Arts & Entertainment
The wild west
Shakespeare production works well in Folger variation
‘The Taming of the Shrew’
Through June 10
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol Street, SE
$39-$65 (discounts available)
202-608-1719
From left, Danny Scheie, Cody Nickell and Kate Eastwood Norris in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ at Folger Theatre. (Photo by Jeff Malet courtesy Folger)
It was while watching the HBO series “Deadwood,” writes/director Aaron Posner in the program notes for Folger Theatre’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” that he first became inspired to set his production in the American West, circa 1890. While Posner admits it’s not a totally original take on the Bard’s battle of the sexes — it’s been done before — the move from Padua to the Old West works: the raucous, defiant aspects of Shakespeare’s early comedy translate quite nicely.
Because Posner has dropped the play’s official Induction, a cute framing device that establishes “Shrew” as a play within in a play, his fast-paced and funny production jumps quickly into the unconventional courtship of fortune-hunting gambler Petruchio and Katherine, the ornery shrew (played by real life husband and wife Cody Nickell and Kate Eastwood Norris). At first, Katherine wants no part of love and marriage, but through an assortment of carefully executed psychological and physical tortures Petruchio remarkably alters her into the most obliging of wives.
Norris’ Katherine is a sort of hard-drinking, pistol-packing Calamity Jane for whom a future of happy domesticity seems impossible or a real longshot at best; but, again, Petruchio’s abuse works wonders in tempering Katherine’s obstinate disposition. Yes, it’s all very sexist stuff, but Norris is a smart actor with a deft touch, and her transformation from shrew to obedient wifey is nuanced — it’s more about discovering love and finding a new way to live.
Similarly, Nickell’s charming Petruchio is clearly smitten with his Kate, and it’s a love that proves sincere. When he outfits his bride in elegant new duds, Petruchio strives to please by giving her pants and a beautiful pair of black boots complete with spurs. And after proving his wife’s changed nature in a high stakes bet, he hands the winnings over to Katherine. The pair is a team, and it bodes well for a happy and equal marriage.
The comedy’s secondary romantic subplot involves a complicated competition between the suitors of Katherine’s younger more desirable sister, Bianca (Sarah Mollo-Christensen). Her eager wannabe husbands are played by Marcus Kyd, Craig Wallace and Thomas Keegan. Katy Carkuff is a standout as a boozy, well-off widow. James Gardiner and gay actor Danny Sheie play the comic servants.
In a nod to the changing roles of frontier women, Posner has made some intriguing gender-bending choices. The part of Katherine and Bianca’s father Baptista has been changed to a same-named, marriage-brokering mother played by Sarah Marshall, who’s gay. Her Baptista is comically reminiscent of the silver screen types played by Jo Van Fleet and Mercedes McCambridge: Prosperous, independent, tightly wound and willing to level a shotgun when necessary.
The traditionally male Tranio, a clever servant who goes undercover for his master, is also female for this production. As Tranio, Holly Twyford (also gay), swaps out a dull long dress and petticoat for a dapper copper suit and jauntily worn boater. Tranio’s put on squared-off shoulders and masculine walk are belied by touching instances when Twyford reveals the vulnerable young woman beneath the phony moustache, and these are lovely moments indeed.
Tony Cisek’s set is a two-tiered saloon made from roughly hewn wood. Through its swinging doors lie endless plains and big sky. Helen Q. Huang heightens the effect of her beautiful period costumes with subtle flourishes of fancy, freeing them from being too overly moored to time and place.
Additionally, singer/songwriter Cliff Eberhardt in the role of “The Blind Balladeer” performs his bluesy, witty, heartfelt tunes intermittently throughout the play. It’s a wonderful touch that entertainingly trains the spotlight on the characters’ intentions and passions.
At the top of the show, we’re told the evening will end “after [the players] dance.” It’s a promise kept. Posner closes the play with an old fashioned rousing line dance, sending the audience off with a big shot of the Wild West, fun and romance.
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].
Sports
English soccer bans transgender women from women’s teams
British Supreme Court last month ruled legal definition of woman limited to ‘biological women’
The organization that governs English soccer on Thursday announced it will no longer allow transgender women to play on women’s teams.
The British Supreme Court on April 16 ruled the legal definition of a woman is limited to “biological women” and does not include trans women. The Football Association’s announcement, which cites the ruling, notes its new policy will take effect on June 1.
“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and FIFA,” said the Football Association in a statement that announced the policy change. “Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.”
“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary,” added the Football Association.
The Football Association also acknowledged the new policy “will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.”
“We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game,” it said.
The Football Association told the BBC there were “fewer than 30 transgender women registered among millions of amateur players” and there are “no registered transgender women in the professional game” in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Football Association, which governs soccer in Scotland, is expected to also ban trans women from women’s teams.
Executive director of LGBTQ Catholic group to travel to Rome for conclave
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
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