Arts & Entertainment

Power play

New D.C.-set play explores behind-the-scenes political pratfalls

Published

15 years ago

May 19, 2011

Patrick Folliard

‘Farragut North’
Through May 29
Olney Theatre Center
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland
$26-$54
301.924.3400

Bruce Nelson, left, as Paul Zara, and Danny Yoerges as Stephen Bellamy in ‘Farragut North,’ on the boards now at Olney Theatre Center. (Photo by Stan Barouh; courtesy of Olney)

Named for the Metro station where lobbyists exit to their offices, Beau Willimon’s “Farragut North” offers a brief but unfiltered peek into the seamy world of politics.

Currently playing in Olney’s intimate Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre, this inside-the-Beltway story set in the Midwest follows power, lust and loyalty (or lack thereof) on the campaign trail. It’s freezing winter in Iowa and as the Democratic caucuses draw near, presidential campaigns begin to really heat up. The play focuses on 24 crucial hours in the goings-on of the campaign of Gov. Morris (whom we never meet), one of the Democratic nominee hopefuls.

The action kicks off in a Des Moines hotel bar. Over drinks, 25-year-old wunderkind press secretary Stephen Bellamy is busily regaling a small party with a tale from his short but marvelous (and sometimes shady) career. Seems when he was just starting out, Stephen helped his candidate win the election by falsely painting the opponent as an anti-Semite. His avid listeners – a New York Times political reporter Ida Horowicz (a wonderfully cold-blooded Susan Lynskey); Ben (Kevin Hasser), his newbie assistant; and Stephen’s boss, campaign manager Paul Zara played by Bruce Nelson who is gay – nod approvingly and chime-in occasionally as they thoroughly enjoy the sordid war story

Certain that his man is going to take Iowa (and eventually the nomination), Stephen is supremely confident, annoyingly so, but things begin to change when political veteran Tom Duffy, a rival candidate’s campaign manager asks Stephen for a meeting. Duffy, quietly played by excellent Olney veteran Alan Wade, leaks to Stephen that Morris is in fact not going to take Iowa or any other states (thanks to a host of dirty tricks) and suggests that Stephen jump ship ASAP. Complicating matters, Stephen gets involved with Molly (Elizabeth Ness), a sexually available young intern, and loses the support of the confreres whom he mistakenly thought were his friends. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent to Stephen that Ben, the earnest but promising gofer, has an eye on his job.

Playwright Willimon knows of what he speaks: Prior to penning plays, he worked in politics. His career kicked off as a volunteer for Charles Schumer’s first campaign in the Senate in 1998, and later included campaigns for Hillary Clinton and Bill Bradley. He was a press aide for Howard Dean’s 2004 campaign. As noted in the show’s program, Willimon stresses the play isn’t entirely a political drama. Its theme of could happen anywhere from Hollywood to a Home Depot.

Directed by Clay Hopper, the production moves briskly and is tidily staged. Hopper has elicited terrific performances from a fine cast that thoroughly understands its characters. Though the play is predictable – tragic hero scales heights, is overcome by own pride, and falls – it’s still fun to watch unfold. There is however a glaring flaw: If Stephen is in fact young Karl Rove savvy, why is he so easily caught in the first trap set for him? Yes, he’s tenacious and ultimately proves a street fighting survivor, but would a political prodigy of Stephen’s rank prove such easy quarry?

Yoerges plays Stephen with energy and likability that make his brilliant success all the more plausible while Nelson’s low-key Zara shows glimpses of anxiety and insecurity churning beneath a seemingly even-keeled surface. (Of course, Zara’s constant tobacco chewing and bad digestion are also a hint that all’s not well with him.)

Set designer Cristina Todesco’s neutrally colored panels on wheels combined with a few metal chairs and tables perfectly capture the essence of blah chain hotels and interchangeable bars and eateries encountered along the campaign trail. Ivania Stack dresses the cast in spot on street clothes from the campaign manager’s baseball cap and hunting jacket to the young communication director’s generically nice blue suit.

Politics is a dirty job but somebody has to do it, and here Olney acquits itself well.

Photos

Center for Black Equity honors leaders, activists at BE. Gala

Miyake-Mugler, Oakes co-host annual awards ceremony

Published

20 hours ago

October 11, 2026

Michael Key

Center for Black Equity President and CEO Kenya Hutton speaks at the 2026 BE. Gala on Saturday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Center for Black Equity held its annual BE. Gala at Conrad Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Lolita Leopard Miyake-Mugler and Anthony Oakes co-hosted the awards ceremony.

