Arts & Entertainment
The conundrum of chance
Team behind hit ‘Normal’ returns with pre-Broadway D.C. debut
Idina Menzel and James Snyder in ‘If/Then.’ LGBT issues percolate in two sub-plots in the new musical. (Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy National Theatre)
‘If/Then’
Through Dec. 8
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
800-514-3849
Do you ever wonder to what extent chance rules your destiny?
The new musical “If/Then” starring Broadway megastar Idina Menzel as a woman on the precipice of a new life does. Not just how chance affects the individual, but also how the ripple effect of our lives impacts in significant and small ways the fate of those around us.
The neatly titled but rather rambling “If/Then” (currently premiering at the National Theatre before moving on to Broadway) centers on Elizabeth (Menzel), an urban planner in her late 30s. We meet her at a pivotal time — after 10 years mired in an unhappy marriage and professional doldrums in Phoenix, Elizabeth returns solo to New York, her city, eager to get her life right. From here, the musical cuts back and forth between two narratives, both possible realities for our heroine. As “Beth,” she concentrates almost solely on her career; but as “Liz,” she makes love and family more of a priority. Though very different, neither of these paths is particularly less traveled, nor are they immune from hardship.
Even though Brian Yorkey’s book with its sometimes confusing parallel stories is cleverly conceived and keeps the audience on its collective toes, the show unfolds unevenly — the plodding first act is followed by a brisker, high drama second. Its most notable achievement however, is the fleshed out character of likable Elizabeth. As the data-obsessed but down-to- earth PhD, Menzel, who famously created the parts of Maureen, the wild bisexual performance artist in “Rent,” and, of course “Wicked’s” green-faced witch Elphaba, gets to show off her considerable acting chops.
“If/Then” reunites Tom Kitt (music) and Yorkey (book and lyrics) and director Michael Greif (the team behind the commercial/critical hit musical “Next to Normal”). It also brings together a truly stellar, pitch-perfect diverse cast to portray Elizabeth’s friends and love interests including handsome James Snyder as Josh, a low-key Nebraska born ER doctor and army reservist. Anthony Rapp plays Lucas, an intense affordable housing activist who earns his living as a barista and is bisexual. Tony Award-winning LaChanze’s Kate is an innovative, upbeat kindergarten teacher and Liz’s biggest cheerleader. And Kate’s roving-eyed partner Anne is beautifully underplayed by Jenn Colella, who identifies as gay offstage too. Jerry Dixon is Stephen, Beth’s unhappily married boss.
The action takes place in Madison Square Park and other Manhattan locales. The cost of housing and the banishment of lower income residents from the city’s increasingly exclusive ranks is a recurring topic. Mark Wendland’s striking two-tiered set boasts leafy trees and fire escapes. It lightly suggests parks and smoothly morphs into work and living spaces. At one point, we see Elizabeth speaks to us from her tiny, cramped bathroom. We see her from the vantage point of peering through the other side of the mirror above the sink.
Clocking in at almost three hours, the show covers a lot: the relevance of chance, career, family, New York City and marriage. (There are two subplots involving same-sex marriages!) One of the “If/Then’s” quieter moments is Menzel’s wistful delivery of “Walking By a Wedding” just after intermission. Later in the second, Menzel belts it out with the crowd-pleasing power ballad “Always Starting Over,” displaying her voice and range to full advantage. It’s in this song that our Liz hashes out her choices and comes to grips with the concept that every day is a new opportunity to begin. It’s a stirring theatrical moment and makes up for the musical’s flashes of sitcom-ish humor and occasionally awkward staging.
Today’s musical fairy tale isn’t happily ever after. It’s more fall in love even when the odds strongly favor failure. If it works out, great. If not, at least you tried. For a woman like Elizabeth who worships at the altar of numbers and doesn’t believe in accidents, letting go isn’t easy. “If/Then” advises giving it a shot.
