FROM THE FOOTLIGHTS - October 1996

**"A Man for All Seasons" in Autumn**

On Monday, October 21, we will discuss "A Man for All Seasons," by English playwright Robert Bolt. The play depicts the struggle between King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More over the founding of the Church of England. The 1966 film version won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Fred Zinnemann), and Best Actor (for Paul Scofield).

Our discussion will feature Sr. Anne O'Donnell, Associate Professor of English at Catholic University. Sister Anne, a Stanford graduate, teaches a course at Catholic University entitled "More, Erasmus, and Their Circle."

We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (the third floor of Cafe Luna, three blocks east of DuPont Circle) (202-332-2543). Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and our discussion around 7:30. Make your reservations *early* by return e-mail to [email protected] or by calling Susan Kimmel (301-229-3037), Mark Gruenberg (202-338-7013, eve & 638-0444, day), or Mary- Margaret McGrail (703-751-8126).

Ask for your special *Footlights member discount* for "A Man for All Seasons" at Chapters, 1512 K St., NW; Olsson's, 1307 19th St., NW; Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW; and Super Crown at the White Flint Shopping Center, Kensington, MD.

**"The House of Blue Leaves": Doors Closing**

We still have plenty of space for our Tuesday, November 19, discussion of "The House of Blue Leaves," by American playwright John Guare. But tickets are nearly gone for the Thursday, November 21, taping at the Voice of America (starring Stockard Channing and Glenne Headly). For tickets ($20, a $5 discount) call Dick Sullivan at 703-658-3918.

**Mark Your Calendars for December**

On Wednesday, December 18, we will discuss "Arcadia," by English playwright Tom Stoppard. A brainy, comic mystery by the author of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," "Arcadia" runs at the Arena Stage from December 13 through January 19; Footlights plans to attend Tuesday night, January 7. Watch the November newsletter for more details.

**Mamet at Studio**

American playwright David Mamet's most recent play, "The Cryptogram," presents a poignant portrait of a family in crisis, told from the perspective of a ten-year-old child. The University of Chicago Club of Washington, DC is sponsoring a trip to the Studio Theatre to see the matinee performance of "The Cryptogram" Saturday, December 14. For further information call Glenn Waldorf at 202-337-2373.

**"Godot" and God**

Anyone interested in further exploration of the themes of "Waiting for Godot," our September play, can attend the December 5 lecture "Waiting as a Religious and Secular Precept," in which Baltimore Hebrew University professor Shimon Shokek will compare the existential approach of "Godot" with waiting for the Messiah in Jewish mysticism. For tickets and further information call the Smithsonian Institution at 202- 357-3030.