Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
12 VOCAL PROWESS
Morgan Fairchild will get a chance to show off her
pipes at APO’s season opening concert this Saturday.
By Randy Shulman
DESIGNING LIFE
Vern Yip has built a career on making other people’s
living spaces better. At the Capital Home Show,
he’s ready to help you too.
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TWB Welcomes runs Wednesday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 30 at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.
Two rotating programs. For more information and tickets call 202-467-4600 or visit washingtonballet.org.
THEATREWEEK
More than two dozen theater companies offer discounted
tickets to their current offerings as part of the TheatreWeek
promotion, organized by TheatreWashington. For only
$12, you can snag a seat to see Mosaic Theater’s Marie
and Rosetta, while $15 gets you into Woolly Mammoth’s
Gloria, Theater Alliance’s The Events, Ford’s Theatre’s
Born Yesterday, and Rep Stage’s Sweeney Todd, to name
four. Round House’s Small Mouth Sounds, GALA’s Like
Water for Chocolate (pictured), Shakespeare Theatre’s The
Comedy of Errors, Olney’s South Pacific, and Signature’s
Heisenberg and Passion are among those that can be seen
for $35. This year’s promotion also includes several free
special events, including a Tour de Theaters Bike Ride
DANIEL MARTINEZ
with Theater J’s Adam Immerwahr on Saturday, Sept. 22,
at 9:30 a.m. For more details, call 202-337-4572 or visit the-
atreweek.org. Discount tickets available at TodayTix.com.
FORTUNE FEIMSTER
One of the funniest alums of the Chelsea
Lately comedy family, this North Carolina
native has been out as lesbian from her
very first TV appearance as a contestant on
NBC’s Last Comic Standing. More recently
Feimster played the lovable nurse Colette
on The Mindy Project, and she’s been a
regular guest on Chelsea Handler’s Netflix
show Chelsea. In addition to writing, her
main focus is stand-up, where she’s reliably
funny as all get out. Friday, Sept. 28, at 7:30
and 10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 and
9:30 p.m. Arlington Cinema N’ Drafthouse,
2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington. Tickets are
$25. Call 703-486-2345 or visit arlington-
drafthouse.com.
WANG CHUNG
BOW BOW BOW
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS (PICTURED)
Bearing the title “Lost ’80s Live,” this concert features a
parade of performers presumed left behind in the ’80s,
including the headliners, with hits including “I Ran (So
Far Away),” “Dance Hall Days,” “Everybody Have Fun
Tonight,” and “I Want Candy.” Additional acts set to hit
the stage include Animotion (“Obsession”), Farrington
and Mann (original vocalists of When In Rome UK’s “The
Promise”), Gene Loves Jezebel (“Jealous”), and Naked
Eyes (“Promises, Promises,” “Always Something There To
Remind Me”). Friday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. Warner Theatre,
513 13th St. NW. Tickets are $53 to $91.46. Call 202-783-
4000 or visit warnertheatredc.com.
LINCOLNESQUE
Keegan Theatre remounts a thoroughly Washington play it
first presented in 2009, about a speechwriter for a mediocre
Congressman headed for defeat who enlists his brother, a
psychiatric outpatient convinced he is the reincarnation of the
16th U.S. president, to write great oratory. Directed by Colin
Smith, Keegan’s remount of John Strand’s comedy features
original cast members Susan Marie Rhea, Stan Shulman, and
Michael Innocenti. Opens Saturday, Sept. 22, with a post-show
discussion featuring Strand on Sept. 30. Runs to Oct. 14. 1742
MIKE KOZEMCHAK
Compiled by Doug Rule area theaters include Landmark’s encing a rapture of cinema; it’s the cludes Oct. 3 with Panama’s Ruben
E Street Cinema (555 11th St. ushering in of a new age. The film Blades is Not My Name, celebrating
NW), Regal Majestic Stadium (900 screens as part of the next selec- the man at the center of the New
FILM Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring) and tion in the Capital Classics series York Salsa revolution in the 1970s.