Fairfax City Pride was held at the Sherwood Center (3740 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax, Va.) on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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D.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
Bars, clubs have busy lineups; Pride on the Pier returns
Capital Pride’s date change isn’t slowing down the festivities. Back in December, the Capital Pride Alliance shifted the calendar for Pride celebrations in the nation’s capital from the second weekend of June to two weeks later to the weekend of June 20-21 to not conflict with President Trump’s birthday and 250th anniversary of America celebrations, with the aim that “our community can gather safely and without unnecessary barriers… We are protecting our space and preserving Pride as a powerful act of visibility, solidarity, and resistance.”
On the heels of WorldPride last year, the city shows no sign of slowing down. Instead, restaurants, bars, clubs, and neighborhoods are taking the opportunity to be even more visible. The Blade has put together a (non-comprehensive) list of parties, activations, and activities across town:
Pride on the Pier returns on Saturday, June 13 to the Wharf on the Southwest waterfront. The event, sponsored and hosted by the Washington Blade, is free and runs from 4-9 p.m. There will be vendors, DJs, and drag performances all day. VIP tickets are $25 and come with air conditioned party room, private bathrooms, and free cocktail. More details at prideonthepierdc.com.
Capital Pride Official Opening Party: RIOT! is the official opening dance party of Capital Pride, taking place Friday June 19, 9 PM-3AM. The 2026 edition headlining performer is Myki Meeks, a finalist of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 18; Bob The Drag Queen will perform a special set. DMV-area DJs and performers include: Bambi, Baphomette, Bumper, Cake Pop!, Connor, DJ Ed Bailey, DJ Diyanna Monet, Evry Pleasure, Jakknife Complex, Mari Con Carne, Pussy Noir, WessTheDJ. Trade owner Ed Bailey is producing the event.
Kinetic Presents brings the heat across the entirety of Pride weekend as well. It again is partnering with Capital Pride Alliance to produce four events over four days this Pride, including the Official Main Event on Saturday (the Friday official event is at Echostage). Kinetic’s parties are splayed across various D.C. venues, with special performances, massive productions, shirtless dancers, play zones, dance-forward audio and visuals, and international DJ talent. Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM at District Eagle is Lust, with music by Dan Slater and TOMI. Friday, June 19 at 10 PM is UNCUT XXL Heavy Load, at A.i. Warehouse in Union Market District, with music by Alex Acosta, Felipe Lira & Mitch Ferrino; the party is a “high-octane night of muscular house and tribal rhythms.” Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM brings that official main event, Kinetic Toy Land, at Echostage, with music by GSP & Matt Suave. Alaska Thunderfuck headlines. Sunday evening June 21 at 10 PM closes with discoVERS at SAX. A portion of tickets supports the DC LGBTQ+ community through Capital Pride Alliance.
9:30 Club always comes in clutch for the LGBTQ community. Already in June, it produced Kitty Kat Ball on June 7, and Kiesza performed on June 8. On June 20 at 10 PM, the famed Mixtape party hits the stage, care of gay DJs Shea van Horn and Matt Bailer, who have spun together for coming up on two decades. Mixtape has been held at several venues across the city over those years, and now settled on 9:30 Club for Pride. On June 25 at 7 PM, Big Freedia – the bounce artist from New Orleans – hits the 9:30 Club scene for the eighth time, as part of the Big Freedom Tour.
Crush: New this year from the 14th Street bar is the Pride Pop-Up, sitting pretty in the parking lot at 1820 14th St., N.W., at the corner of Swann Street by the start of the Pride Parade route. Hours are Friday from 2-10 PM and Saturday from 12-10 PM. Friday evening features Grizzly Bear Happy Hour, a DJ will set up shop on Saturday, and for those needing another layer, there’s a Crush merch store. Co-owner Mark Rutstein “has always wanted to throw a party in that parking lot, so he did,” said co-owner Stephen Rutgers. Note that Crush (the bar) will have a cover on Friday and Saturday.
