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Haunted by Henrik
On Wednesday, June 11, for only the third time in eight years, Footlights will
revisit a playwright when we discuss "Ghosts" (1881), by Henrik Ibsen
(1828-1906). "One of the most powerful and disturbing plays in dramatic
history" (New York Post), "Ghosts" depicts the agony of a
philanderer's widow--long protective of her late husband's reputation--who must
now confront his legacy of disease, both physical & spiritual.
"Profound" (Village Voice), "darkly brilliant" (Washington
Post), "terrifying" (New York Herald Tribune), yet with "wicked
humour" (Guardian), "Ghosts" is a "masterpiece" (New
Republic), "one of the greatest tragedies of all literature" (New York
Times).
Director Edwin Sherin will lead our discussion. In the 1960s Sherin served as
associate producing director at Arena Stage, where he directed Arena's world
premiere of "The Great White Hope" (1967). From 1994-2000, he produced
the Emmy Award-winning television series "Law & Order," for which
he still sometimes directs. He has taught at Bennington College, Boston
University, Columbia University, & (most recently) Florida State University,
among others. Sherin's own adaptation of "Ghosts," in which he will
direct his wife Jane Alexander, runs at the Shakespeare Theatre June 3-July 27.
We'll meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (202-332-2543), three blocks east of
Dupont Circle. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.; our discussion ends at 9:30. Make
reservations by calling 202-898-4825 (24 hours/day) or e-mailing [email protected].
Call soon; we're about to start a waiting list. Arrive early: latecomers may
have to eat elsewhere. "Ghosts," in the collection "Ibsen: Four
Major Plays volume II," haunt Backstage Books, 545 8th St., SE, & also
(for a Footlights discount) Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW,
& Olsson's Books & Records, 1307 19th St., NW, & 7647 Old Georgetown
Rd., Bethesda.
Great Shakespeare's "Ghosts"
On Saturday, June 28, Footlights
will attend the 2 p.m. matinee of "Ghosts" at Shakespeare Theatre, 450
7th St., NW (Gallery Place metro). Tickets are $26 or $31 & include a
post-show discussion with Joan Templeton, author of "Ibsen's Women"
(2001). We must receive payment by June 11 & can't issue refunds. Mail your
check to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 (240-669-6300 & [email protected]).
"Women" Ends "Triumphant"
Our season-long series "Women at the Footlights" will end Monday, July
14, with a "delectable" play (London Daily Mail) acclaimed by the
critics at its "triumphant" 1908 premiere (London Daily Chronicle). In
"Diana of Dobson's," by Cicely Hamilton (1872-1952), a sweatshop
worker with an unexpected inheritance spends it all on a month at a high-class
resort frequented by eligible bachelors. It's "clever" &
"illuminating" (World), "bright" &
"well-written" (London Daily Express), "witty" &
"heartbreaking" (New York Post), & "surprisingly fresh
entertainment" even today (New York Times). Playwright Cicely Hamilton also
wrote the influential polemic "Marriage as a Trade" (1909). Our
discussion will feature Alisa Palmer, Canada's foremost feminist director, whose
production of "Diana of Dobson's" runs June 3-October 4 at the Shaw
Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. For tickets or further information call
800-511-SHAW or visit www.shawfest.sympatico.ca.
A Footlights Celebration
To commemorate Footlights' eighth birthday, & the 50th birthday of its
founder, Susan Kimmel will host a Footlights Celebration 7:30 p.m., Saturday,
May 31, at 7405 Barra Dr., Bethesda. We'll have entertainment, food & drink,
& fabulous door prizes, including tickets donated by some of our favorite
theaters. Bring your checkbook: we'll be encouraging contributions towards
helping Footlights continue past this season. To RSVP or for more information,
call 301-229-3037 or e-mail [email protected].
If you can't attend but would like to help Footlights survive, send your tax-
deductible contribution (payable to "Footlights") to Susan Kimmel,
7405 Barra Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817.
Looking Forward, Looking Back
In December 2001, playwright Ernie Joselovitz joined us to discuss his work-in-progress, "Shakespeare, Moses, and Joe Papp." At the May 5 Helen Hayes Awards, "Joe Papp" won the 2002 Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play. Don't miss our next award-winner! We may still have a few tickets left for the 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8 performance of "The Rainmaker" at Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. in downtown Baltimore. We can arrange transportation. Tickets cost $22 & include a post-show discussion. Contact Robin Larkin (301-897- 9314 & [email protected]) to ask about availability. We'll have dinner afterwards at the nearby Akbar Indian Restaurant, 823 N. Charles St.
Dinner Discussions
Wednesday, June 11: "Ghosts," Luna Books
Monday, July 14: "Diana of Dobson's," Luna Books
Theater Trips
Sunday, June 8: "The Rainmaker," Center Stage
Saturday, June 28: "Ghosts," Shakespeare Theatre
More Information
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more details about regular Footlights events, exclusive invitations to special
events, occasional stories about DC-area theater, a monthly theater quiz, &
more. To become an active Footlights member, either attend a Footlights
dinner-discussion, or send your tax-deductible contribution (any amount) to John
Glynn, 3741 Yorktown Village Pass, Annandale, VA 22003.