Arts & Entertainment
Theater with a ‘Twist’
Puppets and drag queens come to life on region’s spring stages


Drag artist Joey Arias in ‘Arias with a Twist,’ coming to Washington in April. (Photo by Steven Menedez)
Spring is more than daffodils and cherry blossoms in D.C. It’s also time for exciting and eclectic theater, much of which holds special interest for LGBT audiences. Here’s a sampling of what’s in store.
At the Shakespeare Theatre Company, gay artistic director Michael Kahn is giving himself a 25th anniversary treat — he’s directing Eugene O’Neil’s “Strange Interlude” (March 27-April 29), something he’s longed to do for a years. The famously difficult play about love and deception focuses on Nina Leeds who after her fiancé is killed in World War I, spends the remainder of her life searching (unsuccessfully) for happiness. The cast includes Broadway vets Francesca Faridany and Robert Stanton, and reliably superb local favorites Tana Hicken and Ted van Griethuysen.
Also at the Shakespeare is “Petrushka” (March 16-25) by acclaimed gay puppeteer Basil Twist. Based on the classic ballet in which dancers portray puppets come to life, Twist’s version uses actual puppets animated by nine puppeteers employing Czech and Japanese techniques to dance this tragic tale of ill-fated love. His visual magic is set against the backdrop of a specially created two-piano version of Stravinsky’s original ballet score. (shakespeartheatre.org)
There’s a citywide Twist festival of sorts happening this spring. His underwater, puppet show “Symphonie Fantastique” (March 29-32) is coming to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, followed by the Japanese-inspired “Dogugaeshi” (4/12-22) at the Studio Theatre. (claricesmithcenter.umd.edu; studiotheatre.org) And at Woolly Mammoth, he joins creative forces and takes a fantastic voyage with famed New York drag artist Joey Arias in “Arias with a Twist” (April 4-May 6). (woollymammoth.net)
The national tour of the Tony-winning revival of “The Normal Heart” (June 8-July 29) kicks off at Arena Stage. Written by Larry Kramer, the 1985 work is largely an autobiographical problem play dealing with hot button AIDS-related issues at the height of the crisis. Extraordinarily, this is first-ever local professional production. The D.C. run also coincides with the International AIDS Conference to be held in Washington in late July. (arenastage.org)
At Signature Theatre, gay artistic director Eric Schaeffer stages the premier production of “Brother Russia” (March 6-April 15), the musical story of a ragtag Russian theatrical company led by notorious mad monk Rasputin. Gay director Joe Calarco directs the Washington premiere of Yasmina Reza’s award-winning play “God of Carnage” (April 10-June 24), about two couples who totally lose it when they meet to discuss a playground fight between their sons. And Signature’s season ends with associate artistic director Matthew Gardiner (also gay) production of “Xanadu” (June 8-July 29), a campy musical sendup of Olivia Newton-John’s 1980 roller disco movie. (signature-theatre.org)
No Rules Theatre Company presents “Suicide Incorporated” (May 30-June 23), a “tragicomic story about a business that helps its customers to perfect their suicide notes, and the new employee who might have other motivations.” The production’s cast features gay actors Dylan Jackson, Adam Downs. Company co-founder Joshua Morgan, who is gay, directs. (norulestheatre.org)
Factory 449 presents “The Damned Things” (May 11-June 3), a modern day horror story of a woman imprisoned in a coffin-sized freezer by Lisa Hodsoll, Hunter Styles and Rick Hammerly, the company’s gay artistic producing director. (factory449.com) Hammerly is also playing a founding father in Ford’s Theatre’s production of the Broadway musical “1776” (March 9-May 19). (fordstheatre.org)
Local gay director John Moletress’ intriguingly named new companyforce/collision is premiering a large-scale dance/theater performance on the historic Washington Navy Yard titled “The Nautical Yards” (April 26-29). The 60-minute site-specific show chronicles the story of two lovers separated by war and sea. Moletress, who is staging the performance, says the production includes cross-dressing and gender playfulness. The company, he adds, maintains a gender-blind attitude toward casting and boats several lgbt performers in its core ensemble. (force-collison.org)
At MetroStage in Alexandria, gay actor and playwright Jay Alvarez will perform “Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!” (April 4-22). The story of his family’s harrowing escape from Casto’s Cuba, Alvarez’s one man show is a tribute to his father. Also at MetroStage: “Lonely Planet” (May 10-June 17) by Steven Dietz. Set in the ‘80s, this two-person play (both gay) addresses the AIDS crisis with a nod to the Romanian and French absurdist Ionesco. (metrostage.org)
L’Enfant Café & Bar in Adams Morgan continues its bimonthly “Speakeasy.” Every other Sunday, the gay-owned café transforms into a cabaret where (for both dinner and late shows) New York drag performers sing — not lip sync — their hearts out. On March 11, Joey Arias (above-mentioned cabaret and drag performer) and his band fresh from a recent Carnegie Hall date, performs with original Scissor Sisters drummer Paddy Boom. And again on March 25, Arias is back for two more shows but this time with Peppermint, a hot young New York drag artist with a great voice. For April dates and specifics refer to Speakeasy’s website. (lenfant.com). Reservations are required.
Jeffrey Johnson’s popular pink-haired persona Galactica has a new ongoing gig. It’s a recurring happy hour show from 6-9 every second and fourth Friday of the month starting on March 23 at the very welcoming, gay-owned-and-run Black Fox in Dupont Circle. Galactica will both sing and lip sync (pinkhairedone.com).
Photos
PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride Parade
Senior living and healthcare organization holds fifth annual march at Falls Church campus

