Theater
Hansberry’s triumph ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ winningly revived at Arena Stage
Lesbian-penned classic is Chicago-set African-American classic
āA Raisin in the SunāĀ
Through May 7
Arena Stage
1101 Sixth St., S.W.
$40-111
202-488-3300
āA Raisin in the Sunā is a family drama thatās both intimate and epic. Set solely in a cramped tenement apartment on Chicagoās Southside, playwright Lorraine Hansberryās groundbreaking 1959 work explores the struggles of the African-American Younger family as they bump up against racism, classicism and conflicting ambitions.
After presenting definitive works by playwrights Lillian Hellman and Joan Didion, Arena Stage is now nearing the close of its season with Hansberryās classic.Ā Staged in the round by Tazewell Thompson, whoās internationally known for directing both theater and opera, the production crackles with compelling performances, particularly New York actress Lizan Mitchell who plays Lena Younger, the aging family matriarch. Sheās not the lumbering Lena found in many interpretations but rather a feisty, slender woman, filled with humor and concern. Her phenomenal portrayal embodies the characterās southern sharecropper roots along with her more modern city experience.
The play opens almost like any other Younger morning with family members readying for school and work, and jockeying to be the next to get into the hall bathroom they share with neighbors. But this day is different because thereās talk of a big check expected in the post. Through death, Mr. Younger, a lifelong laborer, has offered his family opportunity. As the story unfolds, dreams that hopefully wonāt be deferred are revealed: new home, new business and medical school.
Restless and angry, Lenaās son Walter Lee (Will Cobbs) wants to use the money to buy a liquor store. At 35, heās tired of chauffeuring businessmen and wants to become one himself. His affected but charming sister Beneatha (the delightful Joy Jones) expects some of the money to go toward her medical school tuition. But Lena and Walter Leeās wife Ruth (played as tired but cheerful by local actor Dawn Ursula) wouldnāt mind a nice little house where Ruthās young son Travis (Jeremiah Hasty) would have a bedroom.
The Youngerās shabby two-bedroom apartment is a character in itself. Designer Donald Eastman does his best to create a cramped space defined by heavy worn furniture in Arenaās cavernous Fichlander Stage. Lena and Walter Sr. took the flat early in their marriage with the idea of staying for one year, but life took hold, time passed and they never left. Itās a rat trap says Ruth, but Lenaās relationship with her home is more complicated. For her, itās a safe, memory-filled haven where she is called mama and her word is law. Itās where suitors call for her daughter Beneatha whoās currently juggling George Murchison (Keith L. Royal Smith), an assimilated bougie college student, and Asagai (Bueka Uwemedimo), a far-thinking Nigerian intellectual. And itās where Walter Leeās pal Bobo (Mack Leamon) and the rare white visitor Mr. Linder (Thomas Adrian Simpson) come separately to deliver bad news.
The mood is further set with Fabian Obispoās original jazz music, and Harry Nadalās costumes: Georgeās white bucks, Walter Leeās cool jacket and Beneathaās slim skirts.
After seeing āA Raisin in the Sunā on Broadway, famed gay African American-writer James Baldwin was impressed by his pal Hansberryās effort: “Never before, in the entire history of the American theater, had so much of the truth of black people’s lives been seen on the stage.” Others took note too. At 29, Hansberry was the first black playwright and the youngest American to win a New York Critics’ Circle award.
But it wasnāt until long after her tragically premature death from cancer at 34 that the groundbreaking playwright was revealed to be gay. In various letters she wrote to the Ladder, the first subscription-based lesbian publication in the United States, she touched on the interconnected struggles of women, lesbians and African Americans, and describes herself as a “heterosexually married lesbian.ā
Arenaās production plumbs both the well-made, sometimes-sentimental playās crowd-pleasing aspects ā mostly relatable family and generational squabbles ā and the sting of its equally relevant and searing contemporary social issues. But on exiting the theater into the night, mostly youāll remember mama.
Theater
Talented pair of local queer actors tackles āLittle Shop of Horrorsā
Fordās production features terrific score
āLittle Shop of HorrorsāĀ
Through May 18
Fordās Theatre
511 10th St., N.W.
$33-$95
Fords.orgĀ
Ever since premiering off-Broadway in 1982, āLittle Shop of Horrorsā has drawn a devoted following of avid audiences as well as performers eager to act in the show. Now playing at Fordās Theatre, the doo-wop, dark comedy features a terrific cast including a wildly talented pair of local queer actors whoāve longed to appear in the show since they were kids.
