Arts & Entertainment
Turner’s triumph
Actress gives tour de force as late liberal columnist
Kathleen Turner as Molly Ivins in ‘Red Hot Patriot.’ (Photo by Mark Garvin for Philadelphia Theatre Co. via Arena Stage)
‘Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins’
Through Oct. 28
Arena Stage
1101 Sixth Street, SW
$46-$94
202-488-3300
Since her death from breast cancer at 62 in 2007, journalist Molly Ivins’ voice has been sorely missed. An unapologetic antiwar liberal renowned for her biting humor, Ivins railed against injustice throughout her newspaper career, championing women, minorities and society’s have-nots. She brilliantly lampooned politics (particularly in her native Texas), and hilariously skewered rightwing politicians including George W. Bush whom she famously dubbed “Shrub.”
With “Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins” — now at Arena Stage starring Kathleen Turner — audiences get the chance to revisit the late great Ivins’ life, wit and work.
Penned by identical twin sister journalists Margaret Engel and Allison Engel, the one-woman bio drama (well almost one woman, there is a robotic copy boy played by Nicholas Yenson who silently appears now and then) opens in an old school newsroom where Ivins is struggling to write an article about her father, a lifelong Republican nicknamed “the General.” When Ivins takes a break, a combination of projected images and her past articles spat from an AP wire machine work together to joggle her memory, prompting 75 minutes of scattered reminisces.
Turned out in a denim shirt, jeans, flashy red cowboy boots and a curly red wig, Turner — despite the now signature halting delivery and almost labored breathing — gives a strong performance oozing with energy and charm. She fits well into the role of down home whiskey-voiced raconteur, delighting audiences with tales and quotes drawn from some of Ivins’ best columns; and, of course, anyone who’s seen Turner make obscene phone calls to Mink Stole in “Serial Mom” knows she’s very funny.
Staged capably by David Esbjornson, “Red Hot Patriot” also gives brief glimpses into darker parts of our ballsy heroine’s not always charmed life. Turner handles these moments beautifully too. Beneath the humor and easy Texas ways, Ivins was a complicated woman who knew heartache, disappointment and rage. Boyfriends died too young. The cancer came later. About her battle with the bottle, she says, “Alcohol may lead nowhere but it sure is the scenic route.” Humor was not only good for getting readers’ attention, it also tempered feelings.
Ivins identified with the outsider from early on. As a six foot tall, freckled debutante in conservative 1950s Houston, she felt out of place and knew her parents’ country club lifestyle wasn’t for her. After graduating from Smith College and earning a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, she went to work at a paper in Minneapolis followed by six wonderful years at the Texas Observer, a lone voice of liberalism in a very red state. She was with the New York Times for a while but was fired for referring to a New Mexico chicken slaughtering festival as a “gang pluck.” Ivins returned to her beloved Texas where she found a wealth of material covering local and later national politics.
As Ivins, Turner comments on a series of Texas politicians some of whose projected headshots loom large behind her. Concerning a state representative, she says, “If his IQ gets any lower, we’ll have to water him twice a day.” She reminds us how she warned the world about the dangers of a George W. Bush presidency in not one but two books.
And toward the play’s end, she says, “It’s not about left and right, it’s about up and down, the few screwing the many.” Ivins may no longer be around to give her inimitable take on American politics, but there’s no doubt where she’d stand on the issues.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. 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 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and 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.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and 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 27
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 you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
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.
Thursday, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer 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 Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Calendar: May 23-29
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