Dinner: Cream of Broccoli Soup

 From Fixing, to simmering, to puree to bowl.  

Served with homemade sourdough croutons

Dinner: Japanese Kare Rice

 

Signature Theatre: Into The Woods

One of the signatures of a Sondheim Musical is it's ensemble.  The master loved to create a "community" on stage.  Be it a band of "Assassins" or the "Company" of disillusioned friends.  No where is this more true than with "Into The Woods".  The famed original cast is so storied among the pantheon of ensemble casts, that every production is judged by their standard.  To pull off a truly successful re-staging, the cast needs to find not simply a connection with their character, but within themselves their true north.  I've seen this done on stage now 5 times.  Only once before has it risen to the place of thrilling, and that was Fiasco Theatre of New York's re-imagining of the original.  Apparently, that version even delight Sondheim himself.  I have no doubt that if the master had seen this production, he would have once again been pleased by the imagination, cohesion, and clarity of this production.

Lets dispense with the basics.  The set was beautiful, imaginative, functional on multiple levels, and representative of the invasion of the woods into a world torn apart by a giant--a giant metaphor for the show writ large.  Hats off to Lee Savage!  The costumes were likewise an amalgamation of forms and motifs, suggestive--but also not literal; like the way people in dreams are dressed.  We know who they are just enough, but not so much that they are one-dimensional.  Bravo David I. Reynoso.  Finally, a word to the sound design.  It must be so rewarding to work within a space and with a system that allows you offer up the footsteps of a giant that resonate in the depths of one's solar plexus.  I was certain that if I could muster up the courage to look over my shoulder I would discover an angry, near-sighted giant towering over me!  Kudos to Eric Norris.

Okay, now, lets dive into the cast.  I have seen the lion-share of these amazing actors in over 50 productions in the past 8 years.  And to a person, their performances were fresh, original, compelling and just so freaking delightful!  I mean really.  I could spend 1,000 words praising all of them and still not get halfway through the list.  So, please allow me only to mention the few without detracting from any.

And I will begin with a total newcomer: David Merino.  David played Jack.  For the record, Jack is my favorite character, and the original performance by Ben Wright is such a perfect portrayal that I hold little hope for anything better let alone equal.  It thrills me to say the David is most definitely the exception to my skepticism.  He was full of a fresh exuberance.  Light-heart, sincere, captivating.  Next up is Nova Y. Payton's Witch.  While at times I thought, she is still working out the specifics, I never thought she's missed the mark.  She is one of the many DMV actor royalty, and with this one her crown is in no ways in question.  In so many other production, the portrayal of witch has failed.  Nova held the reigns with confidence, nuance and her powerful voice--ever ready to suck up all the dormant space like a tornado.

The Baker's Wife, Erin Weaver, is one of my favorite actors in the DMV.  I once bought a ticket to a show at Theatre J solely because she was in the cast.  She is quick, smart, expressive in a way that not simply brings a character to life, but makes it impossible to not embrace that character.  Thus was the Baker's wife.  Jake Loewenthal as the Baker was every bit--ever morsel--as compelling.  An actor who's in control of how his body tells a story, but more than that, a voice that is just as capable and powerful.  A voice that stood out against the others and left me wondering, given the chance, what limit would there be for him? 

Now I'm feeling guilty... By not mentioning other cast members like Alex De Bard's Little Red Riding Hood or Katie Mariko Murray's Cinderella--it is NOT a slight.  You were amazing, too!  Yet I will conclude with the duo that is the heart of all the comedic relief in this musical: the Princes.  Paul Scanlan played Rapunzel's Prince, and Vincent Kempski played both the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince.  I first saw Paul perform at Signature Theatre back in 2016 in the role of the son, Jean-Michel in "La Cage aux Folles".  It was a fine performance.  His take on Rapunzel's Prince?  Inspired!  In tune with every word and every movement, gallant, noble, a cad through and through.  It was like watching a strong college actor explode into the world of Broadway. 

As excellent as his portrayal was, Vincent Kempski's Cinderella's Prince was all of that an more.  Vincent was the clear crowd favorite.  I attended the performance with two friends, one of whom was the librarian at the school that Vincent attended back when he was just a skinny teenager wannabe.  She found his acting astounding.  This is the second performance of his that she and I have attended (the first was back in 2019 when he played the role of John Wilkes Booth in Signature Theatre's production of Sondheim's "Assassins").  He was amazing then, and we both agreed that he was amazing to the power of 3 today.  To watch him grow and become an actor who can enthrall an audience is a true thrill.

This show is on through the end of January.  I am seriously contemplating buying a ticket to its final performance on January 29th, which just happens to also by my birthday.  I know I will have to do it soon, before it sells out.  This is a show worth doing whatever you have to, to see.

Ensemble Cast

The Baker (Jake Loewenthal) and his Wife (Erin Weaver)

Jack (David Merino)

Little Red Riding Hood (Alex De Bard)

Lucinda (Chani Wereley), the Evil Step-Mother (Maria Rizzo) and Florinda (Adelina Mitchell)

Cinderella (Katie Mariko Murray)

Rapunzel's Prince (Paul Scanlan) and Cinderella's Prince (Vince Kampski)  Vince also portray the wolf.

Members of the cast realizing that the Giant is a Woman!

Rapunzel (Simone Brown)

It's the last midnight!  Nova Y. Payton as the Witch.

Ensemble ready to see how the story is told!  Chris Bloch center with book as the narrator.

Celebrating the Diversification of Our Federal Judiciary--WE THE PEOPLE

BY THE NUMBERS

Nine Days - Nine New Judges!

