It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Oakley Cabin African American Museum Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Olney, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“ABC was so helpful, professional and easy to work with when I needed help caring”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful place to work. The staff are kind, thoughtful and”
“Always Best Care has provided my mother and our family with wonderful care and support”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services in assisting with your search for quality”
“My 97 year old husband on Hospice was cared for by his namesake, another Benjamin”
“This is a follow up about my Mom who is 87 years old recovering”
“We have been using this service for over a year for 24/7 care for my”
“I've had such great experience working with everyone at Always Best Care. They're all amazing”
“I can't say enough about the professionalism and the general overall caring from the top”
“Needed a caregiver for my dad during my son's wedding and we were put in”
“My grandmother needed to go to a skilled nursing facility from the hospital. She was”
“Expert and professional care provided for my loved one.”
“We were very pleased with Always Best Care (ABC). We used ABC following a major”
“We used ABCSS for my Dad. When Mom needed similar care, they were the first”
“At a time when you need help the most. When you don't know what to”
“competent csring staff. always reliable.in Over six months of daily care, there was only one”
“My mother received services from ABC for about 2 years. I reached out to Robin”
“Awesome staff and care givers!!”
“Always Best Care is what their name says -- always the best. We used them for a”
“Great company, great staff, great care.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years,”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care is what their namesays --”
“I am a current client of this provider Our current caregiver is great. Whenever there has been”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years,”
“I moved my parents, who have dementia, from a large retirement community to a group”
“ABC was so helpful, professional and easy to work with when I needed help caring for my mom. I highly recommend”
“Always Best Care is a wonderful place to work. The staff are kind, thoughtful and the quality of service is above and beyond the norm. I am grateful to have joined such a prestigious organization of women that care about the people and employees they serve. It is extremely rare to find the level of expertise and professionalism that ABC possesses, anywhere else in this industry.”
“Always Best Care has provided my mother and our family with wonderful care and support from her stay in sub acute rehab to assisted living over several years. We have been fortunate to have the same caregiver for the last year and she has been beyond stellar! All other caregivers were always above average. Just an outstanding group of very compassionate and kind people from the office to the caregivers. Our family HIGHLY recommends Always Best Care!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services in assisting with your search for quality care for your loved one. I worked with Dena to find a suitable facility that could care for my mother in her condition. They are very knowledgeable as it pertains to the senior care industry, which is overwhelming to those with no experience with this industry. The overall process was very thorough and I felt that worked diligently to find the best type of facility that would suit my mother's needs.”
“My 97 year old husband on Hospice was cared for by his namesake, another Benjamin who was with him daily from 8AM to 8PM. Not only did Benjamin help me survive (I am almost 97 too), but he was so kind, gentle and careful about all that he did. When my husband saw him in the morning, he actually managed a tiny smile. In addition to direct care for his patient, he washed dishes, dusted and vacuumed!! There were also two night shift aides, Emanuel and Bismarck. Each came only once but they were equally competent. Without Robin Henoch and ABC? I don't even want to think about it.”
“This is a follow up about my Mom who is 87 years old recovering from a hip fracture and numerous complications related to being under medicated and over medicated at various inpatient facilities. The 24 hour care team at Always Best Care Rockville has kept us going and cared for my Mom as if they would their own Mom over the past 9 weeks. This team includes outstanding and heroic Day shift care by Suzanne, Roseline and Dorothy and Night shift care by Afua, Ellen, Hawa. An extra 10 star commendation goes to Roseline and Dorothy who spoke up about concerns they had to their nurse managers that resulted in a discovery that my Mom was being overmedicated during day time hours and undermedicated at night. 10 star commendation also go to Ndey Care Coordinator in the office who is always calm, caring and helpful no matter what craziness is going on! Thank you all! This is the highest calling to provide personalized, deeply compassionate care to those who are sick and vulnerable!”
“We have been using this service for over a year for 24/7 care for my 87 year old mother with dementia. A few of the caregivers have been with her over a year. Raheema her weekend, daytime caregiver treats her like family. She is so kind & an advocate for her care. Mom loves Fridays when Vera comes because not only does she take good care of her above & beyond such as putting curlers in her hair & taking her around the block, but she also has lots of energy & jokes around with her which she loves. Ami takes care of Mom a few overnights each week & she is kind, gentle, compassionate & professional. In the office, Ashley spent an extraordinary amount of time with me at the beginning & was friendly & professional & caring. Esther really listens to my concerns & addresses them. I would highly recommend their service.”
“I've had such great experience working with everyone at Always Best Care. They're all amazing and hard working people.”
“I can't say enough about the professionalism and the general overall caring from the top down to my 92 year old mother's care giver Diana. Not only does my mother adore her, her friends say how great Diana is and lastly the facility called me yesterday to say how great Diana is working with my mother. 5 Stars is not enough....”