Honorees included journalist and producer Justin Stewart; nonprofit leader Nikki Alexander; HIV advocate Marlene McNeese; the nonprofit organization FreeLux Project; actress Monroe Alise; public health advocate Tori Cooper; Manassas Park Vice Mayor Darryl G. Moore; Rev. Dr. Carmarion D. Anderson; Bishop Steven Sawyer; government relations professional Courtney Snowden; Senior Deputy Director of HAHSTA at D.C. Health, Clover Barnes; and Texas state Rep. Venton C. Jones.

The event was sponsored by Gilead.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Books

In ‘The Lost Brontë,’ a complicated lie can lead to danger

New book features sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Terri Schlichenmeyer

(Book cover image courtesy of Bywater Books)

‘The Lost Brontë’
By Catherine Friend
c.2026, Bywater Books
$22.95/335 pages

Mom always said to tell the truth.

One lie leads to another and another and you have to remember them all until pretty soon, you’re caught. Fibs are hard, mistruths are messy, even little white social lies can destroy trust. Worst of all, as in the new novel, “The Lost Brontë” by Catherine Friend, a complicated lie can lead to danger.

Though Lilianne Loxley was very young when she lost her parents, she understood that her uncle didn’t really want her. As time passed, though, Lily made herself useful to Uncle, writing and signing letters for him and she became a good companion, helping him with his collection of Brontë memorabilia. Uncle was a keen enthusiast.

She had no idea that his obsession was out of control and he was deeply in arrears. The day Lily learned of his debt was the day she learned that he’d agreed to send her to his debtor’s home to work off the money owed.

It was so sudden. One minute, Lily was at Loxley House, happy and loved by Uncle’s staff … and five hours later, she was at Crag Thorn Manor, home of Lord Bexton, who informed her that she’d be working on his ledgers – work that seemed routine, but Lily tackled it.

Uncle always did say she was headstrong.

But would headstrong be enough to survive, when she was restricted from most of the Manor, when she was forced to dine with Brexton and his slimy friend, or – the worst! – when Brexton told Lily that her next task was to forge a letter from Emily Brontë? And then an entire manuscript?

Lily struggled to do what was right. She had to get Uncle out of debt but this last order horrified her. Did she dare refuse Brexton’s orders and commit a crime? It was unthinkable!

The only brightness in the whole situation was Wren, the ladies’ maid assigned to Lily’s room. Wren was adorable with freckles and the sweetest smile. But with everything else happening at Crag Thorn Manner, could Lily act upon her feelings?

This time of year, you may come to crave dark, spooky stories, and “The Last Brontë” fits those needs perfectly with its Gothic deliciousness. Think: Daphne du Maurier-type, stormy-night squirms with a dangerously chaste, sweetly romantic girl-meets-girl twist for fun.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve read a Gothic novel, you’re in for a nice reminder of why you love them here. You can almost tick off the must-haves: a novel like this is nothing without a foreboding stone manor with damp walls; stone steps to a dank basement; a mysterious portrait; and a nearby bog, and author Catherine Friend gives readers every one of them. You’d be disappointed if there was no ghost, wouldn’t you? Ha. You can practically feel the cold blow through the attic, right? Yeah, it’s that kind of book.

If you’re a fan of the Brontës, you’ll like this novel. If you love Gothic mysteries or Victorian romances, ditto. “The Lost Brontë” is good, no lie.

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Out & About

CAMP Rehoboth Block Party returns Oct. 18

Expect performances, vendors and more at annual celebration

Published

1 day ago

October 11, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

CAMP Rehoboth’s annual Block Party returns next weekend. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

CAMP Rehoboth will host its annual Block Party celebration on Sunday, Oct.18 at 11 a.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

CAMP Rehoboth invites all community members to join in the festivities and to expect magnificent performances and dozens of vendors, including artists, craftspeople, non-profits, businesses, and more.

The event started in 2015 in celebration of CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary. This year, attendees can expect to shop sea glass art, pottery, jewelry, Pride merch, body care, clothing, and learn more about local non-profit causes and businesses.

Attendance is free. For more details, visit CAMP Rehoboth’s website.