Warp Speed Slapstick Marks Comedy of Errors from Shakespeare Theatre Company
Comedy of Errors Shakespeare Theatre Company Jordan Wright September 19, 2024 Special to The Zebra
The cast of Comedy of Errors. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
With the clang of a massive ship’s bell and the cry, “Stowaway!”, Director Simon Godwin’s Comedy of Errors begins. An august gentleman, Egeon (Timothy Stickney), a merchant from Syracuse, has been arrested and is being questioned by Duke Solinus (Eric Hissom), nay, threatened with beheading if he doesn’t pay a hefty fine for trespassing. He explains he nearly lost his life in a tempest at sea. But rules are rules, the Duke explains, and Egeon must find money to satisfy the law. He has his life, for now, but has lost his wife Emilia (Amanda Naughton), twin boys and their twin servants.
In the terror of the storm, they became separated. That’s the setup. Antipholus needs to find his brother, father, wife and mother and come up with the dough (ducats) to spare his father’s life. Bear in mind there are twin sons and their respective twin servants – all operating separately – and unbeknownst to one another, the bizarre fact they had all washed up on the Ephesusian shore.
Shayvawn Webster and Cloteal L. Horne in Comedy of Errors. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Sheer madness and near-terminal mistaken identity abound at supersonic speed. If you don’t know the plot going in, you’ll be spinning your wheels to keep up with these wacky doings. Other characters and side plots help ratchet up the action. At times I wondered if I was watching a mashup of Buster Keaton meets Steve Martin meets Lucy and Ethel in all their slapstick glory. Deliciously clever! Switcheroo at its highest and best use.
Hats off to Composer Michael Bruce for the interludes played by a delightful group of musicians – I noted a mandolin, guitar, piano, banjo and accordion who roamed the stage singing an amalgam of musical ditties between the rapid-fire comings and goings of the players. An intercom doorbell scene and the goofy beatings of the servant Dromio had the audience roaring, as did many of the prickly puns and nutty shenanigans.
Eric Hissom, Shayvawn Webster, Cloteal L. Horne, Kimberly Dodson, and Ralph Adriel Johnson in Comedy of Errors. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
Magic, spirits and mystifying encounters factor into many of Shakespeare’s plays and this early farce of his is no exception. When crazed conjurer Pinch (Eric Hissom in this dual role) arrives all hell breaks loose in a whirlpool of Vaudevillian confusion and absurd props (forceps!!!) meant to break the spell and find love lost. He does and they do. Deep sigh…
Comic timing is everything and this cast was on fire. If your head is not spinning after this marvelously choreographed mayhem, you need to have it examined.
Highly recommended!!!
Alex Brightman and David Fynn in Comedy of Errors. Photo by Teresa Castracane Photography.
With Ralph Adriel Johnson as Antipholus of Ephesus; Christian Thompson as Aintipholus of Syracuse; David Fynn as Dromio of Ephesus; Alex Brightmanas Dromio of Syracuse; Shayvawn Webster as Adriana; Cloteal L. Horne as Luciana; Pearl Rhein as Angela; Kimberly Dodson as Thaisa; Paige Rammelkamp as Marina; Camilo Linares as Sergeant/Officer; Ro Boddie as Balthazar; and Jacob Brandt as Roderigo.
Choreography by Nancy Renee Braun; Scenic Design by Ceci Calf; Costume Design by Alejo Vietti; Lighting Design by Stacey Derosier; Sound Design by Christopher Shutt; Fight Choreography by Robb Hunter; Wig & Hair Design by Charles G. Lapointe; Dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg.
Through October 20th at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202 547-1122 or visit www.ShakespeareTheatre.org.
A Visit to Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Salon Brings Non-Stop Hilarity at Arena Stage
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Arena Stage Jordan Wright September 13, 2024 Special to The Zebra
Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam) and Mia Ellis (Jennifer) in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. (Photo/T. Charles Erickson Photography)
Full Disclosure: I have never experienced the mysterious realm of an African hair braiding salon. In this comedy, the employees of Jaja’s salon come from Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria – a veritable polyglot of personalities. That’s the frame.
