Theater and Dance

THEATER

After Ashley

• A teenager gets thrust unwillingly into the national spotlight after a family tragedy and becomes talk-show fodder. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 16. The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. $30-$48. 202/393-3939.

Alexa’s Necklace

• A riled woman taps into her wild imagination to deal with her child’s death. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct 2. Natural Theatricals at George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. $20. 703/739-9338.

The Boys Next Door

• Four mentally challenged men and their social worker deal with their problems, hopes and frustrations while offering a revealing glimpse into their intimate lives and psyches. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Through Oct. 15. Journeyman Theatre Ensemble at Clark Street Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St., Arlington. $15-$20. 202/248-2295.

Camille

• One of the world’s great love stories and the inspiration for Verdi’s operatic masterpiece “La Traviata.” This new adaptation returns to the original novel for its emotional portrayal of a woman who can afford everything — except to fall in love. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 16. Round House Theatre, East-West Highway and Waverly Street, Bethesda. $15-$50. 240/644-1100.

The Disputation

• A British play, set in 13th-century Barcelona, that re-creates a time when missionary zeal challenged the existence of a questioning, nonconformist community. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 2. Theatre J at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. $10-$38. 800/494-8497.

Dracula

• The gothic thriller that tells the story of erotic desire and the battle between the living and the undead. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 30. Synetic Theater at the Rosslyn Spectrum, 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington. $24-$39. 202/462-5364.

Flyin’ West

• Follow the story of four 19th century women who took advantage of The Homestead Act and went West to build new lives for themselves and their families against tremendous odds. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 25. True Colors Theatre Company at the Lincoln Theater, 1215 U Street, NW. $29-$50. 202/328-6000.

It Had To Be You

• This two-person play tells an unusual show-biz story. She is a desperate B-actress of a certain age; he is a successful commercial television producer. She holds him captive in her apartment, swearing not to let him go until he is a) in love with her and, b) willing to jump-start her career. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Through Oct. 8. American Century Theater at Theater II, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington. $18-$26. 703/553-8782.

I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda

• A British poet assists a survivor of the Rwandan genocide to write her personal history. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 9. The African Continuum Theatre Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St., NE. $25-$35. 202/399-7993 ext. 1.

Leading Ladies

• Two down-on-their luck Shakespearean actors concoct a plan to swindle an elderly woman by posing as her long lost relatives. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 23-Oct. 23. Ford’s Theatre, 511 Tenth St. NW. $25-$52. 202/347-4833.

Metamorphosis

• Steven Berkoff’s adaptation of Kafka’s classic story, a glimpse of a tortured soul struggling against the isolation of contemporary society. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Through Oct. 31. Catalyst Theatre Company, Suite 401, 1816 Kalorama Road NW. $25-$30. 800/494-8497.

A Number

• A complex relationship between a father and son lies at the heart of Caryl Churchill’s exploration of the personal cost of powerful new technology. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 16. Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. $37-$52. 202/332-3300.

Othello

• Shakespeare’s tale explores the tragedy of a love destroyed by jealousy. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 30. The Shakespeare Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. $14.25-$71.25. 202/547-1122.

Passion Play, a Cycle

• In this cycle of three plays, three historic tellings of the Passion Play are the backdrop for up-and-coming playwright Sarah Ruhl’s bold examination of truth, love, loyalty and belief through the ages. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Through Oct 16. Arena Stage, Kreeger Theater, 1101 Sixth St. SW. $46-$60. 202/488-3300.

The Sand Storm: Stories from the Front

• Written by an Iraq war vet, 10 monologues expose the rage, honor, courage and commitment shared by men at war. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 25. Metro Stage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria. $25. 800/494-8497.

Shear Madness

• The long-running whodunit comedy continues indefinitely. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Kennedy Center Theater Lab, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. $34. 202/467-4600.

Three Hotels

• In a series of monologues set in three hotels — in Morocco, the Caribbean and Mexico — the playwright weaves a tapestry of corporate misdeeds, personal tragedy and marital discord between Hoyle, a former idealist now selling defective baby formula in the Third World, and his wife, Barbara. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 2. Theater of the First Amendment at George Mason Center for the Arts, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. $25-$30. 703/993-8888.

Top Girls

• A look at the personal sacrifices a woman makes to achieve success not only in the late 20th century, but over the last 1,200 years. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 1. Fountainhead Theater, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. $20. 703/553-8782.