Six Women and Three Men

Four Black, Three White and Two Hispanic

One to serve in Eastern Michigan

Four to serve in Eastern Pennsylvania

One to serve in Minnesota

One to serve in Northern New York

One to serve in Puerto Rico

One to serve in Southern Ohio

Freshman Class of U. S. Senators is Set

 With the defeat of Hershel Walker in Georgia, the freshman class of Senators is now set at seven: five Republicans and two Democrats.

The are:

Republican Katie Britt representing Alabama

Republican Ted Budd representing North Carolina

Democrat John Fetterman representing Pennsylvania

Republican Markwayne Mullins representing Oklahoma

Republican Eric Schmitt representing Missouri

Republican J.D. Vance representing Ohio

Democrat Peter Welch representing Vermont

Dinner: Chicken Stir Fry

 

Shakespeare Theatre Company: Much Ado About Nothing

 I might start sounding like a broken record when in comes to DMV Theater.  Yet credit where credit is due!  Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of "Much Ado About Nothing" is nothing short of amazing.  

I've seen a lot of Shakespeare re-imagined into other venues and eras.  I've seen "A Comedy of Errors" set in a Depression Era Circus, "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in the Brady Bunch universe, and "A Twelfth Night" in an Airport Waiting Lounge, among others.  And so with this production of "Much Ado About Nothing" being set in a modern day Cable News Network (SNN - Shakespeare News Network, naturally), I had my doubts.  While "A Twelfth Night" worked, "A Comedy of Errors," well, more errors than comedy!

However, from the moment you enter the theater and see the elaborate SNN News Set, you have to think as I did, "this is going to be good."  But I was wrong...it was AMAZING!  The set was divided into three scenes resting on a stage-wide "Lazy Susan" that rotated from one transformation to the next.  A stunning wonder all on its own, kudos to Scenic Designer, Alexander Dodge.  The lighting--ambient, ornamental and functional--in the News Studio third was so beautifully integrated it deserves its own mention as does Lighting Designer Donald Holder.

Of course, these are just the trappings, not even the most amazing lipstick in the world can hide a pig.  In this cast, I'm convinced that if this had been performed in a pig sty, I would have been as impressed.  Many of the actors were new to me and came with long resumes starting with Broadway and Off-Broadway credits.  One exception was Ed Gero.  If DMV theatre has a royal family, a very good case could be made to crown him its King.  Ed actually is a founding member of STC.  When Ed is in a show, you always know one thing, one of the performances is going to be exceptional.  As Leonato, the father of the maiden, Hero, in the guise of the SNN Studio Executive he moves from whimsical good humor to passionate sorrow with the ease of a walk on the beach, a punch that takes you from laughter to tears.

A strong cast can bury wonderful performances, but it can also be the catalyst to pulling up wonderful performances to the next level.  Within this play there are little ensembles throughout, and that synergy was apparent.  The most brilliant example being the SNN Security Team: Verges, Hugh Oatcake, Georgina Seacoal and Dogberry.  David Bishins' funny and slapstick Verges, led the quartet in moments of beautifully executed; sight gags and good-natured, clownish camaraderie, that left both myself and the audience laughing without hesitation over and over again.  So hats off to Quinn M. Johnson, Dave Quay and Ravine Lorraine--Ravine, who also portrayed club singing Belle Shazzar (an addition to the Originally cast, I have no doubt!).

That all said, the true glue is found in the performances of Kate Jennings Grant as Beatrice and Rick Holmes as Benedick.  As the older and more mature of the crossed lovers, Beatrice and Benedick do a lot of barb trading.  As the co-Anchors of the nightly news show, they were just delish in these moments.  Each held such a presence of un-interrupted animus for the other, until like little children their hard-ass acts melting into a passionate desire for the other.  On the road to this transformation, both are subjected to a contrived over-hearing of gossip about the other meant to change their opinions.  The scenes were played out with so much delightful physical comedy, and each actor managed their portion with jaw-dropping humor.  From Kate Jennings Grant diving into a night cleaners trash hamper only to be pelted with party left overs.  Then to later emerge and find cause to remove a half-eaten piece of pizza from her bra!  And later still, popcorn from the same region that she would eat and offer up some to the googly eyed Benedick, more than happy eating some himself.  To Rick Homes using a potted plant to side dance from one corner of the stage to the other, only to be "accidentally" dowsed with a fire extinguisher not once, not twice, but three times!  These descriptions are lame by comparison of the actual performances.  Think, Lucille Ball, at her "I Love Lucy" best.  The actors' depth of talent and commitment to their characters was more than award worthy.

The ribbon on the box that housed this production's theme was found throughout the play.  There are news segments in which the plots with quotes from a full range of Shakespeare plays form the basis of the leading news stories, and the weather and sports segments.  The first featured a cameo by Wolf Blitzer to the enjoyment of everyone.  Another triumph!  I guess this show is only around for another week and I don't know if it's even possible to find a ticket, but if you can, you will surely be grateful you did.

SNN News Anchors Benedick (Rick Holmes) and Beatrice (Kate Jennings Grant)

At the first nuptial of Hero and Claudio. L-R: Beatrice, Ursula (Sarah Corey), Leonato (Ed Gero), Hero (Nicole King), Sister Francis (Nehassaiu deGannes), Claudio (Paul Deo, Jr.), Don Pedro (Carlo Alban), Benedick, and Don John (Justin Adams) 

The SNN Securty Team: L-R: Cop (Terrance Fleming), Hugh Oatcake (Quinn M. Johnson), Georgina Seacoal (Raven Lorraine), and Verges (David Bishins)

Verges and Georgina Seacoal

Finale Weddings Celebration