WELCOME TO WASHINGTON, DC—my home, the capital of the United States, and one of the world's great cultural cities. Once it was known chiefly as the lair of lobbyists and lawyers, but today that image is changing. The performing arts in particular have become a major feature in Washington life.
	Actors with international reputations, like Avery Brooks, Kelly McGillis, Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Ashley, Stacy Keach, Pat Carroll and Patrick Stewart have all appeared on stage here. Plácido Domingo, in his third season as Artistic Director, will lead the Washington Opera into the new millenium.  Touring companies like Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Royal Shakespeare Company greet the grand stages of the Kennedy Center as though it were a second home. And three score and more smaller powerhouse stages produce their own shows locally, giving both New York's Off Broadway and London's West End stiff competition. I do not think there is another place in America today where the performing arts are such a strong part of city life.
Perhaps the best thing about the Washington, DC performing arts scene is its affordability. While New York prices continue to climb, the cost of a ticket to the theatre in Washington has remained comparatively low. As if that weren't enough, one can always go to TICKETplace, the region's only discount, day-of-show ticket booth. Unlike New York, where the crowds in Times Square can leave one feeling like a steer being driven to market, the pace at TICKETplace is slower and more civilized. Perhaps that's because they post their daily offerings on their web site, so us internet saavy theatre lovers can find out what's available each day before we even arrive. If you're thinking about giving the nation's capital a visit, you really should check it out!