Spotlight

The Imaginary Invalid at The Shakespeare Theatre Co.

2008-07-24T14:27:30Z

Rene Auberjonois possesses the kind of talent America seems no longer interested in cultivating: the actor capable of moving effortlessly between screen and stage, adjusting his methods, technique and level of dramatic intelligence accordingly. In Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid, the actor performs as an authentic, applying rather than imitating the traditions and techniques of the stage. He is a joy to watch. Accolades for Auberjonois aside, there is no escaping that Invalid is a 17th century comedy with all the peculiarities that such origins entail. So despite his skill and flair and the translator’s occasional license with the one-liners, this is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. There are ensemble musical numbers that director Keith Baxter has been unable to make palatable, there is some over-bearing slapstick that only the genetically predisposed could love, and the less than original (at least nowadays) plot of the gruff old dad thwarting his daughter’s quest for true love with a grotesquely unsuitable choice of husband. There is also extensive railing on the medical profession. And yet for all that, there is fun and pleasure to be had with this well-paced and conceived production and a unique opportunity to be in on a 17th century joke. Extended to August 2. At the Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. Tickets are $39.50 to $79.75. Call 202-547-1122 or visit www.shakespearetheatre.org. Read Kate Wingfield's full review here.

Yaz at the 9:30 Club

2008-07-17T01:01:47Z

Vince Clarke was a founder of three of the most seminal bands in synth-pop -- in other words, modern-day dance music. After the pioneer’s brief stint in Depeche Mode and before his still-going adventure with Andy Bell in Erasure, Clarke teamed up with British blues singer Alison Moyet to form Yaz, or Yazoo in the U.K. The duo only created music together for two years in the early 1980s, but their classics still get play: from “Don’t Go” to “Situation” to “Only You.” Now, for the first time since disbanding 25 years ago, Yaz is back, having just released a four-disc box set of remasters, remixes, B-sides and a DVD. The duo is also touring at select engagements in the U.S., including a stop in D.C. this Sunday. It’s a can’t-miss proposition. The famous shout from Moyet has never been more fitting: “Been a long time, been a long time now, I’ll get to you somehow!” Sunday, July 20. At the 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50. Call 202-397-SEAT or visit www.tickets.com or www.930.com.

The Wackness

2008-07-14T11:49:42Z

It's the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip-hop and wafting with the sweet aroma of marijuana -- but change is in the air. The newly inaugurated mayor, Rudy Giuliani, is beginning to implement his anti-fun initiatives against "crimes" like noisy portable radios, graffiti and public drunkenness. Set against this backdrop, Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck) spends his last summer before college selling dope throughout New York City, trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, while crushing on his step-daughter (Olivia Thirlby). Famke Janssen, Mary Kate Olsen, and Method Man round out the cast in this edgy, bittersweet and funny coming-of-age story. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Jonathan Levine. Rated R. 110 minutes. Now playing at the Landmark E Street Cinemas.

Red Noses as the WSC Clark Street Playhouse

2008-07-11T12:06:54Z

This is a comedy about the Black Death, the power of the church, and the fact that a one-legged woman with dreams of becoming a professional dancer is always going to get a laugh. Yes, that's politically incorrect. Truthfully, most of the show is. Father Flote (John C. Bailey) is a monk attempting to minister to those stricken by the plague when a vision shows him that the way to truly help is with humor. What follows is an examination of faith that, at turns, evokes The Wizard of Oz, stories of Christ’s disciples and off-market Monty Python. While shot through with the offbeat humor and postmodern winks this company is known for, there’s no way around the fact that Red Noses is exceptionally strange. Pope Clement VI is sporting a gas mask, the rag tag band of friendly evangelicals are sporting red noses and the horny merchants are sporting gold lamé g-strings. Bailey and castmates Emily Webb, Heather Haney and Melissa Marie Hmelnicky, lead the ensemble gamely through the play’s intentionally bad burlesque and inoffensive offensive humor. To July 20. Presented by Washington Shakespeare Company at the Clark Street Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St., in Crystal City. Tickets are $25 to $35. Call 1-800-494-TIXS or visit www.washingtonshakespeare.org. Read Tom Avila's full review here.

WALL∙E

2008-07-07T12:35:36Z

HOL∙E cow, this is a great movie! Pixar has done it again, taken unlikely subjects (this time robots instead of a rat) and made a film that's out of this world. WALL∙E is the last robot on Earth, left behind to clean up humankind's mess. After centuries of toil, accompanied only by a cockroach, WALL∙E's world is rocked by the arrival of Eve, another, sleeker model of robot. Their story of falling in love is heartbreakingly adorable and more authentic than a lot of cinematic dribble these days. This film has it all: amazing animation, a scathing commentary on big business and the direction of our country, and a spirit that can't be beat. Whether it’s the action scenes that’ll have audiences cheering and laughing in delight or the visual spectacle of watching robots dance in space, WALL∙E is a triumph. Even without dialogue through much of the film, director Andrew Stanton ensures that the action is clear, concise and completely engaging. It's a good thing that Pixar films don't require a child to enter, because WALL∙E has an amazing heart beating in his tin chest and he shouldn't be missed. Rated G. 97 minutes. Now playing at area theaters. (Tim Plant)

Donna Summer at Wolf Trap

2008-07-05T12:09:37Z

It’s been 20 years since her last major pop hit, 17 years since her last album, and she's only had a few club hits since -- but no matter. By now, every gay man knows, “The Queen Is Back.” The Queen of Disco and gay clubland -- Donna Summer. Summer’s Stamp Your Feet tour, named after her spell-it-out current single, which just topped the dance chart, kicks off at Wolf Trap tonight, Saturday, July 5. Not only can you be one of the first to see it, it’s also a special treat because Summer’s still got it. She was as energetic and captivating last year at Gay Days in Disney as she was three decades ago, and her new album Crayons is better than you'd expect. It certainly sounds much fresher -- hipper -- than it needs to. The gospel-trained belter is still in fine form, with a voice as strong and supple -- as glorious -- as ever. Read Doug Rule’s full review of Donna Summer’s Crayons.

