Arts & Entertainment
‘AbFab’ returns!
BBC fave comes to Logo, Chaz puts on his dancing shoes
A new Logo acquisition heralds the return of Patsy and Edina in gay cult favorite ‘AbFab.’ (Photo courtesy Logo/BBC)
ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” starts Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. and this season’s cast is already generating buzz thanks to the inclusion of Chaz Bono, the show’s first trans contestant.
Cher, Bono’s mother, has taken to Twitter, blasting the critics and encouraging her followers to support him. His partner, Lacey Schwimmer, who danced with Lance Bass her first season as a pro on the show, has shown support.
“I just think it’s absolutely ridiculous when people have anything negative to say about anybody other than themselves,” Schwimmer told E! Online. “It’s not fair. It’s not nice. And it’s degrading. I really get sad about it.”
‘Dancing’ executive producer Conrad Green has also spoken out.
“We thought Chaz’s story was pretty compelling,” Green told E! Online. “He comes from Hollywood royalty and obviously the personal changes in his life have been quite profound.”
Former “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Carson Kressley, is also a part of the cast and will be dancing with Anna Trebunskaya.
“Modern Family,” with gay couple Cameron and Mitchell, returns Sept. 21 at 9 p.m.
“Grey’s Anatomy” returns with a two-hour premiere on Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. When season seven ended, Arizona Robbins and Callie Torres, played by Jessica Capshaw and Sara Ramirez, had just gotten married after a pregnant Callie nearly died in a car accident.
ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars” may have had its summer finale and the second half of the season won’t start until the new year, but a special Halloween-themed episode will air Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. The episode, which takes place before the series premiere, will offer a glimpse of the relationship lesbian Emily, played by Shay Mitchell, had with her friend Allison.
Fox’s “Glee” begins its third season Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Previews have shown Blaine, Kurt’s love interest, out of his Dalton uniform and dancing with Santana and the rest of the Cheerios while Quinn sports a new look. Sue Sylvester, played by out actress Jane Lynch, even gets glitter-bombed by Will. And don’t forget Lynch is hosting the Emmys on Fox Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.
The Oprah Winfrey Network has two new shows coming with familiar gay faces.
Rosie O’Donnell is returning to television with her own show, “The Rosie Show,” starting Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Suze Orman will be joining Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz for “Ask Oprah’s All Stars,” which premieres Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” starts its ninth season Monday. Her premiere week guests have already been revealed and Ashton Kutcher will be giving his first daytime interview before the premiere of “Two and a Half Men.” “Ellen” airs in D.C. on channel four at 3 p.m. For other areas’ times, visit ellentv.com.
Bravo has a couple new series starting this fall.
“Mad Fashion,” which premieres Oct. 4 at 10 p.m., will feature former “Project Runway” alum Chris March, as he and his crew create designs for high-profile clients, including a Mardi Gras float ensemble for Jennifer Coolidge.
Also starting is the second season of Bravo’s “Work of Art,” a reality show seeking to discover new artistic talent. The season begins Oct. 12 at 9 p.m.
“The A-List” is slowly becoming a franchise with a new show based in Dallas starting Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. on Logo. The cast includes a former rodeo star, a gay Republican, a serial dater and more.
It’s also been announced that Logo is partnering with BBC America to bring back a couple of favorites in a new way. Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will be reprising their roles as Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone for three new “Absolutely Fabulous” specials.
Logo has been airing repeats of the first five seasons of “AbFab” since April.
MTV starts the 26th season of “The Real World” on Sept. 28 with the show’s return to San Diego. The cast includes Virginia native Samantha, who goes by Sam, and is said to be a lesbian. A trailer for the upcoming season also shows a male roommate who is said to be bisexual.
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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