Billie Eilish, the 24-year-old pop star, and James Cameron, the 71-year-old Oscar winner, might seem like an unlikely team for a concert film. But Cameron’s “dynamism and mastery of spatial geography … works like gangbusters applied to the concert footage,” writes critic Chris Klimek.

Blue Heron, the semi-autobiographical film from Canadian filmmaker Sophy Romvari is “an artistic excavation where Romvari tries to find meaning amid loss,” writes critic Alan Zilberman.

Dear America at the National Gallery of Art “seems to be dutifully ticking off boxes and running through key moments like a U.S. history student cramming for an exam,” writes contributor Stephanie Rudig.

Spent the past 2 weeks talking to the folks at Graphic Audio—the local company that put full-cast, immersive audio books on the map—about their recent vote to unionize and the layoffs that hit half their bargaining unit 6 months later. For @wcp.bsky.social washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7854...

When a handsome stranger knocks on the door of exhausted parents, Dragon Play examines a marriage with secrets—and wings and scales. “There’s tension enough ... to hold our interest even when the play shoots right past magical realism into the realm of fantasy,” writes Chris Klimek.

The parent company of a Rockville-based immersive audiobook company laid off half its staff amid union contract negations—including the entire bargaining committee. “Frankly, until we unionized, everything was, ‘get bigger, hire more people, let’s do more,’” one worker says. Full story:

The Washington Ballet invited us to a rehearsal of Cinderella, its upcoming show that opens May 8 at National Theatre. Mary Scott Manning offers a look at artistic director Edwaard Liang “darker, quieter” take on the classic ballet:

In her tell-all book, former MPD Sgt. Charlotte Djossou details rendezvous with a superior officer in his office, in the break room, and against a vending machine in the hallway. Djossou also describes a culture of favoritism and retaliation—allegations she’s been raising the alarm about for years.

Several high-ranking MPD officials received notices of termination this week, according to two sources familiar with the department’s internal investigation into crime statistics. The officials will have an opportunity to appeal the department’s proposed termination. Full story:

D.C. landlord Oscar Portillo was caught in a police sting operation selling as much as $92K worth of cocaine. The criminal allegations coincide with Portillo’s involvement in a real estate RICO case filed by the D.C. AG. Suzie Amanuel has the story:

“Haunted hotel rooms, witches, creepy basements: There is no cliche that is too obvious for [Damian] McCarthy to deploy in Hokum,” writes critic Alan Zilberman. His review of McCarthy’s “safe to a fault” hotel horror movie starring Adam Scott:

The Kennedy Center’s bimonthly magazine promises dance content, but there’s none to be found in its pages—probably because there’s hardly any dance programming on the docket. Mary Scott Manning on the state of dance at the KenCen:

The Devil Wears Prada 2 follows the “comedy sequel model of the 1980s: Simply remake the first film after an interval of no less than 18 months or more than five years, reprising every beat and every gag,” writes Chris Klimek. The review:

SCOOP: MPD’s internal investigators have sustained accusations against at least 15 high-ranking police officials in a sweeping investigation into crime statistics, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Mitch Ryals has the story:

When three queer friends set out to summon a demon, they accidentally summon Ronald Reagan from hell, transformed postmortem into both demon and drag queen. Everything, Devoured’s uneven moments are redeemed by true pathos as each actor “tear[s] their heart open” on stage, writes Allison R. Shely.

After a childhood defined by isolation and religious fundamentalism where rock music was considered “demonic,” Ayodele Owolabi is taking her life, and music, back. She tells contributor Mariel Ferragamo that her upcoming album, Severed, is a renouncement of the life she was handed. Her story:

44 The Musical recounts the first four years of the Obama administration through the eyes of (by his own count) 138-year-old Joe Biden. The show’s “queasy framing device” hasn’t aged well, but 44 is still a “a nostalgia trip worth taking,” writes Chris Klimek.

The D.C. Office of Campaign Finance is investigating claims that Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George’s campaign for mayor is improperly involved with a union-led PAC. Her campaign calls it “a baseless complaint.” Full story:

This week’s page three photo @wcp.bsky.social

Like Black Swan before it, Mother Marys is a gorgeous, narratively opaque mystery about a scandal-damaged pop star facing an escalating series of torments that could be symptoms of mental illness, but might also require an exorcist. Chris Klimek reviews

On April 27, Theatre Lab’s Dramathon hosts world-premiere short plays written and performed by the cream of local theater talent. The annual fundraiser, featuring Deidra LaWan Starnes, Erin Weaver, and more, supports the org’s Send a Kid to Camp program.

On the heels of a double release, local cellist Janel Leppin is finding solace in all aspects of her artistry. Columnist Michael J. West talks with her about growing up in NoVa, jamming with her husband, and teaching out of her in-home studio.

In The Migraine Diaries, a young man dealing with the death of his best friend and his debilitating migraines documents his physical and emotional pain in a dairy. Local author Zach Powers creates a “compelling story of the suffering and troubles of middle adulthood,” writes Kristina Tabor.

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“Artistic Generosity and the American Artist Abroad presents an aspirational vision of America, as well as situating the country itself as a work in progress, something that must be prototyped, constructed, and revised,” writes contributor Stephanie Rudig. More on the Frary Gallery's latest:

At-Large CM Kenyan McDuffie and Ward 4 CM Janeese Lewis George made it to all the way to question No. 2 at Monday’s mayoral candidates forum before the claws came out. Mitch Ryals breaks down the back-and-forth as the candidates laid out their visions for the District:

Faction of Fools puts a commedia dell’arte spin on one of William Shakespeare’s most satisfying romps. “It’s refreshing to see a Much Ado About Nothing so smartly directed and imaginatively produced,” writes critic Melissa Lin Sturges.

