Music & Concerts
Messy familial dysfunction handled adroitly in Woolly’s ‘Hir’
Resentment, sadness, anger and sadistic cruelty make for a memorable and often uncomfortable theatrical experience
Mitch Hebert and Emily Townley in ‘Hir.’ (Photo by Scott Suchman; courtesy Woolly Mammoth)
‘Hir’
Through June 18
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
641 D St., N.W.
$35 and up
202-393-3939
Woolly Mammoth is never afraid to go there. In the company’s unsettling and exceedingly well-acted production of Taylor Mac’s dark comedy “Hir,” a hideously dysfunctional family becomes scarily relatable. That their resentment, sadness, anger and even flashes of sadistic cruelty are frequently recognizable makes for a memorable and often uncomfortable theatrical experience.
After serving an overseas stint in the Marine Corps assigned to Mortuary Affairs Unit, Isaac (Joseph J. Parks) returns home seeking the familiar but what he finds is anything but. The formerly orderly, modest house is a mess. His once despotic father Arnold (Mitch Hébert) has suffered a stroke and has lost the ability to hold the family in his abusive grip. Isaac’s mother Paige (Emily Townley), Arnold’s longtime punching bag, is now in charge and for her that means subverting the patriarchy. She dresses her disabled husband in a woman’s pink nightgown and feeds him smoothies laced with estrogen to keep him docile. He sleeps in a box in the living room.
Isaac’s 16-year-old sister Max is now a wispy, whiskered transgender anarchist who uses the pronouns ze and hir (pronounced here). Max is played as a precocious, though typically self-involved, teen by Malic White whose real life pronouns are they/them/theirs. With Arnold no longer able to push them around, Paige and Max are exploring arts, culture and shifting the paradigm. Paige has hitched her wagon to her son’s dreams. There’s humor here but it’s never too far removed from tragedy
We soon learn that Isaac was dishonorably discharged after caught doing crystal meth. Paige is more curious than angry. She loves her son and is happy to have him home, but she insists he follow her new protocol. Her rules are designed to make her husband miserable: No cooking. No cleaning. No TV. Keep the air conditioning on high. And no empathy whatsoever is to be shown toward Arnold.
While Isaac acknowledges his father’s failings and history of abusive behavior in a poignant monologue, he still longs for order and some sort of patriarchal structure. So inevitably a battle of wills ensues. And while Paige revels in her new-found liberty, she remains mired in a sick living situation. And she’s not afraid to fight dirty when her way of life is threatened. Adeptly and fearlessly led by director by Shana Cooper, the talented actors superbly convey the family dynamics and baggage that such a mother/son struggle entails.
Adding to the family’s general disappointment is their longtime home, a starter house built atop a landfill, marvelously realized by set designer Misha Kachman. After living in the house for decades, the interior is still unfinished. There’s exposed insulation and framing, and by Paige’s design, a colorful mess of colossal proportion comprised of assorted junk, toys, piles of laundry, a doll house made from toilet paper cardboard tubes and a Christmas tree.
Playwright Taylor Mac, who uses judy (lowercase) as a gender pronoun, began writing “Hir” years ago, yet the work is particularly timely. The playwright describes divisive politics and explores whether people with different politics can ever truly coexist. Are different opinions acceptable? Is it imperative to compromise to heal? After years of abuse is healing even achievable? “Hir” asks these questions and more.
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).
The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.
For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.
Music & Concerts
Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall
Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.
One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.
Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.
RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.
Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.
All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.
BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.
Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.
Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.
Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.
Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.
Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.
Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.
Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.
Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.
Opera Lafayette
Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido
+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm
Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I
PostClassical Ensemble
The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature
Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Terrace Theater
Washington Concert Opera
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
October 19, 5 p.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Music & Concerts
Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia
Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live
Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.
Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.
Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.
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