Stage: There will be those who will embrace the Shakespeare Theatre Company's current production of King Lear as bold, political, and über-entertaining. They will marvel at the cleverness of the sets, the transformation of Lear's Olde England into a 21st century (vaguely) Eastern European tinpot regime. And they will find the spasms of nudity, real-time violence and unsentimental sex totally in synch with current expectations for anything "indie," or, for that matter, CSI.
But for those of us who prefer their Shakespeare unadorned, whose idea of seeing it live is to be drawn inexorabinexorably into the language -- and in the case of Lear, the unfolding of a particular kind of madness -- these rather too clever trappings are a frustration. Though we would like to spend our time with these actors, savoring their interpretations, seeing what they can bring to this disturbing tale of familial destruction, we are thwarted. Barraged with an endless stream of exciting props, ostentatiously choreographed violence and culturally charged fashion, we end up doing little more than playing catch-up to our emotions. Lear needs spaces and silences, director Robert Falls gives us far too few.
Keach in 'King Lear'
Mostly holding his own amid the stimuli is a grizzled Stacy Keach in the title role. Unlike the pared down Frost/Nixon, in which he offered emotion with the hunch of a shoulder and the flex of his jaw, here Keach must play it way larger than life just to avoid obsolescence in this crash-boom-bang of a production. But how, under such circumstances, can anyone hope to generate the pathos Shakespeare so carefully weaves into the disintegration of this huge and powerful personality? ...more
But for those of us who prefer their Shakespeare unadorned, whose idea of seeing it live is to be drawn inexorabinexorably into the language -- and in the case of Lear, the unfolding of a particular kind of madness -- these rather too clever trappings are a frustration. Though we would like to spend our time with these actors, savoring their interpretations, seeing what they can bring to this disturbing tale of familial destruction, we are thwarted. Barraged with an endless stream of exciting props, ostentatiously choreographed violence and culturally charged fashion, we end up doing little more than playing catch-up to our emotions. Lear needs spaces and silences, director Robert Falls gives us far too few.
Keach in 'King Lear'
Mostly holding his own amid the stimuli is a grizzled Stacy Keach in the title role. Unlike the pared down Frost/Nixon, in which he offered emotion with the hunch of a shoulder and the flex of his jaw, here Keach must play it way larger than life just to avoid obsolescence in this crash-boom-bang of a production. But how, under such circumstances, can anyone hope to generate the pathos Shakespeare so carefully weaves into the disintegration of this huge and powerful personality? ...more
Spree: Some retail proprietors don't care much for the lingering, "I'm just looking," sort of patron. Not so with Erin Mara and Henriette Fourcade, owners of Homebody, "outfitters for contemporary living." Rather, they'd like you to think of their shop -- offering a dizzying range of items, from greeting cards to Gus* furniture -- as something much more inviting. "It's like an interesting gallery/living room," says Mara. "I've never liked high-end stores full of pretension. We're trying to create a relaxing environment." They're also trying to help the community with events such as an upcoming fundraiser for One In Ten, this Saturday, June 27, featuring musician Laura Tsaggaris. Stop by for some tunes, exotic teas, a table or nearly anything else you can think of to feather your nest, at 715 Eighth St. SE. Hours are Tuesday to Satuto Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Call the shop at 202-544-8445, send e-mail to contactus@homebodydc.com, or visit online at www.homebodydc.com.
Cuffs and Stuff
Why stop with your home when you can primp yourself, too? Try the rustic cuff for $54.95 for a bit of butch, paired with the distressed leather belt with wooden buckle for $74.95. The locally made cufflinks are $120, bracelet with moonstone amethyst for $89.50, or knitted sterling bracelet for $60. And a bit of billiard ball never looked so good, hanging here from a sterling necklace for $140.
