Stage: There will be those who will embrace the Shakespeare Theatre Company's current production of King Lear as bold, political, and über-entertaining. They will marvel at the cleverness of the sets, the transformation of Lear's Olde England into a 21st century (vaguely) Eastern European tinpot regime. And they will find the spasms of nudity, real-time violence and unsentimental sex totally in synch with current expectations for anything "indie," or, for that matter, CSI.
But for those of us who prefer their Shakespeare unadorned, whose idea of seeing it live is to be drawn inexorabinexorably into the language -- and in the case of Lear, the unfolding of a particular kind of madness -- these rather too clever trappings are a frustration. Though we would like to spend our time with these actors, savoring their interpretations, seeing what they can bring to this disturbing tale of familial destruction, we are thwarted. Barraged with an endless stream of exciting props, ostentatiously choreographed violence and culturally charged fashion, we end up doing little more than playing catch-up to our emotions. Lear needs spaces and silences, director Robert Falls gives us far too few.
Keach in 'King Lear'
Mostly holding his own amid the stimuli is a grizzled Stacy Keach in the title role. Unlike the pared down Frost/Nixon, in which he offered emotion with the hunch of a shoulder and the flex of his jaw, here Keach must play it way larger than life just to avoid obsolescence in this crash-boom-bang of a production. But how, under such circumstances, can anyone hope to generate the pathos Shakespeare so carefully weaves into the disintegration of this huge and powerful personality? ...more
But for those of us who prefer their Shakespeare unadorned, whose idea of seeing it live is to be drawn inexorabinexorably into the language -- and in the case of Lear, the unfolding of a particular kind of madness -- these rather too clever trappings are a frustration. Though we would like to spend our time with these actors, savoring their interpretations, seeing what they can bring to this disturbing tale of familial destruction, we are thwarted. Barraged with an endless stream of exciting props, ostentatiously choreographed violence and culturally charged fashion, we end up doing little more than playing catch-up to our emotions. Lear needs spaces and silences, director Robert Falls gives us far too few.
Keach in 'King Lear'
Mostly holding his own amid the stimuli is a grizzled Stacy Keach in the title role. Unlike the pared down Frost/Nixon, in which he offered emotion with the hunch of a shoulder and the flex of his jaw, here Keach must play it way larger than life just to avoid obsolescence in this crash-boom-bang of a production. But how, under such circumstances, can anyone hope to generate the pathos Shakespeare so carefully weaves into the disintegration of this huge and powerful personality? ...more
Spree: Some retail proprietors don't care much for the lingering, "I'm just looking," sort of patron. Not so with Erin Mara and Henriette Fourcade, owners of Homebody, "outfitters for contemporary living." Rather, they'd like you to think of their shop -- offering a dizzying range of items, from greeting cards to Gus* furniture -- as something much more inviting. "It's like an interesting gallery/living room," says Mara. "I've never liked high-end stores full of pretension. We're trying to create a relaxing environment." They're also trying to help the community with events such as an upcoming fundraiser for One In Ten, this Saturday, June 27, featuring musician Laura Tsaggaris. Stop by for some tunes, exotic teas, a table or nearly anything else you can think of to feather your nest, at 715 Eighth St. SE. Hours are Tuesday to Satuto Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Call the shop at 202-544-8445, send e-mail to contactus@homebodydc.com, or visit online at www.homebodydc.com.
Cuffs and Stuff
Why stop with your home when you can primp yourself, too? Try the rustic cuff for $54.95 for a bit of butch, paired with the distressed leather belt with wooden buckle for $74.95. The locally made cufflinks are $120, bracelet with moonstone amethyst for $89.50, or knitted sterling bracelet for $60. And a bit of billiard ball never looked so good, hanging here from a sterling necklace for $140.
Boogie Woogie Bookends
Nothing says reliability and determination like Rosie the Riveter. Let Rosie prove that's she's got what it takes to secure your titles for the duration with these stone-resin beauties inspired by America's WWII factory home front. The set sells for $39.95. ...more
Cuffs and Stuff
Why stop with your home when you can primp yourself, too? Try the rustic cuff for $54.95 for a bit of butch, paired with the distressed leather belt with wooden buckle for $74.95. The locally made cufflinks are $120, bracelet with moonstone amethyst for $89.50, or knitted sterling bracelet for $60. And a bit of billiard ball never looked so good, hanging here from a sterling necklace for $140.