the AMC Hoffman Center (206 at Landmark’s West End Cinema. Tickets are $15 general admission,
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria). Visit Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 1:30, 4:30, or $200 for “Pase Especial” with
A filmed version of the recent anamericaninpariscinema.com. and 7:30 p.m., 2301 M St. NW. priority access to every film in the
Broadway stage musical, adapt- Happy hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m. festival, including closing night
ed from the 1951 film. Director 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Tickets are $10 to $12.50. Call 202- and festival happy hours. 8633
Christopher Wheeldon, who HHHHH 534-1907 or visit landmarktheatres. Colesville Road in Silver Spring.
snagged a Tony for Best Another opportunity to see Stanley com. (Randy Shulman) Call 301-495-6700 or visit afi.com/
Choreographer for his efforts, wise- Kubrick’s masterpiece during its silver/laff.
ly retained much of Gene Kelly’s 50th Anniversary celebration. LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
moves from the movie, most notably The film is a landmark, not mere- The AFI Silver presents a festival THE CHILDREN ACT
the 17-minute ballet set to the first ly for its special effects — which, celebrating the best in contempo- Emma Thompson stars as a British
composition that George Gershwin pre-CGI, are often seamless and rary Latin American cinema, fea- High Court judge who must decide
titled “An American in Paris.” astonishing (how do they get that turing entries from 22 Spanish- on the case of a teenage boy, a
Wheeldon cast Robert Fairchild pen to twirl mid-air?) — but for speaking countries. Notable titles in Jehovah’s witness, who is refus-
of the New York City Ballet and its chilling encounter with a par- the 43-film event include The Angel, ing to undergo a life-saving blood
Leanne Cope of the British Royal anoid, soft-spoken supercomputer Luis Ortega’s stylish, true-crime transfusion on religious grounds.
Ballet. The pair returned to the named HAL. Kubrick takes his time thriller about one of Argentina’s Adapted by Ian McEwan from his
show last year for a West End telling his story, which is at once most notorious serial killers, pro- novel, and directed by Richard
debut. And it’s a taped performance transfixing and irritatingly impen- duced by Pedro Almodovar; El Eyre (Notes on a Scandal), the film
from the London run that will grace etrable, but there’s no denying that Salvador’s Pablo’s World, a noir- also stars Stanley Tucci and Fionn
movie screens on Sunday, Sept. 23. watching 2001 is akin to experi- tinged adaptation of Shakespeare’s Whitehead. Opens Friday, Sept. 21.
Showtimes vary, but most are either Othello; and Another Story of the Visit fandango. Com.
at 11 a.m. or 12:55 p.m. Participating World, a political comedy set in
rural Uruguay. The festival con-
VOCAL PROWESS
AIDS stuff.’ I lost friends because I vis-
ited hospices — people didn’t want me
around their kids, they didn’t want me to
come over to their place for dinner. But
Morgan Fairchild will get a chance to show off her pipes at APO’s it was the best thing I ever did with my
season opening concert this Saturday. By Randy Shulman life. I know I helped get funding for the
W
research. I know that I comforted the
HEN YOU THINK OF ’80S ICON MORGAN FAIRCHILD, YOU MIGHT patients that I visited. I can still see the
think of her starring roles on the era’s popular primetime soaps, Flamingo look in their eyes to this day.”
Road and Falcon Crest. Or you might recall her as one of the first celebri- In 1987, at the first unveiling of the AIDS
ties to publicly and compassionately address the burgeoning AIDS crisis. Maybe you Quilt on the National Mall, Fairchild recalls
remember her stint as Sandra Bernhard’s bisexual girlfriend on the first go-around for that a man “covered in Kaposi’s sarcoma”
Roseanne. What you likely don’t think of her as is a singer. Think again. approached the stage. “He said, ‘Would
“I’ve never really made a career out of singing,” says Fairchild in her familiar sul- you give me a hug?’ I said, ‘Of course I will.’