Set in the urban 1960s, Alan Menken and Howard Ashmanās hit show with a terrific score follows the wacky rise of Seymour, a nebbishy florist in a Skid Row shop who changes his fortunes by unintentionally marketing an exotic, human eating plant.
Chani Wereley, 28, who plays Seymourās love interest Audrey, a hyper femme downtowner with an edge, has had her on eye the role for years. Wereley says, āAudreyās been around the block more than once, but I approach her as a person who moves through the world with love and hope.ā
The queer D.C. native adds, āOn long trips to visit family in Canada or Florida, the first thing weād do is pop a āLittle Shop of Horrorsā video [film version] into the carās VHS player. Iāve watched is so many times, I could quote the whole movie to you.ā
After auditioning to play Audrey in director Kevin S. McAllisterās production at Fordās, Wereley never thought sheād book the part, and when they said she got it, she cried.
Similarly, Tobias A. Young, 34, the pansexual actor who voices the part of the bloodthirsty plant affectionately dubbed Audrey II, explains his intense interest in the work: āI started watching the film in ā86. Growing up as a little gay boy in Calvert County, Md., I wanted to be blonde Audrey [played by Ellen Green in the movie]. I didnāt know much about musicals at the time, but I was absorbed.ā
When asked by Fordās to play the voracious plant Audrey II without auditioning, his reply was an unhesitant āyes.ā
Voicing a role requires Young to sing from backstage in a black box rigged with monitors and a mixing board. He says, āpeople ask if Iām singing from inside of the ever-growing, scary plant. No, Iām not, and thatās fine. But letās face it, actors love to be seen on stage, but I donāt feel entirely unseen as Audrey II.ā
Heās worked hard and successfully with formidable puppeteers Ryan Sellers and Jay Frisby to bring parts of himself to the carnivorous plant ā his sassiness, own movements, and even a tilt of his head; their efforts have drawn the actual Young into the show.
Both Wereley and Young possess gorgeous, emotive voices as evidenced by Wereleyās striking rendition of Audreyās āSuddenly Seymour,ā and Youngās soulful āFeed Me (Git It).ā Additionally, both actors are also big on queer representation in theater.
When her young pals were listening to Britney Spears, Wereley was dancing to retro tunes like āMashed Potato Time,ā and her favorite song to this day, the Shirelleās girl group anthem āWill You Still Love Me Tomorrow.ā As Audrey, Wereley eschews the characterās usual platinum hair for a bouncy brunette, cherry-streaked wig, tight pencil skirts, swing coats, and her very own half-sleeve tattoo.
āItās important for people to see themselves on stage,ā she says. āSeeing me or someone like me is inherently interesting. Being that person on Instagram or with the institution, cast, or audiences is meaningful. Itās important.ā
In 2011, a couple years after finishing high school, Young landed a part in āDream Girlsā at Tobyās Dinner Theatre, and heās been working professionally ever since. Growing up, he didnāt see a lot of himself ā Black and queer ā on social media. He now wants to be open and honest for those out there who might not feel seen, he says
An introvert who lets everything loose on the stage, Young says, ātheater is a safe space for queer people. Thatās the first place we feel safe, particularly in school. And this is why we need theaters in schools, now more than ever.ā
He adds, āWhatās great about Fordās is its surprises, especially when they switch up casting. Itās meaningful to see the shows you love, but why not see them with a twist? Using unexpected actors and incorporating queer people just makes it that much better.ā
Theater
Woman crashes ex-girlfriendās wedding to a man in new play
Nonbinary playwright Bryna Turner brings āAt the Weddingā to Studio
āAt the Weddingā
Through April 21
Studio Theatre
1501 14th St., N.W.
$45-$99
Studiotheatre.org
For nonbinary playwright Bryna Turner, the way to theater was first as an actor. But as gender non-conforming, they couldnāt really see a future in it, so they decided to write their own plays.
āAt the Wedding,ā Turnerās play about a woman named Carlo who crashes her ex-girlfriendās wedding to a man, is currently making its area debut at Studio Theatre with a production staged by out director Tom Story. The comedy made its world premiere at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater and was featured in the New York Times Best of 2022 āUnforgettable Theatrical Momentsā category.
Brooklyn-based Turner, 33, is inspired by experience, storytelling, and language. With āAt the Wedding,ā they humorously explore loneliness, estrangement, and a love for living.
WASHINGTON BLADE: How do we meet Carlo?
