Randuwa II: July 2023

Monday, July 31, 2023

Dinner: Chicken Cutlets with Peppers and Potatoes

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Mason Bee's!

I put out this little Mason Bee Hotel about a month ago. The tenants have arrived!

I've told the story before, but it's been a while. Audrey is a tree philodendron that I've had since 1986. She started out as a wee little thing in a planter among other plants that someone sent to my father's funeral. All of the other plants outgrew the little planter, and all the others eventually died. But Audrey just kept growing! For years she migrated from inside my home in winter to the deck in temperate weather. Last summer, I was unable to get her out, and she was stuck inside. It was not good for her. Now, she back out and loving the fresh air, rain, even the heat and humidity. She makes me happy.

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Dinner: Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic, Grape Tomatoes and Pan Roasted Oyster Mushrooms

A July Visit to MLGZoo

ADDRA GAZELLE, Africa

ALPACA, South America

AMUR TIGER, Asia

CLOUDED LEOPARD, Asia

KOALA, Australia

SLENDER-TAILED MEERKAT, Africa

NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER

Prologue Theatre: Monsters of the American Cinema

A little delay in sharing this one. It's been a busy week...half week.

First of all, I want to make a little reflection on the state of regional theatre. It is in crisis. The trajectory of support and participation that was present before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit a brick wall. Support from the Federal government enabled most companies to survive the darkest days. Some found ways to continue to work and engage audiences in the midst of the shutdowns. In the DMV, I praise Constellation Theatre, Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre, and even Metro Stage; and in Baltimore Everyman Theatre for creatively soldiering on online. Other companies with less profile I personally took under my wing and contributed what I could to both demonstrate my belief in their mission, and my hope for their return.

Chief among these was and is Prologue Theatre. Prologue Theatre is a humble and visionary company. It if founded on this crazy idea that Theatre done well demands a response that can create a community where people with different points of view can discover common ground post production. As such, it seeks out interesting, probing, ambiguous but not banal productions to stage. Their latest and current play is "Monsters of the American Cinema".

It's a play that twines together the issues of homophobia, racism, family, bullying, adolescents, drug addiction, parenting, betrayal, forgiveness, love...into a tapestry that is truly up-lifting without being sensational or ridiculous. It wasn't always a easy journey--as a member of the audience, but it wasn't painful without a purpose. Are you getting this? I really loved this play. I'm going to go back and see it again with other friends next week. It's just that good. Just that worth a second dip.

As to the particulars. The actors were phenomenal. The demands of the story are not for the rookie.

This is the second production I've seen this season with Gerrad Alex Taylor. As Remy the surviving partner in a gay union whose husband died from a drug overdose and left him in care of his teenage white son, his portrayal was vulnerable, compassionate, righteous when indignation was called for, and ultimately gracious in the way that a true parent of any child must land on. It was nuanced, authentic and endearing.

Fletcher Lowe as Pup, the white son of the diseased partner of Remy was the delightful, quirky, unpredictable, needy, exuberant, myopic embodiment of a 16 year-old whose suddenly loss of a parent and need for social acceptance combines to create a path toward self-destruction. Not via drugs or sex, but by rebelling against the one true thing left in his life...a friend/parent.

The writing is such that what starts as in interesting story becomes a must see movie. The set is really beautiful and functions on many levels, and the use of drive-in sized screens that flank the main stage projected images from American Horror films at key moments throughout...genius!

You'll have no one to blame but yourself for missing this one.

Gerrard Alex Taylor as REMY

Fletcher Lowe as PUP

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Dinner: Tomato Bisque Soup with White Beans

Friday, July 21, 2023

The Keegan Theatre: Seussical The Musical!

I had this miss-conception that "Seussical the Musical" would be somehow more bawdy. Have more double entendres. More adult innuendo. I didn't expect that it would be 100% sweet, sincere and just FUN! As you know, I am a fan of the matinee. At these performances, I am often--with over 60% of my first century of life past me--the youngest person present! Well, not tonight, my pretties. I was one of the old fogies! Such a wonderful thing to be surrounded by families with children. Even having some kiddo sitting behind me kick the back of my seat throughout, a new sort of distraction.

The merits of the show itself are pedestrian. Run of the mill sort of classic Broadway show. Of all of the possibilities, for those who haven't seen it, it's focus is on Horton the Elephants and the Who's who live a the speck of dust. The Cat in the Hat acts as the emcee/narrator throughout with cameos by The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Yertle the Turtle.

And so there is the Jungle cast of characters, the abode of Sweet Horton the Elephant, and the Who cast lead by the daughter of the Mayor of Who's who live on the speck of dust. While the show Fun, it would wrong to assume that depicting 'fun' on the stage is easy. This is a high energy production and I feel compelled to identify the members of the cast who really shown.

First, there's the little Who girl, Jo-Jo. Played by Kailyn Fetterman with such unabashed innocence and sincerity, she was delightful from start to finish. The role of Horton the Elephant went to one of the most veteran members of the Keegan Theatre family, Michael Innocenti. I've had the good fortune to see him 3 other productions by Keegan, and every time he is also been a stand-out in the cast. It was impossible not to fall under his spell as he refused to give up on his promises. Finally, a new comer to me, Quincy Vicks as the Cat in the Hat. What a talented young man. His voice, his energy, his physicality, the presence of the character of the Cat so skillfully presenting.

All of the other contributing factors: sets, costumes, props, orchestra save one were spot on. The weak link? The lighting. I didn't understand some of the choices when the ensemble was present. Perhaps some aspect of the equipment was off, otherwise; in various moments the choices were distracting.

Overall, a delightful production--a FUN production--perfect for a Summer's eve in the Nation's Capital.