try low-register. “I don’t bill myself as a singer, but I’ve sung in shows since I was 10 I gave him a big hug and he just held onto
years old.” me. Then he pulled back and he looked up
Fairchild will get a chance to show off her vocal prowess this weekend when at me and said, ‘I just want you to know
she appears as a special guest at the American Pops Orchestra’s first concert of the I am a dead man. And I love you.’ Those
season. She’s spent the past several weeks getting into shape with a vocal coach. “I things stick with you beyond any fame or
have a baritone voice,” she says. “Everything always has to be lowered for me. I ain’t any movie part.” l
Morgan Fairchild will appear in the American Pops Orchestra’s “You’ve Got A Friend: A Singer-Songwriter Celebration” on Saturday,
Sept. 22, at 8 p.m., at Arena Stage, 1101 6th St. SW. Tickets are $25-$75. Call 202-599-3613 or visit theamericanpops.org.
SOUTH PACIFIC
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
South Pacific has its dated aspects,
in form as well as content, but it
is also brimming with early pop
hits-cum-American Songbook stan-
dards (“Some Enchanted Evening,”
“Bali Ha’i”). And then there’s the
show’s anti-racist messaging, which
remains satisfying and notable,
particularly in light of the contrast
of how provocatively ahead-of-
their-time they were back in the
day — and a key reason the show
won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
in 1950. It was the second of only
nine musicals to be so honored to
date. Through Oct. 7. Olney Theatre
Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring
Road, Olney, Md. Call 301-924-
3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.
GUILTY PLEASURES
Call 202-547-1122 or visit shake-
spearetheatre.org.
THE EVENTS
In the wake of a mass shooting,
Brian Calhoon’s mission is to spread the gospel of the marimba. a lone survivor yearns to find the
T
compassion, understanding, and
peace she needs to overcome her
HE WARM, TINKLING TONES OF THE MARIMBA MIGHT USUALLY BE trauma — but thoughts and visions
associated with beach bands covering “Kokomo,” but Brian Calhoon sees a bright- of the shooter haunt her every
er future for the xylophone’s laidback cousin. The tall, talented percussionist step. David Greig’s The Events
is another socially conscious,
is eager to “spread the marimba gospel,” first and foremost through his quirky, musi- thought-provoking work present-
cal-comedy showcase, Brian Calhoon’s Marimba Cabaret. ed by Theater Alliance, featuring
Fresh off his second annual summer run in Provincetown, Calhoon plants his marim- Regina Aquino as the survivor and
ba centerstage at the DC Arts Center for a one-night-only performance alongside fellow Josh Adams as the shooter, sup-
ported by a nine-member ensem-
singer-musician Erika Johnson. “We are putting together a show of basically all of our ble. Colin Hovde directs. Through
guilty pleasures,” says Calhoon. “It’s cheesy ballads, it’s some sing-a-long, it’s some songs Oct. 7. Anacostia Playhouse, 2020
from our favorite musicals, like Avenue Q and Hamilton.” Shannon Place SE. Tickets are $35
to $40. Call 202-241-2539 or visit
Calhoon believes that he and Johnson play so well together, because “we’re cut from theateralliance.com.
the same cloth. We’re both classically trained, professional percussionists, who love the-
ater and pop songs and singing. I kind of call her the lesbian version of me.” THE PAINTED ROCKS
A Bay Area native who currently resides in Boston, Calhoon has honed his version of AT REVOLVER CREEK
MetroStage, which launched in 1987
cabaret over several years. He serves as Director of Admissions at Boston Conservatory, with Blood Knot by Athol Fugard,
and was encouraged by his musical mentors “to explore this as an actual art form, com- kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season
bining singing while playing the marimba.” Now, Calhoon just wants to share his art with with the latest play by the South
African master. The Painted Rocks
more and more audiences. at Revolver Creek was inspired by
“This show to me is about giving permission to your dorky, guilty pleasure self,” he the life of outsider artist Nukain
says. “So that anyone who feels torn between one [thing] or the other, or hiding some Mabuza and shows apartheid’s lin-
part of themselves — whether it be their gender identity, sexuality, or taste in music — to gering effects in the country today.
