Jake Winn (Luke) and Christiane Noll (Eileen) in Kid Victory – Photo by Margot Schulman.
Luke is frightened. He can’t relate to anyone anymore and can’t explain where he’s been. At seventeen he vanished and now, one year later, he’s returned to his middle class home in small town Kansas. Was he taken or did he leave on his own? The police and the searchers never knew if they’d find him dead or alive. How will he explain his disappearance to a grieving community, a family whose deeply held religious convictions couldn’t, and can’t, help him and a girlfriend whom he refuses to see? “Why did you stay? What went on?” Detective Marks (Bobby Smith) asks of him. A cursory examination of the Stockholm syndrome would explain the conflict Luke endures.
Kid Victory is a haunting musical written by the legendary composer, John Kander (Chicago, Cabaret) and playwright Greg Pierce(Slowgirl). Its themes are both compelling and disturbing. They tell of a boy who’s made dangerous decisions he can’t come to terms with and a family who has too much invested in the prayer circles of the Heavenly Day Church to see beyond their blind faith to real human connection. Donna Migliaccio plays Gail, the family’s religious guide.
Donna Migliaccio (Gail), Bobby Smith (Ensemble), Laura Darrell (Ensemble), Parker Drown (Ensemble), Jake Winn (Luke) in Kid Victory – Photo by Margot Schulman.
Jake Winn plays Luke, aka ‘Kid Victory’, a name thrust upon him by Michael, aka ‘Yachticus’. Through an online gaming site the older Michael befriends the wide-eyed Luke, inviting him to meet up for a day of sailing. Jeffry Denman crafts a credibly evil portrait of a psychopath whose pastime is dreaming up Viking adventures that provide the plot with unusual musical levity while conversely contributing Michael’s ominous line to Luke. “To the west of pain is paradise,” Michael convincingly declares.
Jake Winn (Luke) and Jeffry Denman (Michael) in Kid Victory – Photo by Margot Schulman.
Christianne Noll as Luke’s Mother plays a domineering woman more concerned with china collections and churchgoing than her son’s mental anguish. She is perfectly partnered with Christopher Bloch, Luke’s Father, a man so accustomed to being dominated by God and his wife that he is emotionally out of touch.
Christopher Bloch (Joseph) and Jake Winn (Luke) in Kid Victory – Photo by Margot Schulman.
Against his mother’s wishes Luke takes a job working for Emily (Sarah Litzsinger), an offbeat garden shop owner reminiscent of author Armistead Maupin’s quirky Haight-Ashbury characters. Emily is a free spirit and Luke takes to her uncomplicated life like a fish to water. In “People Like Us” she lets him know that it’s okay to be different. Litzsinger is marvelous as the take-no-prisoners hippy who can travel to Kenya to help the poor, but can’t care for her own daughter, Mara (Laura Darrell).
Sarah Litzsinger (Emily) in Kid Victory – Photo by Margot Schulman.
Scenic Designer Clint Ramos creates the perfect triptych, dividing the stage into a living room, a boy’s bedroom adorned with childishly drawn sailboats, and Emily’s gnome-filled shop. A photographic backdrop of the beautiful Kansas wheat fields frames the conflict between freedom and isolation. Ramos draws in the dark side with a revolving bed that takes us into the clashing worlds of innocent boyhood dreams and Michael’s diabolical mind games.
How, you might imagine, can seventeen songs accompany this plot? Though the music and scenes transition through ballads, blues and comedic slapstick, they appear to do so seamlessly – – so seamlessly that some numbers segue one into another.
Liesl Tommy directs this riveting tale that will leave you indelibly moved.
Through March 22nd 2015 at Signature Theatre (Shirlington Village), 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. For tickets and information call 703 820-9771 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.
By Whisk and Quill Guest Writer, Cary Pollak March 3, 2015
Jose Andres’ Oyamel Cocina Mexicana restaurant is celebrating its Tequila and Mezcal Festival now through March 15th. The annual event, billed as a “Toast to the Heritage of Mexican Spirits” features specialty cocktails and dishes from around Mexico.
