News & Politics

Gary Tischler • December 19, 2011

For a play that’s called “Much Ado About Nothing,” it’s sure done mucho times leading me to wish that just once they’d call it “Much Ado About a Whole Lotta Stuff.”

Director Ethan McSweeney’s production, which swings to the mambo and samba rhythm of 1930s Cuba, is the latest in a long line of “Much Ados” at the Shakespeare Theatre Company alone, where I’ve seen at least three versions as well as two at the Folger, plus an impeccable Royal Shakespeare production with Derek Jacoby in the 1980s and the Kenneth-Branagh-Emma Thompson and a whole bunch of movie stars cinematic version. And that’s just me.

Tell you what. I don’t mind. McSweeney’s spiced-up production at Harman Hall may take you to Cuba and even roll out a droll version of “Guantanamera” when you never expect it, but it does something much richer than that. Dense, sprawling, entertaining as all get out, it reminds you of why we return to Shakespeare as if he were the mother load of our own experience.

McSweeney may be taking liberties in concepts and setting, but what the hey nonny nonny, that’s what Shakespeare’s for, because every play of Shakespeare’s comes with a glazed invitation to directors that reads: “Hey, take your best shot. Please.”

McSweeney has a track record when working with classics from the Greeks, to Shaw to Shakespeare, to be bold but also taking care to get to the heart and core of the material. With “Much Ado About Nothing,” the centerpieces are the bright, bickering, bitching, brawling Benedick and Beatrice, the sworn enemies of love, romance and marriage, who are of course so well matched that it takes three hours for them to realize it.

That’s because Shakespeare doesn’t make things easy for his characters, couples and heroes, including a girl named Hero in this one. His comedies, romantic or just plain silly, are exercises in the art of the well-made play—they’re full of sub-plots, side-trips and sidekicks, and digressions, some dark doings and low humor, which may exist only to elicit a belly laugh for the groundlings

So we are in 1930s Cuba, which has soldiers and dukes dressed up in the uniforms of Batista’s armies but still heading towards Messina, not Havana. Although the music is hot, hot, hot at times and the dancing is furious, it’s still the same old story. The victorious Count Pedro, along with his brother the dark prince Don John, his cynical, brave and witty captain Benedick, and the heroic young bravo Claudio comes to the house of old friend Leonardo to celebrate. Here reside Leonardo’s sweet and prized daughter, Hero, and the acid tongued and beautiful Beatrice. Benedick and Beatrice commence to do battle, Claudio is smitten madly with Hero to the point where they will be married shortly, there’s a gala party, there’s Don John planning to undo the happiness of anybody that’s happy by slandering Hero, and the friends of Benedick and Beatrice launch a campaign which will have them believing that each loves the other.

And then there’s the constable, Dogberry, but have patience, prithee.

Any production of this play rides on its Beatrice and Benedick. With Derek Smith – caustic, prone to panic within a yard of romantic sentiment, quick and nimble verbally and on and off his feet – and the brazen, sharp, fetching Kathryn Meisle, the race is swift, smart and funny. The two bounce pungent aphorisms, biting retorts and tart bullets at each other. Double kudos for the red-headed Meisle who came late to the production.

And they’re really funny. Because at least two—there are others—of the great comic moments in the production have nothing to do with verbal acrobatics. They require Benedick and then Beatrice to remain hidden while they overhear their friends describe them as in love with each other, their friends being fully aware of their presence. Smith crawls like a crab, runs like a burglar and shrinks to the size of a penny while Beatrice, working her way like a clumsy eel around the garden and the fountain in the end, with no other resource, nearly drowns herself.

This is sheer, silent movie slapstick, physical humor done with great inelegance, exposing the actors as the best sorts of comic thespians, the kind that could stand naked in a crowd while pretending to be splendidly dressed.

No matter where you set “Much Ado”—in a Mafia restaurant, in Cuba, on an ocean liner—the false slander of Hero—appealingly played by Kate Hurster—has always been a dark bone in a light play, it exposes the quick-to-believe Claudio as a callow, unworthy youth, Don Pedro as a powerful aristocrat too prone to meddle in the lives of others, and so forth. But you would be a fool to think that things don’t sort themselves out to a happy ending. This is not “Hamlet,” after all.

Enter Dogberry. Enter Verges. Enter Ted van Griethuysen. Enter Floyd King. Enter two Washington stage treasures.

