The Shakespeare Theatre Company is presenting in repertory their hero/traitor plays of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, directed by David Muse and Schilhiller’s Wallenstein, translated and adapted by Robert Pinsky and directed by Artistic Director Michael Kahn. Patrrick Page stars as the hero Coriolanus and Steve Pickering is the traitor Wallenstein. Both are marvelous as is the entire cast. Special kudos to Diane D’Aquila and a deep bow to the drummers in Coriolanus. What a success these two plays are. They close June 2nd at the Sidney Harman Hall. Highly recommended.
Albrecht Dürrer (1471-1528) is presently the focus at the National Gallery of Art, East Building. What a revelation this exhibition is. Many of the paintings, watercolors and prints are on loan from the Albertina Museum in Vienna. Most of his earliest drawings were made with pen and ink, a technique that became a favorite throughout his career. It is a large exhibition and a stunning one at that. This is a golden opportunity for you to view such a master. On view until June 9th.
Theatrer J as part of their Locally Grown Supported Arts Festival is presenting the Artistic Director Ari Roth’s play Andy and the Shadows. It is about a Jewish family with their memories, are they fact or fabrication. How true is your memory. Fantasy or truth. It is directed by Daniella Toopol and stars Alexander Strain. Theater J is doing the theater community a serrvice by presenting new plays and I applaud them for it. Closes on May 5th.
Ford’s Theatre is where you will find he Jerry Herman musical Hello Dolly starring Nancy Opel as Dolly and Edward Gero as Horace Vandergelder.I is a musical for all ages and great fun. Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of signature Theatre is the director. James Moor is the music director, and Karma Camp the choreographer. It is a co-production of Ford’s Theatre Society and Signature Theatre. If you like wonderful songs, dancing, singing, acting you will enjoy it and you have until May 18th.
2,600 years of world history in one iconic object, that being the Cyrus Cylinder is now on view at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, The Cyrus Cylinder refers to the first “bill of human rights”. Many of the objects are small so a good idea might be to bring a magnifying glass . It is not a large exhibit but an important one. It closes on April 28th. A scholarly catalog is an added asset to this exhibition..
4000 Miles is a play written by Amy Herzog and she is one you want to keep your eye on.Tthis play directed by Joy Zinoman is terrific. It stars Tana Hicken as Vera an aging grandmother and her young grandson played by Grant Harrison. It is a story about relationships with all its positive and negative aspects. It has its tragic moments but also is very funny. It runs ninety minutes without intermission and is highly recommended. Closes on May 5th.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company presented Senator Fred Thompson in Expert Witness: was a conversation about the Bard and legal matters. Ex-Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) is as you know an accomplished actor in film and television, especially Las and Order. Abbe Lowell host4ed the program. When Mr. Thompson was asked if he ever wanted to do theater, he answered: Well yes, I would liked to have done Macbeth”. What about your film career; What is the favorite film you have be in. And he said “The Hunt for Red October.” a delightful evening, which was followed by a reception.
The Phillips Collection has a new exhibition revealing anew perspective on Abstract Expressionism. It feture Polloxck, Dubullet and Ossorio. Ossorio is the surprise and a wonderful one at that. It features 55 paintings and works on paper from 1945-1958. Pollock (1912-1956) Dubuffet (1901-1985) Ossorio (1916-1990). Well worth seeing. Closes on May 12th
The National Gallery of Art has a most interesting exhibition entitled Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Art and Design 1848-1900. This is the first major survey of the Pre-Raphaelites and it features 130 paintings sculptures, works on paper and decorative art objects. They were Britaiin’s first avant garde movement. A wonderful exhibit. It is quite large so take your time. A stunning catalog accompanies the exhibit. West Building until May 19th
The world premier of Tazewell Thompson’s play Mary T and Lizzy K is now playing at the Arlene and Rober Kogod Cradle theater at Arena Stage.. It tells the story of the friendship of Mary Todd Lincoln and her dressmaker Lizzy Kexdkly, a freed slave. There is a lot of history in this play. It stars Naomi Jacobson as Mary and Sameerah `Luqmaan-Harris as Lizzy. Stormy relationship and at the same time a loving one. Played without intermission. You have until April 28th to catch it..
