E2 theater} fall arts preview
your thing, you’re in the right place
by Peter Marks T
o move forward this fall, Arena Stage is heading back. Back to its old home on the corner of Sixth Street
and Maine Avenue SW, trans- formed after a stunning, $135 million renovation. And back into the old musical-theater chest, for a revival of “Okla- homa!,” a seminal slice of Amer- icana courtesy of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The decision to open its refur- bished Fichandler Stage on Oct. 22 with a deep bow to the past is in some ways a nervy move: In such surroundings, aren’t we meant to be contemplating art- istry yet to come? Then again, Arena’s other spaces, the re- habbed Kreeger Theater and a dazzling new third stage, the Ko- god Cradle, will be showcasing new works: Anna Deavere Smith’s “Let Me Down Easy” and Marcus Gardley’s “Every Tongue Confess.” And anyway, “Oklahoma!,” set
at the turn of the 20th century in a territory brimming with can- do energy, just may reflect the spirit of reinvention that Arena seeks to convey as it unveils its redesigned complex, enclosed under a soaring roof. The invigorating rhythms of a big musical do carry with them the feeling of celebration. And as it happens, other theaters all over town will be popping their own melodic corks this fall. To an unusual degree, the new theater season in the capital will be deeply steeped in show tunes, with a roster that is impressively diverse. From big-budget shows to modest little affairs, from war horses to world premieres, the lineup offers local theatergoers one of the fullest musical menus in some time.
If musicals are
KLMNO
For searchable listings, go to
washingtonpost.com/fallarts.
The show tunes must go on! SARAH L. VOISIN/THE WASHINGTON POST
And into the Lincoln Theatre this fall rolls an original gospel musical, “Sanctified.” With a book by Javon Johnson (Studio Theatre’s “Hambone”) and music by Rollo A. Dilworth, the show details the efforts to revive a Bap- tist church through a — you guessed it — rousing spiritual re- vival. Derrick Sanders directs. Some of the shows will pull into town on the crest of success in New York, such as the Ken- nedy Center’s presentation of two recent Tony-winning reviv- als, the Public Theater’s “Hair” (October) and Lincoln Center Theater’s “South Pacific” (De- cember). Others represent an umpteenth local rerun, such as Olney Theatre Center’s revival of the family perennial “Annie.” Still others are well-known musicals with spottier pedigrees, like Signature Theatre’s just- opened “Chess,” with a juicy score by Abba’s Benny Anders- son and Bjorn Ulvaeus and lyr- icist Tim Rice. Signature follows in December with its take on An- drew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard,” featuring Florence Lacey as the fading (and croon- ing) movie queen, forever poised for her close-up. Although “Sun- set” had a 21
⁄2 -year stay on Broad-
way in the mid-1990s, the mam- moth show did not have any- thing like the popular appeal of Lloyd Webber megahits “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” The public’s curiosity, though,
LIZ LAUREN JOAN MARCUS
HUMMING RIGHT ALONG:Arena Stage is inaugurating its updated campus, top, with “Oklahoma!” Above left, Lauren Molina and Geoff Packard rehearse the Shakespeare Theatre’s production of “Candide.” Right, the Tony-winning revival of “Hair” is coming to the Kennedy Center.
The venues, too, represent a broadening of the platforms for shows that sing. Next month, for instance, Shakespeare Theatre Company enters the song-and- dance sweepstakes with a revival of Leonard Bernstein’s “Can- dide,” directed by Chicago auteur Mary Zimmerman, in a co-pro- duction with the Windy City’s Goodman Theatre. Although the Shakespeare once staged the 18th-century “Beggar’s Opera,” “Candide” is the first modern
musical ever to be part of a sea- son. The littlest companies are lift-
ing batons as well. Solas Nua, for example, the innovative troupe that takes its cues from present- day Irish artists, is weighing in at the end of this month with the first musical it has produced in its six seasons: The madcap “Im- probable Frequency,” which starts performances Sept. 30 in an office complex on K Street NE, is the handiwork of Dublin’s Ar-
thur Riordan and a composing partnership known as Bell Heli- copter. From MetroStage in Alexan- dria, meanwhile, comes “Glimps- es of the Moon,” the world pre- miere of a jazz-inflected show based on the novel by Edith Wharton. Under the direction of David Marquez, a cast headed by Natascia Diaz (“Rooms”) is crooning and shimmying this month to the score by Tajlei Levis and John Mercurio.