The larger story here plays out in the sisterhood of these braiders – their shared struggles, their families, their dreams and how they strive to keep it together against all odds, some of those odds being the men in their lives. As immigrants – some are legal, some not – all are vulnerable, hardworking and super street stylish.
Groundbreaking, Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh invites us to enter this wildly hilarious immigrant microcosm situated in one small, candy-colored, Harlem-centric salon. I’m hooked. The audience is hooked too. Many nodding and laughing with the recognition of the perils and pleasures of locs, twists, box braids, cornrows, spiraled ends and all manner of intricate braiding styles. (N. B. There is actual braiding going on during the play.)
(Photo/T. Charles Erickson Photography)
Conflicts and professional jealousies clash in this small space. Stealing clients is definitively a no-no. How the politics and precarious balance of these fraught relationships work, is a mystery to me. Yet within this glorious bird’s eye view of a Black hair salon lies humor – tons of it – and that proves to be the glue to secure the ladies’ camaraderie as well as the braids.
Jaja (Victoire Charles) is the glamorous owner of this petite enclave. She enters like a queen oozing style and spunk in equal measure. We don’t meet her until the second act, but her essence hangs over the salon where her daughter, college valedictorian Marie (Jordan Rice), manages the day-to-day operation. There’s Miriam (Bisserat Tseggai) fighting for her new-found identity; Aminata (Tiffany Renee Johnson) who caves to her abusive husband but stands up for Bea (Awa Sal Secka), and Ndidi (Aisha Sougou) who is a temporary hire until her own salon can be rebuilt. Ndidi’s talents are more in demand than Bea’s which fires up Bea, the pot-stirrer, giving her yet another reason to start a fight. She’s a regular gladiator swiping and posturing and throwing her weight around the salon, bent on intimidating everyone. Jennifer (Mia Ellis) is Miriam’s client for the day. A sober-minded journalist who’s never had braids before and is clueless how long the process takes. “I feel like I’ve moved in for the day!” she exclaims. She has.
Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata) and Colby N. Muhammad (Vanessa/Sheila/Radia) in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. (Photo/T. Charles Erickson Photography)
The four stylists and a few of their clients, bicker, tease and diss each other, although they all seem inured to the back-and-forth verbal jousting. I’m content to be far away from the claws and paws. I’ll take it as normal, a snapshot of a braiding salon. Is it called a “salon”? No matter. It’s wildly entertaining. So is the shop’s TV on which runs soap operas from Africa and snippets of Beyoncé’s music videos. It’s complicated, also non-stop hilarious. The audience is falling out of their seats laughing.
What results is a kaleidoscope of zany bits – heightened and condensed into a wonderland of characters. It seems I’ve gone down a rabbit hole and I like it. It’s impossible to single out any one actor in the cast, because each one is superb, as are those playing the clientele whose entrances and exits are as surprising as their crazy, well-drawn characters.
Highly recommended! Could there be a sequel?
Awa Sal Secka (Bea), Jordan Rice (Marie), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata), and Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam) in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. (Photo/T. Charles Erickson Photography)
With Melanie Brezill as Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece; Yao Dogbe as James/Franklin; Colby N. Muhammad as Vanessa/Sheila/Radia.
Directed by Whitney White, Set Design by David Zinn, Costume Design by Dede Ayite, Lighting Design by Jiyoun Chang, Original Music and Sound Design by Justin Ellington, Video Design by Stefania Bubarella, Hair and Wig Design by Nikiya Mathis, Dialect and Vocal Coach Yetunde Felix-Ukwu.
Through October 13th at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20024. For tickets and information call the box office at 202 488-3300 or visit www.ArenaStage.org.
Jordan Wright September 15, 2024 Special to The Zebra
This year the annual DC Theatre Week runs from September 26th through October 13thcelebrating the launch of the theatre season. Now’s the time to snag tickets to over 30 ongoing productions from musicals and plays to new works, comedies, children’s shows, improvs and classics. Tickets range from $20 – $60. A sweet deal for theater mavens! Go to www.TheatreWeek.org to sign up for discounts.
