Arts & Entertainment
Faith in flux
Serio-comic ‘Calvary’ is finely played murder mystery
Brendan Gleeson, left, and Chris O’Dowd in ‘Calvary.’ (Photo courtesy Fox Searchlight)
“Calvary” opens with a bombshell.
“I first tasted semen when I was 7 years old,” is the rather shocking opening line of this fine new film by Irish writer and director John Michael McDonagh, a darkly comic existential murder mystery that delves into the riddles of faith, sexuality, revenge and ultimately forgiveness. It opens today (Friday) at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring and continues its run at the Angelika Film Center Mosaic and the Landmark E Street and Bethesda Row Cinemas.
The line is spoken to Father James (the magnificent Brendan Gleeson) in the confessional. An unseen male parishioner reveals that he was raped repeatedly by a priest (now dead) when he was a child. He also reveals that he has developed a monstrous plan for vengeance. “I’m going to kill you, Father,” the man announces calmly. “There’s no point in killing a bad priest. I’m going to kill you because you’re innocent.”
He gives Father James until the following Sunday to settle his affairs. In the week he has left, the priest tends to his tattered flock and family while stoically facing escalating acts of resentment and violence against him. The tiny Irish village on the coast of County Sligo is full of hidden secrets and desires and the townspeople slowly turn against Father James despite (or possibly because of) his innate goodness.
The movie is anchored by Gleeson’s powerful performance. The barrel-chested actor (perhaps best known to American audiences as “Mad Dog” Moody in the Harry Potter movies) is a commanding screen presence whether he’s quietly listening to his troubled parishioners or striding across a windy beach. His craggy face is incredibly expressive; his subtle responses to the horrific revelations of child abuse and the terrifying threat against his own life during the opening scene in the confessional are a master class in cinematic acting.
He is given strong back-up from a solid supporting cast, each character providing a fresh set of challenges for the overwhelmed cleric. His troubled daughter Fiona (played by rising British star Kelly Reilly) arrives for a visit with her wrists wrapped in bandages from a botched suicide attempt. (She ruefully observes that she should have sliced down instead of across.)
Her arrival forces the priest to address his conflicting roles as Father and father, especially Fiona’s feelings of abandonment from when Father James entered the priesthood following the death of his wife. As the two slowly explore and tentatively begin to rebuild their relationship, he visits his other parishioners, who are also now suspects in his impending murder.
They include the troubled triangle of Jack, Veronica and Simon. Veronica is the bored unfaithful wife of Jack, the local butcher, played by Chris O’Dowd (known for his breakout role in the comedy “Bridesmaids” and his Tony-nominated performance opposite James Franco in “Of Mice and Men”). Her latest lover is the African mechanic Simon Asamoah. The tangled trio sneer at Father James while still reaching out to him for guidance and attention.
There’s also the decadent banker Michel Fitzgerald, who tries to buy the respect of the priest; cynical surgeon Frank Harte, who debates the existence of God with Father James; lovelorn Milo; and disgruntled pub owner Brendan Lynch, who remembers Father James’ drinking days all too clearly. Finally, there’s Father James’ chilling prison meeting with local serial killer Freddie Joyce (played by Gleeson’s real-life son, Domhnall) who is unrepentant for his brutal crimes.
Father James turns to other authority figures for help with his crisis, but to no avail. He dismisses his fellow priest Father Leary as a man with the soul of an accountant. His oily superior Bishop Montgomery declares that Father James can break the seal of the confessional, but offers no further help. The corrupt Detective Inspector Gerry Stanton rails against the sexual immorality of others, but hides his relationship with rent boy “Good Time Leo,” another victim of clerical abuse who has adopted a Brooklyn accent and other affected mannerisms from American mobster movies.
Finally, Father James befriends two visitors to the village who welcome the kindly advances of the compassionate priest. Teresa Robert is a French woman who meets Father James when he administers last rites to her husband who has been killed in a car crash. She engages the priest in a moving conversation about faith and death. Gerald Ryan (played by American character actor M. Emmet Walsh) is an elderly expatriate American author who worries that he will not finish his final novel before his death.
Despite a few missteps (some awkward shifts in tone and some self-indulgent cinematic tricks), McDonagh deftly weaves these stories together as Father James travels inexorably to his meeting with the man who has threatened to murder him. Each of the characters is part of a complex tapestry that brings together the specific impact of the clerical abuse scandal and the collapse of the Irish economy with the universal themes of forgiveness, mortality, guilt, sexuality and the countless casual cruelties human inflict on each other, consciously and unconsciously. Calvary is a thoughtful and provocative film that tackles challenging issues with compassion and searing wit.
Bars & Parties
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour held at Thurst Lounge
Impulse Group DC, a local advocacy organization, will host “Giving Tuesday and Happy Hour” on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Thurst Lounge.
This event is a special happy hour fundraiser filled with good vibes, great food, and community connection. DJ Obie will be on deck keeping the energy high while you enjoy tacos, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere only Thurst can deliver.
A portion of every signature cocktail sold goes directly toward supporting Impulse Group D.C.’s work in sexual health, mental health, harm reduction, and social justice for the D.C. community.