Kiki: Over at Kiki, there’s a full slate of Pride-themed programming all week. Tuesday, June 16 at 9 PM brings karaoke; Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM is trivia; Thursday June 18 at 9PM is “Night of 1000 Tatianna’s Drag Show”, and Friday June 19 at 9 PM brings the Juneteenth Serve Drag Show. Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM, post-parade, is a Pride Dance Party with DJ Lemz. Sunday daytime at 5 PM is the Father Figures Daddy Issues Special Drag Show; and after the festival at 8 PM, DJ Tezrah hits the tapes.
Jane Jane: Right along the parade route, gay-owned Jane Jane has transformed its space into a “No Kings, Yas Queens” activation in a direct response to the America 250th commemorations happening downtown, from the colorful window installation, to merch (including a custom bandana and tank) to disco wig installations. Events include industry night on Mondays, donations to LGBTQ charities, and to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade.
Shaw’s Tavern: Gay-owned Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue celebrates Pride week with a full lineup of themed events, entertainment, and specials, including Pride trivia on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 PM, bingo on Tuesday, June 16 at 8 PM, a cabaret on Thursday, June 18 at 9 PM, Juneteenth Drag Brunch on Friday, June 19 at 12:30 PM, and both a pre-parade brunch (10 AM-4 PM) and post-parade party (5-9 PM) on Saturday, June 20. Sunday, June 21 at 7 PM brings Mama’s Sunday Supper & Drag Pride Show in the evening for anyone who is still awake.
Trade: This classic has a weekend of events, starting on Thursday, with Tiburon Pride Edition, a Latin Dance party in the Shark Tank. On Friday, the bar opens early (at 2 PM), with all-day happy hour and the Jx&Evry Show. On Saturday, the bar opens at noon, offering a prime parade viewing spot from its windows. There will be the CLASH drag show hosted by Tatianna and Crimsyn, and Sweet Spot party that night. On Sunday, the bar opens for normal hours at 2 PM, with DJs Adam K, Alex Love, and WESSTHEDJ.
Pitchers: The multi-level bar in Adams Morgan is hosting a Pride-themed show on Thursday, June 18 at 10 PM, with drawstring bag giveaways – the only kind of bag that will be allowed into the bar during Pride weekend. The show features drag queen Kyle Sonique Love.
Barrel House Cafe and Bar: Also by the parade route on 14th Street, Barrel House Cafe takes advantage of its large patio to have a slate of events during Pride week, including Schism, a drag and burlesque show on June 18 at 10 PM, as well as an all-day Pride party coinciding on parade day.
Bunker: Bunker again plays host to a series of afters. Friday night (Saturday 3:30 AM) is Unhinged, and Saturday night (Sunday 3:30AM) is Unholy. The regular Saturday night party (10 PM) brings in Venetian and Tiara Missou. All parties have cover charges.
District Eagle: Beyond the Kinetic party on Friday, June 19 brings Gear Night at 10 PM; Saturday, June 20 at 10 PM is LOBO presents PRISM, and Sunday, June 21 is Sundaze wit Papi at 6 PM.
African Art Museum: On Thursday, June 18 at 5 PM, this Smithsonian museum is hosting a free event with artists and curators celebrating its exhibit, “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” “based on years of close collaboration and dialogue with African visual art practitioners who claim belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, however they define those terms,” according to the museum.
KNEAD Hospitality & Design: The gay-owned KNEAD restaurant group (including spots like Gatsby, Mi Vida, Succotash The Grill) is featuring the GLITTERATI cocktail, made with Tito’s, St-Germain Elderflower, Butterfly Flower, ginger, and yes, glitter. A portion of proceeds from every Glitterati cocktail sold will benefit The Trevor Project. The cocktail will be sold throughout June.
The Fountain Inn is partnering with Rhodium spirits (Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ+ owned distillery) all month, making cocktails like gimlets and espresso martinis featuring Rhodium’s liquors. Proceeds benefit SMYAL, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
Hard Rock Cafe: Hard Rock DC is taking part in the chain’s annual “LOVE OUT LOUD” campaign, with Pride merch, specials on June 20, and a donation to The Trevor Project.
The D.C. Front Runners held the 14th annual 5K Pride Run at Congressional Cemetery on Saturday, June 6.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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