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On Wednesday, January 21, we conclude our children and parents series with Herb Gardner's 'A Thousand Clowns' (1962), about an eccentric television writer who quits his job & tries to raise his nephew his own way while fending off child-welfare workers and his own well- meaning brother. The NY Times called 'Clowns' 'sunny & wistful, sensible & demented,' while Newsweek praised Gardner's 'eye for the ridiculous, ear for the absurd, & taste for the bizarre.' We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (just E of Dupont Circle) (202-332-2543). Dinner begins at 6:30 & our discussion at 7:45. Make reservations by calling Mark Gruenberg (202-638-0444) or by sending e-mail to [email protected] If, after making a reservation, you find you can't make it, please call Mark to cancel. You can get copies of 'A Thousand Clowns' ONLY from the library, a used bookstore, or Backstage Books, 2101 P St., NW (just W of Dupont Circle) (202-775-1488). Backstage is open 10-6 every day except Sunday (to 7 p.m. on Thursdays). Mention Footlights & receive a 10% discount. Backstage will mail you a copy for an extra $2; order now to allow time for shipment.
Our January 21 discussion will feature director Mike Replogle, whose production of 'A Thousand Clowns' opens January 8. Replogle has performed at several DC-area theaters & directed last season's American Century Theater production of 'The Best Man.' He also serves as vice-president of Glen Echo Park's Adventure Theatre, which performs adaptations of nursery rhymes & children's stories in DC-area public schools. On Saturday, January 31, at 2:30 p.m., Footlights will attend 'A Thousand Clowns' at the American Century Theater, Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington, VA (703-553-8782). Take I-395 to S. Glebe Road (exit 7), go E 3/4 mile to S. Lang St. & turn left. If you need a ride send an e-mail message to [email protected] Tickets are $14 & include a group discount & a post-performance cast discussion. Send your check, payable to 'American Century Theater,' by January 17 to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Court, Rockville, MD 20852 (240-669-6300).
Our five months with children end in madness February 19 when Footlights begins a new series of plays with Mary Coyle Chase's Pulitzer Prize winning play 'Harvey' (1944), about a sweet, middle-aged man whose constant companion is a 6-foot tall invisible rabbit. One of the longest-running plays in Broadway history, in 1950 'Harvey' became a hit film starring James Stewart. In the DC area, you can find 'Harvey' at Backstage Books, 2101 P St., NW, & Politics & Prose, 5015 CT Ave., NW. In later months Footlights will meet on March 23, April 21, May 20, June 18, July 20, September 15, October 21, November 19, & December 21. Footlights does not meet in August.
'Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts' chronicles O'Neill's extraordinary life through documentary and dramatic techniques, with home movies, interviews with O'Neill intimates, & segments from eight plays. The Smithsonian Associates presents 'Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts' Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., followed at 1:30 by a discussion with director Perry Miller Adato. Tickets cost $13.50 (seniors), $15 (resident members), & $20 (general public). From January 26-March 16, the Smithsonian presents a series of lectures entitled 'Drama on the Edge-Readings from Ibsen to Brecht.' The series-which also includes lectures on Strindberg, Chekhov, Shaw, & Pirandello-costs $63 (seniors), $70 (resident members), & $93 (general public). For tickets or further information about either of these events call 202-357-3030.
This winter the Theatre Lab-Washington's only comprehensive theater training center-offers 2 courses of particular interest to Footlights members. From January 12-February 16, 'Inside Washington Theatre' features weekly meetings with the acting & directing teams for several local productions, including 'Uncle Vanya' (Arena Stage), 'Seven Guitars' (Studio Theatre), 'Shooting in Madrid' (Signature Theatre), and 'The Gene Pool' (Woolly Mammoth). Tuition is $210 (including tickets to the shows) or $160 (without tickets). From January 20-February 24, 'Beginning Playwrighting' covers everything from dialogue to marketing. Tuition is $160. For further information call 202-588-8113 or send e- mail to [email protected]
The Cornell Club of Washington has joined the University of Chicago and Stanford clubs as a Footlights sponsor. If you're a Cornell alum, tell us! Thanks to U of C Club president Chuck Schilke for arranging Cornell sponsorship.
None of our sponsors contributes financially to Footlights activities and we don't charge for participating in our discussions. So we rely for our expenses on generous contributions from members like you! To help defray Footlights expenses, make checks payable to our treasurer John Glynn and mail to John at 3741 Yorktown Village Pass, Annandale, VA 22003. Thanks, & see you at the Footlights!
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