July 9
A Moving Performance
Chances are you’ve seen Pilobolus somewhere, you just might not have known it. The 48-year-old dance troupe, named after a type of fungus, is known for athletic and acrobatic movements that result in surreal, surprising and often humorous configurations. The group has formed shapes on Sesame Street, morphed into a Hyundai Santa Fe in an automobile commercial, shadow-danced for NFL promotions, and become a human kaleidoscope in a music video for rock band OK Go. The troupe comes to North Bethesda with a program that includes video and some of its classic performance pieces.
8 p.m., $29-$69, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org
July 13
Lords of the Ring
Not everyone considers professional wrestling a type of theater. But Flying V does. Like some of the best stage shows, wrestling is based on compelling characters, dramatic storylines and athletic choreography. That’s why the Bethesda company, which seeks to expand the definition of theater—it’s also undertaken an interactive role-playing game and a fictional podcast—is making its second foray into professional wrestling. In this event, which it is calling Sweet Summer Heat, Flying V is producing a full-fledged professional WWE-style wrestling card, featuring several bouts between new and established wrestlers hailing from the local wrestling scene and theater community. Watch as they take to the ring for the ultimate smackdown.
7 p.m., $20, Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, flyingvtheatre.com
July 17-Aug. 18
Eye of the Tiger
Olney Theatre Center closes out its 2018-2019 season with Mike Lew’s biting satirical play, Tiger Style!, which skewers stereotypes of Asian Americans. It tells the story of Chinese American siblings Albert and Jennifer. Despite their impressive accomplishments—selling out concerts at Carnegie Hall, degrees from Harvard, successful careers—Albert and Jennifer blame their parents, upbringing, and Chinese culture for their personal failings as adults. After Albert gets passed over for a promotion and Jennifer breaks up with her boyfriend, they spiral into a delayed adolescent rebellion, which brings them to China, where things quickly go sideways.
$54-$74, $49-$69 younger than 18 and ages 65 and older, Olney Theatre Center, olneytheatre.org