In Shakespeare’s time, the two would no doubt have played Romeo and Juliet, Claudio and Hero, Benedick and Beatrice. As it is the two have had their way with kings and Falstaff and Malvolio and others for several decades. They look for all the world like Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel, if they did Shakespeare.

Here they are the town constable Dogberry, a walking and malapropism, and his assistant Verges. Doddering, slow, hidebound and authentic as ballast on a ship of state, the two are practically tied at the hip, lest they break it.

Dogberry is one of those ridiculous officials whose sole authority is the passion with which he believes every wrong thing he says. He insists on it, as a point of fact. And what van Griethuysen does with this part—often overplayed—is make Dogberry human. He is a close cousin to Falstaff, and his charge to his militia to keep the peace by pretending not to hear the noise of chaos, sound in a ridiculous but believable way like Falstaff’s protestations about honor on a battlefield.

McSweeney has put together a production of “Much Ado” that is surely for people who might not care for Shakespeare but are eager to be entertained. But maybe even better, he’s staged a production, helped by dazzling sets and marvelous actors, a Shakespeare play that’s for those who really love a Shakespeare play.

“Much Ado About Nothing” runs through Jan. 3rd

Gary Tischler •

When you live in Washington, you’re never more than a few minutes away from some entertaining surprises.

We live in Adams Morgan and one evening, getting a little exercise on a trek along Connecticut Avenue in Woodley Park, we decided to head up to the National Zoo by way of the front gate.

We stumbled upon the zoo’s popular holiday ZooLights extravaganza, a delightful evening and night time event that rolls up as a classic Christmas occasion, combining a spectacular visual feast with sparkling electric light sculptures—lions and tigers and pandas, ohmygod – music and caroling, a train minus tracks, an artificial skating rink and opportunities to embrace the season’s spirit of giving.

Except for the train rides and the rink, everything is free and the occasion becomes an opportunity to visit the zoo in an entirely new way, in a very different nighttime setting, like wandering through a perpetual light show—see the flying, leaping leopards, electronic birds flying overhead

The big outdoors animals won’t be out, but their electronic, lit-up versions are everywhere. Indoor venues, on the other hand, are open, so there’s a chance to visit animals of night at the Small Mammal House, the Great Ape House, Reptile Discovery Center, the Think Tank and the Kid’s Farm.

The event resumes after a brief hiatus to run again nightly, Dec. 16 through Jan. 1, except Dec. 24, 25 and 31, from 5 to 9 p.m.

ZooLights may be the best, most enjoyable, family-friendly event going in Washington during the holidays. There’s an electricity in the air beyond the lights themselves – it’s a magical time for children and adults alike, and the combination of children running and playing, staring up at the sky and all around them alongside siblings and parents creates a playful energy and warmth that’s contagious.

Music provided by local school groups, including jazz bands and choral groups, add to the spirit of the night.

It’s also a great night for charity and giving. This year, the Friends of the National Zoo are partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to donate gently worn winter outer wear, including hats, scarves, gloves and coats. Guests can make donations during the zoo’s regular hours as well as during ZooLights. Additionally, all proceeds from concessions and parking sales will benefit numerous Zoo conservation efforts.

Robert Devaney •

Residents and business persons met Nov. 29 at the old Georgetown Theater, now emptied of its jewelry stands, to discuss the commercial potential of Wisconsin Avenue in the center of the village. The brainstorming session, sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, was headlined by Councilman Jack Evans, real estate developer Herb Miller and retail broker John Asadoorian, a board member of the Georgetown Business Improvement District, with CAG secretary Topher Mathews of the Georgetown Metropolitan as moderator.

The former theater still sports its rusty old sign, now famous, but also stands as a reminder of the loss of a once lively mix of nearby retail businesses at Wisconsin Avenue and O Street. Along with it vanished the Georgetown Pharmacy, Little Caledonia, Au Pied du Cochon and Neam’s Market, which was frequented and beloved by residents for decades.

“I would love to see that sign re-lit,” said Angie Heon Nys, one of the Heon family owners of the Georgetown Theater property at 1351 Wisconsin Ave., which has been for sale for more than two years. Others thought the idea of re-lighting the sign – not a new idea – could be a catalyst for this commercial stretch of the avenue. “I remember when Wisconsin Avenue was more important than M Street,” said George Heon.
While chains get the attention, Mathews offered a break-down of Georgetown retail businesses, showing that more than 70 percent are independents. Of all retail, roughly 25 percent are restaurants and 25 percent are clothing stores.

