FROM THE FOOTLIGHTS - March 1998

Shredded Nerves & the Marquis de Sade

On Monday, March 23, Footlights continues our spring madness series with 'The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade' (1964), by German playwright Peter Weiss. The New York Post called 'Marat/Sade' 'strange and brutal and memorable,' while the New York Times called it 'sardonic and impassioned, pitiful and explosive.' Time Magazine warned that 'Marat/Sade' 'shreds the nerves [and] may scare the living daylights out of more than a few playgoers.' We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW (a few blocks E of Dupont Circle). Dinner begins at 6:30. Our discussion starts at 7:45 & will end in time to get home for announcement of the major Academy Awards. Make reservations now by e-mail to [email protected] or by calling 202-638-0444. You can get 'Marat/Sade' at Backstage Books, 2101 P St., NW (just W of Dupont Circle) (202-775-1488), &maybe also at Olsson's, 1307 19th St., NW (202-785-1133). Mention Footlights for a special discount. Backstage will mail you a copy for an extra $2; order now to allow time for shipment. Our discussion of 'Marat/Sade' will feature director Jesse Berger, whose production opens at the Washington Shakespeare Co. March 12. Resident Directorial Assistant at the Shakespeare Theatre, Berger has worked most recently on that theater's productions of 'Peer Gynt' & 'Othello.'

A Visit to the Asylum

On Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m., Footlights will attend 'Marat/Sade' at the Washington Shakespeare Co., 601 S. Clark St. in Arlington, VA (703-418-4808), a short walk from the Pentagon City metro. Tickets are $12 & include a post-performance discussion with the cast. Send your check, payable to WSC, to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852. We will take ticket orders & make refunds up to March 23, but tickets are going fast & the show could sell out by then. Robin will distribute tickets at the theater before the performance. For further information, or if you need or can provide a ride, e-mail Robin at [email protected].

Spring Brings Change

The madness continues on Tuesday, April 21 with 'one of the great Irish tragedies' (Irish Times), 'The Steward of Christendom' (1995), by Sebastian Barry. We will meet in April at a new location: TGI Friday's, 2100 PA Ave., NW (2 blocks E of Foggy Bottom metro). On Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m., we will attend 'The Steward of Christendom' at the Studio Theatre, 1333 P St., NW. Tickets are $19. Make your check out to Robin Larkin & mail by April 10 to Robin at 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852. On a new date, May 13--one week earlier than previously announced-we begin a new series, 'Breaking the Rules.' Plays include Luigi Pirandello's 'The Rules of the Game,' David Hare's 'Racing Demon,' and Hugh Whitemore's 'Breaking the Code.' We will visit the Washington Stage Guild May 17, the Olney Theatre June 21, & the National Cryptologic Museum August 1.

Member Plays on Stage March 30

On Monday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m., the Source Theatre, 1835 14th St., NW, will present 7 short plays by local playwrights to honor Edward Albee's 70th birthday March 12. The evening will include 2 plays by Footlights members: Debbie Minter Jackson's 'The Connection' & Roy Berkowitz's 'After All.' Tickets are $35. For further information call the Source Theatre at 202-462-1073.

New York Theater Tour

On Memorial Day weekend, May 21-24, the University of Chicago's Graham School will lead a tour of NY theater. You'll see 4 shows & enjoy discussions with artists active in NY theater. The tour is open to everyone, UC alum or not. Tuition is $735 & includes orchestra or front- mezzanine tickets to 4 shows &hotel room (double occupancy) for 3 nights. For further information call 773-702-1722 or send e-mail to [email protected].

Help Keep the Footlights On

To help defray Footlights expenses, make checks payable to our treasurer John Glynn & mail to John at 3741 Yorktown Village Pass, Annandale, VA 22003.

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