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.
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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