Complimentary tequila and mezcal tastings will be available in the newly expanded Butterfly Bar Tuesday, March 3rd – Thursday, March 5th, Monday, March 9th through Thursday, March 12th from 4 – 6 pm. Food and drink specials will be available from March 2nd – March 15th and company representatives will be on hand to explain what makes their brands unique.
Although most dishes and drinks in the festival are laced with some variety of chili pepper, professional fire-eaters need not apply. On the contrary, the chefs and drinkmasters have been careful to assure their beautifully balanced flavors shine through while allowing just enough heat to add a certain piquancy to finished cocktail. The wide variety of chili peppers incorporated into the recipes makes this festival a tasty tutorial on the complexities of Mexican culinary preparation.
Freshly made guacamole, salsa and chips.
Cocktails concocted by Beverage Manager and ‘Mezcalier’, Jasmine Chae, will warm your spirits. And the hint of chili spice swirled into each drink cheers the palate. ‘Media Naranja’ is prepared with Fidencia Clasico mescal, sour orange, habanero, egg white and bitters. Mezcal also is employed in ‘Paloma de Oaxaca’, mixed with grapefruit-jalapeno soda. Adding sweet vermouth and guajillo chili to Tequila Anejo creates ‘La Capital’. Or try ‘Pica Pepino’, a refreshing blend of Tequila Blanco, cucumber, serrano pepper and lemon.
The Media Naranja is colored with a splash of bitters on top.
As is typical of the festivals and special events put on by Jose Andres’ ThinkFoodGroup, Executive Chef Colin King and the culinary team at Oyamel have created outstanding dishes to complement the lyrical libations. The variety of types of chilies and their uses in the hands of these experts is impressive.
Executive Chef Colin King with Cary Pollak
Birria de Cabra, is Oyamel’s version of the Mexican goat dish ‘birria’ made with chilies and other spices. Aguachile Costeno Amarillo is a ceviche style dish featuring Hawaiian ono sliced and served over jicama, red onion, avocado, radish, and cilantro with a spicy sauce of chilecosteno amarillo and a puree of Mexican papaya. Panuchos de Pavocon Salsa Chilmole features the habanero chili with tender shreds of braised turkey leg served over a bean-stuffed and fried tortilla, topped with sour orange, habanero and tomato salsa along with pickled onions and avocado.
Oyamel is in the Penn Quarter at 401 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC , 20004. For more information or to make reservations go to www.Oyamel.com.
Kim Crawford Winery Debuts Small Batch Wines in America
My favorite way to taste wines is over a long and languorous meal. Not only does it afford the necessary time to let the wines breathe, but allows time enough for me to ponder their potential and assess their potability. To that end Matt Deller, Kim Crawford’s international Brand Ambassador, suggested a dinner at Lost Society in DC. Matt would be my guide to the micro-cuvées from New Zealand’s world-class Kim Crawford wines and I would be his willing guinea pig. A role that when it involves food or wine, I accept graciously.
Kim Crawford wines at Lost Society
The up-one-flight-of-stairs restaurant along the 14th Street corridor apologizes in menu notes for not being the stuffy setting of your father’s expectations. Nevertheless it considers itself “a true steakhouse”. There are also remarks preemptively excusing their penchant for indiscriminate tardiness in seating guests, even pre-apologizing for the noise level and the proximity of the tables. They do however aspire to adopt the cozy informality of at-home dining in the hopes of achieving what they refer to as, “the injection of a dynamic, animated experience”. Forewarned is forearmed. So don’t expect to conduct a hasty pre-theatre supper, an intimate conversation, or even a swift business meeting. Just sit back, relax and plan on being “in the Lost Way” as they prefer to describe the experience.
Blessedly none of these annoying lapses in comfort and courtesy came to pass at dinner. During our three hours of sipping, dining and ruminating we had some terrific food and exceptional wines from the newly launched Kim Crawford “Small Parcel” Reserve Collection.
To set the tone I ask you to put yourself in the beautiful countryside of New Zealand. Then conjure up the magical setting of the North Island, home to “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”. Now leap across the water and beyond the southern tip of that region to the northernmost end of the South Island. There you will discover the breathtaking mountains and deeply carved valleys of the Marlborough region – – the backdrop and unique terroir for these five wines.
