. The company has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and other local venues. Two upcoming shows demonstrate the company’s range of interpretation.