Faithless Washington Stage Guild
Sept 26 – Oct 20
Find more information at: www.StageGuild.org
9th Annual Scripts in Play Festival (Free)
Avant Bard
Oct 4 – Oct 20
Find more information at: www.AvantBard.org
Kennedy Center Clue– through Oct 6 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Oct 11 – 20 Spells of the Sea – Oct 12 – Oct 20 Fidelio – Washington National Opera – Oct 25 – Nov 4
Find more information at: www.Kennedy-Center.org
Marlene
Expats Theatre at Atlas
through Oct 20
Find more information at: www.AtlasArts.com
Romeo and Juliet
Folger Theatre
Oct 1 – Nov 10
Find more information at: www.Folger.edu
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
Oct 19 – Nov 9
Find more information at: www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Frida Libre
GALA Theatre
Oct 12 – Oct 28
Find more information at: www.GALATheatre.org
Disney’s Frozen
Olney Theatre
Oct 24 – Jan 5
Find more information at: www.OlneyTheatre.org
HAMLET… The Rest is Silence
Synetic Theater (note new address)
Sept 28 – Oct 13
Find more information at: www.SyneticTheater.org
Mean Girls
National Theatre
Oct 15 – Oct 20
Find more information at: www.Tickets-Center.com
The Pliant Girls
Theatre Prometheus
Oct 18 – Nov 9
Find more information at: www.TheatrePrometheus.org
Fun Home
Dominion Stage
Oct 25 – Nov 9
Find more information at: www.DominionStage.org
Primary Trust
Signature Theatre
through Oct 20
Find more information at: www.SigTheatre.org
The Woman in Black
Keegan Theatre
Oct 12 – Nov 17
Find more information at: www.KeeganTheatre.com
The Other Americans
Arena Stage
Oct 18 – Nov 24
Find more information at: www.ArenaStage.org
The Addams Family
Toby’s Dinner Theatre
through Nov 10
Find more information at: www.TobysDinnerTheatre.com
POTUS – or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive Next Stop Theatre
Sept 26 – Oct 20
Find more information at: www.NextStopTheatre.org
The Cradle Will Rock
IN Series
in DC Oct 5 – Oct 13
Find more information at: www.INSeries.org
The Little Theatre of Alexandria Jordan Wright September 6, 2024 Special to The Zebra
Lucius Fretway (Michael Townsend) tries to catch a drink from blue-skinned bartender Luigi (Omar Quintero) at The Explorers Club (Photo/Matt Liptak)
When Lucius Fretway (Michael Townsend), a handsome young botanist, puts up a pretty female explorer for membership in the exclusive all-men’s club, all hell breaks loose in this nifty farce. The old codgers in The Explorers Club whose past conquests and ongoing research are decidedly questionable, rail against the mere hint of a woman in their tony club. Biblical scholar and serial misogynist, Professor Sloane (Richard Fiske), calls her a “harlot” for violating her feminine station and the doddering adventurer Sir Harry Percy (John Henderson), who claims to have discovered the “East Pole”, agrees wholeheartedly, that is until the lovely Phyllida Spotte-Hume (Rachel Hubbard) arrives, and he begins to challenge Fretway for her attentions. Professor Cope (Ricardo Padilla), a herpetologist whose snake has a mind of its own, is determined to keep her out.
The indelibly charming and brilliant explorer, Phyllida, has recently returned from the discovery of the lost city of NaKong where she has discovered a tribe of feral natives. Naturally, she brings back one of the savages whom she fondly calls Luigi (Omar Quintero). He is totally blue, as in skin color, as opposed to his daffy disposition.
Professors Walling (Steve Rosenthal). Cope (Ricardo Padilla) and Sloane (Richard Fiske) speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil (Photo/Matt Liptak)
Phyllida has figured out how to tame Luigi by learning his language and recognizing that a common spoon represents his god. With this insight she plans to present him to Queen Victoria who has agreed to an audience – a fortuitous and equally absurd opportunity. You will love the puns and rapid-fire hilarity delivered by a crack cast who speak Brit Wit in upper crust British accents thanks to Co-Producer and Accent Coach, Carol Strachan.