We began with FIZZ. Akin to champagne and made in the same tradition, it is a charming sparkler made with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay grapes. It signals lemon, grapefruit, apple and white peach with a yeasty hint of brioche and caught my favor with its delicate effervescence.
We moved on to ‘Favorite Homestead’, a Pinot Gris from the Awatere Valley, that was particularly lovely. Its flavor profile develops from cooling Antarctic winds, silt loam soil and the Acacia wood barrels that are pressed into service in one fifth of the fermenting process. As such it climaxes in ripe honeysuckle, cinnamon, apple and pear notes.
Another charmer is the ‘Rise and Shine’ Pinot Noir made from grapes grown beside Lake Dunstan in Central Otago’s cool climate and low rainfall region. We sampled the 2012 vintage, which showed itself a tad youthful. A couple of years cellared would reveal its full range of blackberry, cherry, oak and spice flavors.
Crab stuffed lobster at Lost Society
Delicious dishes accompanied each of the wines which included the minerally “Wild Grace” Chardonnay, the “Spitfire” Sauvignon Blanc, and the “Rise and Shine” Pinot Noir. Once seated Lost Society doesn’t rush you and we took our time feasting on Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Stuffed Lobster with Blue Crab, Bone-in Ribeye with Mushroom Cream, Fried Caesar Parmesan Brussels sprouts and Pan Roasted Mushrooms. Dessert, if we had any, is a blur. I’m sure you understand.
Recently Constellation New Zealand, the producers of Kim Crawford and Nobilo wines spoke about their excitement for the 2013 harvest, believing it will be a memorable vintage and calling it the “Vintage of a Lifetime”.
New Zealand’s Chief Winemaker, Darryl Woolley noted, “the 2013 Marlborough growing season has been exemplary.” In addition to earning the distinction for being New Zealand’s driest growing season in about 70 years, the 2013 vintage has also benefited from the sunniest first three months of the year since 1930, rivaled in observed history only by the 1978 season.”
Speaking of the Hawkes Bay vineyards Woolley said, “We’ve had a perfect mix of warm, but not hot, days and cool nights. Rain fell at the right part of the growing cycle and, more importantly, did not fall during the critical period leading up to harvest. This resulted in a medium sized crop of exceptionally high quality grapes.” In-the-know wine experts around the world have also taken notice.
According to Mr. Woolley, consumers can expect flavorful, delicious white wines from the 2013 vintage. “The Sauvignon Blanc displays the complete range of ripe flavor components and zingy acidity without a hint of unripe green, vegetal notes.” In addition to the classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling “were all picked at the optimum date and are very varietal expressive with ripe, well balanced acidity.” With the Pinot Noir harvest concluded in late April in the Marlborough and Central Otago regions, he remarked, “The Pinot Noir has an excellent field balance, with soft, ripe acidity and tannins. We are especially looking to great things from the stunning Pinot Noir harvested from our Central Otago growers.”
“The reality is, we only got serious about growing Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough 30 to 40 years ago, so that’s as far back as we can go in comparing vintages. That said, we’re feeling confident that the 2013 vintage will easily be one of the best, if not the very best, of the past 20 to 30 years.”
Kim Crawford and Nobilo drinkers can look forward to these extraordinary 2013 vintage wines. To keep track visit ExperienceKimCrawford.com.
Here are some local retail stores where you can purchase Kim Crawford Wines.
Marbi – 1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036; Whole Foods Market – 1440 P St. NW, Washington, DC, 20005; Barrel House -1341 14th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20005; Sav On Liquors – 1414 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005; The Wine Specialist – 1133 20th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036; Trader Joe’s – 1914 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 – Barmy Wine & Liquor – 1912 L St. NW, Washington DC 20036; Harris Teeter – 600 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA, 22203.
Cast of Much Ado About Nothing. Photo by Koko Lanham.
Hot Diggity Dog Ziggity Boom! In Synetic Theater’s jived up version of Much Ado About Nothing Las Vegas’s flamboyant landscape of feathered and sequined showgirls becomes the backdrop for Director Paata Tsikurishvili’s reinvention of the beloved comedy and the next installment in the troupe’s “Silent Shakespeare” series. In his interpretation Beatrice (Irina Tsikurishvili) is a lovelorn lounge singer and Benedick (Ben Cunis) her castoff lover who are reunited in her Uncle Leonato’s (Peter Pereyra) casino. Much to each other’s dismay.
