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Our exploration of the theme "Outsiders & Outlaws" continues on Tuesday, May 18, with "a dazzling comedy" (Vogue): "The Cripple of Inishmaan" (1996), by Anglo-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. In 1934, word comes to a remote Irish village that a Hollywood director will film a documentary on a nearby island. Everyone wants to audition, especially Cripple Billy, an unloved boy who spends much of his time gazing at cows. "Indescribably funny [and] almost offhandedly touching" (Philadelphia Inquirer), "Cripple" has "a heartbreaking tenderness and a shy warmth" (Wall Street Journal). The New York Times has called Martin McDonagh "one of the great, glowing hopes of the English- speaking theater." He is "destined to be one of the theatrical luminaries of the twenty-first century" (The New Republic).
Our meeting will feature Dr. Christina Hunt Mahony, associate director of Catholic University's Irish Studies Program, who joined last April's discussion of "The Steward of Christendom" (1995). Professor Mahony's publications include "Contemporary Irish Literature: Transforming Tradition" (1998).
We will meet at Delray Vietnamese Garden, 4918 Del Ray Ave., a few blocks N of Bethesda metro. Take both up escalators, turn left onto Old Georgetown Rd., then right onto Del Ray Ave. Drivers, look for inexpensive garages & parking lots on Cordell Ave., Del Ray Ave., & Old Georgetown Rd. Dinner begins at 6:30 & our discussion at 7:30.
Make reservations by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 202-638-0444. You can find "Cripple" in NW DC at Backstage Books, 2101 P St. & for special Footlights discounts at Olsson's, 1307 19th St. & Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave.
On Wednesday, June 16, we will discuss "Angels in America (Part One): Millennium Approaches" (1991), by Tony Kushner. A "miraculous play," "provocative, witty and deeply upsetting" (New York Times), "Millennium Approaches" won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize. Our meeting will feature director Lee Mikeska Gardner, whose production of "Millennium Approaches" we'll attend at Signature Theatre in Arlington 2 p.m. Sunday June 20. Tickets are $22. Mail your check, payable to Footlights, to Robin Larkin, 5403 Nibud Ct., Rockville, MD 20852 ([email protected]).
The University of Chicago Club of Washington, one of our sponsors, will honor Footlights with the first-ever Steffi Wallis Alumni Involvement Award, presented to Footlights founder David Sobelsohn. Steffi, a Footlights member now living in New York, will present the award at the club's annual dinner Thursday May 6. This event takes place 6:30-9 p.m. at the Hilton Arlington and Towers, 950 N. Stafford St. (Ballston metro). It includes a talk by renowned actor, director, translator ("The Trojan Women"), & Chicago professor D. Nicholas Rudall. All Footlights members are welcome. Tickets are $40. For further information, call or e-mail Alison Hagele (703-979-4834 & [email protected]) or Jeffrey Wright (301-571-9177 & [email protected]).
On Thursday, May 6, from 12-2 p.m., University of Chicago professor Nick Rudall will join Footlights for a special lunchtime meeting to discuss "Lessons of Euripides: What Modern Drama Owes to the Greeks-and What It Doesn't." We will meet at Luna Books, 1633 P St., NW, just E of Dupont Circle. Make reservations by calling Mark Gruenberg (202-638-0444). Admission is free.
We still have tickets for The Theatre Conspiracy's Saturday May 8 7:30 p.m. performance, at the DC Arts Center, of Paula Vogel's "Desdemona" (1979), a feminist retelling of Shakespeare's "Othello." DCAC's address is 2438 18th St., NW. Tickets are $12. We'll have dinner in Adams-Morgan afterwards. Anyone who sees "Desdemona" can purchase a special discount ticket to Arena's production of "How I Learned to Drive." For dinner reservations or further information call or e-mail Robin Larkin (240-669-6300 & [email protected]).
We may still have tickets for the Arena Stage's Thursday May 13 8 p.m. performance of our April play, "How I Learned to Drive" (1997), by Paula Vogel. Arena's address is 1101 6th St., SW, 1 block from Waterfront metro. Tickets are $21 & include a post-performance cast discussion. For further information call or e-mail Robin Larkin (240-669-6300 & [email protected]).
Thursday, May 13: "How I Learned to Drive," Arena Stage
Tuesday, May 18: "The Cripple of Inishmaan," Delray Vietnamese Garden
Wednesday, June 16: "Angels in America (Part I)," Luna Books
Sunday, June 20: "Angels in America (Part I)," Signature Theatre
Thursday, July 22: "The Road to Mecca," Delray Vietnamese Garden
Sunday, August 29: "The Road to Mecca," Olney Theatre
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