“Needed a caregiver for my dad during my son's wedding and we were put in touch with Always Best. They did a tremendous job through the whole process including scheduling and making sure our needs were met. The event day caregiver was Sam and he was so great to my dad. On time, friendly, always smiling and ensuing my dad was comfortable at all times. Would use them again for sure”
“My grandmother needed to go to a skilled nursing facility from the hospital. She was scared and we wanted to ensure that she was well taken care of, so we arranged for caregivers there. She went home with 24 hour care. ABC made that process so easy and they were so kind. My grandmother found her caregivers to be dependable, courteous, helpful, compassionate and punctual. She wanted to personally thank Anne Marie Njang, Celestina, and Akosua Atta for being there for her.”
“Expert and professional care provided for my loved one.”
“We were very pleased with Always Best Care (ABC). We used ABC following a major surgery. We needed a CNA for various types of assistance for two people with limited mobility. Our original plan for help, with a different agency, fell apart early in my recovery. ABC had an excellent replacement in our home within 24 hours. The woman who provided most of our care was very good. Based on both responsiveness and quality, we would call ABC first if we need in home care in the future.”
“We used ABCSS for my Dad. When Mom needed similar care, they were the first we called. The need happened very quickly and ABCSS was able to find us a 24/7 sitter for the first night when we called them. They provide caregivers who indeed care about those they serve. Robin and Ashley (owners) are very attentive to our needs and are always looking for ways they can make things easier for us while caring for our loved ones. Highly recommend.”
“At a time when you need help the most. When you don't know what to expect next, other the expectation to be overwhelmed, Always Best Care was a great choice for help when I needed it the most in caring for my elder Father. I was out of my element and really didn't know what to do to properly care for my Father - but Always Best Care knew exactly what to do. When we first contacted Robin she responded immediately, met with us very quickly and was ready to go with as much staffing & care that we needed on Day 1. The caregivers were all experienced and personable, and genuinely nice people. When the time came that we had to shift to Hospice care, the staff already knew what to do with regard to interacting with the Hospice staff. And when the time came that my Father passed away they made sure we were notified immediately and remained with my Father until we arrived. I couldn't have asked for a level of service beyond what we received and I thank Robin and her staff for helping my Father and our family during his final weeks of life so that we could make him as comfortable as possible.”
“competent csring staff. always reliable.in Over six months of daily care, there was only one incident when weather prevented anyone from coming”
“My mother received services from ABC for about 2 years. I reached out to Robin (head of the agency) because Mom was struggling with her memory and other symptoms of dementia. Always Best Care has wonderful caregivers and the staff was always available, kind, hard working and helpful. This refers to not only the caregivers, but their staff of nurses, doctors, receptionists, everyone. I could (and did) call day or in the middle of the night, and someone was always available to help me with my mom's issues. The caregivers were prompt, professional, hard working and really patient and kind. My mom passed away last month with Advanced Alzheimer's disease. I feel good really about the final years of my mom's life, at home with all she loved most, and that includes all that Always Best Care has to offer.”
“Awesome staff and care givers!!”
“Always Best Care is what their name says -- always the best. We used them for a few family members and couldn't have been more pleased. Finding quality care for those you love can be overwhelming and unsettling. Through Robin, Blake and their excellent caregivers, we found not only the high quality care we sought but complete peace of mind. It was clear from the very beginning that they place the needs of their clients and clients' families above all else. They work hard to find the best match for your particular situation, communicate extremely well, and are always ready to help however they can. In short, they are outstanding partners in the care of your loved ones, and I personally am extremely grateful for the care Robin, Blake, and Marie provided my parents. We are fortunate to have found Always Best Care and recommend them enthusiastically and without reservation.”
“Great company, great staff, great care.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years, our experience was responsive, professional, flexible and involved management and kind, caring, attentive, and utterly reliable caregivers. I highly recommend this senior care firm.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care is what their namesays -- always the best.We used them for a few family members and couldn't have been more pleased. Finding quality care for those you love can be overwhelming and unsettling. Through Robin, Blake and their excellent caregivers, we found not only the high quality care we sought but completepeace of mind. It was clear from the very beginning that they place the needs of their clients and clients' families above all else. They work hard to find the best match for your particular situation, communicate extremely well, and are always ready to help however they can. In short, they are outstanding partners in the care of your loved ones, and I personally am extremely grateful for thecare Robin, Blake, and Marie provided my parents.We are fortunate to have found Always Best Care and recommend them enthusiastically and without reservation.”
“I am a current client of this provider Our current caregiver is great. Whenever there has been an issue or concern about my parents’ care, Always Best Care has responded immediately and effectively.”