Asadoorian cautioned that statistics can mislead, saying that “chains are the bricks, and independents the mortar” of local retail. He said the market was the main decider of which businesses would choose to set up shop and added that Georgetown might be getting the reputation as “a hard place to do business.”

“Instead of sticks,” Asadoorian said, “we need carrots.”

Evans reminded those in attendance that he has lived in D.C. since 1978 and in Georgetown since 1993: “I think it is the best community in the U.S. and the world.” He also recalled all the work done to improve the town’s infrastructure. With the increasing interest and leadership on fixing the avenue, Evans said that a plan ought to be agreed upon and not left to chance.

Miller said that there needs to be a vision for Wisconsin Avenue “from Safeway to the waterfront.” And with $11 million left over from the Tax Incremental Financing that was paid for by Ward 2 for Penn Quarter’s and Gallery Place’s redevelopment, Miller suggested that the money might be moved for use anywhere in Ward 2 – specifically, Georgetown – to assist new retail tenants. (Such loans downtown helped the Spy Museum, which has promptly re-paid its loan, Evans said.)

Ideas bounced around during the meeting in the broken-down theater with a standing-room-only crowd. There is a lot of work and collaboration to do, all agreed. One sign of the future was the provider of refreshments for the group: the newly opened Paul Bakery, located near the intersection of Wisconsin and M. Paul is an international chain eatery of French breads, pastries and food that fits in perfectly with Georgetown’s present and past.
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Georgetowner •

Winter Wonderland Sponsored by the Citizens Association of Georgetown

DECEMBER 2nd, 2011 AT 7:00PM | TEL: 202-337-7313| EVENT WEBSITE

The Georgetown Gala will take place on Friday, December 2nd at the Embassy of the Russian Federation from 7 until 11pm. Ambassador and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak are honorary chairs for the black tie evening which brings together over 400 residents, businesses, organizations and government leaders to highlight CAG’s mission of historic preservation and improving the life of the community. Gala Co-Chairs Nancy Taylor Bubes, Michele Evans and Patrice Miller are planning a Winter Wonderland which will include Russian vodka & caviar, an elegant dinner, a live auction, and dancing. Georgetowners John Richardson and Franco Nuschese will be the honored.

to purchase tickets please visit www.cagtown.org or at CAG offices located at 1365 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20007. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Address

The Embassy of The Russian Federation

2650 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington DC 20007

The Nutcracker, the Washington Ballet

DECEMBER 1-24th, 2011 AT 07:00 PM | UPPER BALCONY SEATING: $90. ORCHESTRA SEATING: $31 – $90. MID-BALCONY SEATING: $56 – $90. | TEL: TICKETMASTER, 202-397-7328 | EVENT WEBSITE

The Washington Ballet performs a very special version of The Nutcracker for the 50th time this year. With PytorIlych Tchaikovsky’s music and choreography, this performance takes you back to Georgetown in 1882, stars George Washington as the heroic Nutcracker, King George III as the villainous Rat King and introduces you to Anacostia Indians, frontiersmen, and many other all-American delights.

December 1-24, 2011?11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 7 p.m.

Address

The Warner Theatre?

513 13th Street?

Washington, DC 20004

Christmas in Middleburg, Virginia

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:30 AM | ORGANIZER@CHRISTMASINMIDDLEBURG.ORG | TEL: 540-687-8888 | EVENT WEBSITE

A quaint town in Virginia celebrates the holiday with a day-long festival featuring Breakfast with Santa at 8:30am, followed by the Middleburg Hunt Review parade at 11:00am, and the Christmas Parade down Washington Street at 2:00pm. Kids activities all day.

Address

Middleburg, Virginia

Swedish Christmas Bazaar

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 11:00 AM | FREE | PERNILLAE.JONSSON@GMAIL.COM | TEL: 571 338 5240 | EVENT WEBSITE

SWEA Washington DC (Swedish Women’s Educational Association) supported by the Embassy of Sweden; holds its annual Christmas Bazaar from 11 am to 5 pm, December 3, at House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW (Georgetown waterfront). Foggy Bottom is the closest metro station. Find Swedish artwork, crafts, crystal, textiles, books and traditional foods for sale. Visit the Swedish Café. There is also a raffle. Santa Lucia Procession is singing Swedish Christmas carols. Activities room for children.

Address

2900 K Street NW?

Washington, DC 20007

Flamenco Men

DECEMBER 3RD, 2011 AT 08:00 PM | $18-$30 | INFO@GALATHEATRE.ORG | TEL: (202) 234-7174 | EVENT WEBSITE

Edwin Aparicio, who appears regularly at national and international dance festivals, has created a stunning new work featuring male dancers only.