MetroStage Artistic Associate
really come out of whatever closet they’re in. This is my little musical contribution to that Thomas W. Jones II directs Doug
mission.” —André Hereford Brown, Marni Penning, Jeremiah
Hasty, and Jeremy Keith Hunter.
To Sept. 30. MetroStage, 1201 North
Brian Calhoon’s Marimba Cabaret is Thursday, September 27, at DCAC, 2438 18th St. Royal St., Alexandria. Tickets are
NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-462-7833, or visit marimbacabaret.com. $55. Call 703-548-9044 or visit
metrostage.org.
QUEER(ING) PLEASURE
PHOTO CREDIT
Inspired by Audre Lorde, this
exhibit of works in various media is
focused on illustrating “the radical
queer potential of pleasure” and the
ways in which pleasure is an “unex-
pressed and unrecognized” feeling.
Curated by Andy Johnson, per the
District of Columbia Arts Center’s
MOUNTAIN MARYLAND PLEIN AIR
Curatorial Initiative, Queer(ing) This 10th annual arts event, taking place next week in Western Maryland, is a celebra-
Pleasure goes beyond the standard tion of the region’s mountainous landscape and of the longstanding French philosophy
“limited, white, hetero-centric logic of “painting in the open air.” Produced by the Allegany Arts Council, the festival selects
of the erotic” with works of per-
formance, photography, embroi- a total of 30 artists from around the country to spend the week painting the scenery
dery, video, and sculpture by artists surrounding a particular area spot of their choosing. Among the D.C./Baltimore area
including Antonius Bui, Monique artists participating this year are Lissa Abrams, Claudia Brookes, Henry Coe, David Diaz,
Muse Dodd, Tsedaye Makonnen,
John Paradiso, and Jade Yumang.
Raymond Ewing, David Finnell, Jane Knighton, Mike McSorley, Chris Rapa, and J. Stacy
To Oct. 14. DCAC, 2438 18th St. Rogers. On Friday, Sept. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., all participating artists will unveil their
NW. Call 202-462-7833 or visit works during the 2018 Collector’s Reception and Awards, where $11,000 will be given
dcartscenter.org. out to winning artists and patrons will have the first opportunity to purchase the festi-
val-created works. The general public gets that opportunity the next day, Saturday, Sept.
FOOD & DINING 29, which also ushers in a judged Quickdraw competition, concluding with an awards
DENIZENS BREWING: MAKE IT
ceremony, at the downtown Cumberland pedestrian mall. Proceeds of artwork sales go
FUNKY WILD BEER FEST toward the Arts Council, based in Cumberland, Md. Call 301-777-2787 or visit mmpleinair.
Silver Spring’s lesbian-owned org for more information.
brewery hosts the 4th annual fes-
tival celebrating the unique style of
wild and sour brews — from briny
goses to barnyardy brett beers. Over a concoction of Tito’s vodka, mud- motion includes a loyalty punch
100 funky beers from more than 30 LEGAL SEA FOODS: 10TH dled cucumber, lime, and grape- card, with each liter of beer earning
craft breweries, most of them local, ANNUAL OYSTER FESTIVAL fruit bitters. Available at lunch and one punch — those with 10 punch-
will be available for tasting at this The Massachusetts-based seafood dinner daily now through Oct. 10. es will win an Oktoberfest-themed
event, with the band Soul Witness chain celebrates all things bivalves. All three area locations: 704 7th St. das boot to take home. Daily from
performing in the beer garden and Fried oysters are available in the NW, 2301 Jefferson Davis Highway, 4 p.m., weather permitting. Begins
DJ Kenny M. in the brewery. A spe- following styles: Buffalo with blue Arlington, and 2001 International Saturday, Sept. 22. Saturday, Sept.