BRYNA TURNER: In the opening monologue, Carlo is at the kids table at a wedding reception telling them not to make her mistake. Youāll fall in love but that will only break your heart. That kicks the show off and this is who weāre dealing with.
BLADE: How was falling in love for you?
TURNER: My experience when I fell in love was that I was joining the human race. But then comes heartbreakā¦. that other thing everyone was always talking about. Poems and music took on new meaning.
BLADE: But you can find a laugh in pain?
TURNER: Comedic tone is important to me because thatās how I view the world. I like to have a laugh when things are hard or sad.
Also, I feel like itās a way to bring people in. You relate to a character who makes you laugh. Two of my plays begin with a lesbian yelling at the audience. Itās almost like crowd work.
BLADE: Were you ever hesitant about writing queer plays?
TURNER: I was lucky at Holyoke [Mount Holyoke College where Turner was an undergrad]. Director Brooke OāHara was teaching there when I attended and she brought in some queer plays; she showed me there was a canon to join and that was exciting.
BLADE: When did you first identify as nonbinary?
TURNER: In 2022. Iād been butch-presenting for over a decade. Then during the pandemic, I began spending more time alone. When alone, you grant yourself more permission to think.
For me, Iād always wanted to be independent and not ask for anything, to be butch on my own. As nonbinary, suddenly I had to ask people to use my pronouns. Also, it granted the opportunity to allow people to surprise me in mostly positive ways.
BLADE: Was becoming a produced playwright tough?
TURNER: I wanted to be a playwright at 21 and I had a play produced when I was 27. Now, looking back, I can see it happened pretty quickly, but at the time it felt like forever.
While doing my MFA in playwriting at Rutgers University, I was working in the box office at the Public Theater in New York where I managed to see things like āFun Homeā and āHamilton.ā
If I wasnāt working, I was commuting to Rutgers in New Jersey, and I was always writing. I had to be diligent. Iām a perfectionist, but I got things done. I wrote scenes in between waiting for customers at the box office or on the train. It took a lot of energy; drive pushes you.
BLADE: A while before āAt the Wedding,ā you wrote āPhases of the Moonā about lesbian poet Elizabeth Bishop. What sparked that interest?
TURNER: Itās about her time at Vassar College when she fell in love with a woman. Itās set in the 1930s but itās bit anachronistic. Thereās a scene with a Tegan and Sara song.
Bishop identified as a socialist vegetarian while at one of the most expensive womenās colleges during the height of the Great Depression. I thought to myself, āI know that girl, too.ā I love how we can know this person across nearly 100 years.
BLADE: Can you describe your formative years?
TURNER: I grew up the youngest of four in a small coastal town surrounded by redwoods. It was pretty rural but included an enclave of hippies. Despite being a shy kid, I developed an interest in theater. My parents were relieved. I had tried a lot of things and quickly lost interest: soccer, ballet, Tee-Ball. I remember striking out and all my family laughing. I threw down the bat and that was it.
BLADE: Do you think about who youāre writing for?
TURNER: I do. Iām thinking of a queer audience, and writing things that I want to see. In doing that, Iāve been happily surprised that straight people want to come along too.
Theater
D.C.ās spring theater scene offers āMacbeth,ā āPeter Pan,ā Sedaris and more
Queer themes well represented in seasonās productions
Thereās a lot on for theater this spring. And hereās a queer heavy sampling.
If itās āCompanyā youāre after, try the Kennedy Center. The national tour of the Tony-winning, gender-swapped revival of out legend Stephen Sondheimās hit musical withBritney Colemanas forever single Bobbie is moored to the Opera House through March 31. Kennedy-center.orgĀ
Signature Theatre in Arlington presents āPenelopeā (through April 21), a one-woman musical featuring out Broadway star Jessica Phillips. With glass of bourbon in hand, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, gets a few things off her chest. Think Trojan War. Sigtheatre.org
At Studio Theatre, nonbinary playwright Bryna Turnerās āAt the Weddingā is currently making its regional debut in a production helmed by out director Tom Story. Itās a queer comedy about a woman crashing her exās wedding with the intention of not making a scene. Good luck with that. Out actor Holly Twyford plays Maria, mother of the bride. Studiotheatre.org
At Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Helen Hayes Award-winning actor Justin Weaks is workshopping his new play āA Fine Madnessā (March 17-24)). The solo piece is inspired by the talented out actorās 2016 HIV diagnosis and the ensuing years he spent alone and processing. (Tickets are pay what you will – starting at $5.)
