Arts & Entertainment
‘Company’ and beyond
‘Carrie’ actress recalls memorable Stritch encounters
Barbara Walsh as Margaret in ‘Carrie: the Musical.’ (Photo courtesy Studio Theatre)
When Barbara Walsh was preparing to play Joanne, the iconic character created by the legendary Elaine Stritch, in the Broadway revival of “Company,” friends were quick to point out that she had large shoes to fill.
“That’s OK,” the actress wryly responded. “I have really large feet.” She also adds, “And they keep getting bigger with age. Bunions are hell.”
Walsh, now onstage as Margaret White in “Carrie the Musical” at Studio Theatre, which runs through Aug. 3 (studiotheatre.org) was shocked when she heard that Stritch died last Thursday.
“It’s a huge loss to the Broadway community,” she says.
When Walsh was in previews for “Company” in 2006, the New Yorker wanted to do a joint interview with the new and old Joanne. As Walsh arrived at the Carlyle (Stritch’s long-time residence in Manhattan), Stritch looked her up and down and declared in her stentorian voice, “Oh, you’re too young to play the part.” Walsh did not mention that she was older than Stritch was when she originated the role.
Stritch, of course, dominated the interview (which was unfortunately never published), but Walsh remembers that the two had a lovely conversation about composer Stephen Sondheim. As Walsh was leaving, Stritch said she was looking forward to seeing the new production, but wouldn’t tell her when she was coming to see the show so she wouldn’t make the younger actress nervous.
As reimagined by British director John Doyle, the Broadway revival of “Company” featured the actors doubling as the orchestra. As the hard-drinking Joanne, Walsh played the triangle and other percussion instruments, most memorably striking a martini glass with a swizzle stick. The cast never left the stage, so Walsh had plenty of time to scan the audience. One night she spotted a woman in an aisle seat in the fifth row dressed in white from head to foot, including, of course, a white hat.
“It was Stritch,” Walsh says. “You couldn’t miss her.”
After the show (“It was a lovely performance”), Walsh was headed from the wig room to her dressing room when she heard a voice booming down the stairwell. “Where’s Barbara?” Stritch bellowed. She descended the staircase and gently grabbed Walsh by the face, quietly saying, “That was just wonderful.”
“It was such a magical moment, a moment I’ll never forget. We just won’t see anyone like her ever again.”
Now Walsh has several pairs of large shows to fill as she tackles the role of Carrie’s murderous mother. There were Piper Laurie and Julianne Moore on the big screen, and Barbara Cook, Betty Buckley and Marin Mazzie in earlier productions of the stage musical. Walsh did not see those other stage performances, but she does remember watching the famous Brian De Palma film for the first time as a teenager.
“I remember being absolutely terrified of Piper Laurie,” she says. “Her performance was simply amazing. Seeing her come down the stairs in her nightgown carrying that knife was delicious. … When you’re playing a role with this rich history, you just have to stay on track and tell the story. It’s an amazing story about a lot of fascinating things.”
For Walsh, the essence of the character is a mother who is terrified of letting her daughter go, rather than religious zealotry or sexual repression, although these elements are also important. The key to the role is deep maternal love.
“That helps me to tell her story in a more grounded way. It was important for me to play the humanity against the madness. I was also very interested in the role reversal between the mother and daughter. It is terrifying to Margaret when Carrie takes over. When Carrie unleashes her telekinetic powers at the end of act one, Margaret is suddenly in uncharted waters. That is very interesting to play.”
One of the most complicated moments for the tangled character is the haunting act two ballad, “When There’s No One.” It illuminates Margaret’s tortured decision to kill her daughter. Walsh says it’s “such a beautiful song, an unbearable life-shifting moment for Margaret that leads to her psychotic break.” She credits the creative team of Michael Gore (music), Dean Pitchford (lyrics) and Lawrence D. Cohen (book) for laying out the moment so well in the script and creating such a multi-layered song.
Despite the excellent writing, Walsh still says the song was a struggle.
“It’s not easy. It’s a very tricky shift and I’m still finding it in some ways.”
Before the song starts, Margaret watches Carrie cross the sage in her home-made prom dress. As Walsh watches Emily Zickler, she says, “a tiny smile that quickly goes away crosses my face. I don’t know if anyone notices, but for me, its Margaret’s last moment of humanity before the madness takes over. The song starts a cappella — that was my decision — because Margaret is super vulnerable in that moment. The song brings together all of Margaret’s conflicting emotions, that she needs to save Carrie’s soul, that she wants to stop her daughter from making the mistakes she made, her anger that Carrie will leave her for someone else, her fear that Carrie will be taunted again and her dread of the horrible loneliness she will feel when Carrie is gone.”
Born in Chevy Chase, the D.C. native calls New York home now, but has returned to the area to star in Studio’s 2008 production of “Grey Gardens” and in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at Center Stage in Baltimore earlier this year. In addition to “Company,” Walsh’s Broadway credits include “Blood Brothers,” “Hairspray,” “Nine” and “Falsettos,” William Finn’s ground-breaking musical about AIDS. Walsh is thrilled to be back at Studio Theatre tackling this incredible role, but is looking forward to returning to her husband (Jack Cummings, artistic director of the Transport Group) and dog in Manhattan.
Out & About
Team DC’s annual gala set for this weekend
LGBTQ sports organization to hold annual ‘Night of Champions’
Team DC will host “Night of Champions Gala” on Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Marriott.
This will be an evening of celebration and inspiration as Team DC honors remarkable individuals and supports the next generation of LGBTQ student-athletes.