Things go sideways (frequently!) as when the club receives Sir Bernard Humphries (Meghan Mohon), an emissary from the palace, to seek redress after a club member has slandered the Irish who send a well-armed contingent to destroy the club. To settle the naysayers, Luigi fills in as the club’s absentee barman serving drug-laced cigars and drinks which brings howls from the audience.
Sir Bernard Humphries (Meghan Mohon), Beebe (Michael J Fischer), Professor Sloane (Richard Fiske) & Sir Harry Percy (John Henderson) relaxing over “brandy and cigars (Photo/Matt Liptak)
The period costumes by Michelle Harris are spot on as is a gob-smacking set design by Tom O’Reilly. Huge props to Hubbard, Quintero and Townsend who take things over the top.
Playwright Nell Benjamin (award-winning playwright of the musical Legally Blonde and lyricist for Mean Girls and Because of Winn Dixie) sets this corker in Victorian London when women were relegated to rearing children while highborn gentlemen spent their time and money garnering support for far-flung adventures while exploiting the natives.
With Hubbard also playing Countess Glamorgan and Michael Fisher as Beebe and Irish Assassin.
Directed by Adam Konowe; Co-Produced by Alan Wray; Lighting Design by Myke Taister; Sound Design and opening musical number composed by William Chrapcynski; Hair and Makeup by Robbie Snow.
Highly recommended!
Through September 21st at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information call the box office at 703 683-0496 or visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com.
OVO Where: Cirque du Soleil
When: Sept 11 – Sept 15
For more information visit: www.CirqueduSoleil.com/OVO
DC Theatre Week
When: September 26 – Oct 13.
What: For event registration and information on this popular annual event where tickets range from $20 to $60 to over 30 theater productions visit www.TheatreWeek.org
The Explorer’s Club Where: The Little Theatre of Alexandria
When: Aug 31 – Sept 21
For more information visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com
Night Sky
Where; Aldersgate Theatre
When: Sept 27 – Oct 13
For more information visit: www.ACCTonline.org
MJ
Broadway at the National
When: Aug 13 – Sept 8
For more information visit: www.TheNationalDC.com
Image via Shakespeare Theatre Company
A Comedy of Errors
Where: Shakespeare Theatre Company
When: Sept 10 – Oct 6
For more information visit: www.ShakespeareTheatre.org
Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground
Where: Olney Theatre
When: Sept 27 – Oct 20
For more information visit: www.OlneyTheatre.org
The Waverley Gallery
Where: 1st Stage
When: Sept 1 – Oct 6
For more information visit: www.1stStage.org
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Where: Arena Stage
When: Sept 6 – Oct 13
For more information visit: www.ArenaStage.org
How to Be a Korean Woman
Where: Theatre J
When: Sept 12 – 22
For more information visit: www.edcjcc.org/theater-j/
Las 22 bodas de Hugo – The 22+ Weddings of Hugo
Where: GALA Theatre
When: Sept 5 – 29
For more information visit:www.GALATheatre.org
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
Where: Mosaic Theater
When: Sept 5 – Oct 6
For more information visit: www.MosaicTheater.org.
Post Mortem
Where: Mosaic Theater
When: Sept 8 – Sept 12
For more information visit:www.MosaicTheater.org
Oh My Heart, Oh My Home
Where: Studio Theatre
When: Sept 6 – Sept 27
For more information visit: www.StudioTheatre.org
Exception to the Rule
Where: Studio Theatre
When: Sept 18 – Oct 27
For more information visit: www.StudioTheatre.org
Image via Ford’s Theatre
Mister Lincoln
Where: Ford’s Theatre
When: Sept 20 – Oct 13
For more information visit: www.Fords.org
Sojourners
Where: Round House Theatre
When: Sept 11 – Oct 6
For more information visit: www.RoundhouseTheatre.org
& Juliet Where: Hippodrome Baltimore
When: Sept 22 – Sept 28
For more information visit: www.Baltimore.Broadway.com
The Riot Grrrls Present – The Tragedie of Macbeth
Where: Taffety Punk
When: Sept 25 – Oct 12
For more information visit: www.TaffetyPunk.com
Image via Imagination Stage
Winnie the Pooh
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Sept 18 – Oct 27
For more information visit: www.ImaginationStage.org
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Where: Workhouse Arts Center
When: Sept 6 – Oct 27
For more information visit: www.WorkhouseArts.org
An All-Asian Cast in Signature Theatre’s SOFT POWER Brings Song and Dance to an American Story of Racism in America
Soft Power Signature Theatre
Jordan Wright August 19, 2024 Special to The Zebra
Grace Yoo (Hillary Clinton) and Daniel May (Xue Xing) in Soft Power at Signature Theatre. (Photo/Daniel Rader)
Written by Playwright and Lyricist David Hwang and Composer and Lyricist Jeanine Tesori, Soft Power is a musical reflecting the zeitgeist of the 2016 U.S. presidential election when Hillary Clinton was the expected winner running against Donald Trump. The musical didn’t premiere until Trump was in the White House and the nation wondered what the heck happened.
