Arts Bytes , Dec. 2023
By • December 6, 2023 0 426
PostClassical Ensemble Surveys Architecture
Lasting only 90 minutes, PostClassical Ensemble’s November 16 concert in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater was modest. There were no singers, dancers, actors, narrators, film screening or live illustration, nor were there any gamelan orchestras. The program, called “Bouncing Off the Walls: Music and Architecture” was jointly developed by Co-Founder and Music Director Ángel Gil-Ordóñez. Washington Post Critic Philip Kennicott, and architect Hany Hassan, who is the director of Beyer Blinder Belle’s D.C. office. To explore the relationship between classical music and architecture, five musical works were chosen. Read more about the works and the full review from Richard Selden on Georgetowner.com.
‘Ragtime,’ an American Masterpiece: A Must See
The musical Ragtime has been called ‘an American Masterpiece,” and it includes unforgettable music and lyrics, drama, dance, and more. It’s about racism, yellow journalism, the one-percenters, the struggling middle class of Whites, Blacks, and immigrants’ first, second and third generations. It has tear-inducing tragedy and utter joy, especially in the unexpected ending that ties everything together. Ragtime is currently playing at Signature Theatre in Arlington through January 7. Read the whole review from Peggy Sands on Georgetowner.com.
“Ragtime” — the musical’s ensemble of immigrants, led by Bobby Smith as Tateh, with Emerson Holt Lacayo as the Little Girl. Photo by Daniel Rader.
The Mansion on O Street Creates Whimsy with “Through the Looking Glass”
The Mansion on O Street is currently running an exhibit, “Through the Looking Glass,” dedicated to the world of English poet and author Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass). The exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to explore the secret gardens where new sculptures by London-based Robert James Studio are installed. Founder of the O Museum in the Mansion, H.H. Leonards is a lifetime trustee and board member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The board’s annual retreat this year was in London during the famous Chelsea Flower Show. Leonards discovered Robert James Studio’s sculptures at the show. See the full story by Kate Oczypok on Georgetowner.com.
“Through the Looking Glass” exhibit at the Mansion on O. Georgetowner photo.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Ford’s
December 19 marks the 180th anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” At Ford’s Theatre, “A Christmas Carol” has been an annual tradition since 1979. The current adaptation, by Michael Wilson — which began its life in 1990 at Houston’s Alley Theatre — came to D.C. in 2004. For this production, Ford’s Director of Artistic Programming José Carrasquillo recreated the original Ford’s staging by Michael Baron, currently producing artistic director of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. More information on the full show, with a review by Richard Selden, can be found on Georgetowner.com.
Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge and Rayanne Gonzales as the Ghost of Christmas Present in the 2022 Ford’s Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol.” Photo by Scott Suchman. Courtesy Ford’s Theatre.
New York Bound? Seek Out These 6 Art Shows
If you’re headed to New York City this holiday season, arts writer Richard Selden reviewed six arts exhibitions at Manhattan museums. You can find the whole story on Georgetowner.com, but the biggest show mentioned is “Manet/Degas,” on view through January 7 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
