Arts & Entertainment
A charming menagerie
WNO’s holiday opera a breath of fresh air despite uneven writing
Bass Soloman Howard plays a blustering king of the jungle in WNO’s new holiday opera, ‘The Lion, the Unicorn and Me.’ (Photo by Scott Suchman)
‘The Lion, The Unicorn and Me’
Through Dec. 22
Kennedy Center
2700 F St., NW
$44-$64
With the glut of saccharine holiday entertainment going around, it’s refreshing to catch a more genuine offering, and Washington National Opera’s newly commissioned holiday work, “The Lion, The Unicorn and Me,” gives us a delightful break from all the tinsel. While composer Jeanine Tesori’s opera doesn’t always rise to its promised heights, the story of a self-effacing donkey charged with carrying the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem is a go-to for anyone looking for holiday magic.
As director Francesca Zambello, a lesbian, announced on opening night, this was the first time in WNO’s 58 seasons that the company is premiering a new work composed by a woman. Tesori, a four-time Tony nominee for composition, often brought a light ironical touch to her score, yet the music also broke out into moments of stunning lyricism.
The Unicorn’s first act aria (ravishingly sung by Jacqueline Echols), as well as the Donkey’s introductory piece (in a great singing and acting performance by John Orduña), brought out the deeper tones of Tesori’s evocative skill. Too bad, then, that a lack of consistency nagged the work as a whole. The first act, featuring a child angel played by the sparkling Henry Wager, was almost perfect, but the one problem spot became a touchstone for the work’s greater inconsistencies.
In a troublesome sequence, the blustering Lion, brashly played by bass Soloman Howard, strides onto the stage in a jungle-motif militaristic costume accompanied by photographers and begins his appropriately arrogant aria. Suddenly, the piece takes flight with drums, a backup chorus (including the audience) and a melody that causes the heart to jump.
And then it dies on the vine.
Sadly, the same thing happened with act two. What started off with such promise in the first half lost its steam in the second. The opera seemed to suffer from a lack of focus in music and plot, becoming slightly redundant, before rallying for an inspiring end.
However the beauty of the story prevails overall, helped along by a moving libretto from gay poet J.D. “Sandy” McClatchy and an exciting production from Zambello. As told here and in Jeanette Winterson’s original book on which the opera is based, an angel needs to find the right animal for the holy job of getting Mary to that legendary stable, and all the creatures in the world apply. Costume designer Erik Teague smartly avoids the obvious, opting instead to mix animal characteristics with modern sartorial symbols — the glamorous Unicorn hoofs it in Lady Gaga’s famous heel-less boot and a ponderously slouchy hippo wears a hoodie and baseball hat.
The children’s chorus, beautifully on pitch and absolutely charming whether playing sheep or a menacing snake, rounded out a solid cast of adult ringers. Ian McEuen’s lyric tenor and Wei Wu’s incisive bass complemented their engaging performances in supporting roles, while mezzo-soprano Catherine Martin sang luxuriously as Mary (although her rough handling of the baby Jesus was enough to make one wince).
So if Tesori’s first crack at her opera needs some tweaking (as have countless premiered works before it), there’s still plenty of enchantment to engage audiences of all ages. The children present on opening night laughed loudly and clapped excitedly as various animals pranced across the stage or Mary gave birth to that oh-so-special child, but it wasn’t just the kids who were swept up in the story. In a season that often feels overblown and out of touch, the tale of a simple person discovering the gifts that lie within him feels like the best holiday present of all.
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].
PHOTOS: Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch
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