Gene Kelly was a master of the American movie musical, suave and joyous and able to make expressing oneself through song and dance seem effortlessly cool. The roles he created in films like Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris were so iconic that for decades, writers and producers hesitated to adapt them for the stage. A Broadway production of Singin’ in the Rain ran for less than a year in 1985 and 1986, but Christopher Wheeldon’s 2015 staging of An American in Paris fared better because it acknowledged how important dance was to the story. Like the film, the musical follows the exploits of Jerry Mulligan, an American soldier who, after the liberation of France in World War II, decides to pursue a painting career and a romance with an intriguing beauty in Paris. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin (whose music can also be heard in Signature Theatre’s Crazy for You), the musical, coming to the Kennedy Center’s lush Opera House, brings with it a touch of old Hollywood glitz and glamour. Read more>>> The musical runs Dec. 12 to Jan. 7 at the Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St. NW. $59–$175. (202) 467-4600. kennedy-center.org. (Caroline Jones)
EAT THIS
The first D.C. location of Wawa opened this morning on 19th Street NW. Swing by for free coffee today and discounted hoagies ($2.99 for a shortie). If you’re at a loss at what to order, trust this Philly native and get an Italian hoagie. While you wait in line, you’re welcome to debate which convenience store-meets-deli is better, Wawa or Sheetz. Wawa, 1111 19th St. NW, wawa.com. (Laura Hayes)
OH AND ALSO
A selection of the 60 best international wildlife photos of 2017 are on display at the Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards exhibit at the National Museum of Natural History. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue presents Alone & Together, a series in which singer-songwriters perform covers of each other’s songs and play their own, featuring Elvis Perkins, Joe Russo, Eric D. Johnson, Sam Cohen, and Josh Kaufman. 8 p.m. at 600 I St. NW. $40.
Jazz vocalist and pianist Freddy Cole, brother of legendary singer Nat King Cole, performs at Blues Alley. 8 p.m. at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $30–$35.
Want To Do Today sent to your inbox five days a week? Sign up here.