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"We cannot survive without The Book." So laments a character in "After Darwin" (1998), by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. We discuss "After Darwin" Thursday, April 19. This new play dramatizes the development of Darwin's theory of evolution on his voyage to the Galapagos, & his ultimately fatal conflict with the ship's devoutly religious captain--all set as a play within a play, with an ambitious amoral actor as Darwin & a principled patrician as the captain. "Absorbing" (Times (of London), "exhilarating" (Guardian), & "chilling" (Daily Mail), "After Darwin" is both brilliant" (Spectator) & "genuinely moving" (Daily Telegraph).
Our meeting features Georgetown theology professor John F. Haught, founder & director of the Georgetown Center for the Study of Science and Religion. His recent books include "God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution" (2000) & "Science and Religion in Search of Cosmic Purpose" (2000).
Make reservations by contacting Mark Gruenberg (202-638-0444 & [email protected]). We'll meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (3d floor) (202-332-2543), 3 blocks E of Dupont Circle. Dinner begins at 6:30; our discussion takes place 7:30-9:30. Chase "After Darwin" at Backstage Books, 545 8th St., SE, & for a special Footlights discount at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW; & Olsson's Books & Records, 1307 19th St., NW & 7647 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda.
Last year, actor Rick Foucheux won the Helen Hayes Award for his unforgettable performance, at the Source Theatre, in David Mamet's "Edmond." A few weeks ago, Foucheux received Helen Hayes nominations for two more great performances. At 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22, Footlights returns to the Source (1835 14th St., NW) as Foucheux stars in yet another Mamet, "American Buffalo" (1975). This sardonic comedy has three inept crooks, scheming to steal a coin collection; their angry words almost casually build to physical violence. Tickets are $18 & we must get payment by April 14, after which we cannot issue refunds. Mail your check to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 (240-669-6300 & [email protected]).
Bells ring for Footlights at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 6, when we attend a performance of "Blood Wedding" (1933) at the Washington Shakespeare Co., 601 S. Clark St., Arlington. Great Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca wrote this classic peasant tragedy of passion and frustration. But Footlights members will bring it to life. On stage: our very own Debbie Minter Jackson; & behind the scenes: director, founding member, & Footlights advisory board member Jose Carrasquillo. Tickets are $14 & the deadline is April 22. Mail your check to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852. The WSC is metro-accessible! Contact Robin ( [email protected]) if you need a map or directions.
On Tuesday, May 22, Footlights celebrates "The Homecoming" (1965), by British playwright Harold Pinter. In Pinter's "masterpiece" (Guardian), a London-born philosophy professor brings his wife home from America to meet his darkly mysterious, thoroughly cynical, all- male working-class family. What follows is a work of "genius" (Los Angeles Times): "riveting" (Chicago Tribune) and "sinister" (Spectator), "frightening" and "powerful" (Nation), "bizarre" and "disturbing" (New York Post), "bitterly funny" (Women's Wear Daily) and "deliciously perverse" (San Francisco Chronicle). Our meeting will feature director Richard Romagnoli, whose production of "The Homecoming" we'll attend at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 10, Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road (MD-108), Olney, MD. Tickets are $19. Mail your check to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852.
Thursday, April 19: "After Darwin," Luna Books
Tuesday, May 22: "Homecoming," Delray Viet Gdn
Monday, June 18: "Lulu," Delray Viet Gdn
Wednesday, July 18: "Andersonville Trial," Cafe Midi
All meetings start 6:30 p.m.
Watch for exciting news about our 2001-02 season!
For more information about Footlights, check our website, www.footlightsdc.org. You can subscribe to our list & receive our monthly e-letter for free by sending any message--even blank--to [email protected].