Arts & Entertainment
Crisis of faith
Home-grown new play flawed but thought provoking
‘The Religion Thing’
Through Jan. 29
Theater J
1529 16th Street, NW
$35-$60
theaterj.orgFrom left are Chris Stezin, Liz Mamana, Kimberly Gilbert and Will Gartshore in ‘The Religion Thing.’ (Photo by C. Stanley Photography; courtesy Theater J)
They say couples who share the same faith stay together longer. In her new comedy “The Religion Thing,” now at Theater J, playwright Renee Calarco tests the theory.
The action kicks off with a giddy get together. D.C. attorney Mo (Liz Mamana) and her lobbyist husband Brian (nicely underplayed by Chris Stezin) have invited longtime pal Patti (Kimberly Gilbert) and her new boyfriend Jeff (Will Gartshore) for drinks. By all indications it’s a total love fest. Every line of dialogue is punctuated by a peck, smooch or squeeze. The couples are cooing. The ladies are hugging. Even Jeff is cutely pinching Brian’s cheek. Mercifully, this sugary madness soon comes to an end.
When former bad girl Patti (now a recovering alcoholic and hotshot partner at a D.C. firm) informs her hosts that she met Jeff at an evangelical mega church and is now a born-again Christian, a slight chill of disbelief momentarily cools the party; but it’s when Jeff — in quick reference to his gay boss — asserts that homosexuality is a choice and not predetermined, that the evening really takes a turn. Mo angrily disagrees, but Jeff remains certain because, as he explains (spoiler alert), he himself is a successful graduate of the “ex-gay” movement.
In the ensuing scenes, Mo learns a lot about Patti including her plans to reinvent herself as a stay-at-home mom. This tidbit of info particularly resonates with Mo who is eager to start a family in spite of her husband’s misgivings about their religious differences — she’s a lapsed Catholic and he’s a non-observant Jew.
“The Religion Thing” is an uneven comedy whose quieter, more serious scenes are its best. Calarco gives each of her four successful Washingtonians teetering on the precipice of middle age a moment to express their feelings about religion and the role it plays in their lives. As Mo, Mamana poignantly expresses her character’s longing to return to her youth — a time when it was easier to fully believe in the ineffable mysteries and sacred rites of the Catholic Mass.
For sure, director Joe Calarco (the playwright’s gay brother) has assembled an excellent cast from whom he draws solid, dynamic performances, though they might benefit from some reining-in (a bit of shouting, grimacing and stomping around goes a long way).
As Jeff — the ex-gay who dismisses his sexual experiences with men as somehow invalid — Gartshore could easily come off as a cookie cutter creep, but because of the gay actor’s wonderfully layered portrayal — and the playwright’s exposition — Jeff is a sympathetic, if not wholly lovable, character. Similarly, the talented Gilbert brings dimension to unpredictable Patti.
Versatile actor Joseph Thornhill plays various men who represent things the characters’ once had and may still want. For Mo, Patti and Jeff, he visits as a ghost from sex and good times past, but as Brian’s grandfather, he is a reminder of Jewish tradition.
Gay designer James Kronzer’s serviceable revolving set (cleverly lit by Cory Ryan Frank) allows the action to smoothly move from comedy club to living room to office to bedroom. Frank Labovitz costumes the cast in appropriate D.C. business and casual attire.
“The Religion Thing” is the anchor production in Theater J’s new festival “Locally Grown: Community Supported Art From Our Own Gardens,” celebrating D.C. area’s playwright community. Despite its flaws, the show makes for a respectable start to what looks like an exciting new project.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
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.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” 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 details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
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 details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
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 with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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