Arts & Entertainment
Heralding Harold
Arena succeeds in winning ‘Music Man’ production
‘The Music Man’
By Meredith Willson
Runs through July 22
Arena Stage
1101 Sixth Street, SW
Washington
Ticket prices vary
The cast of ‘The Music Man’ at Arena Stage. It runs through July 22. (Photo by Joan Marcus; courtesy Arena Stage)
The wonderful thing about a classic is that when you scrape away the sugary coating of memory and the dust of benign neglect, you can find a work of great emotional depth and artistic vigor. That’s certainly the case with the delightful production of the classic musical “The Music Man” now on stage at Arena Stage under the visionary direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith.
Everyone thinks they know “The Music Man,” the quirky musical by Meredith Willson, with favorite songs like “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Till There Was You” and standard characters like the smooth-talking con-man, the prim librarian and eccentric townspeople. But Willson weaves a much richer tale than we remember.
First, there’s the remarkable score. Songs rise naturally not just out of everyday speech, but out of everyday sounds like the clanking of a train, a piano lesson, the shelving of library books, the clucking of small-minded matrons and the unexpected harmonies of the quarreling school board. The lyrics are delightful, yet also rise naturally out of the situation and the character. With new orchestrations by Musical Director Lawrence Goldberg, the score sounds better than ever. He’s subtly rounded out the original sounds with broader echoes of the American musical tapestry to great effect
Second, there’s the story itself. The characters and plot are more well-rounded than we remember. The musically untrained Harold Hill (Burke Moses) sells a boys’ band (complete with instruments, uniforms and music lessons) to the unsuspecting citizens of River City, Iowa. His main obstacle is Marion Paroo (Kate Baldwin), the unmarried town librarian and music teacher. The townspeople quickly fall under Hill’s spell, but the surprisingly worldly Marion stays aloof. When she does finally fall for Hill, she knows full well that he’s a snake oil salesman, but she’s grateful for the transformation he has wrought in the town and in her.
Then there’s this remarkable production. While Willson is a patriotic American and proud optimist, he is not naïve about the dark side of the American character. The citizens are easily gulled by Hill, yet just as easily turned into a mob against him. They are also casually racist and sexist, and very stubborn and narrow-minded. Yet, through the potent combination of love and art, Harold and Marian change the town into its better self. Smith depicts this transformation with incredible finesse. The stage is always a lively-yet-focused swirl of movement and Smith creates clear character arcs for the entire company.
Burke Moses is captivating as the con man who finally gets caught in his own trap. He is fleet-footed, silver-tongued and golden-voiced. He is well matched by Kate Baldwin as Marion. She has a shimmering voice with a thrilling lower register and silvery high notes, moves with incredible grace and doesn’t file away the character’s rough edges. It’s easy to see this con man and this librarian settling down for a long, interesting life together (maybe even a career in politics).
They are given able support by a strong ensemble, all of whom create rich and detailed characters that leap into comic life yet never sink into caricature. They also sail through the soaring choreography by Parker Esse with ease, confidence and style.
Finally, Molly Smith’s color-blind casting broadens the impact of the story. Her choices are not quite as bold as in her groundbreaking “Oklahoma” (the more realistic “Music Man” may have less room for such play), but the production still holds up a mirror to a diverse country that can still be transformed by believing in its dreams.
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. 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.
Saturday, Feb. 21
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 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 judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“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 at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more 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, breathwork 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.
Sports
US wins Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey
Team captain Hilary Knight proposed to girlfriend on Wednesday
The U.S. women’s hockey team on Thursday won a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. The game took place a day after Team USA captain Hilary Knight proposed to her girlfriend, Brittany Bowe, an Olympic speed skater.
Cayla Barnes and Alex Carpenter — Knight’s teammates — are also LGBTQ. They are among the more than 40 openly LGBTQ athletes who are competing in the games.
The Olympics will end on Sunday.
Sweat DC expands to Shaw
D.C. police arrest man for burglary at gay bar Spark Social House
Going for gold: Ford Bronco Sport vs. Toyota RAV4
How do we honor Renee Good, Alex Pretti?
Judge rescinds order against activist in Capital Pride lawsuit
LGBTQ groups question US health agreements with African countries
Trump falsely links trans people to terrorism
Fellow lawmakers praise Adam Ebbin after Va. Senate farewell address
LGBTQ activists mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson
