In Memorium: Former Members of the U.S. Senate Who Passed Into Ancestry in 2021

 

Tenth Circuit Federal Courts--Demographics

 The 10th will now join the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 11th circuits as we work our way through the demographics.  The tenth sits like a little buffer between the mammoth 9th with its liberal ways and the obstinate little 5th refusing to accept modernity.  It is comprised of six states and eight districts: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Western, Eastern and Northern) and Kansas.  Early on President Biden as focused attention of vacancies in Colorado and New Mexico, while waiting on the open seat in Oklahoma and one to become on January 2nd of the new year in Kansas.   

Woolly Mammoth Theatre: A Strange Loop

My second and final holiday theatre adventure was to Woolly Mammoth's pre-Broadway production was to Michael R. Jackson's Meta-black-queer musical "A Strange Loop"--did I mention that it's already won a Pulitzer prize?  Woolly Mammoth is an intimate theater with scarcely seating for 120.  It has old fashioned theater style seats in the orchestra section with the exception of the last three rows, which are an after thought to the design of the place and fill in around the tech hub with seats that each have their own arm rests.  That's where I purchased my seat, and to make things even better, the two seats to my right went unoccupied, and so I was able to create my own bubble of social distancing.

As to the plot, it'd s very curious musical about the author's very particular experiences as a fat gay black man who longs to write a musical about that it means to be a fat gay black man who love's tough white girl singers, is under-sexed, and has the burden of homophobic parents; an alcoholic father and a love-me-some-Jesus momma (love Jesus above everything else).  Besides the character of "Usher" who is an usher working at The Lion King on Broadway (as was the author at the time he wrote the show), there are six "Thoughts".  Each thought represents some facet of his inner world like "Self loathing".  Thus set as an ongoing series of dialogues with his thoughts, he attempts to be real with his parents, but this leads to his capitulation with his momma in which he ghost writes a Gospel musical for Tyler Perry.  Confused?  don't worry, everything is constantly looping.

And here are a couple of points, it's a humorous show.  I, and my fellow audience members, laughed A LOT.  It's also an UN-apologetically GAY show.  They warn you in the opening number that there will be buff-fucking, and this is butt-fucking.  The lyrics throughout are clever in a good way and thought provoking, too.  The entirety of the supporting cast are reprising there Obie Award winning roles from the Playwright's Horizons production in 2020.  The lead actor in this production is a newly minted actor straight of drama school for whom there has been quite a bit of positive buzz.  Unfortunately, he was available for this performance and instead it fell to his understudy, Christopher Michael Richards to carry to role.  

I have known Christopher Michael's work in the DMV through previous performances in roles at Round House theatre, Constellation Theatre, Ford's theater and Signature Theater.  Each time I thought, he's just getting better and better.  So I figured it would be okay.  Okay?  His performance was fabulous!  While the entire cast received a well deserved standing ovation, Mr. Richardson got two ovations of his own.  The photos I'm sharing are press photos with the other actor in them.  I don't have photoshop, so you'll just have to imagine them with Christopher Michael's face instead!

I would love to say theater in the DMV is back, but there no way to know that at this moment in time.  My Holiday triple crown was cut to a double by Covid's latest iteration, and honestly, I over predicting things.  I'll just be taking it one show at a time.  My next foray isn't scheduled until the end of January--so we'll see where things are then, eh?  Break a leg!

The "Thoughts" left to right: Antwayn Hopper, L. Morgan Lee, Jason Veasey, James Jackson Jr., John-Michael Lyles, and John-Andrew Morrison.  The other usher in the middle.

In the back: Antwayn Hopper and John-Andrew Morrison; In the front: James Jackson Jr., L. Morgan Lee, the other actor, and Jason Veasey.

L. Morgan Lee, James Jackson Jr., Jason Veasey, the other actor, Antwayn Hopper, and John-Michael Lyles.

James Jackson Jr., John Micheal Lyles, and Antwayn Hopper.

One of the things that all of the "Thoughts" brought to the stage was a fearless commitment and joy.  Each of them is the recipient of an Obie Award special citation for Creative Team and Ensemble.  For L. Morgan Lee the award represents the first time an Obie Award went to a transgender actor.   In 2020 Lucille Lortel Awards went to John-Andrew Morrison for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and L. Morgan Lee for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Sixth Circuit Federal Courts--Demographics

 Obviously, in random order, we've looked at Federal District Court Demographics for the 1st, 3rd, and 11th circuits, let's take a gander at the 6th.

The Sixth Circuit scoops out the heart of the Ohio Valley encompassing 4 states and 9 Districts: Michigan (Western and Eastern), Ohio (Northern and Southern), Kentucky (Western and Eastern) and Tennessee (Eastern, Middle and Western).  

I have a slight connection to the Eastern District of Kentucky.  I went to college with Justice Van Tatenhove.  Appointed to a seat on the District court by President George W. Bush, I remember that he was a smart, driven, kind person.  I would think that he would interpret the laws and the Constitution with the same qualities.

Everyman Theatre: The Skin Of Our Teeth

I do like to go to the theatre, and I know a lot about a little bit of American theater.  What I learned today is that I don't really know that much about Thornton Wilder at all.  'Cuz, Hun, this is some weird ass shit.  What it ain't is?  It ain't Our Town!

