G
OPEN REHEARSAL
The Shakespeare Theatre Company is holding an open rehearsal of its new production, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.” Sunday at 2 p.m.
www.shakespearetheatre.org. Free.
OnStage
A visionary man examined in full
by Lavanya Ramanathan
Who was Buckminster Fuller, and what,
exactly, did he do? Nearly 30 years after his death, Arena
Stage’s new show, “R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Uni- verse,” arrives with an answer: What didn’t he do? The man, the play reveals, had as many angles as his famous geodesic domes. He was a designer, architect, artist, scientist and teacher preoccu- pied with the future — a visionary. “The architects, they would say, ‘No, he’s not an architect. He’s an en- gineer.’ And engineers would say, ‘No, he’s a mathematician,’ ” play- wright D.W. Jacobs ex- plained recently. As an example of the extent of Fuller’s dabbling, Ja- cobs — who’s also di- recting the one-man show opening Friday — cited a 2008 Fuller exhi- bition held at an art museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art in the New York. “R. Buckminster Fuller,” which is mak- ing its East Coast premiere at Arena’s Crys- tal City theater after several acclaimed West Coast productions, begins with what appears to be one of Fuller’s science lec- tures. Directly addressing the audience, Fuller discusses gravity, discovery and the very postwar desire to preserve cities and protect humanity. But there’s an underly- ing call to arms, too: He implores his audi- ence to question the way we live, to look for places we can improve. Fuller thought it was “really important
BUCKMINSTER FULLER INSTITUTE
Buckminster Fuller, sitting next to a model of his Dymaxion house, designed energy-efficient homes.
that we see through the games that are be- ing played on us, to see the real problems, for us to be able to work on the real prob- lems,” explained Jacobs. “His philosophy was, ‘I may not be able to do a lot, but I’m going to do whatever I can do — I’m going to make as much differ- ence as I can as a single human being,’ ” added veteran D.C. actor Rick Foucheux, who plays the thinker with geeky charm. Fuller’s geodesic domes are now widely known symbols of science and wonder: One of the most famous structures can be found at Epcot Center. But Fuller had de- signed the strong but extremely lightweight structures as a model for low-cost, environ- mentally sound homes. “Even with garbage,” Jacobs said, “he would say they’re valuable re- sources that are in the wrong place.” (Recy- cling, anyone?) It is no wonder that though his ideas for energy- efficient homes and cars were rejected as odd at the time, Fuller is now embraced as a
father of the green movement. Jacobs, a co-founder of San Diego Reper-
tory Theatre, says he began exploring Full- er in part because of his own affinity for math and science. But he also drew from experience: Jacobs attended one of Fuller’s academic talks when the thinker was at the peak of his popularity in the 1960s. The play’s scholarly points are punctuat- ed with poignant, personally revealing nuggets. Behind the stage flicker vivid pro- jections of family photos, drawings and writings. Fuller had a loving and support- ive wife who lived with him in one of his
47
BY EVY MAGES FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Nearly 30 years after Buckminster Fuller’s death, playwright D.W. Jacobs, above, explores the life of the designer, architect, artist, scientist and teacher.
dome homes for years. But early in his adult life, he had his very foundation rocked by the death of his young daughter and the failure of the building business he ran with his father-in-law. Contemplating suicide, he instead managed to look for val- ue in his own survival. The events ulti- mately sparked his pursuit of invention. When he spoke to audiences, “what he really was testifying to was the importance of the individual,” Jacobs said. “I tried to write the script to show how he had rein- vented himself, and invited other people to reinvent themselves to do what they thought was important for the world.” Ja- cobs said he has been “gratified that people get that message.” Therein lies Fuller’s legacy: “He hands
your life back into your lap,” Jacobs said. “You can’t blame other people for what’s wrong.”
ramanathanl@washpost.com
R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe
Friday through July 4. Arena Stage in Crystal City, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington. 202-488-3300.
www.arenastage.org. $25-$66; $10 tickets available for patrons age 30 and younger.
Check out Fuller-inspired art: Bucky Art, an
outdoor public exhibit installed in Crystal City through the summer, features art inspired by the designs and theories of R. Buckminster Fuller. For a map of where to find the sculptures, visit
www.crystalcity.org/artful/statues/bucky-art.
In theaters, June is busting out all over
by Stephanie Merry
There’s no way around it: For theater-
CAROL ROSEGG
Laurence Fishburne portrays the first black Supreme Court justice in the absorbing one-man play “Thurgood.”
goers, the Kennedy Center is the place to be next month. The Potomac River land- mark is offering Synetic Theater’s new si- lent Shakespeare installment, a chance to see actress Claire Danes and a play whose star will make some sci-fi fans happy. (Hint: It’s not David Duchovny.) That star would be “Matrix” alum Lau- rence Fishburne, who is taking a break from “CSI” to appear at the Kennedy Cen-
ter in the one-man play “Thurgood,” an ab- sorbing look at the first black Supreme Court justice.
Tuesday through June 20. Kennedy Cen-
ter, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. www.
kennedy-center.org. $25-$90.
Fishburne also has a tangential connec-
tion to Synetic’s new production, “Othel- lo.” The actor starred in a 1995 film ver- sion of the drama, playing the jealousy- filled Moor. Roger Payano, who appeared in Synetic’s “Dracula” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” takes on the title role this
time.
Thursday through July 3. Kennedy Cen-
ter, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. www.
kennedy-center.org. $30-$55.
Another big name on stage this month is
Elizabeth Ashley, who stars in George Ber-
nard Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.”
The actress, who recently stole the show on Broadway in “August: Osage County,” plays a self-made woman whose prim daughter is less than impressed when she uncovers the shocking source of her family’s wealth.
theater continued on 48
THE WASHINGTON POST • FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010
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