cial festival menu will also be avail- cheese, celery hearts, and radish; Drive in Tysons Galleria, McLean. 29, offers a DJ playing German
able. Among the participating brew- BBQ with coleslaw and BBQ mayo; Visit legalseafoods.com. pop hits from 2 to 5 p.m. Through
eries in addition to Denizens: D.C.’s Sriracha Lime with roasted corn Oct. 22. Radiator, Mason & Rook,
3 Stars, Atlas, Bluejacket, Craft salsa and crispy shallots; or as an RADIATOR BIERGARTEN 1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Patio
Kombucha, Hellbender, and Right “Oyster BLT” with chipotle mayo. The cocktail bar and cafe in seating on a first-come, first-served
Proper, Maryland’s Black Flag, Baked Oysters are prepared as a Kimpton’s Mason & Rook hotel basis. Call 202-742-3150 or visit
Brewer’s Art, Franklin’s, Manor Lobster Spinach Oyster bake with will celebrate cooler temperatures radiatordc.com.
Hill, Union Craft, and Waredaca, cheese and herbed crumbs; Oyster and Oktoberfest traditions with an
and Virginia’s Black Narrows, Mad Scampi with shrimp, garlic butter, autumnal festival on the patio, com-
Fox, and Port City. Saturday, Sept.
29, from 1 to 5 p.m. 1115 East-West
and white wine; Crab & Cheese
Oyster with Jonah crab, horserad-
plete with outdoor fire pits. The ABOVE
highlight is German fare on com-
AND BEYOND
Highway, Silver Spring. Tickets are ish, cheddar, and cream cheese; munal tables, from the traditional
$62.50 online or $75 at the door or Roasted Oyster with smoked (Bavarian-themed lagers poured
and include a souvenir tasting glass chorizo, butter, and fresh herbs. A into steins) to reimagined bier-
and unlimited sample pours. Call variety of oysters will also be avail- DC STATE FAIR
garten bites from Executive Chef
301-557-9818 or visit denizensbrew- able raw, served on the half shell, Now in its ninth year, this is a free,
Jonathan Dearden, including pret-
ingco.com. with selections and prices changing all-volunteer, non-governmental
zels and beer cheese dip, grilled
daily depending on what’s available. showcase of the region’s agricultur-
bratwurst with charred onion and
Wash it all down with this year’s al and artistic talents, named with
sauerkraut, and chicken schnitzel
official festival drink, the Deadrise, a wink to efforts for D.C. state-
sliders on a pretzel bun. The pro-
DAY IN COURT
More than 60 LGBTQ and HIV advocacy organizations are demanding a full
investigation of the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. By John Riley
O
N TUESDAY AFTERNOON, THE SENATE for any such investigation to occur, undermining the
Judiciary Committee cancelled a planned vote credibility of the entire exercise,” the groups wrote in a
on the Supreme Court nomination of Brett letter. “Moving ahead on such an artificially expedited
Kavanaugh, following recent sexual assault allegations schedule will do lasting and irreparable damage to the
lodged against him. legitimacy of not only the United States Senate but the
Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to replace Supreme Court as well.”
the seat being vacated by retiring Justice Anthony The groups say that the assault allegations against
Kennedy, had originally seemed all but certain to Kavanaugh add to a mounting number of concerns
be confirmed. Then, on September 13, Sen. Dianne about him, not the least of which is his trustworthiness
Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced that she had sent the and veracity.
FBI a letter from a woman claiming that she had been “[T]hese new charges are serious and potentially
assaulted by Kavanaugh during high school. disqualifying for any person being considered for a
On Sept. 16, California professor Christine Blasey position of authority and trust,” they wrote. “This is
Ford came forward and told the Washington Post that, particularly so for someone nominated to serve on the
when she was 15 years old, Kavanaugh, then 17, and nation’s highest court, thus making the need for a fair
a friend, Mark Judge, had corralled her into a room and independent investigation even more critical.