Also slated for Woolly is āAmm(i)goneā (April 20āMay 12). Created and performed by queer theater maker Adil Mansoor, the personal story is about inviting his Pakistani mother to translate āAntigoneā into Urdu as means of exploring the tensions between family and faith. Woollymammoth.net
At Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, N.E., Mosaic Theater presents Rhiana Yazzieās āNancyā (March 30- April 21), a tale of ambition and ancestry soaked in ā80s nostalgia. Staged by out director Ken-Matt Martin, the seven-person cast includes Lynn Hawley as Nancy, out actor Michael Kevin Darnall as Ronnie, and Anaseini Katoa is Esmeralda, a Navajo woman advocating for her community. Mosaictheater.org
Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., delivers divas. Meow Meow, the post-post-modern phenom from down under, brings her globally celebrated act to the parkās Barns venue on March 21. And on June 8, a single show featuring both Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight promises to light up Wolf Trapās cavernous Filene Center with legendary star power.Wolftrap.org Ā
Arena Stage presents āUnknown Solderā (March 29-May 5), Daniel Goldstein and Michael Friedmanās sweeping musical about a woman in search of her familyās past. The topnotch cast includes Lori Lee Gayer, out actor Adam Chanler-Berat, and Broadwayās Judy Kuhn. Arenastage.org
At 1st Stage in Tysons, Va., wonderful out actor Michael Rusotto plays the titular sissy in Douglas Carter Beaneās āThe Nanceā (April 4-21). Set in 1930s New York, the action follows a queer burlesque actor as he navigates his way through a world where itās safer to be gay onstage than off. Nick Olcott directs. 1ststage.org
Broadway at the National moves musically into spring with āPeter Panā (April 9-21). Playwright Larissa FastHorseās fresh adaptation of the eternal boyās classic tale feels fresh without losing the familiar including terrific tunes like āIām Flying,ā āI Gotta Crow,ā and āI Wonāt Grow Up.ā Broadwayatthenational.com
Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) presents āMacbethā (April 9-May 5) starring movie star Ralph Fiennes as the Thane of Glamis, and Indira Varma as sleepwalking Lady M. Staged by STCās artistic director Simon Godwin, the production wonāt be performed in the companyās usual digs but rather a borrowed former BET soundstage (1301 W St., N.E.) where the world of the Scottish play will be created. Exciting stuff. Shakespearetheatre.org
Attention dance lovers! In Fairfax, GMU Center of the Arts presents Martha Graham Dance Company ā the oldest modern dance ensemble in the countryā for just one night (April 13) with a program that showcases the companyās legacy through iconic classics and new work. Cfa.gmu.edu
Also on April 13, bestselling gay author David Sedaris brings his inimitably hilarious take on life to the Strathmore in North Bethesda. Strathmore.orgĀ
Kennedy Centerās Terrace Theater presents Opera Lafayetteās modern premiere of āMouret’s Les FĆŖtes de Thalieā (May 3 and 4), an opĆ©ra-ballet that broke with serious French operas by putting contemporary characters on stage. Renowned French conductor/musician Christophe Rousset conducts. Operalayette.org
At GALA Hispanic Theatre, itās Gustavo Ott and Mariano Valeās āThe Return of Eva PerĆ³n: Momia en el closetā (May 9āJune 9), a dark musical comedy filled with āhistorical intrigue and spine-chilling entertainment.ā (Performed in Spanish with English surtitles.) Galatheatre.org
This spring, Creative Cauldron in Falls Church presents Kirsten Childsā new musical āThe Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skinā (May 16-June 9), the humorous and pointed story of a seemingly confident womanās journey through racism, sexism, showbiz, and finally self-acceptance. Angelisa Gilyard directs. Creativecauldron.orgĀ
For one night only, the Alden Theatre in Mclean, Va., presents āMama, Iām a Big Girl Now ā The Three Leading Ladies of āHairsprayāā (Saturday, June 8) with Marissa Jaret Winokur, Kerry Butler, and Laura Bell Bundy. Broadwayās original Tracy, Penny, and Amber are staging a rare reunion to celebrate the hit musicalās 20th anniversary. Mcleancenter.org
And on time for Pride, the Gay Menās Chorus of Washington presents what promises to be a beautifully rendered multidisciplinary event. Titled āPortraitsā (Sunday, June 16 at Lincoln Theatre), the concert features visual art, music, and dance, representing a vibrant spectrum of sexual, gender, racial, ethnic, and cultural identities in a nine-movement commission combining the work of nine visual artists, nine composers, nine choreographers, and sung by the Chorus and featuring 17th Street Dance. Gmcw.org
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