There will be opportunities to support Team DC through auctions. The Silent Auction items will offer an array of unique goods and experiences. Additionally, Team DC will feature an exclusive selection of live auction items for those looking to make a significant impact.
This year, Team DC will recognize six outstanding awardees who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ community and sports:
- Trailblazer Award – Adam Peck, District Wrestling
- Most Valuable Person Award – Sean Bartel (posthumously)
- Champion Award – Dan Martin
- Clark Ray Horizon Award – Manuel Montelongo, aka Mari Con Carne
- Bernard Jude Delia Award – Dr. Sara Varghai
- Platinum All Star Award – Centaur Motorcycle Club
To purchase tickets, visit Team DC’s website.
Television
‘The Pitt’ stars discuss what season two gets right about queer representation
Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden spoke with Blade in LA
As season two of “The Pitt” comes to a close this Thursday, stars Noah Wyle and Taylor Dearden are looking back on what this season got right about queer representation.
“There is some intentionality behind it, but it’s not necessarily for the representation to be anything other than human or ubiquitous to anyone that would come into an emergency room,” Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, told the Los Angeles Blade at PaleyFest event in Los Angeles on April 12. “I know that we’ve done some storylines with some gay couples, and we did a storyline in season 1 where a woman comes in who’s cut her arm, who’s trans. But in both of those storylines, that wasn’t the point.”
Wyle continues, “In doing it that way, and not making a point of orientation being part of the problem that brings you to the emergency room, we have been told in feedback that that has been extremely revolutionary, almost, and extremely appreciated. But that’s true whether we do storylines with any kind of minority or a person with a disability. We try to have a cosmology of cast and representation on the show that’s indicative of what you find in Pittsburgh.”
Dearden, who plays Dr. Mel King, echoed Wyle’s sentiment: “I think constantly battling tropes is always important. It’s not a show about romance; it’s a show about real life and a shift in the ER. The more we represent everyday people going through everyday life, they just happen to be queer, they just happen to be trans, and making it not the plot, is putting everyone on equal playing [field]. You don’t have to have a big coming out scene.”
Queer representation on “The Pitt” is also notable through the actual actors themselves, including openly queer actor Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan (who didn’t attend PaleyFest after the news that she is not returning for season three), and Amielynn Abellera, who plays Perlah Alawi.
“Doctors don’t put value judgments on who they treat,” Wyle concludes. “That’s not a luxury extended to them, and so that’s not part of our storytelling.”
The season two finale will air Thursday, April 16, on HBO Max, while season three has already been confirmed and is currently being written.
a&e features
Queery: Meet artist, performer John Levengood
Modern creative talks nightlife, coming out, and his personal queer heroes
John Levengood (he/him) describes himself as a modern creative with a wide‑ranging toolkit. He blends music, technology, civic duty, and a sharp sense of wit into a cohesive artistic identity. Known primarily as a recording artist and performer, he’s also a self‑taught music producer and software engineer who embodies a generation of creators who build their own lanes rather than wait for one to appear.
Levengood, 32, who is single and identifies as gay and queer, is best known as a recording artist who has performed at Pride festivals across the country, including the main stages of World Pride DC, Central Arkansas Pride, and Charlotte Pride.
“Locally in the DMV, I’m known for turning heads at nightlife venues with my eye-catching sense of style. When I go out, I don’t try to blend in. I hope I inspire people to be themselves and have the courage to stand out,” he says.
He’s also known for hosting karaoke at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va., on Thursday nights. “I like to create a space where people feel comfortable expressing themselves, building community, and showcasing their talents.”
He also creates social media content from my performances and do interviews at LGBTQ+ bars and theatres in the DMV. Follow the Arlington resident @johnlevengood.
How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?
I have been fully out of the closet since 2019. My parents were the hardest people to tell because my family has always been my rock and at the time I couldn’t imagine a world without them. Their reactions were extremely positive and supportive so I had nothing to fear all along.
I remember sitting on the couch with my mom, dad, and sister in our hotel room in New Orleans during our winter vacation and being so nervous to tell them. After I finally mustered up the nerve and made the proclamation, I realized my dad had already fallen asleep on the couch. My mom promised to tell him when he woke up.
Who’s your LGBTQ hero?
My LGBTQ heroes are Harvey Milk for paving the way for gays in politics and Elton John for being a pioneer for the fabulous and authentic. My local heroes in the DMV are Howard Hicks, manager of Green Lantern, and Tony Rivenbark, manager of Freddie’s Beach Bar. Both of them are essential to creating spaces where I’ve felt welcome and safe since moving to the DMV.
What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?
Trade tops the list for me because of the dance floor and outdoor space. It’s so nice to get a break from the music every once and a while to be able to have a conversation.
We live in challenging times. How do you cope?
I’m still figuring this out. What is working right now is writing music and spending time with family and friends. I’ve also been spending less time on social media going to the gym at least three times a week.
What streaming show are you binging?
After “Traitors” Season 4 ended, I was in a bit of a show hole, but “Stumble” has me in a laughing loop right now. The writing is so witty.
What do you wish you’d known at 18?
At 18, I wish I would have known how liberating it is to come out of the closet. It would have been nice to know some winning lottery numbers as well.
What are your friends messaging about in your most recent group chat?
We are planning our next trip to New York City. If you can believe it, I visited NYC for the first time in 2025 for Pride and I’ve been back every quarter since. Growing up in the country, I was subconsciously primed to be scared of the city. But my mind has been blown. I can’t wait to go back.
Why Washington?
It’s the closest metropolitan area to my family, but not too close. I love the museums, the diversity, the history, and the proximity to the beach and mountains. It’s also nice to live in a city with public transportation.
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