Arts & Entertainment
A ‘Wardrobe’ for young and old alike
Washington Ballet, Imagination Stage team up for classic show
‘The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe’
Through Aug. 12
Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD
$10-$27
301-280-1660
imaginationstage.org
Lucy (Justine Moral) exits the Wardrobe in ‘The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe’ at Imagination Stage, with The Washington Ballet. (Photo by Scott Suchman)
In joining forces to create Imagination Stage’s summer show, “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe,” the Washington Ballet and Imagination Stage have upped the bar on local children’s theater. Based on C.S. Lewis’s familiar novel, the charming world premiere production uses music, dance and sophisticated puppetry to retell the classic in a way that appeals to kids and not-so-young theatergoers alike.
It’s London, 1940. World War II has begun, and Adolf Hitler’s Luftwaffe is bombing the capital. After a particularly bad air raid, the four Pevensie children are evacuated to the relative safety of the English countryside. Their host is a dotty professor whose old house is filled with magic and mystery. While playing hide and seek, the two younger children, little Lucy and Edmund, pass through a wardrobe into a faraway, wintry land called Narnia.
During their curious visit, Lucy befriends Tumnus the faun, while Edmund is swayed by the White Witch, self-styled queen of the land, to betray his family. The brother and sister travel home only to return to Narnia again via the wardrobe on a rainy English afternoon, but this time bringing their siblings, Susan and Peter with them. And here begins the perilous battle of evil against good. Like the book, this musical version is rife with lessons of courage, forgiveness and loyalty.
Each of the four children is played by both an actor and a dancer. Lucid staging by Imagination Stage’s artistic director Janet Stanford eliminates any possible confusion, and bolstering the musical’s terse libretto (also penned by Stanford) with angry, playful and restless dance gives further insight into the young characters’ motivations and feelings.
The dazzlingly evil White Witch is danced by the charismatic Washington Ballet vet Morgann Rose, and her courageous adversary and Narnia’s rightful sovereign, Aslan the lion, is portrayed by a larger-than-life puppet. Made mainly from yards and yards of basket reed, the agile cat (designed by Eric Van Wyk) is operated by three puppeteers including Michael John Casey who also supplies the puppet’s powerful voice. Casey plays the professor and a helpful, big-toothed beaver too.
The production is co-choreographed by the Washington Ballet’s artistic director Septime Webre (who is gay) and associate artistic director David Palmer. Their inventive and athletic choreography executed by topnotch dancers coupled with Van Wyk’s designer efforts, make this production eminently watchable.
Standouts in an energetic, diverse young cast include Justine Moral as Lucy, and dancer Robert Mulvey as the cheeky faun.
Matthew Pierce sets the mood with an original melodic score that alternates from dreamy to suspenseful. Music director George Fulginiti Shakar (also gay) prompts strong vocal performances from the actors, particularly Sarah Beth Pfeifer who sings several of the women’s roles
Here and there, the plotline becomes a tad murky, but the good v. evil gist of the story is never lost. Throughout, the audience is rapt. There are sinister wolves, a suit of armor that comes to life, action-packed stage combat, and Aslan, the impressive puppet. Even Father Christmas and one of his little elves make an appearance. If children’s productions are judged on how well they hold their audience’s attention, then “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe” definitely succeeds.
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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