“Always Best Care of Mid-Montgomery County lives up to its name! For over 2 years, our experience was responsive, professional, flexible and involved management and kind, caring, attentive, and utterly reliable caregivers. I highly recommend this senior care firm.”
“I moved my parents, who have dementia, from a large retirement community to a group home. When I realized that the group home did not provide proper care for them, which resulted in both parents coming down with urinary tract infections simultaneously, 2 times in three weeks, I knew they needed to move. My father’s dementia had also escalated significantly and he became fearful of the caregivers, who had no prior experience caring for someone with advanced Alzheimer’s symptoms and their approach was not appropriate. ABC came to my rescue and immediately provided a wonderful male caregiver for my father from 4-8 PM, seven days a week, while she conducted a search to find the right place for my parents to move. She took into consideration our family’s financial limitations as well. Within a short period of time, we were able to move them to their current location where they are getting wonderful care, delicious food and ongoing bus excursions every other week! My father is no longer fearful of the caregivers and my mother is very content, as well. They have had no further urinary tract problems. ABC solved 2 challenges for me: 1) they immediately found the right caregiver for my father and 2) found the perfect location for my parents to be cared for properly. Daughter of E & F Silver Spring, MD”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Olney Square Neighborhood Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Salt Vine or visit Olney Manor Sign, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Olney, MD, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Olney, MD understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Olney, MD 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
What is Shakespeare without words? While you might think the notion absurd, that poetry is impossible without words, the Synetic Theater company has repeatedly shown audiences that pure movement, acting without words, is as eloquent and moving as the Bard’s text. If you think, “oh, I’ve seen ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ many times,” I say you have never seen it more spectacularly enchanting than Synetic’s production at the Olney Theatre Center (OTC. It mesmerizes, enthralls, and entertains in a ...
What is Shakespeare without words? While you might think the notion absurd, that poetry is impossible without words, the Synetic Theater company has repeatedly shown audiences that pure movement, acting without words, is as eloquent and moving as the Bard’s text. If you think, “oh, I’ve seen ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ many times,” I say you have never seen it more spectacularly enchanting than Synetic’s production at the Olney Theatre Center (OTC. It mesmerizes, enthralls, and entertains in a way you may never have experienced.
spectacularly enchanting…mesmerizes, enthralls, and entertains.
Directed by Synetic co-founder and Artistic Director, Paata Tsikurishvili, and adapted by Ben Cunis and Paata Tsikurishvili, the production originally premiered in 2009 in Synetic’s former Arlington home and received nine Helen Hayes Award nominations, winning Outstanding Resident Play and Outstanding Ensemble. The current production at OTC feels fresh and remains exciting with an excellent cast and stunning production elements. The Roberts Mainstage provides ample room for the fluid and ethereal choreography of Synetic Co-founder Irina Tsikurishvili.
At the opening performance, OTC Artistic Director Jason Loewith gave thoughtful introductory remarks about his longtime admiration for the work of Synetic Theatre. Founded in 2001 by the Tsikurishvilis and several company members—all immigrants from the Republic of Georgia—Synetic has become one of the most critically-lauded companies in the region. Their movement-based performance combines dance, acrobatics, pantomime, and music for a unique theatrical experience. Resident Composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze has created a beautiful score throughout. As Starvling, one of the Players, his keyboard expertise, along with Aaron Kan on guitar and Lev Belolipetski on strings, help lift the performers’ actions beyond the need for spoken language.
While it certainly helps to know the plot of Shakespeare’s play, focusing too much on the expected sequence of the story may distract from the events on stage. The original five acts are condensed into under two hours, but a helpful and highly recommended synopsis is provided in the program. Give it a quick read before the action begins on a darkened stage quickly brought to life with a storm of fireflies. As the tiny lights dance about, a birchwood forest slowly appears behind them. Titania (Rachael Small) and Oberon (Philip Fletcher), queen and king of the fairies, appear in exquisite costumes suggesting Balinese gods. The colorful costumes are designed by Anastasia Rurikov Simes.
The performers of the Synetic Theater company, many of them trained by the Tsikurishvilis, are a well-knit ensemble. Given such an athletic and inventive cast, stand-out performances abound. Every performer engages and delights in their own way. As one audience member put it, “you can’t take your eyes off of some performers.” Camille Pivetta is charming and bawdily humorous as Helena. Stella Bunch shows off her contortionist skills as the mischievous Puck. Vato Tsikurishvili as Quince and veteran company member Irakli Kavsadze as Bottom lead the Players in an extended and hilarious production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the court of Theseus (Chris Galindo). Small’s Titania is at once elegant, sexy, and funny. The most enduring image created by Andrew F. Griffin’s evocative lighting may be that of Puck lazily looking down from their perch in the crescent moon. You can almost hear them sighing, “What fools these mortals be!”