at a house party in Maryland. She claims Kavanaugh “Nearly twenty-seven years ago, Professor Anita
pinned her down and attempted to undress her, put- Hill was vilified for coming forward to tell her story,”
ting his hand over her mouth to stifle any screams. She the letter adds, referring to allegations of sexual harass-
eventually escaped, but the trauma she experienced ment lodged against Supreme Court Justice Clarence
ultimately forced her to seek therapy as an adult. Thomas. “But even she was given a fuller hearing than
Senate Republicans have scheduled a hearing on what is currently being contemplated here. This is sim-
Monday to investigate the allegations, and expect both ply unacceptable. We urge the Senate not to repeat the
Ford and Kavanaugh to testify. Ford, meanwhile, has grave mistakes of the past when it comes to addressing
requested that the FBI be allowed to fully investigate serious allegations of sexual misconduct by a nominee
before any hearing is held. to the Supreme Court.”
Ford’s allegation — corroborated by therapist’s Individual signatories weighed in on Senate
notes from sessions long before she came forward pub- Republicans rapidly pushing to dispense with the alle-
licly — not only threatens to derail Kavanaugh’s nom- gations against Kavanaugh.
ination, but also gives hope to LGBTQ organizations “Professor Blasey Ford’s allegations demand a full
and activists who have been monitoring Kavanaugh and thorough vetting,” Sharon McGowan, the chief
with particular interest. strategy officer and legal director of Lambda Legal,
When Trump first announced his name, alarm bells said in a statement. “Since the announcement of Judge
rang over a judicial record that included views oppos- Kavanaugh’s nomination [on] July 9, LGBT advocacy
ing same-sex marriage, his opposition to the Affordable groups have repeatedly asked the Senate Judiciary
Care Act (including guaranteed coverage for people Committee to release his full record so that the Senate
with preexisting conditions, such as those living with and the public have full information about the man
HIV), and views on civil rights that will likely endanger who has been nominated for a lifetime appointment to
members of the LGBTQ community. the Supreme Court.”
Prior to the Senate vote being cancelled, more than McGowan accused Senate Republicans of rushing
60 LGBTQ and HIV advocacy organizations had writ- ahead with the nomination, which she called “tainted
ten to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Feinstein from the start by the failure by both the nominee and
demanding a halt to any activity related to Kavanaugh’s Republican leadership to disclose key information in
nomination until Ford’s claims are fully and thorough- Kavanaugh’s record.”
ly investigated. She added: “The evidence suggesting that
“Scheduling a hearing on Monday allows no time Kavanaugh has provided untruthful testimony under
oath — about his substantive views, as well as his con- onto the letter, also called for a delay of any vote and a
duct while in the George W. Bush White House — only full vetting of the charges against Kavanaugh.
exacerbates our already grave concerns.” “Christine Glaser Ford is brave to come forward
Lambda Legal previously filed several FOIA with her story, and she must be treated with respect
requests and at least two lawsuits to compel the release and dignity,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a
of documents related to Brett Kavanaugh’s position statement. “Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination process has
as White House Staff Secretary during the George W. been anything but transparent, and now with this grave
Bush administration. Lambda Legal particularly asked charge of sexual assault, this process must be halted
for documents relating to any role Kavanaugh may immediately.
have played in crafting or pushing for policies that “Moving forward with this confirmation process
discriminated against LGBTQ couples, their children, without conducting a thorough investigation would be
and families. deeply troubling and offensive to the American people,
Shannon Minter, legal director of the National but more importantly to survivors of sex crimes across
Center for Lesbian Rights, said that Ford’s allegations the country. It would communicate their trauma isn’t
were “detailed, credible, and corroborated by reports worthy of justice if a person sitting on the nation’s
to third parties,” and thus merit further investigation. highest court can be confirmed without being investi-
The Human Rights Campaign, which did not sign gated for alleged sexual violence.” l
BED FELLOWS
Gay Sesame Street writer based Bert and Ernie’s storylines
on his own relationship. By Rhuaridh Marr
A
gay scriptwriter who worked on long-run- Though apparently originally based on the
ning children’s show Sesame Street has con- friendship between puppeteers Jim Henson and
firmed that he based Bert and Ernie’s char- Frank Oz, by the time Saltzman began writing
acter dynamic on his own relationship. the characters, he was drawing inspiration from
Mark Saltzman, who won an Emmy for his work his own life for Bert and Ernie — specifically his
on the show, told Queerty that writing the charac- relationship with the late documentary filmmaker
ters as gay was the only way he could “contextual- Arnold Glassman.
ize” them. “More than one person referred to Arnie and
“I remember one time that a column from The I as ‘Bert & Ernie,’” Saltzman said. “I was Ernie.
