A Theatre-Goer's Thoughts

  Amy Brenneman as River in Fake It Until You Make It by Larissa FastHorse at Arena Stage. Photo credit: Daniel Rader. I believe that two of the most challenging forms of theatre are farce and satire. I recall a definition of farce as events that are theoretically possible but far from probable, and to a certain extent, the more outrageous, the better. Satire requires the examination of an idea of significance and demonstrating that the idea is not nearly as significant (or sacred) as it is supposed to be. Combining both farce and satire in a play about personal identity in a political environment where the value and validity of exploring (and celebrating) the differences between us are under attack, in the nation’s capital, is gutsy. And that is exactly what is happening at the Kreeger Theatre stage at Arena Stage in a co-production with Center Theatre Group of Los Angeles, where it premiered earlier this year. This is the kind of theatre that DC audiences relish. Larissa FastH...

Hugh Bonneville (center) as Uncle Vanya with Sharon Lockwood as Grandmamon, Nancy Robinette as Nana, Melanie Field as Sonya, Tom Nelis as Alexandre, and Ito Aghayere as Yelena in Uncle Vanya at the Shakespeare Theatre. Photo credit: DJ Corey Photography. A message from Artistic Director Simon Godwin, who directs the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s current production of Uncle Vanya , adapted by Conor McPherson, in the most recent edition of STC Asides , which serves as the program for the STC production, includes the fact that this is the first foray for STC into the works of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov in the almost 40 years STC has been producing classic plays. Given Chekhov’s importance in the development of modern drama, this is quite a surprise. Based on the success of the current production, I hope the DC audience will not have to wait nearly that long for another of Chekhov’s plays. (Note: This production is in association with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where it was pro...