Running Time: One hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Parental guidance is advised for young children.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs through August 10, 2025, presented by Synetic Theater at Roberts Mainstage, Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832. Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm and Wednesday, July 23 at 1:30 pm. There is an Accessible Audio-Described Performance on Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 pm. Audience members who wish to use these services should contact Weldon Brown, Director of Sales and Audience Experience ([email protected]) to confirm. Tickets are available from $41–$101. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, military, and students. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 301-924-3400 or go online.
Since the show is sold out, it can be assumed that many may be familiar with the charming and award-winning Netflix comedy “Kim’s Convenience” which began as a play written by Ins Choi. It was performed at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival before it was adapted and ran for five seasons on Netflix (2018-2021). This play is sweet, hopeful, hysterical, and especially well-done in the hands of this excellent cast. …sweet, hopeful, hysterical, and especially well-done in the hands of this exc...
Since the show is sold out, it can be assumed that many may be familiar with the charming and award-winning Netflix comedy “Kim’s Convenience” which began as a play written by Ins Choi. It was performed at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival before it was adapted and ran for five seasons on Netflix (2018-2021). This play is sweet, hopeful, hysterical, and especially well-done in the hands of this excellent cast.
…sweet, hopeful, hysterical, and especially well-done in the hands of this excellent cast.
Directed by Aria Velz, the story is one day in the life of the Korean-Canadian Kim family. Husband, Appa, and wife, Umma, immigrated from South Korea and settled in the Regent’s Park neighborhood of Toronto, Canada. Appa opened a convenience store, as many Korean immigrants did, and has worked every day to make it a success. Appa and Umma raised a daughter Janet who, though a hip, young woman, still lives with her parents above the store. She is working on her career as a professional photographer and resents her commitment of working four hours a day at the store. She also chafes at her father’s desire for her to take over the store since he is estranged from his son, Jung, who he hasn’t seen since he ran away from home as a teenager. The reasons why are revealed later.
Appa’s neighborhood is becoming gentrified with new condos going up around him. Mr. Lee (Appa’s “black friend with a Korean name”) is now working for the developers. Since is it very likely that a small-business-killing Walmart will also be moving in, he makes Appa an offer to buy his store that would give him a comfortable retirement—but Appa is more concerned about his legacy.
Appa is a proud Korean who makes note of every Korean accomplishment. Because of Korea’s history with Japan (they invaded Korea in 1904 and enslaved the Japanese), he dislikes everything Japanese. He’s always on the lookout for illegally parked, Japanese-made cars. In a wonderful performance, Stan Kang’s Appa is a funny and multi-faceted character, his often inscrutable accent and quirky turn of phrase making for much of the comedy. But there is much more here. The play touches on the sometimes complicated family dynamics between first generation immigrants and their children, religion, and assumptions made about people because of how they look. Appa will also break your heart.
The lovely and talented Tuyết Thị Phạm will be familiar to many as a Resident Company Member at Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre. Though she does not get as much stage time as her husband, Phạm gives Umma a quiet strength and patience that shine through her unadorned face.
As Janet, Justine “Icy” Moral does a fantastic job illustrating the conflicting emotions of not fully appreciating what her parents have accomplished and being a modern, Canadian woman. As Jung, Zion Jang, also expresses well his inner conflicts and wanting to make peace with his father.
Jonathan Del Palmer does a great job handling the multiple Black characters who come into the store— a regular customer, Rich; Mr. Lee; a Jamaican, Mike (for whom Appa has a sixth sense and displays his martial arts abilities); and most endearing, Alex, a childhood friend of Jung’s (and Janet’s girl-school crush), who is now a policeman. When he answers the call about an illegally parked Japanese car, sparks fly between him and Janet. Appa’s involvement in aiding with their courtship provides one of the funniest scenes you will see anywhere.
Thanks to the talents of Debra Kim Sivigny, the set—which begins as you walk into the theater with the front of the store’s glass door with garbage can sitting next to it—is beautifully detailed and feels like every convenience store you have ever entered. It is so spot on that the ushers have signs not to touch the merchandise which are not for sale. Since there is no intermission, Lighting Designer Minjoo Kim and Sound Designer Kevin Alexander do a seamless job of delineating scenes with light and sound.
It would be well-worth it to try and get a ticket to see this fantastic show. “Kim’s Convenience” will make you laugh, cry, and touch your heart.
Running Time: One hour and 30 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: If this were a film it would be rated PG-13 for strong language and intense conversations.
“Kim’s Convenience” runs through July 27, 2025 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 301.924.3400, Wednesday – Sunday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm or go online. Note: Most performances are sold out. Additional tickets for sold-out shows will be released for sale, when available, at 10:00 am on the day of the performance.
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