Theater and Dance

THEATER

After Ashley

• A teenager gets thrust unwillingly into the national spotlight after a family tragedy becomes talk-show fodder. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 5-Oct. 16. The Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW . $30-$48. 202/393-3939.

The Disputation

• A witty British play, set in 13th century Barcelona, that re-creates a time when faith-based 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.

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Energumen

• An intriguing “X-Files”-esque tale of deprogrammers hired by a shady businessman to rescue his daughter from a cult of tone-deaf Santas. 7:30 p.m Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m Sunday. Through Sept. 4. In repertory with “The Real Inspector Hound.” Longacre Lea Productions at the Callan Theatre, Catholic University Drama Complex, 3801 Harewood Road NE. $12-$18. 202/460-2188.

Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde

• Wilde, the rock star of his generation, was at the center of a battle with Victorian mores. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 18. Presented by Theater Alliance at the H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE. $25. 800/494-8497.

Hyronomous A. Frog (The Frog Prince)

• At the castle of Spamelot, Hyronomous hops his way into the heart of Delphinium, handmaiden to flaky Princess Gladiola in this children’s tale brought to the live stage. 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Through Sept. 4. Adventure Theatre, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. $7. 301/320-5331.

The Lion King

• The Tony Award-winning production of the Disney animation, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 4. France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore. $26.50-$76.50. 410/547-7328.

Metamorphosis

• Steven Berkoff’s visceral adaptation of Kafka’s classic story; the play is 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. Sept. 1-Oct. 31. Catalyst Theatre Company, Suite 401, 1816 Kalorama Road NW. $25-$30. 800/494-8497.

The Miracle Worker

• The story of young Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, who helped Helen battle her disability. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 11. Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney. $29-$39. 301/924-3400.

My Fair Lady

• A brand-new production of the Lerner and Loewe multiaward-winning Broadway classic. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Through Sept. 4. Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. $18-$65. Information, 703/938-2404. Tickets, 703/218-6500.

A Number

• A heart-wrenching and complex relationship between a father and son lies at the heart of Caryl Churchill’s bold 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. Sept. 7-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.

Page-to-Stage festival

• Twenty-five local theater companies showcase new works from the upcoming season. 3-10 p.m. Sept. 3-5. Kennedy Center, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. Free. 202/467-4600.

Passion Play

• 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. Sept. 2-Oct 16. Arena Stage, Kreeger Theater, 1101 Sixth St. SW. $46-$60. 202/488-3300.

The Real Inspector Hound

• Tom Stoppard’s wildly popular sendup of the British whodunit. 7:30 p.m Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m Sunday. Through Sept. 4. In repertory with “Energumen.” Presented by Longacre Lea Productions at the Callan Theatre, Catholic University Drama Complex, 3801 Harewood Road NE. $12-$18. 202/460-2188.

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.

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

Grease

• The story of the Class of ‘58 at Rydell High, where the Burger Palace boys and the Pink Ladies define what’s cool. Through Sept. 4. 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30 and 7:15 p.m. Sunday. $25.50-$44. 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. 2-3. Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant, 7711 Eastern Ave., Silver Spring. $52.95. 301/588-6646.

DANCE

George Washington University

Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., NW. 202/994-6800.

• Kankouran West African Dance Company. 8 p.m. Sept. 3. $12-$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.