may be focused most intensively this fall on Arena’s “Oklahoma!,” to be staged in the round by the company’s artistic director, Mol- ly Smith. As she has in the past with her productions of “South Pacific” and “Camelot,” Smith has given this one a strongly multiethnic dimension. Her Lau- rey and Aunt Eller are African American; her Curly is Latino. The casting adheres to one of Smith’s longstanding concerns, making Arena a haven of di- versity. In this way, old and new facets of this historically impor- tant theater will converge under the footlights.
marksp@washpost.com
V1 V2 V3 V4
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010
Critic’s recommendations are indicated by arrows
RECENTLY OPENED
“All’s Well That Ends Well” Marsha Mason stars in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s romantic comedy about one woman’s pursuit of a husband. At Lansburgh Theatre. Through Oct. 24.
“Circle Mirror Transformation” In amateur theater class, games and exercises resemble out-of-class drama. At Studio Theatre. Through Oct. 17.
“Glimpses of the Moon” Aspiring New York socialites plan to marry in order to live off their wedding presents. At MetroStage. Through Oct. 17.
“Something You Did” Alison Moulton petitions for parole after spending 30 years in jail for antiwar activities she participated in as member of a ’60s radical group. At Theater J. Through Oct. 3.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” Tom Ripley is after social status and fortune and is willing to do anything to get it. At Round House Theatre, Bethesda. Through Sept. 26.
“Travels With My Aunt” Four actors play 25 characters in this globe-trotting story of a bank clerk’s journeys. At Rep Stage.
“Dinner With Friends” A couple reevaluates their relationship when their close friends’ marriage begins to crumble. At Olney Theatre Center. Through Sept. 26.
“In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play” Set in the 1880s, Sarah Ruhl’s comedy deals with a newfangled machine used to treat women’s “hysteria.” At Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Through Oct. 3.
“Falsettos” Ganymede Arts presents a musical about a man who leaves his wife and children for another man only to reunite years later. At Noi’s Nook at Go Mama Go! Through Oct. 10.
SEPTEMBER
through 12 short plays in a three-part series produced by Tricycle Theatre. At Sidney Harman Hall. Through Sept. 25.
»
15 — “The Scarlet Letter” National Players stage Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story of adultery, hypocrisy and society in Puritan Boston. At Olney Theatre Center. Through Sept. 16.
16 — “The Saint Plays” Playwright Erik Ehn re-imagines the lives of saints amid contemporary circumstances. Presented by Factory 449. At Church Street Theater. Through Oct. 10.
ROBBIE SCHAEFER 10/7
WHERE THE STARS SHINE INDOORS FROM OCTOBER TO MAY! OCTOBER
ROBBIE SCHAEFER Local folk-pop guitarist/songwriter THURS., OCTOBER 7
LUKA BLOOM Irish folk legend FRI., OCTOBER 8
SPEIDEL, GOODRICH, LUKA BLOOM 10/8
GOGGIN & LILLE Local acoustic folk quartet SAT., OCTOBER 9
FOREVER PLAID A BARTER THEATRE PRODUCTION
Captivating oldies musical WED., OCTOBER 13
JEFF DANIELS Contemporary acoustic bluesman/ actor and accomplished guitarist THURS. & FRI., OCTOBER 14 & 15
DALA 11/10
NOEL PAUL STOOKEY Legendary Peter, Paul & Mary singer SAT., OCTOBER 16
THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS Theatrical juggling extravaganza WED. & THURS., OCTOBER 20 & 21
NIKKI YANOFSKY 16-year-old Canadian singing sensation best described as Ella Fitzgerald meets Norah Jones TUES., OCTOBER 26
AN EVENING WITH CHAISE LOUNGE 11/20
JIM BRICKMAN Romantic piano-pop THURS.–SAT., OCTOBER 28–30
NOVEMBER
PAUL BARRERE & FRED TACKETT OF LITTLE FEAT Southern-fried guitar duo WED., NOVEMBER 3
BATTLEFIELD BAND Scottish quartet bids farewell to longtime band member THURS., NOVEMBER 4
DAN HICKS 12/1
CHRIS SMITHER Riveting, reflective blues-rock FRI., NOVEMBER 5
THE NIELDS D.C. favorites show off their new breed of reflective folk-rock SAT., NOVEMBER 6
DALA Canadian acoustic-pop duo WED., NOVEMBER 10
EDWIN MCCAIN Alt-rock hits “Walk With You,” “I’ll Be,” and “I Could Not Ask for More” WED., NOVEMBER 17
AN EVENING WITH
MELISSA MANCHESTER Sentimental pop GRAMMY winner THURS., NOVEMBER 18
GIRLYMAN Quirky folk-pop-bluegrass trio FRI., NOVEMBER 19
CHAISE LOUNGE “First class jazz musicians” —The Washington Post SAT., NOVEMBER 20
General Admission Dance
THE GRANDSONS Free-spirited, finger-tapping rock FRI., NOVEMBER 26
JOHN EATON THE ROARING ’20S Saluting the heroes of the Jazz Age: Gershwin, Armstrong, and more SAT., NOVEMBER 27
DECEMBER
DAN HICKS & THE HOT LICKS Lively folk-jazz with wry twists on holiday classics WED., DECEMBER 1
SCHOONER FARE Premier performers of original and traditional maritime songs THURS. & FRI., DECEMBER 2 & 3
And many more! Visit
www.wolftrap.org for the schedule to-date.
