Arts & Entertainment

Reign of terror

Folger brings Bard classic roaring to life

Published

12 years ago

February 5, 2014

Drew Cortese as King Richard in Folger Theatre’s production of ‘Richard III.’ It runs through March 9. (Photo by Jeff Malat; courtesy Folger)

‘Richard III’

Through March 9

Folger Theatre

201 East Capitol Street, S.E.

$40-$72 (some discounts available)

202-544-7077

folger.edu/theatre

Early in Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” the title character makes it crystal clear that he’s a hater, not a lover. He ascribes his villainy to his physical deformity (a hunchback and withered arm), explaining that because he’s built for neither love nor sport, he’s unable to enjoy the days of elder brother’s peaceful reign.

So instead, he devotes himself to furthering his titanic ambitions, devising twisted plots and lethal machinations, and stopping at nothing to make the throne his own.

As Richard in Folger Theatre’s take on the epic blood fest, Drew Cortese makes a most appealing sociopath. He is at turns many things: disarmingly charming, seductive, coldblooded, malevolently ruthless, and — for a split second or two — vulnerable. And while he possesses all of Richard’s sinister means of persuasion, Cortese limits his Richard’s deformity to a heavy limp. And you’ll find the actor is hardly “rudely stamp’d” — the crown sits nicely on his handsome shaved head and he doesn’t look bad in his leather pants, but I digress.

When we meet Richard, he’s already killed King Henry VI and his heir. In further clearing his path to the throne, he kills a kindly older brother Clarence, his two child nephews, his wife, trusted friends and sundry others. It’s an unparalleled royal killing spree. Of course, Richard doesn’t do the actual murdering. He has two muscled flunkies for that, but he’s never far from the crime. In the case of his accused traitor Hastings, Richard asks that his severed head be promptly delivered for his viewing. Here, it arrives in a large jar.

Even Buckingham, Richard’s cousin and closest conspirator, isn’t immune to his liege’s heedless wrath. The moment he shows a hint of hesitation in carrying out Richard’s most heinous of plots, his days are numbered. With Richard, no one is safe.

Hardly surprising, Richard doesn’t want for enemies. Henry IV’s vengeance-seeking widow Queen Margaret calls for his demise describing him as a “hell–hound that doth hunt us all to death…” And even Richard’s own mother, the Duchess of York, curses his existence as he heads off to the battlefield for the final time.

For this fast-paced, boldly accessible production, director Robert Richmond has altered the Folger into theater-in-round, brilliantly making the audience part of the action and seemingly privy to Richard’s next diabolical move. Tony Cisek’s set is a slightly raised, sleek black rectangular stage. Its many trap doors serve as exits through which Richard’s selected victims disappear — his beleaguered wife (Alyssa Wilmoth Keegan) goes willingly; some are coaxed, and others go out fighting.

Despite having ample doses of humor, the production is dark. At times Jim Hunter’s lighting is eerily moody. Eric Shimelonis supplies the increasingly ominous beats and, after each murder, the sound of slamming doors. Mariah Hale’s costumes are goth.

Cortese, who was terrific as a recovering addict in “The Motherf***ker with the Hat” at Studio Theatre last season, has a reassuring grasp on the language and brings great nuance to the part. He is surrounded by a capable cast including Howard W. Overshown as Buckingham, and Nanna Ingvarsson who smolders with quiet fury as Richard’s righteously aggrieved mother, the Duchess of York.

The historical Richard III died in battle. His skeletal remains were discovered under a parking lot in Leicester, England, in August 2012.

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This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

Published

8 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2026

Matt Minton

(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.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.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“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 (adamheller@t hedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

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 information, email [email protected].

Wednesday, February 4

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 7 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 details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, February 5

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 5:00 pm 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.