The story is played out in fantasy couched in political reality. In New York City Chinese American playwright DHH (Steven Eng) takes a meeting with a successful Chinese American theatre producer, Xūe Xíng (Daniel May). Xíng implores DHH to write a Broadway musical comparable to the King and I. DHH, aka David, begs off the absurd context of trying to compare the draconian politics of China with the democratic ideals of the U.S. They banter about the two countries philosophies – Chinese are dutiful and don’t need democracy claims Xíng. If this sounds confusing, it is, since the show was written before the outcome of the election then later rewritten. But you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Grace Yoo (Hillary Clinton, center) and the cast of Soft Power at Signature Theatre. (Photo/Daniel Rader)
Leaving the meeting, David is stabbed in the streets by two MAGA thugs, Bobby Bob (Jonny Lee, Jr. and other roles) and Randy Ray (Eymard Cabling and other roles). Bobby feels badly and tells David he will protect him from further racist attacks. And he does – up to a point.
While in hospital, David imagines a better scenario where Hillary Clinton (the amazing and hilarious, Grace Yoo) comes to him as a lover. Though framed in the politics of that fraught period, the show has its humorous moments as when Hillary gives a stump speech at McDonald’s while giant dancing burger and fries bracket her appearance in the song, “I’m With Her”. Later preppy Trumper Holden Caulfield (Nicholas Yenson in several roles) of Catcher in the Rye fame accosts Clinton and a stroller full of cats in rose-colored glasses explain the Electoral College voting system in the song, “Voting”.
Daniel May (Xue Xing) and Grace Yoo (Hillary Clinton) (Photo/DJ Corey Photography)
The salient focus is the racism against the Chinese as fostered by Trump’s allies and believers and David’s dreamlike fantasy to live in a better, safer world as he tries to process his conflicted feelings to return to China, the land of his ancestors.
For levity, there are a host of goofy characters on the Trump side of the issues, Trump’s Veep (Christopher Mueller in several roles) makes an appearance as a gun-toting country boy, but the main thrust is the struggle for Chinese Americans who fear for their security in this fraught new American culture under the fired-up Trumpers. Fourteen numbers backed by a 10-piece band, amplify the polarization of the country since the election and the difficult future faced by Chinese Americans.
Daniel May (Xue Xing), Chani Wereley and the cast of Soft Power (Photo/DJ Corey Photography)
With Andrew Cristi as Chief Justice and others; Ashley Nguyen as Jīng and others; Quynh-My Luu as Waiter and others; Chani Wereley as Betsy Ross and others; and Sumié Yotsukura as Flight Attendant and others.
Directed by Signature Theatre’s Artistic Director Ethan Heard, Choreographed by Billy Bustamante, Music Directed by Angie Benson, Music Supervised by Chris Fenwick, Scenic Design by Chika Shimizu, Costume Design by Helen Q. Huang, Lighting design by Oliver Wason, Sound Design by Eric Norris, Wig Design by Anne Nesmith, Orchestrations by Danny Troob.
Through September 15th at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Street in Shirlington Village, Arlington, VA 22206. For tickets and information call the box office at 703 820-9771 or visit www.SigTheatre.org.