As an aside, this is my first visit back to Everyman Theatre company in Baltimore since before the pandemic's start.  And it felt damned good.  Everyman is my favorite theatre company in Baltimore.  It is a repertory theatre with a very talented stable of 19 actors, many of whom I have also seen perform in productions throughout the region to great acclaim.  It is always a delight to find their names among and cast.

As to the story---for anyone else who's never had the privilege--it's an allegory about the neurosis of the American intellectual at the onset of the second World War.  Written in three acts which are simultaneously and loosely set in the fictional town of Excelsior, New Jersey with each act occurring at pivotal epochs/moments in life on earth.  Timelines are intermingled to the point of being mere scrim upon which the actions, dialogue, and ideas of the characters are stitched.  Now, I could be wrong about this, I haven't read any explanation or cliff notes--this is just how upon reflection it seems to me.  Those of you who may know the play well, the degree to which I got it right speaks to this fine company of thespians and their power to embody the words and idea of Thornton Wilder low these nearly 80 years hence from their debut.

The historic ideas around which each act revolves include: Act I the advancing of the Ice Age, Act II the Great Flood, and Act III the end of a cataclysmic war.  The action write small centers around the Antrobus family (father, mother, son and daughter) and their maid, Sabina.  The first and last acts take place in the family home at "216 Cedar Street" (I remember such weird details) and the middle act takes place at Atlantic City on the boardwalk.

The things that really standout, the sets are beautiful and so are the costumes, the lighting and integration of video elements was truly spectacular. Starting acts I and II with grainy projected black & white news casts was a novel touch.  The attention to detail of the props and especially a series of four amazing puppets: a baby triceratops, a young mammoth, a mangy dog and human baby were par excellence.  

As to the actors.  Not a slider in the entire cast.  Each member down to the smallest roll was simply put, perfectly who they were meant to be.  Several members played multiple parts, even a couple of the principal characters.  Two that deserve singling out were Beth Hylton of Mrs. Antrobus and Zach Powell as Henry, her son.  Beth demonstrated the power of restraint in her portrayal, so adroitly holding back until the ideal moment to strike and shine.  Zach's character in general is supportive throughout the first two acts.  In the third act; however, as the instigator of homicide in the world, he really had and seized the opportunity to show us what he's got.  

Now, having said two, I claim reviewer's rights to add a third.  Felicia Curry in the role of Sabina was really in a class of her own.  The role is throughout the binding that brings any semblance of order to the tale.  It is also the character that breaks the fourth wall between the happenings on the stage and the audience--a conceit that could have easily become annoying in the hands of a lesser talent--more often than any other in a play where this happens often.  She really commanded my attention and then rewarded me richly for my obedience--and did I mention that this play is 3 hours long?  

A final word of gratitude--THANK YOU! Everyman Theatre for printing an actual program!  

Mammoth puppeteer (Bruce Randolph Nelson), Telegram Deliverer (Danny Gavigan), Triceratops puppeteer ( Helen Hedman), Mrs. Antrobus (Beth Hylton)

Mr. Antrobus (Jeffery A. Russell), Henry Antrobus (Zach Powell), Gladys Antrobus (Deidre Staples), and Mrs. Antrobus

Members of the Ensemble: Back row (Tony Nam, Hannah Kelly, Danny Gavigan), Front Row Act1 Sabina (Felicia Curry), Ensemble members (Helen Hedman and Bruce Randolph Nelson)

Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus

Mrs. Antrobus, Gladys' baby, and Mr. Antrobus

Gladys' baby, puppeteer (Hannah Kelly) and Act III Sabina (Felicia Curry)

First Circuit Federal Courts--Demographics

Let's look at the smallest geographically based circuit of all. The humble First Circuit.

Composed of most of the New England states and Puerto Rico, it's the only circuit where all of the Districts are complete states/territories.  From top to bottom the Districts are: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico.  Having seen my previous offerings, I will present this one without additional commentary and allow the graphics to speak for themselves.

Well, one additional comment.  With gender parity impossible in Districts with odd numbers of justices, I have (and do) trade off between districts in order to achieve gender parity at the Circuit level.  In this circuit, with the openings that currently present themselves to be filled, it is possible to make history and achieve that for the first time every on the Circuit level in the history of this nation.  I sure hope that whomever is in charge of vetting candidates is also aware of this in the Biden Administration.  It's a milestone centuries overdue.

Potato, Cauliflower and White Bean Soup

 The simplest of all recipes really!

INGREDIENTS (round 1)

1 lb potatoes

1 lb cauliflower

2 cans white bean (15.5 oz)

3.5 c vegetable broth

2 tbsp dry white wine

3 tbsp unsalted butter

1 small yellow onion (minced)

3 cloves of garlic (minced)

1 tsp (heaping) fresh Thyme leaves

.5 tsp black pepper (freshly ground, of course)

kosher salt to taste

Saute garlic and onions in butter for about a minute, then add rest of ingredients and bring to a boil.  Boil on medium heat for about 20 minutes, then down to a simmer for an hour covered.  Remove from heat and let sit about 5 minutes then puree contents in a blender, and return to pot.

INGREDIENTS (round 2)

8 oz sour cream

1 tsp fresh lemon juice (1/2 a lemon)

1 tsp (heaping) fresh chives (chopped)

Stir in the sour cream, followed by the lemon juice and chives.

Voila!  Great for a vegetarian, but I could easily see garnishing it with bacon (diced).  I simply swirled in a little more sour cream and a sprig of chive.  Worked well for me.  This is adapted from a recipe recently published in the NYTimes, my cooking Bible.