Benedick has joined Don Pedro’s (Philip Fletcher) gang the ‘Syneticons’ and blown into town on their boss motorcycles – – gleaming single-wheel choppers designed by Props Master Kasey Hendricks and Technical Director Phil Charwood. Soon gang member Claudio (Scott Brown) falls hard for Don Pedro’s daughter Hero (Emily Whitworth) and that’s when the jealousies, betrayals and backstabbing ruses begin.
Scott Brown as Claudio and Emily Whitworth as Hero. Photo by Koko Lanham.
In this Grease meets West Side Story meets Car 54 Where Are You? fantasy the comic relief is often provided by a hilarious trio of cops led by the Chief of Police, Dogberry, purposely overplayed by Vato Tsikurishvili. The cut-ups give chase to the lawless gang in slapstick routines worthy of Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy. Of particular note is Zana Gankhuyag who plays Asian cop, Verges.
Choreographer Irina Tsikurishvili pulls out all the stops, letting the dancing dictate the period. In a departure from the dark side dynamic that infuses many of Synetic’s productions, the cast’s mood and infectious enthusiasm is flat-out joyful. Girls jitterbug in poodle skirts with James Dean bikers clad in leather and tight jeans while the super-fly theme from Peter Gunn takes it into overdrive.
Ben Cunis as Benedick. Irina Tsikurishvili as Beatrice. Photo by Koko Lanham.
It’s a doo-wop mash-up of oldies from back in the day as Sound Editor and Composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze and Music Director Irakli Kavsadze conspire to bring back Chubby Checker with ‘The Twist’, Bobby Darin’s “Dream Lover” and the era of “Beach Blanket Bingo”. Actually a few decades overlap here, but who cares, it’s an idealized backdrop for teenage angst and puppy love. So even if the Chippendales didn’t launch their striptease act till 1979, we don’t mind these hot male dancers doing a bit of bump-and-grind along with a game of strip poker. And though Leonato reminds us a bit of Al Pacino in the 1980’s Scarface and the preacher is a Black Elvis (Wait! Was that James Brown?), it’s fun to play along.
Photo by Koko Lanham.
As expected there is breathtaking dancing and gravity-defying acrobatics from the classically trained Georgian troupe. And although it gets off to a bit of a slow start, after a few minutes in it explodes in full-throttle Synetic-styled mania fueled by dancers that look as if they’ve been just waiting to cut loose and show their cool daddy-o side.
Dig it! It’s like crazy, man, crazy!
Through March 22nd at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington in Crystal City. For tickets and information call 866 811-4111 or visit www.synetictheater.org.
(L to R) Jessica Frances Dukes as Tonya and Bowman Wright as King in King Hedley II – Photo by C. Stanley Photography
Hangin’ in the hood in the 1980’s wasn’t so very different than it is today. In playwright August Wilson’s King Hedley II we find that guns, gambling, alcohol, drugs, teen pregnancy and prison time informed the toughest inner city neighborhoods and still does. It bears mentioning in light of the recent incidents in Ferguson and New York City, that this play reflects a societal atmosphere that is not much changed. The final play of Wilson’s ten-part cycle dives headlong into the seamy side of the African-American experience, setting the play in Pittsburgh’s rough Hill District (it’s still a dangerous place) and creating characters that appear to have stepped out of a Thomas Hart Benton mural or a Shakespearean tragedy.
Bowman Wright plays King Hedley, a man out of luck, out of money and out of opportunities. (Coincidentally Wright played another King – – as in Martin Luther King, Jr. – – in Arena’s earth-shattering production of The Mountaintop favorably reviewed here in April 2013.)
In this concentrated circle of life King is married to Tonya (Jessica Frances Duke), a young woman who aims to escape the ghetto and avoid another unwanted pregnancy through her steady job. Ruby (E. Faye Butler), a feisty yet endearing matriarch who rules the neighborhood and brooks no jive talk, has raised King with high hopes for his post-prison redemption. But Mister (Kenyatta Rogers) King’s crony and partner in crime has other ideas to raise fast cash for their hoped-for video store and hooks King up selling hot refrigerators while making plans for an armed robbery. In a world of dead ends there are few options and many temptations.