Boogie Woogie Bookends
Nothing says reliability and determination like Rosie the Riveter. Let Rosie prove that's she's got what it takes to secure your titles for the duration with these stone-resin beauties inspired by America's WWII factory home front. The set sells for $39.95. ...more
By LOU CHIBBARO JR, Washington BladeThe pastor of a Prince George's County church who is leading efforts to overturn D.C.'s same-sex marriage recognition law faces revocation of his voter registration in the District unless he responds to a complaint alleging that he doesn't live in the city.
In a June 30 letter, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics informed Rev. Harry Jackson that District residents Cary Silverman and Martin Moulton filed a challenge to his claim to be a city resident. The letter, written by Karen F. Brooks, the election board's registrar of voters, says the board will revoke Jackson's D.C. voter registration unless he responds to the challeng ...
By CHRIS JOHNSON, Washington BladeMany gay rights advocates celebrated the swearing in of Al Franken to the U.S. Senate this week, although they're not expecting the chamber's 60th Democrat to have a major impact on pro-LGBT legislation.
Sources familiar with LGBT issues are dubious a bout the significance of the new Minnesota senator's presence in the Senate even though he has taken pro-gay positions and brings the Democrats to a filibuster-proof 60 seats in the chamber.
Dan Pinello, a gay government professor at the City University of New York, said the impact of Franken's presence in the Senate will be “minimal” and said “it m ...
BANGOR, Maine (AP)It's been 25 years since Charlie Howard was chased down in Bangor, beaten, kicked and tossed into a stream because he was gay.
The 23-year-old Howard drowned on July 7, 1984, a murder that made national headlines and led to an anti-discrimination ordinance in Bangor and a state hate crimes law. This year, the governor signed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in Maine.
Howard, a New Hampshire native, is being remembered this week in religious services, concerts, workshops and the dedication of a memorial near where he drowned, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, an LGBT-focused business advisory group based in San Francisco, has scored a major get for its annual summit this fall: John Berry, the openly gay director of the Office of Personnel Management.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today picked Ronald E. Albers for a judgeship on the San Francisco County Superior Court.
Theresa Sparks, the transgender woman who has served two terms as president of the city’s police commission, has ruled out running for a third term. When she first won the coveted seat by one vote back in 2007, Sparks became the first transgender person to head a city oversight panel. But her ascension led to [...]
My Life on the D-List star Kathy Griffin will host a celebrity roast of comedy legend Joan Rivers in Los Angeles on July 26. 
This past weekend, Michael and CharlesCharles Hewitt became the first same-sex couple featured in The Kansas City Star's wedding announcement section. 
Name: Ryan Ripley Birthday: July 11, 1988 Astro ID: Cancer Born in: Nashville, TN Lives in: Murfreesboro, TN Profession: Student at Middle Tennessee State University studying Apparel Design On a sunny day he's likely to be found on the sand volleyball...
If you go to the model homes at The Icon or The Velocity, be sure to note some of the art hanging in these swanky downtown Nashville hot spots. Among the sleek sophistication and contemporary lines of downtown living, you'll see several pieces of art...
To continue reading, please visit www.sovo.com
To continue reading, please visit www.sovo.com
Labrys ceases print publication Local lesbian magazine to become online community By SOUTHERN VOICE STAFF | Jul. 7 at 10:58 AM Jul. 7 at 10:58 AM Labrys, a monthly magazine aimed at Atlanta lesbians, announced today it would cease print...
To continue reading, please visit www.sovo.com
To continue reading, please visit www.sovo.com
NOM heads to DC to fight gay marriage as the District begins recognizing legal gay marriages
A law that recognizes legal gay marriages performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the District of Columbia
In a move being called 'courageous,' Massachusetts State Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg has come out gay
Leonard Link ponders the logistics of accurately counting married same-sex couples in the United States — and why Republicans don’t want an accurate count. Worth the full read: Same-Sex Marriage and the2010 United States Census … The picture in the U.S. is complex. As of now, same-sex couples can marry in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa, with [...]
So, the Alaskan Talibunny wants to sue Shannyn Moore for proffering speculation (which Moore has always presented as rumors, which Palin’s lawyer says Moore presented as fact), while nobody is suing Pete King (R-NY-3), who is claiming as fact that Michael Jackson molested children. Never mind whether the King of Pop ever did or not; the [...]
Despite the best efforts of Sean Kennedy’s mother, Elke, and many others to stop the early release of Sean’s murderer, Stephen Andrew Moller (”who called him ‘faggot’ while punching him so hard that he broke every bone in Sean’s face. Sean fell to the pavement; the impact caused his brain to separate from his brain [...]
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