Urinetown

• A water shortage has crippled the sewer system of a Gotham-like town, and the government outlaws the use of private toilets, forcing residents to use public, pay-per-use amenities in this dark comedy. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Oct. 9. Signature Theatre, 3806 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. $31-$55. 703/218-6500.

STAGE

The Capitol Steps

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202/397-SEAT.

• The musical and political satire troupe. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $31.50.

Comedy Sportz D.C.

Ballston Common Mall, Old Vic Arena, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703/294-LAFF

• Teams of comedians battle each other in competitive improv comedy sketches. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. $8-$12.

Under the Beltway

Stage Door Restaurant and Bar, 1324 King St., Alexandria. 703/798-1064.

• Improvisational comedy. 8:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $7.

DINNER THEATER

Aida

• The Disney musical about an enslaved princess and soldier. Through Nov. 20. 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30 and 7:15 p.m. Sunday. $27.50-$46. Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, Md. 301/596-6161.

Murder Upon Request

• The interactive comedy-mystery group performs plays at two locations: “A Deadly Private Party” at Alfio’s La Trattoria, 4515 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, and “Just Killing Time” at the Arlington Hilton, 950 N. Stafford St., Arlington. 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. $55. Both run indefinitely. 703/379-8108.

One Life to Lose — A Deadly Nighttime Soap

• Blair Mansion Mysteries performance. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23-24. Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant, 7711 Eastern Ave., Silver Spring. $52.95. 301/588-6646.

DANCE

Kennedy Center

Millennium Stage, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue Northwest. 202/467-4600.

• Ludovic Jolivet, “Forgotten Consciousness.” 6 p.m. Sept. 22-23. Free.

• Halau O’ Aulani, Kuchipudi Kalanidihi Dancers and Cambodian American Heritage Group. 6 p.m. Sept. 30. Free.

Kennedy Center

Terrace Theater, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue Northwest. 202/467-4600.

• Metro DC Dance Awards. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26. $25.

SOCIAL DANCING

Adelphi Mill Recreation Center

8402 Riggs Road, Adelphi. 301/699-1477.

• Square Roots square-dance-teaching club presents a series of dance lessons. 8 p.m. Monday. $32.

Avalon Studio

15 Mellor Ave., Catonsville, Md. 410/869-9771.

• Swing dancing second and fourth Saturdays. Beginners workshop 8-9 p.m., dancing 9 p.m.-midnight. $10.

• Swing dancing 8:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday. $5.

Dance Factory

954 N. Monroe St., Arlington. 703/528-9770. www.dancefactory.com.

• Beginning-to-advanced ballroom, Latin and swing classes. 7-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Four weeks. $59.

• Ballroom, Latin, swing combo dances. 7-10:30 p.m. Friday. $10-$11; admission includes lessons.

• Country and swing dance every second Saturday. 8:30 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m.-midnight dance. $10.

• Contemporary ballroom dances and practice parties. Saturday nights. $9-$10. Call for times.

• Social ballroom dancing. 7-10 p.m. Sunday. $9.

Dance Studio Lioudmila

18 Roth St., Alexandria. Private lessons and group classes, beginning-to-advanced ballroom, Latin and swing; no partners necessary. 703/751-8868.

• Tea dance, includes lesson and refreshments. 1-3:15 p.m. Fridays. $8.

• Dance party. 7:30-8:30 p.m. group class, 8:30-11 p.m. dance party. Saturdays. $10.

Friday Night Swing Dance Club

Several locations. Free refreshments. No smoking, no alcohol, no partners necessary. Dance workshops at 8 p.m. 410/583-7337. $12 admission, $10 for members.

Hollywood Ballroom

2126 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring. 301/622-5494.

• Singles dance party. 8 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m. dance. Friday. $10-$15.

• Social ballroom dancing. 8 p.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m. Saturday. $10-$15.

• Contemporary ballroom dancing. 7 p.m. lesson, 8 p.m. dance. Sunday. $10-$15.

Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia

8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. 703/982-0937.

• Israeli dancing with Ethan Halpern. 8-10 p.m. Tuesday. $4-$6.

Knights of Columbus Hall

6111 Columbian Way (state Route 3), Bowie.

• LA Singles Friday Dance. Large wood dance floor accommodates up to 300 singles. Music is top-40s and old favorites. Suits or dressy casual. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. every Friday. $9. 410/721-6666 or 410-674-3737

The Shark Club

4915 Elmo St., Bethesda. 301/718-4030.

• Swing dance with Tommy Barrick and Friends. Swing lesson during band break. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. every Tuesday. $7 singles, $10 couples.