San Francisco Chronicle, a preschooler in the city I look more Bert-ish. And Arnie as a film editor
turned to mom and asked ‘are Bert & Ernie lovers?’” — if you thought of Bert with a job in the world,
he said. “And that, coming from a preschooler was wouldn’t that be perfect? Bert with his paper clips
fun. And that got passed around, and everyone had and organization? And I was the jokester.”
their chuckle and went back to it. And I always felt Glassman and Saltzman were a couple when he
that without a huge agenda, when I was writing joined Sesame Street, and as such, he didn’t know
Bert & Ernie, they were. I didn’t have any other way “how else to write them, but as a loving couple.”
to contextualize them.” “That’s what I had in my life, a Bert & Ernie
Rumors have surrounded Bert and Ernie for relationship,” he said. “How could it not permeate?
years, aided by their close relationship and their The things that would tick off Arnie would be the
even closer living situation — the pair sleep in sep- things that would tick off Bert.”
arate beds, but in the same bedroom. However, Saltzman revealed that he didn’t dis-
Their oft-rumored love even led the New Yorker close to the show’s higher-ups that he was writing
to show the puppets cuddled on the couch, watch- Bert & Ernie based on his own relationship, instead
ing news that the Supreme Court justices had keeping his inspiration to himself while giving the
struck down anti-gay Proposition 8 and parts of the characters the soul — and the friction — of a real
Defense of Marriage Act. same-sex couple. l
Y
form and function. People really responded to it. And the rest is history.
“Whether it’s a project — a home, a business — or a product, MW: Has design become more accessible?
there always has to be a confluence of function and aesthetic,” he YIP: I think it has gotten significantly better. And I think a lot of it
says. “Something can be beautiful, but if it doesn’t function cor- happened as a result of Trading Spaces and the launch of HGTV
rectly, to me it’s a failure. Similarly, if something just functions and of design programming. Also, I think people now realize the
and it’s not aesthetically pleasing, it’s also a failure.” benefit of great design. Your home is the place where you spend
A native of McLean, Va., Yip recently took time out of his the most important moments of your life with your friends and
busy schedule to discuss his life and career, and why he con- your family. People began to see real value in putting time and
siders himself “the world’s luckiest guy” — a realization that hit energy into the way their home looks, so that their home reflects
after he turned 50 earlier this year. who they are aesthetically and who they are functionally.
“I get to work on the things that I really want to work on,” he It also coincided with this movement away from having your
says. “I get to pursue my passion and I get paid for it. I’m a family home look like everyone else’s in your neighborhood, having to
man, which I always wanted to be. And I have a great husband, I live up to somebody else’s standard, having to buy things in sets
have great kids. Not only do I love my kids, I really like my kids. — the dining room set with the matching chairs and the match-
I feel incredibly lucky, truly grateful — grateful for everything I ing china cabinet, or the living room set. It coincided with this
get to do.” time in history of embracing individuality, and the idea that hav-
ing your own style is okay — not only okay, but preferable. And
retailers responded accordingly. They responded to the popular-
METRO WEEKLY: This weekend you return to the D.C. area for the ity of Trading Spaces, the popularity of HGTV, and the increased
Capital Home Show. What about that are you looking forward to? demand they saw from people wanting more options that were
VERN YIP: I’m really excited to be back in my hometown and well-designed and well thought-out, but also accessible.
to be talking to people about what’s happening in the world of MW: How has the show changed over its original version?
