FROM THE FOOTLIGHTS - December 1999

"Haunting Vibrations" at Millennium's End

On Thursday, December 16, on the verge of a new millennium, our Time & Memory series continues with "On the Verge" (or "The Geography of Yearning") (1985), by Eric Overmyer, "one of this nation's most accomplished and imaginative playwrights" (Seattle Times). In a linguistically rich tour of 20th-century culture, three Victorian women traverse Terra Incognita & reach Paradise. The New York Times called "On the Verge" a "frolicsome jaunt through a continuum of space, time, history, geography, feminism and fashion." "[I]ntoxicatingly clever,"   "awfully engaging," & "simply delicious" (Washington City Paper), "On the Verge" serves up a "feast of language," triggering "fresh and sometimes haunting vibrations between past and present" (San Francisco Chronicle)..

We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (3 blocks E of Dupont Circle).  Dinner begins at 6:30 & our discussion at 7:30. Make reservations by calling Mark Gruenberg (202-638-0444) or e-mailing [email protected]. You can approach the "Verge" at Backstage Books, 2101 P St., NW, & for a special discount at Olsson's, 1307 19th St., NW, & at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW.

Our meeting will feature director Jackson Phippin, who directed the world premiere of "On the Verge" & whom its author credits with having greatly influenced the shape of the play. Phippin currently directs the graduate acting program & co-directs the graduate directing program at Catholic University, where he often directs productions at Hartke Theatre.

"Stop Kiss" the New Year Hello

On Monday, January 24 Footlights continues our Time & Memory series with "Stop Kiss" (1998), by American playwright Diana Son. "Stop Kiss"  mingles comic snapshots of a budding relationship with the heartbreaking aftermath of an act of seemingly random violence. "Smart and engaging"  (Newsday), "Stop Kiss" is "a small treasure" (Variety), "a sweet, sad and enchantingly sincere play" (New York Times). Our meeting will feature director Lee Mikeska Gardner, whose production of "Stop Kiss" we'll attend at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 1401 Church St., NW, 2 p.m. Sunday January 30.  Tickets are $11 & going fast. Mail your check, payable to Footlights, to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852.

Footlights Shine on Artistic Directors

Footlights 2000 opens with a trio of artistic directors. On February 15, we'll meet Round House Theatre's Jerry Whiddon, to discuss Richard Greenberg's "Three Days of Rain" (1997). April 13 brings Arena Stage's Molly Smith for Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" (1947). And on May 15 we'll dissect Donald Margulies's "Collected Stories" (1996) with Olney Theatre's Jim Petosa. Sandwiched in on March 15: playwright & director Heather McDonald, discussing her new play "Available Light," which premieres March 7 at Signature Theatre. Mark your calendars now!

Calendar

Thursday, December 16, 6:30 p.m.: "On the Verge," Luna Books
Monday, January 24, 6:30 p.m.: "Stop Kiss," Luna Books
Sunday, January 30, 2 p.m.: "Stop Kiss," Woolly Mammoth Theatre
Tuesday, February 15, 6:30 p.m.: "Three Days of Rain," Delray Viet Garden
Saturday, February 19, 3 p.m.: "Three Days of Rain," Round House Theatre
Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.: "Available Light," Luna Books
Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m.: "Available Light," Signature Theatre