BY JOHN MUSTO; LIBRETTO BY MARK CAMPBELL COMMISSIONED BY THE WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION A brand-new comic opera from the GRAMMY- nominated team that brought you Volpone! WED. & FRI., APRIL 27 & 29; SUN., MAY 1
Timeless classics, acclaimed artists, and exciting new works all season! Subscribe to the series and save $45!
MENAHEM PRESSLER, PIANO Founders Day Celebration Quartets by Mozart & Ravel plus Dvořák’s Piano Quintet in A Major FRI., OCTOBER 22
THE AMERICAN STRING QUARTET
TRIO CAVATINA Wolf Trap Debut Artist
Works for violin, cello, and piano by Robert & Clara Schumann and others FRI., NOVEMBER 12
THE PEABODY TRIO Mendelssohn, Brahms & Gubaidulina FRI., JANUARY 14
DAVID JOLLEY, HORN
EDWARD LAUREL, PIANO Dukas, Gliere, Schnyder & Jolley FRI., JANUARY 28
17 — “The Tenth Man” American Century Theater presents Paddy Chayefsky’s comedic drama about a Jewish exorcism. At Gunston Arts Center Theater II. Through Oct. 16.
Tickets On Sale Now!
16 — “The Knight From Olmedo” Lope de Vega’s tragicomedy about a love and a rivalry between two Spanish towns is presented in Spanish with English surtitles. At GALA Theatre-Tivoli. Through Oct. 17.
18 — “Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage” Christopher travels the world to find his courage. At Synetic Family Theater. Through Oct. 31.
25 — “Bunnicula” A musical adaptation of Deborah and James Howe’s book about a vampire bunny. At Imagination Stage. Through Oct. 31.
REBEL BAROQUE Telemann, Corelli & Handel FRI., FEBRUARY 11
CYPRESS STRING QUARTET Fusing tradition with technology in Inspired by America FRI., FEBRUARY 25
IMANI WINDS GRAMMY-nominated ensemble’s only D.C.-area appearance this season FRI., MARCH 4
CUARTETO LATINOAMERICANO Award-winning Latin American music for string quartet FRI., MARCH 18
KATE LINDSEY, MEZZO-SOPRANO
KIM PENSINGER WITMAN, PIANIST Recital with Wolf Trap Opera alumna FRI., APRIL 8
WORLD PREMIERE OPERA!
25 — “By Any Other Name: An Evening of Shakespeare in Klingon” With special guest George Takei. Presented by Washington Shakespeare Company. At Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre.
27 — “Special Agent Galactica and Her Boys in Irrelevant Acts of Entertainment” A drag performance presented by Ganymede Arts. At Noi’s Nook at Go Mama Go!
29 — “Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven” A young Korean American woman rants about her place in American society until a white couple with a failing relationship interrupts. At Studio Theatre. Through Oct. 24.
»
29 — “King Arthur” Paata Tsikurishvili directs Synetic Theater’s latest wordless play, this one about the legendary king. At Crystal City Theater. Through Oct. 31.
30 — “Improbable Frequency” Espionage threatens Ireland’s neutrality during World War II in Solas Nua’s first foray into the musical genre. At 111 K St. NE. Through Oct. 23.
30 — “Scorched” Twins travel to the Middle East to fulfill the dying wishes of their mother and learn about their origins. Produced by Forum Theatre at Round House Theatre, Silver Spring. Through Oct. 23.
theater continued on E3
29 — “Misalliance” After an airplane crash, a wealthy underwear merchant’s daughter reconsiders whom she wants to marry. At Olney Theatre Center. Through Oct. 24.
15 — “The Great Game: Afghanistan” The culture and history of Afghanistan is told
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