“What starts out as a promising riff on the classic Western High Noon turns out to be a tiresomely ultraviolent, yuks-deficient take on Hot Fuzz.” Chris Klimek reviews Normal, written by Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator Derek Kolstad:

Ms. Guided talks to some friends who use AI for dating help. From auditing Hinge profiles to walking them through a breakup, the value they describe has little to do with the actual advice. It’s about the approval. Read all about it:

In A Good Day to Me Not To You, an unnamed Palestinian Lebanese narrator recounts how she ended up living in a women’s rooming house run by strange nuns. Constance Zaytoun steps into Lameece Issaq’s one-woman show with ease, but the script falls short of her vulnerable performance. The review:

Steven Soderbergh’s latest witty riff on a heist movie is his "richest, most satisfying film in decades,” writes critic Alan Zilberman. Anchored by two meaty lead performances, The Christophers makes “sharp observations about the art world and our yearning for authenticity.” The review:

An 18-year-old walked free from a gun charge because an MPD officer missed a detention hearing. Three days later, the teen allegedly killed a man over a PlayStation 5. Full story:

A series of departures and a yearlong vacancy have effectively shut down D.C.'s Board of Zoning Adjustment. Meanwhile, one couple’s home sits half-built while they live in a temporary apartment, waiting for a hearing that could be delayed indefinitely. Contributor Suzie Amanuel has the story:

You, Me & Tuscany is, as advertised, “a low-stakes, serial comma-free getaway to a magical land of delicious food and racial harmony that dares to ask What if every last person in the world or at least on two continents were hot and nice and also hot?” Chris Klimek’s review:

Arlington author Rebecca Morrison’s debut YA novel, The Blue Dress, follows an adolescent girl struggling with disordered eating and trying to decide who she wants to be. The story is drawn from Morrison’s own lived experiences and shaped by themes she’s long explored in her viral essays.

The latest punch thrown in the race to become D.C.’s next congressional delegate: Brooke Pinto released a 67-page opposition memo including Robert White’s past stances on local issues, his “overlaps with Donald Trump,” and personal information about his family members.

Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest gives the Civil Rights icon the Hamilton treatment, but struggles to “make rap feel natural to its storytelling” writes critic Nathan Pugh. The result? "Young John Lewis often just feels absurd,” Pugh writes.

Sports Illustrated reporter Emma Baccellieri discusses co-writing Court Queens, a comprehensive history of women’s basketball and the athletes determined to play it. “Some of these women had been carrying these stories forever without really getting a chance to fully share them,” she says.

Sasha Velour, S9 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, brings her world premiere stage production to D.C. through April 19. In Travesty, she “displays a series of clever tableaux about drag and gender expression across time, creating a truly singular theatrical drag experience,” writes Stephanie Rudig.

A new Streetcar is pulling into Dupont Underground. In this stripped-back version of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, actor-director Nick Westrate is “letting the words speak for themselves.” Read about The Streetcar Project, in the tunnel April 20 to May 4.

Columnist Bill Frost rounds up the smarter stoner comedies streaming now. Get ready for 4/20 with some green humor:

Today, 2204 14th St. NW is home to D.C.’s only Black-owned LGBTQIA nightclub, Thurst Lounge. But the three-story brick building was once home to Club Madre, a nightclub owned by notorious lottery hustler, brothel owner, liquor slinger, and drug dealer, Odessa Madre. Tanya Paperny for On Places:

Today is #LocalNewsDay — a national day of action to support and celebrate the trusted local journalism that strengthens communities. Help power local reporting in D.C. by becoming a City Paper member today:

“Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate already feels like a modern classic,” writes critic Nathan Pugh. It follows a family cleaning out their Arkansas plantation home and reckoning with their dark history. "Even while staging intense themes, Olney’s Appropriate is thrilling to watch."

“Fifty years after its release, All the President’s Men feels like a necessary wake-up call for both the American public and fellow journalists alike,” writes contributor Matt Minton. Revisit the film’s legacy with Minton and this week at AFI Silver’s anniversary screening:

FEC data reveals Brooke Pinto’s donors have given more than $2.3M to Republicans, with at least $30K going to Trump’s campaigns. “Brooke Pinto’s Q4 FEC report reads like a who’s who of Republican insiders.” —Roger Limoges, campaign spokesperson for CM Robert White. Mitch Ryals has the story:

Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Hamnet is “polite” and “subtle to a fault,” writes critic Chris Klimek. His review:

MPD released body-cam footage of a shooting by a federal agent after the Council enacted a law requiring public disclosure, but it doesn’t provide a clear view of the shooting. Footage of a second shooting by a fed on the same road will not be released after the target declined public disclosure.

Suzy Eddie Izzard’s one-woman Hamlet is an astonishing feat, writes Chris Klimek. “It punches through the play’s ambient cultural familiarity, forcing us to see it anew.” Read his review of Eddie Izzard in The Tragedy of Hamlet at STC through April 11.

“D.C. may not have the clout of Manhattan … but it is a place where an actor can make a career,” writes contributor Jared Strange. “Though as even the veterans will tell you, getting here and making it here are easier said than done.” Strange spoke with local actors about what it takes: