Arts & Entertainment
Fitness on 14th
Local fitness entrepreneur plans expansion in Sept.
Stuart Smith. (Blade photo by Michael Key)
I went apartment hunting with a friend a few days ago. When he asked for recommendations of diverse and thriving neighborhoods, I immediately thought of Logan Circle, an inclusive, all-encompassing neighborhood that’s growing rapidly.
One of its perks — about to get better — is BodySmith Personal Training which is moving into a new space and becoming a full gym in September.
The big gyms seem to garner all the exposure, but what about the little guys? The boutique gyms and personal training studios located directly in the District are worth mentioning. These locations offer something the big guys can’t touch and it gives the gym consumer options for their workout environment that suites their nature. Not everyone loves to be surrounded by large crowds, blaring music or sweaty machines, nor pay hefty membership fees.
Mint Fitness is a wonderful boutique size full-fledged gym, which has been open about five years in Adams Morgan. And while the price may be hefty for some, you will be pampered there beyond what you might receive in a larger facility.
There are other small gyms and privately owned personal training studio favorites scattered throughout the area and I trust each of them has something special to offer that may not be available in larger facilities. Balance Gym with several locations throughout Washington and one located in Thomas Circle is another example of the advantages of a smaller space.
But what about an intimate neighborhood workout space where everyone knows your name in the Dupont Circle or Logan Circle area that is also moderately priced? And where do you find some of the most extensively educated and experienced personal trainers in Washington? What about a private personal training space and a separate membership area all under one roof? Wouldn’t such an option be wonderful to have available? I know of no other facility that will be offering nor be in the same league as what the new BodySmith Gym will offer. Full disclosure — I’m proud to say I’m an independent personal trainer at BodySmith and the new location will be exciting.
It’s slated to open at 1630 14th street will be about 12,000 square feet and consist of two floors: one devoted solely to personal training and the other as a membership-only area. BodySmith will have a full spectrum of top-of-the-line free-weight equipment and a variety of fresh cutting-edge cardio equipment housed in the all above ground heavily windowed space. Also, housed within will be massage, physical therapy, an organic juice and shake bar, and parking, which is unusual for this area.
And owner Stuart Smith has a consistent record of celebrating and supporting the LGBT community that deserves recognition.
Smith has been the successful owner of the BodySmith Personal Training brand since he opened his first personal training space directly across the street from what is now Lauriol Plaza Restaurant in 1998. BodySmith has maintained several tables at each years Chef’s Best and regularly donates to Food and Friend’s and other local charities.
Smith also pumped his own pedals for a couple of Food and Friends sponsored AIDS Rides and consistently raised money for the battle against AIDS.
As the first BodySmith location quickly became a Dupont Circle favorite, Smith and his team embraced the culture around them. He even donned silver pumps and ran in the High Heel Race dressed as Mother Theresa one year.
The original BodySmith closed in 2004 after its lease ran out and Smith moved to the current Logan Circle location. Most of his trainers and clients went with him.
BodySmith Gym will require a monthly membership fee starting at about $69 a month for a year commitment and separate fees for the personal training-only area. For more information visit bodysmithgymdc.com.
The 2026 Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition was held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on Sunday. Seven contestants vied for the title and Gage Ryder was named the winner.
(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Theater
Voiceless ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ a spectacle of operatic proportions
Synetic production pulls audience into grips of doomed lovers’ passion
‘Antony & Cleopatra’
Through Jan. 25
Synetic Theater at
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre
450 7th St., N.W.
Synetictheater.org
A spectacle of operatic proportions, Synetic Theater’s “Antony & Cleopatra” is performed entirely voiceless. An adaptation of the Bard’s original (a play bursting with wordplay, metaphors, and poetic language), the celebrated company’s production doesn’t flinch before the challenge.
Staged by Paata Tsikurishvili and choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili, this worthy remount is currently playing at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre, the same venue where it premiered 10 years ago. Much is changed, including players, but the usual inimitable Synectic energy and ingenuity remain intact.
As audiences file into the Klein, they’re met with a monumental pyramid bathed in mist on a dimly lit stage. As the lights rise, the struggle kicks off: Cleopatra (Irina Kavsadze) and brother Ptolemy (Natan-Maël Gray) are each vying for the crown of Egypt. Alas, he wins and she’s banished from Alexandria along with her ethereal black-clad sidekick Mardian (Stella Bunch); but as history tells us, Cleopatra soon makes a triumphant return rolled in a carpet.
Meanwhile, in the increasingly dangerous Rome, Caesar (memorably played by Tony Amante) is assassinated by a group of senators. Here, his legendary Ides of March murder is rather elegantly achieved by silver masked politicians, leaving the epic storytelling to focus on the titular lovers.
The fabled couple is intense. As the Roman general Antony, Vato Tsikurishvili comes across as equal parts warrior, careerist, and beguiled lover. And despite a dose of earthiness, it’s clear that Kavsadze’s Cleopatra was born to be queen.
Phil Charlwood’s scenic design along with Colin K. Bills’ lighting cleverly morph the huge pyramidic structure into the throne of Egypt, the Roman Senate, and most astonishingly as a battle galley crashing across the seas with Tsikurishvili’s Antony ferociously at the helm.
There are some less subtle suggestions of location and empire building in the form of outsized cardboard puzzle pieces depicting the Mediterranean and a royal throne broken into jagged halves, and the back-and-forth of missives.
Of course, going wordless has its challenges. Kindly, Synectic provides a compact synopsis of the story. I’d recommend coming early and studying that page. With changing locations, lots of who’s who, shifting alliances, numerous war skirmishes, and lack of dialogue, it helps to get a jump on plot and characters.
Erik Teague’s terrific costume design is not only inspired but also helpful. Crimson red, silver, and white say Rome; while all things Egyptian have a more exotic look with lots of gold and diaphanous veils, etc.
When Synetic’s voicelessness works, it’s masterful. Many hands create the magic: There’s the direction, choreography, design, and the outrageously committed, sinewy built players who bring it to life through movement, some acrobatics, and the remarkable sword dancing using (actual sparking sabers) while twirling to original music composed by Konstantine Lortkipanidze.
Amid the tumultuous relationships and frequent battling (fight choreography compliments of Ben Cunis), moments of whimsy and humor aren’t unwelcome. Ptolemy has a few clownish bits as Cleopatra’s lesser sibling. And Antony’s powerful rival Octavian (ageless out actor Philip Fletcher) engages in peppy propaganda featuring a faux Cleopatra (played by Maryam Najafzada) as a less than virtuous queen enthusiastically engaged in an all-out sex romp.
When Antony and Cleopatra reach their respective ends with sword and adder, it comes almost as a relief. They’ve been through so much. And from start to finish, without uttering a word, Kavsadze and Tsikurishvili share a chemistry that pulls the audience into the grips of the doomed lovers’ palpable passion.
Out & About
Love board games and looking for love?
Quirk Events will host “Board Game Speed Dating for Gay Men” on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at KBird DC.
Searching for a partner can be challenging. But board games are always fun. So what if you combined board games and finding a partner?
Picture this: You sit down for a night of games. A gaming concierge walks you through several games over the course of the night. You play classics you love and discover brand new games you’ve never heard of, playing each with a different group of fun singles. All while in a great establishment.
At the end of the night, you give your gaming concierge a list of the folks you met that you’d like to date and a list of those you met that you’d like to just hang out with as friends. If any two people put down the same name as each other in either column, then your gaming concierge will make sure you get each other’s e-mail address and you can coordinate a time to hang out.
Tickets cost $31.80 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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