Arts & Entertainment
Reign of terror
Folger brings Bard classic roaring to life
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
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.
Crimsyn and Tatianna hosted the new weekly drag show Clash at Trade (1410 14th Street, N.W.) on Feb. 14, 2026. Performers included Aave, Crimsyn, Desiree Dik, and Tatianna.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Theater
Magic is happening for Round House’s out stage manager
Carrie Edick talks long hours, intricacies of ‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
‘Nothing Up My Sleeve’
Through March 15
Round House Theatre
4545 East-West Highway
Bethesda, Md. 20814
Tickets start at $50
Roundhousetheatre.org
Magic is happening for out stage manager Carrie Edick.
Working on Round House Theatre’s production of “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” Edick quickly learned the ways of magicians, their tricks, and all about the code of honor among those who are privy to their secrets.
The trick-filled, one-man show starring master illusionist Dendy and staged by celebrated director Aaron Posner, is part exciting magic act and part deeply personal journey. The new work promises “captivating storytelling, audience interaction, jaw-dropping tricks, and mind-bending surprises.”
Early in rehearsals, there was talk of signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for production assistants. It didn’t happen, and it wasn’t necessary, explains Edick, 26. “By not having an NDA, Dendy shows a lot of trust in us, and that makes me want to keep the secrets even more.
“Magic is Dendy’s livelihood. He’s sharing a lot and trusting a lot; in return we do the best we can to support him and a large part of that includes keeping his secrets.”
As a production assistant (think assistant stage manager), Edick strives to make things move as smoothly as possible. While she acknowledges perfection is impossible and theater is about storytelling, her pursuit of exactness involves countless checklists and triple checks, again and again. Six day weeks and long hours are common. Stage managers are the first to arrive and last to leave.
This season has been a lot about learning, adds Edick. With “The Inheritance” at Round House (a 22-week long contract), she learned how to do a show in rep which meant changing from Part One to Part Two very quickly; “In Clay” at Signature Theatre introduced her to pottery; and now with “Nothing Up My Sleeve,” she’s undergoing a crash course in magic.
She compares her career to a never-ending education: “Stage managers possess a broad skillset and that makes us that much more malleable and ready to attack the next project. With some productions it hurts my heart a little bit to let it go, but usually I’m ready for something new.”
For Edick, theater is community. (Growing up in Maryland, she was a shy kid whose parents signed her up for theater classes.) Now that community is the DMV theater scene and she considers Round House her artistic home. It’s where she works in different capacities, and it’s the venue in which she and actor/playwright Olivia Luzquinos chose to be married in 2024.
Edick came out in middle school around the time of her bat mitzvah. It’s also around the same time she began stage managing. Throughout high school she was the resident stage manager for student productions, and also successfully participated in county and statewide stage management competitions which led to a scholarship at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where she focused on technical theater studies.
Edick has always been clear about what she wants. At an early age she mapped out a theater trajectory. Her first professional gig was “Tuesdays with Morrie” at Theatre J in 2021. She’s worked consistently ever since.
Stage managing pays the bills but her resume also includes directing and intimacy choreography (a creative and technical process for creating physical and emotional intimacy on stage). She names Pulitzer Prize winning lesbian playwright Paula Vogel among her favorite artists, and places intimacy choreographing Vogel’s “How I learned to Drive” high on the artistic bucket list.
“To me that play is heightened art that has to do with a lot of triggering content that can be made very beautiful while being built to make you feel uncomfortable; it’s what I love about theater.”
For now, “Nothing Up My Sleeve” keeps Edick more than busy: “For one magic trick, we have to set up 100 needles.”
Ultimately, she says “For stage managers, the show should stay the same each night. What changes are audiences and the energy they bring.”
Friday, February 13
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at noon at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour Meetup” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. 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.
Women in their Twenties and Thirties will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the D.C. area. For more details, visit the group on Facebook.
Saturday, February 14
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host a screening of “Love and Pride” at 1:30 p.m. This event is a joy-filled global streaming celebration honoring queer courage, Pride, and the power of love. It’s a bold celebration of courage and community — a fearless reminder of what we’ve overcome, how love is what makes us unstoppable, and how we have always turned fear into fierce. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Sunday, February 15
LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation will be at 12 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for people looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 16
Queer Book Club will be at 7:00p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Faebound” by Saara El-Arifi. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
“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, February 17
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting.Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
Wednesday, February 18
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.
Thursday, February 19
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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.
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