Arts & Entertainment
Quotidian explores obscure Chekhov with ‘Lady With the Little Dog’
Charming production depicts Russian romance
Ian Blackwell Rogers as Guroy and Chelsea Mayo as Anna in ‘The Lady With the Little Dog.’ (Photo by St. John Blondell)
‘The Lady with the Little Dog’
Through Aug. 7
Quotidian Theatre Company
4508 Walsh Street in Bethesda, Md. 20815
$30 (discounts for seniors and students)
301-816-1023
Russian writer Anton Chekhov is known foremost as a dramatist.
His quartet of classics “The Seagull,” “Uncle Vanya,” “Three Sisters” and “The Cherry Orchard” — all ensemble pieces noted for their focus on character and mood rather than plot — are among theater’s most-produced and adored plays. But Chekhov was also a masterful and prolific writer of short fiction. His melancholy romantic tale “Lady with the Dog” (1899) ranks among his best and is now tailored for the stage at Quotidian Theatre Company in Bethesda.
Lovingly adapted as “The Lady with the Little Dog” and staged by Quotidian co-founder Stephanie Mumford, the hour-long play is an imaginative take on the original work. Fortyish banker Dmitry Gurov (Ian Blackwell Rogers) is sliding into middle age. Long bored with his wife and uninterested in family life, he’s had many affairs and expects to have many more. Vacationing alone in Yalta, the fashionable Russian seaside resort, Gurov is charmed by Anna Sergeyevna (Chelsea Mayo), a much younger woman, also alone, who’s in Yalta ostensibly to correct ill health, but is in fact enjoying a temporary escape from dull provincial life where she is unhappily but faithfully married to a government flunky.
Gurov is aware of their age difference: he notes his graying hair and increasingly plain looks and that Anna is not long out of school, but he remains undaunted. The confident philanderer is certain he will have her. As they become acquainted, Gurov says, “I own two houses in Moscow but I no longer sing.” In that short sentence, Gurov imparts the essence of his secure but joyless existence. That will soon change, however. What starts out as a flirtation grows into a passion and then something more.
As director and costume and set designer, Mumford deftly captures the atmosphere of Chekhov and late 19th century bourgeois Russia. Her crowded set includes the compartments that make up Gurov’s life. Stage left is Gurov’s Moscow home complete with three cardboard cutout children. On stage right is the hotel room where he and Anna secretly meet. Bridging those two worlds are Vernet’s coffee pavilion and the seaside promenade — public spaces where the lovers first met.
Mumford further adds to the mood with projections of paintings depicting the natural glories of Yalta, and live classical Russian music played beautifully by pianist Zach Roberts and violinist Christine Kharazian. Roberts doubles as Anna’s ambitious husband and Kharazian brings humor to the role of Gurov’s bespectacled wife, a solemn, self-described intellectual.
Mayo is compelling as guilt-ridden but determined Anna. Rogers gives a nuanced performance as restrained Gurov whose occasional wild eyes reveals his inner turmoil. David Dubov narrates the action as Chekhov, and plays various waiters and friends of Gurov.
Like ambiguity filled real life, “Little Dog” ends on an uncertain note. “And it seemed that, just a little more and the solution would be found, and then a new, beautiful life would begin; and it was clear to both of them that the end was still far, far off, and that the most complicated and difficult part was just beginning.”
Nothing is tied up neatly with a bow. That’s the way Chekhov liked it.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, May 5
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 6
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
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