The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fifth annual Pride Parade around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Thursday, June 12.
(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)












You’re going to be on your feet a lot this month.
Marching in parades, dancing in the streets, standing up for people in your community. But you’re also likely to have some time to rest and reflect – and with these great new books, to read.
First, dip into a biography with “Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson” by Tourmaline (Tiny Rep Books, $30), a nice look at an icon who, rumor has it, threw the brick that started a revolution. It’s a lively tale about Marsha P. Johnson, her life, her activism before Stonewall and afterward. Reading this interesting and highly researched history is a great way to spend some time during Pride month.
For the reader who can’t live without music, try “The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman” by Niko Stratis (University of Texas Press, $27.95), the story of being trans, searching for your place in the world, and finding it in a certain comfortable genre of music. Also look for “The Lonely Veteran’s Guide to Companionship” by Bronson Lemer (University of Wisconsin Press, $19.95), a collection of essays that make up a memoir of this and that, of being queer, basic training, teaching overseas, influential books, and life.
If you still have room for one more memoir, try “Walk Like a Girl” by Prabal Gurung (Viking, $32.00). It’s the story of one queer boy’s childhood in India and Nepal, and the intolerance he experienced as a child, which caused him to dream of New York and the life he imagined there. As you can imagine, dreams and reality collided but nonetheless, Gurung stayed, persevered, and eventually became an award-winning fashion designer, highly sought by fashion icons and lovers of haute couture. This is an inspiring tale that you shouldn’t miss.
No Pride celebration is complete without a history book or two.
In “Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day” by Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett ($24.99, Candlewick Press), you’ll see that being trans is something that’s as old as humanity. One nice part about this book: it’s in graphic novel form, so it’s lighter to read but still informative. Lastly, try “So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color” by Caro De Robertis (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. $32.00) a collection of thoughts, observations, and truths from over a dozen people who share their stories. As an “oral history,” you’ll be glad to know that each page is full of mini-segments you can dip into anywhere, read from cover to cover, double-back and read again. It’s that kind of book.
And if these six books aren’t enough, if they don’t quite fit what you crave now, be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help. There are literally tens of thousands of books that are perfect for Pride month and beyond. They’ll be able to determine what you’re looking for, and they’ll put it directly in your hands. So stand up. March. And then sit and read.

Baltimore Orioles Pride Night will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:35 p.m. at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.
Festivities include immersive Pride decorations, pregame music, crafts, face painting, Pride merchandise, and more. The first 15,000 fans will receive an Orioles Pride jersey. Tickets are available on the Orioles’ website.