Address

GALA Hispanic Theatre

?3333 14th St., NW?Washington, DC 20010

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras presents “Russian Rhapsody”

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 03:00 PM | TICKETS: $7 ADULT, $5 SENIOR/STUDENT, FREE FOR AGES 5 AND UNDER | EVENTS@AYPO.ORG | TEL: 703-642-8051 | EVENT WEBSITE

American Youth Concert Orchestra – J.D. Anderson, Conductor
?
American Youth Symphonic Orchestra? – Carl J. Bianchi, Conductor

Program:
?Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles?
Bach arr. Calliet: Fugue in G Minor?
Alfred Reed: Greensleeves – A Symphonic Setting
?Del Borgo: Hatikvah
?Hershey Kay: Pat-A-Pan?
Delibes arr. Isaac: March and Procession of Bacchus
?Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla
?Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kiji Suite?
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien

Address

Vienna Presbyterian Church,

124 Park Street N.E., Vienna, VA 22180

Messiah Sing!

DECEMBER 4TH, 2011 AT 04:00 PM | $15, STUDENTS UNDER 18 FREE | MUSICINMCLEAN@GMAIL.COM | TEL: (703) 560-0670 | EVENT WEBSITE

Join us for a wonderful holiday tradition: A sing-a-long performance of one of Handel’s most moving and memorable works, the ‘Messiah’. This beautiful work celebrates the promise of redemption and peace for all mankind. Choir, soloists and orchestra will be under the direction of Cheryl Branham. Bring along a $10 deposit (refunded at the end of the performance) to receive a scorebook with your admission and sing along. Or, simply come and enjoy the music at this family friendly event!

Address

Saint Luke Catholic Church

?7001 Georgetown Pike?McLean, VA 22101

Robert Devaney •

Mayor Asks for Town-Gown Peace

Georgetown University held its annual “Holiday Open House” Dec. 7 in Healy Hall’s Riggs Library, where neighbors, business and community leader and university officials gathered for conversation, refreshments and music. Among them was Mayor Vincent Gray, who had visions of streetcars, a GU-GWU basketball game and town-gown peace in his head.

University president John DeGioia introduced Mayor Gray to the crowd in the grand, multi-storied room which one guest described as something out of “Harry Potter.” Gray commended associate vice president Linda Greenan and Brenda Atkinson-Willoughby of Georgetown’s external relations office and mentioned Georgetown’s hot town-gown issue, the 10-year campus plan under consideration by the District’s zoning commission. “Can you imagine working on one every year?” asked Gray. As for working on disagreements about it, he added: “I would not say it’s delightful. You will get to a conclusion.”

Gray envisions the District becoming a leader in high technology, he said, as well as using the collective minds of the universities in D.C. As if needing to clarify, he said: “I have no intention in taxing universities.”After touting new rail routes in the city, Gray said, “We ought to bring streetcars back to Georgetown. We already have the tracks.” One more item on Gray’s wish list: a basketball game between Georgetown University and his alma mater George Washington University (the college teams do not play each other).

Pie Sisters on M Street Plans to Open Dec. 20

Hold on to your pie pans; the gas line has been connected at last.

Pie Sisters is ready to open its first store at 3423 M St., N.W., on Dec. 20, just in time for Hanukkah and Christmas and Kwanzaa, too. With ovens, coolers and counter ready for action, Allison, Cat and Erin Blakely will feed the town’s new taste for pies, sweet, creamy and fruity — and a few savory ones, too.
“The word is spreadiang,” Allison said. “People are excited. They have been so nice.”

Bakers and businesswomen, the Blakely sisters hail from Great Falls, Va., two having gone to Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington and also played college basketball. Allison worked at the State Department and finance section of NBC in New York; Erin at BCBG Max Azria. Cat still works at the State Department. They are parishioners of St. John’s Church on O Street.

Already known around town for their pies for weddings and social and charitable events, the Blakely trio said they chose the site because of its closeness to Georgetown University and its visibility – you can’t miss it turning off Key Bridge from Virginia – and that “the location is not too small and not too big.”
Erin added: “We’ve had Georgetown students contact us for part-time jobs.”

The shop will sell pies in three sizes, the hand-held “cuppie,” seven-inch and nine-inch, and flavors include apple caramel crunch, pecan, key lime and banana, coconut or chocolate cream.

