Arts & Entertainment
Porter’s penchant
Late gay composer at zenith in masterful ‘Anything Goes’
Rachel York as Reno Sweeney in ‘Anything Goes.’ (Photo by Joan Markus; courtesy Kennedy Center)
‘Anything Goes’
Through July 7
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
$25-$115
202-467-4600
kennedy-center.org
Corny but true: Even before the curtain goes up on Kathleen Marshall’s revival of Cole Porter’s 1934 musical comedy masterpiece “Anything Goes” now playing at the Kennedy Center, a smile is likely to form. It starts when the orchestra (led by a skipper’s cap-clad conductor) strikes up Porter’s primo overture and — for me anyway — remained pretty fixed for the entire show.
Set on a tony transatlantic crossing from New York to England, “Anything’s” zany plot includes romance, madcap intrigue and disguise, but mostly it’s the show’s classic-packed score with tunes like “Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “Easy to Love,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-lovely,” “Anything Goes,” (And that’s in the first act alone!) that has been wowing crowds for decades.
Central to the wacky action is evangelist-turned-nightclub-singer Reno Sweeney played to bawdy-glam perfection by Broadway’s Rachel York. Turned out in gorgeous Martin Pakledina-designed gowns, York wisecracks like Mae West and belts out Porter tunes with the best of them. She’s also working with top-notch supporting actors like Fred Applegate, who plays Moonface Martin, the likable gangster who ranks a disappointing 13th on the FBI’s most-wanted list as his sailor-hungry sidekick Erma (Joyce Chittick) is wont to remind him. York and Applegate are especially appealing singing that terrific duet of one-upmanship “Friendship.”
York also shines singing “You’re the Top” with her unrequited love interest but generally nice guy Billy Crocker (Josh Franklin), and later successfully pairs off for the very funny tango “Gypsy in Me” with unlikely beau (the doltish British aristocrat Sir Evelyn Oakleigh played by Edward Staudenmayer).
The production is a first rate national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony Award-winning revival. Both directed and choreographed by Marshall, it boasts a stylish nautically deco set by Derek McLane, stuffed pets, loads of fun and a wonderful, crowd-pleasing old time tap dance extravaganza involving sexy chorines, debutantes, well-built sailors, a Christian missionary with a pair of not-so-pious Chinese converts in tow, and a cast that brings the show’s stock characters to life.
Over the years, a lot of big names have played Reno (Ethel Merman who originated the part on Broadway, Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster), and now York makes the dame her own. Not for a minute will you find yourself wishing one of the other ladies were on hand to reprise the role. York possesses the presence of a star from yesteryear, and with those pipes and that breezy interpretation, she’s made to sing Porter.
Spring and summer are coming together nicely at the Kennedy Center. Since the end of May, the fabulous Sarah Wayne Callies has been assaying the role of the romantically ambivalent Hungarian actress in Ferenc Molnár’s “The Guardsman” (ends Sunday) in the Eisenhower Theater. And now York, another fabulously talented leading lady, has taken residence in the Opera House, performing in a very different production through July 7. Both are giving performances that will be talked about a lot when Helen Hayes Awards are again doled out next spring.
Porter, who was gay, is remembered for his incomparably clever lyrics and blissfully melodic tunes. “Anything Goes” is considered the best work from arguably the best period of his long career. Now is an opportunity to bask in some of that heavenly genius.
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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