Boogie Woogie Bookends
Nothing says reliability and determination like Rosie the Riveter. Let Rosie prove that's she's got what it takes to secure your titles for the duration with these stone-resin beauties inspired by America's WWII factory home front. The set sells for $39.95. ...more
Cuffs and Stuff
Why stop with your home when you can primp yourself, too? Try the rustic cuff for $54.95 for a bit of butch, paired with the distressed leather belt with wooden buckle for $74.95. The locally made cufflinks are $120, bracelet with moonstone amethyst for $89.50, or knitted sterling bracelet for $60. And a bit of billiard ball never looked so good, hanging here from a sterling necklace for $140.
Boogie Woogie Bookends
Nothing says reliability and determination like Rosie the Riveter. Let Rosie prove that's she's got what it takes to secure your titles for the duration with these stone-resin beauties inspired by America's WWII factory home front. The set sells for $39.95. ...more
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (AP)A youth choir from a Texas church the Southern Baptist Convention cut ties with because it didn't adhere to the denomination's stance on homosexuals has been told they aren't welcome to participate in a Kentucky Baptist mission program.
The Broadway Baptist Church Chapel Choir, made up of high-schoolers, was informed Monday that it was "uninvited" to participate in the University of the Cumberlands' Mountain Outreach program, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The Southern Baptist Convention voted during its national meeting in Louisville last week to sever ties with Broadway Baptist C ...
From Washington Blade staff reportsStephen Andrew Moller, who was convicted in June 2008 for the death of Sean Kennedy, was released from prison early after serving one year, according to a press release from the Human Rights Campaign.
Witnesses testified at Moller's trial that he uat he used anti-gay slurs when beating Kennedy outside a Greenville, S.C., bar in May 2007.
“This adds insult to injury. To release a man just one-year after his sentencing in this heinous crime and to inform the victim's mother through an automated recording is despicable,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Sean Kennedy was vio ...
From Washington Blade staff reportsThe CEO of Window Media and Unite Media has resigned from his position after eight years with the company to pursue another position in the finance industry.
David Unger announced his resignation Wednesday to employees. The Window Media portfolio includes the Washington Blade.
In a statement, Unger said he's leaving “for an excellent opportunity in New York” and that his departure “will have no effect” on the Blade or other Window Media publications.
“I will be around to help if needed and I wish everyone the best,” he said.
Unger's resignation leaves Mike Kitchens, chief ...
Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, an LGBT-focused business advisory group based in San Francisco, has scored a major get for its annual summit this fall: John Berry, the openly gay director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today picked Ronald E. Albers for a judgeship on the San Francisco County Superior Court.
Theresa Sparks, the transgender woman who has served two terms as president of the city’s police commission, has ruled out running for a third term. When she first won the coveted seat by one vote back in 2007, Sparks became the first transgender person to head a city oversight panel. But her ascension led to [...]
In a shocking announcement on Friday, Alaska Gov. and former vice-presidential ential candidate Sarah Palin announced she is resigning from office. 
In Oakland Park, Florida at least... The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has been working to get local governments to support an act to eliminate "don't ask, don't tell." The Oakland Park City Commission passed the Military Readiness Enhancement Act unanimously. 
The Westboro Baptist Church clearly knows no boundaries. 
The gay minister who survived a challenge by religious conservatives will take his post Friday
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief asks for outside review of gay bar raid
Rumer Willis is heading to '90210' where she'll play a lesbian character
Dear Annie: Please forgive us for stealing this image from your site without permission, but we think this pic is totally hot, we think you’re, like, totally cool, and we’re, like, totally plugging you. OK? No, darlings, not Anna Duke, as in Patty Duke (who, by the way, is appearing live, along with Bruce Vilanch, at [...]
Mennonites protest church exclusion of gays (Columbus, Ohio) In a quiet act of defiance, gay and lesbian Mennonites dressed in bright pink gathered outside the church’s official convention in Columbus on Thursday and criticized its leaders for trying to push them out. About 100 ministers and church members prayed, sang religious hymns and told stories of feeling [...]
Not that India’s radical religionists aren’t going batpoo ballistic — they are, of course: India’s ban on gay sexoverturned after 150 years LAWS dating back to the British Raj that banned gay sex have been overturned in a landmark judgment in India’s capital. The 150-year-old section 377 of India’s penal code, introduced when the British ruled the subcontinent, [...]
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