They will also be offering gluten-free pies for the first time. The big pie can cost up to $35, but return the glass plate for $5 off next purchase – which appears irresistible. The sisters are also checking out chicken pot pie and BBQ pie recipes. There will also be chairs and tables in front for about 20 with a coffee counter as well.

Bank St.’s First Electric Car Charging Station

Get free energy for your electric or plug-in hybrid car for three months, while you shop or visit friends.
Sponsored by Eastbanc and Jamestown developers, the electric station is within a Bank Street PMI garage – at 3307 M Street, N.W. After three months, a charge for your car will cost less than $2.00.

(This is the town’s first public spot for electric car chargers; Georgetown University has had two for a few months.)

The car’s specific connection is to a SemaConnect’s ChargePro with Level 2 (240 VAC/30 amps); it can charge electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles with a J1772 inlet.

Boathouse plans to Get Fresh Look by Park Service

Now that the Georgetown Waterfront Park is completed, the National Park Service has turned its attention to another old riverside dream: a new boathouse on the Potomac River.

Specifically, according to the NPS, it is “examining the feasibility of implementing a non-motorized boathouse zone within the District of Columbia along the Potomac River waterfront upstream of the Georgetown Waterfront Park.

“The project area includes the waterfront land from immediately upstream of the Georgetown Waterfront Park at 34th Street, to approximately 1,200 feet upstream of Key Bridge, including federal properties north of Water Street / K Street. The purpose of this study is to identify specific ways NPS can enhance access to the river for user groups, and complement the riverside experiences provided by the Georgetown Waterfront Park, part of Rock Creek Park, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Through this feasibility study, NPS will be studying what structures and facilities can potentially be accommodated within this non-motorized boathouse zone (project area). The study will look at potential scenarios related to the waterfront that are consistent with the necessary and appropriate uses for this zone. This study will lay the groundwork for future decision-making regarding

“(1) further planning and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) compliance as necessary to implement the non-motorized boathouse zone; and

“(2) potential development/improvement of NPS facilities.”

The feasibility study will be completed next summer after discussions with key stakeholders. Then, the study will go before the public in autumn 2012. Among the key stakeholders along the shoreline: Georgetown University, which has lobbied for a boathouse for years.

Currently, according to the NPS, “there are existing facilities within the non-motorized boathouse zone, including the Washington Canoe Club, Jack’s Boathouse, and the Potomac Boat Club. There is also riverfront green space and a site historically occupied by Dempsey’s Boathouse, which washed away in a flood in the 1930s.”

The Park Service held an informational meeting and open house Dec. 13 to talk about the study and answer questions at Washington Harbour.

Iraq’s Maliki Stops by G.U.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Georgetown University Dec. 13 to meet with its president John DeGioia along with school deans and faculty members.

As the U.S. withdraws its last troops from Iraq by Dec. 31, Al-Maliki flew to Washington to confer with President Barack Obama Dec. 12. Al-Maliki’s drive-by held up traffic near the university’s Canal Road entrance.

No press was allowed at the meeting, according to the campus media, and much of Healy and Copley Lawns was cordoned off for security reasons.

Jeff Malet • December 15, 2011

The Georgetown Hoyas Men’s Basketball team improved their record to 5 wins against only one loss with a victory over the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Jaguars (IUPUI) at the Verizon Center on Monday, November 28, 2011. The game was far closer than the final score of 81-58 would indicate. The Hoyas led by only a single point after the first half. Junior forward Hollis Thompson of the Hoyas finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore forward Nate Lubick set a career high with 14 rebounds. The Jaguars’ record fell to 2-5.

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Ari Post • December 7, 2011

Starting today, Monday Dec. 5 and continuing through Feb. 5, 2012, D.C. Public Library cardholders are being granted a pardon for all offenses regarding overdue, lost and damaged library material.

The Library’s “Check It In” campaign is an effort to get back as many overdue books as possible to benefit more District residents. The Library also wants to also ensure that all cardholder information is up-to-date, allowing an opportunity for updating your customer records with new email addresses, phone numbers or mailing addresses.

The 60-day campaign is a no-holds-barred clemency—no matter how beat up the book’s spine, no matter how many scratches on the CD, no matter how many cups of coffee have twisted and warped the pages, you can return them to D.C. Public Library no questions asked, with no fines of fees charged. Even if the item has been lost, all you have to do is report it and forgiveness will be granted.

When returning your books, see a library staff person in order to clear your record of fines and fees.

So “Check It In” and rediscover the joys of your local library. For more information visit DCLibrary.org