WALL-E

2008-07-02T15:02:20Z

HOL-E cow, this is a great movie! Pixar has done it again, taken unlikely subjects (this time robots instead of a rat) and made a film that's out of this world. WALL-E is the last robot on Earth, left behind to clean up humankind's mess. After centuries of toil, accompanied only by a cockroach, WALL-E's world is rocked by the arrival of Eve, another, sleeker model of robot. Their story of falling in love is heartbreakingly adorable and more authentic than a lot of cinematic dribble these days. This film has it all: amazing animation, a scathing commentary on big business and the direction of our country, and a spirit that can't be beat. Whether it's the action scenes that'll have audiences cheering and laughing in delight or the visual spectacle of watching robots dance in space, WALL-E is a triumph. Even without dialogue through much of the film, director Andrew Stanton ensures that the action is clear, concise and completely engaging. It's a good thing that Pixar films don't require a child to enter, because WALL-E has an amazing heart beating in his tin chest and he shouldn't be missed. Rated G. 97 minutes. Now playing at area theaters. (Tim Plant)

Laugh Out Loud

2008-06-27T19:27:15Z

One Night Stand Up, part of Laugh Out Loud, the live comedy series presented by One in Ten, happens this Saturday, June 28 at the George Washington University's Betts Theatre, 800 21st Street NW. Two shows: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Featuring Elvira Kurt, Vidur Kapur, Trevor Boris and Jackie Monahan. Tickets are $25 general admission, and $75 preferred seating including a VIP reception with the artists. The performarnces are being taped live and will air as a special on Logo in the fall. For more information, or to purchase tickets now, visit www.oneinten.org.

Melissa Etheridge at DAR Constitution Hall

2008-06-25T01:32:28Z

Melissa Etheridge is no longer burning alive, as she famously was on early hit “Bring Me Some Water.” But she is fired up about the state of the world and the fate of our planet, a new passion that earned the multi-Grammy winner her first Oscar -- for her song “I Need to Wake Up,” featured in Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth -- and the chance to perform at last year’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, honoring Gore. The passion also helped fire her to follow-up 2004’s cloying album Lucky with what we all wanted to hear, a new compelling set. Last fall’s The Awakening, her ninth solo set, was also fueled by her recent battle with breast cancer, a “concept album” with songs testifying to her progression through life, love and faith. It’s a set that shows she's still got some bristly passion burning beneath her now-happy heart. When she rages now, she's mostly raging against the intolerant, the stubborn and the powerful. On Wednesday, June 25, Etheridge stops at DAR Constitution Hall as part of "The Revival Tour." Few of Etheridge’s contemporaries match her engaging stage presence, so this is one revival worth checking out. Tickets start at $36 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Read Doug Rule’s full review of The Awakening here.

In the Heart of America

2008-06-24T16:00:31Z

Two young soldiers fall in love while fighting the First Gulf War, and now one of the men has mysteriously disappeared in Naomi Wallace's drama. Directed by Kasi Campbell and featuring Alexander Strain, Tim Getman, Brandon McCoy, Tuyet Thi Pham and Dacyl Acevedo. The show runs through Sunday, June 29 in the Black Box Theatre of Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Tickets are $12 to $25. Call 410-772-4900 or visit www.repstage.org.

Hirshhorn After Hours

2008-06-20T14:51:58Z

Be among the first to see Part II of the epic exhibition The Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality, and the Moving Image on the opening weekend of Realisms. The evening includes special live performances by Maxi Geil! & Playcolt, an '80s-inspired music project conceived by artist Guy Richards Smit, composed of art school pals and a revolving cast of friends, at 9 p.m. and DJ People’s Champion, at 10 p.m. There will be a special screening of The Battle of Orgreave, directed by Mike Figgis at 9:30 p.m., followed by a screening of Artur Zmijewski's Repetition at 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Ave. and 7th St. SW. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Visit www.hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours or call 202-633-4629.

Outwrite Author Series

2008-06-18T17:16:34Z

Craig Seymour returns to Washington to read from his book All I Could Bare: My Life in the Strip Clubs of Gay Washington, DC, Thursday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. at The D.C. Center, 1111 14th St. NW, Suite 350. Seymour was a graduate student in the 1990s when he hit on the gay club scene au naturel, all the while keeping his profession a secret from his family and boyfriend. All I Could Bare documents Seymour’s journey from gay strip clubs in Southeast D.C. to earning his Ph.D. The Rainbow History Project and the OutWrite Author Series, a partnership between The D.C. Center and the White Crane Institute, are sponsoring the event. For more information, click here.