Admission is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Friday, November 28
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen Bar. 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, November 29
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.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.
Sunday, November 30
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Coffee and Conversation” at 12 p.m. at As You Are. Guests are encouraged to come and enjoy stimulating conversation. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, December 1
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.
Tuesday, December 2
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. Email [email protected] with any questions.
Friends of Dorothy Cafe will host “Choose Our Blend” at 6 p.m. at Stardust Vintage & Gift. Guests are encouraged to come sip, sample, and vote on a lineup of custom coffee blends from Rustic Route Coffee Co., a DMV-based queer-owned roaster. Guests’ votes will help Rustic Route choose the café’s official signature roast. Event organizers will take donations, and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, December 3
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 www.thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, December 4
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
API Queer Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Theater
D.C. theater scene has something for everyone this holiday season
‘Nutcracker,’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and much more
With its familiar music, yuletide imagery, and storytelling, theater can be a big part of the holidays. Add to that making memories and theater tickets wrapped as presents under the tree, and it’s a seasonal no brainer.
Folger Theatre presents “Resplendent Joy: Christmas Traditions from Spain and Portugal” (Dec. 5-14); the marvelous Folger Consort will perform early Spanish Christmas carols and traditional holiday music from early modern Spain and Portugal: folger.edu/resplendent
At Round House Theatre, playwright Sam Holcroft’s “Rules for Living” (Dec. 3-Jan. 4) makes its U.S. premiere. The darkly funny holiday comedy was a hit in London and is now hoping to repeat that success with a version tailored for the states. The seven-person cast includes versatile actors Naomi Jacobson and real-life spouse John Lescault. Ryan Rillette directs. roundhousetheatre.org
Theatre J presents “Chanukah in the Dark” (Dec. 6-21), an hour-long play ideal for ages five and up. “When the lights go out during Chanukah, Max and family begin sharing songs, stories, and traditions — only to discover the lights they needed and the miracles they searched for were in their midst all along.” edcjcc.org
The Cathedral Choral Society’s “Joy of Christmas” (Dec. 13-14) presents a wonderful program of carols and beloved holiday favorites at the festively decorated National Cathedral. The program features Seraph Brass, organist Edward Hewes, Carillonneur Edward M. Nassor, percussionist Mary La Blanc of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, and the Eastern Concert Choir from Eastern Senior High School. Cathedralchoralsociety.org
With “The Holiday Show,” (Dec. 13, 14, and 20), the Gay Men’s Chorus returns to entertain audiences with its annual and most popular show.
This year the holiday extravaganza is bigger than ever at historic Lincoln Theatre with new, soulful arrangements of favorite holiday carols: “The reindeer will be high-kicking and the snowflakes will sparkle. Songs include “O Holy Night,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Let It Snow,” “We Wish You the Merriest,” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.’” gmcw.org
At Olney’s intimate Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab, out actor Michael Russotto is back for the holiday season in his solo show “Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” (through Dec. 28). The talented Russotto portrays nearly 50 different characters from the Charles Dickens classic, that proves “funnier and far more relevant than you might imagine.” Olneytheatre.org
Also on holiday offer in the DMV are a jolly bunch of musical chestnuts as well as reliable Christmas crowd-pleasers.
Included on the roster is Olney Theatre’s production of Jerry Herman’s “Hello, Dolly!” (through Jan. 4) starring the mega-talented Nova Y. Payton. Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by famed gay playwright Thornton Wilder, the musical has proved a vehicle for many a diva including Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Bette Midler, and Barbra Streisand. Now Payton dons the mantle and the buzz is good.
Another beloved musical is “Fiddler on the Roof” (through Jan. 25), the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, his family and their tight-knit community who honor tradition while contending with pogroms in Czarist Russia. Currently being performed intimately in the round at Signature Theatre in Arlington and directed by Joe Calarco, the large cast features actors Douglas Sills, Chrisopher Bloch, and terrific out actor Jake Loewenthal as the poor tailor Motel Kamzoil, all singing Broadway favorites like “Sunrise, Sunset” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker.” sigtheatre.org
At Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall is Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls” (through Jan. 4). Based on tales from famed American journalist Damon Runyon, the show focuses on two overlapping love stories set in Depression-era Times Square. The terrific score includes songs like “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” and more songs you’ll know. Directed by Francesca Zambello and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse.
The cast includes Julie Benko, Lamont Brown, and Holly Twyford as General Matilda B. Cartwright, which is reason enough to buy a ticket. shakespearetheatre.org
And for hardcore traditionalists there’s the Washington Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (through Dec. 29) with its balletic magic at the charming gilded Warner Theatre. The beloved production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, here set in 1882 Georgetown, features a retinue of agile partiers, children, soldiers, rats, and notable figures from American history. washingtonballet.org
And last but hardly least, historic Ford’s Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” (through Dec. 31), an enduring Washington tradition since I was youngish. Conceived by Michael Baron, this charming Dickens’ moneymaker again spotlights Craig Wallace as miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who after a night of ghostly visits, rediscovers Christmas joy. Fords.org
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Comings & Goings
Impulse Group DC to host fundraiser
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Happy Thanksgiving to all
D.C. theater scene has something for everyone this holiday season
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Happy Thanksgiving to all
