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Lulu Fall on being a member of the Hair tribe

November 15, 2010 By 6 Comments

Lulu’s Back in Town

I was so thrilled to hear that DC’s own Lulu Fall was cast in the National Tour of Hair, now playing through this weekend in The Kennedy Center’s Opera House. Lulu’s got it all – she’s a great singer, dancer, and actress, has a bubbly personality and is stunningly gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to see her in ‘The Tribe’, and when I did – she lit up the stage and let a lot of sunshine in. Lulu tells us about her ‘Hair-raising’ journey. [Read more...]

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The Happy Elf

November 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

Just when you thought you couldn’t take yet another chirpy Holiday story, along comes something with enough zip, creativity and spark to send you rushing to decorate anything that even resembles a tree.  That’s what The Happy Elf will do, with mistletoe, and snow flakes to spare. [Read more...]

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Superior Donuts

November 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

No man is a donut, but it is possible to be as inert and insubstantial as a day-old cruller, and it is roughly this state that Arthur Przybyszewski (Richard Cotovsky), the owner of the eponymous Chicago pastry shop in Tracy Letts’ latest work, has achieved. [Read more...]

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Venus at the crossroads

November 13, 2010 By 2 Comments

Deb Randall is at a personal and artistic crossroads. As founder and artistic director of Venus Theatre, she has kept the company alive, pretty much on her own, for ten years.  Staging plays written, produced and directed by women in a small space at 21 C Street in Laurel’s historic downtown area—where she’s been since 2006 after relocating from Washington—is in itself an accomplishment.  The fact that Venus has survived this long is a testament to Randall’s passion, tenacity and vision. [Read more...]

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Anti-gay group to picket high school’s Laramie Project today

November 13, 2010 By 2 Comments

Westboro Baptist Church, which has won notoriety for picketing the funerals of American soldiers killed overseas, will picket the Richard Montgomery High School production of The Laramie Project, the Frederick, Maryland-based Gazette.Net reports. [Read more...]

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Esther Covington on playing Fanny Brice

November 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

She’s on the stage for two hours – singing many of Fanny Brice’s best-known songs while tap dancing, twirling, telling funny jokes,  relating Fanny’s personal life and career highs and lows, while  ‘Baby Snooking’ her way into the hearts of the audiences. I asked Esther Covington to talk about preparing for and performing the role of the legendary comedienne in The American Century Theater’s production of One Night With Fanny Brice. [Read more...]

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Dublin’s Project Brand New

November 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Maybe there’s something in the water in Ireland. Not only are they writing new plays by the boxcar, they’re writing new types of plays, using approaches which never occurred to Aristotle. Three of these theatrical adventures will be on display at the Mead Flashpoint today (Nov. 12) and tomorrow at 7 p.m. They’re all in development, and hence not reviewable, but I thought you might like to know what they’re about, so you could see if they’re your cup of Jameson’s. [Read more...]

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Solas Nua brings new works from Dublin this weekend

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Solas Nua is giving Washington audiences a chance to see and help shape experimental works in development, straight from Dublin. Titled ‘Project Brand New’, the mini-festival is here for three performances only, starting Thurs, Sept 11th at Flashpoint. [Read more...]

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One Night with Fanny Brice

November 11, 2010 By 1 Comment

The life and loves of Fanny Brice come alive in this stellar performance by Esther Covington who carries the show with charisma and charm, accompanied by talented musical director Tom Fuller.  This American Century Theater production captures the high and low notes of this icon who set the tone for modern screwball comedy.  As noted in some of the reference material, before there was a Lucy or Ethel, Gracie Allen or even Imogene Coco, Fanny Brice showed what could be done with a reaction shot, an exaggerated expression or a well turned phrase—she had a gift for comedy and could make ‘em laugh. [Read more...]

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Oklahoma! headed for Broadway?

November 10, 2010 By 12 Comments

According to Patrick Healey, writing in today’s New York Times, Broadway producers are on their way to Washington to take a look at Arena Stage’s production of Oklahoma! “to consider a future life for the Arena production, perhaps on Broadway.”

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith (Photo: Scott Suchman)

The man on the phone to producers, according to the article,  is Theodore S. Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein (an Imagem Music company) who was especially impressed with the multiracial casting, and, presumably, the overall production and its direction by Arena Stage artistic director, Molly Smith.

Washington audiences are agreeing with Mr. Chapin.  Healey quotes Edgar Dobie, managing director of Arena Stage, as reporting that Oklahoma! has already broken Arena records for the highest number of ticket sales sold by opening night and most tickets sold in 24 hours.  Dobie also hinted that Oklahoma! might well extend its stay in the Fichandler beyond its Dec 26th closing date.

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