(L to R) Michael Anthony Williams as Elmore and E. Faye Butler as Ruby in King Hedley II – Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
When the notorious gambler Elmore (Michael Anthony Williams) returns after serving time for murder, Ruby, who has a past with Elmore, warns, “He talks sugar and gives salt.” Elmore teases her, “You still pretty. You just old.” In this hood there’s plenty of colorful trash talking to go around and enough gallows humor to lighten the load.
Bearing witness is the graybeard Stool Pigeon (André De Shields) – – a bible-spouting newspaper hoarder whose wisdom and experience is lost on the men’s nefarious activities. “God’s got a plan,” he warns them, “and God is a bad mother****er!”
André De Shields as Stool Pigeon in King Hedley II – Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
Director Timothy Douglas, who has directed most of Wilson’s plays, brings a concentrated pathos to the stage, setting the play in the round to reflect the cyclical nature of the characters’ lives and the destructive outcome of their interdependence. Douglas keeps the actors onstage, or perched nearby, at all times, intertwining their lives amid the concrete wreckage of designer Tony Cisek’s sparse set.
Composer and Sound Designer Ryan Rumery evokes the period with soulful strains reminiscent of the era. In fact some of the play’s lines seem grabbed straight from the lyrics of that tumultuous period.
Bowman Wright as King and the cast of King Hedley II at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater – Photo by C. Stanley Photography.
The cast is tight, tight, tight. Wright, undoubtedly one of the country’s pre-eminent actors, delivers another brilliantly intense performance. But so too, do Butler, whose comic timing is dead on, Williams, who creates an Elmore who is as unctuous and riveting as a snake oil salesman, and De Shields whose portrayal of Stool Pigeon is award-worthy.
Tough and gritty, but highly recommended.
Through March 8th at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St., SE, Washington, DC 20024. For tickets and information call 202 488-3300 or visit www.ArenaStage.org.
This year’s Washington Humane Society’s annual Sugar & Champagne Affair was a fabulous event for dogs and dog lovers. Once again guests and their beloved canines filled the atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center with all manner of things sweet, sparkly and even savory. After all, we must have a balanced diet. For the 14th straight year many of our area’s preeminent chefs showed off their talents to benefit the Society and pay tribute to their Field Services team who last year responded to over 18,000 calls to help animals in need.
Guests gather in the atrium
This delicious event that puts the “fun” back in fundraiser, was conceived by Ellen Kassoff Gray. Ellen, who serves as chairwoman of the host committee, co-hosted the posh event along with husband and uber chef Todd Gray. Together the DC power couple own Equinox Restaurant, while Todd doubles his chef duties as Culinary Director of the Salamander Resort & Spa in the tony horse country of Middleburg, VA.
As always many of the attendees were of the adorable canine sort. Pooches of all stripes, some dressed to the nines and others au naturel, strutted their stuff to the delight of the guests.
Liz Sara, Founder of Best Marketing, LLC with Crystal) // Kristine Saja’s, Quinn, adopted from the Washington Humane Society and pretty in pink
Salamander Resort Public Relations Manager Vanessa Casas serves seared tuna and accompaniments
Sweet Potato and Anise pastries from Slate Wine Bar and Bistro // Marinated shrimp from Richard Sandoval’s new Mango Tree restaurant
One of the most memorable pastry displays was designed by the kitchen staff of the International Trade Center whose talented crew is known for creating miniature dessert masterpieces. They deserved to take a “bowwow” for their pâte à choux Animal Park that perfectly fit the evening’s theme. Using the versatile, classic French pastry dough, best known to most dessert lovers as the crusty part of the éclair, they fashioned a “Puff Poodle,” “Choux aux Kitty,” “Vanilla Pooch Puff” and lots more pup-themed treats.
Pate a Choux display // Choux aux Kitty pastries
Be sure to keep a slot open on your calendar for the 2016 Sugar & Champagne Affair. It’s a worthy cause and a rollicking good time for you and your four-legged friends.