design and how to inculcate design into their homes. It’s always YIP: It’s a completely different world that we live in today. Doing
special for me to be back in the D.C. area. It’s still my favorite Trading Spaces in the reboot version is really interesting because
part of the country, for a couple of reasons. Number one, I love of that. When we initially did Trading Spaces, we didn’t have
that it’s such an international town. I grew up in the public access to online shopping. We didn’t have things that could
school systems of Fairfax County, and had the opportunity to be delivered in 24 hours or 48 hours. We didn’t have all these
go to school with kids from all over the world, and I don’t think sites offering such a wide array of things. Of course, that’s also
that happens almost anywhere else. It has a huge impact on you daunting for the consumer. On the one hand, it’s wonderful that
growing up. We send our kids to international school here in everybody has access to so much. But on the other hand, I think
Atlanta for that reason, just the ability to be exposed to a broader people sometimes get paralyzed by all the different options.
variety of people. Another thing that makes it different is that people have a
And then I find people in D.C. incredibly interesting. It’s a completely different point of view on design. Back when Trading
very educated population, and a really informed population. Spaces first launched there was no Pinterest, there was no social
People in D.C. love the news. It’s probably where I got my addic- media, there was no sharing of ideas like there is today. Certainly
tion to the news. Growing up, I remember, at the dinner table, back then, we found that in straight married couples, the male
we discussed what was happening in the world. We discussed oftentimes didn’t [express] an opinion. He often felt like he sort
politics — and back then you could have a differing opinion. You of had to say, “Happy wife, happy life. Whatever she wants.” In
just had to be able to defend it. this rebooted version, everybody has an opinion, everybody feels
MW: You left the area and put down roots in Atlanta, where you like they have the ability to have a say, and I think that’s great.
found early success as an architect. How did Trading Spaces come MW: Does that make the process more contentious?
about? YIP: I think it’s made it more interesting and certainly more
VERN YIP: In the year 2000, I was named Southeast Designer of valuable. I always say the best design comes out of compromise.
the Year [by Veranda magazine]. And it happened to coincide When one side gets their way and the other side just relents, it
with when they were casting Trading Spaces. That award put my may look aesthetically pleasing, but it’s never going to last. And
name and face in a bunch of magazines, and one of them land- there’s always some sort of built-up resentment that will prob-
ed on the desk of a production company that was in charge of ably bubble-up down the road in some other form. So I love the
putting together the first season, casting all of the designers and idea that, no matter how disparate your partner’s point of view
the carpenters. They asked me to come in and interview for the may be from yours, no matter how unappealing aesthetically you
show. I have to admit I was reluctant initially. I was afraid that may think their point of view is, it’s worthy. And it should be
doing a show like this would torpedo my design career, because taken into consideration.
it had never been done. Back in 2000, there wasn’t this huge MW: When did you become such a fan of design?
prevalence of shows that were design-focused. There weren’t a YIP: I have been a fan of design since the moment I came out of
ton of shelter publications. It was a different world back then. the womb. It was hard for me, being a kid of immigrants, espe-
I eventually decided to seize the opportunity because it cially Chinese immigrants, to think about pursuing a career in
resonated with me — this concept that great design belongs in design, because Chinese culture really prizes the medical pro-
everybody’s home, that everybody should have the ability to fessions. I was always encouraged, like so many Asian-American
benefit from great design in their lives. It’s easy to forget, but kids, to grow up and become a doctor. My parents basically said,
back in the early 2000s, it was mostly just the top rung on the “You have two choices in life: You can grow up and become a
socioeconomic ladder that could afford to have design in their doctor, or you can grow up and become a doctor. Completely
homes. I thought, here’s an opportunity where we can really do up to you.” So I did my undergraduate at the University of
a lot of good. I don’t think anybody anticipated that the show Virginia, studying chemistry and economics — pre-med — and
would take off the way that it did. It really resonated with folks. then applied to med school. I’d spent spring, summer, and
Home Style
be able to say that. But who
knows? It might all catch up
with me, like you say, when
This weekend’s Capital Home Show offers “one-stop shopping” they’re teenagers, but I some-
and expert advice for all your home remodeling needs. how don’t think so.
MW: Do they take after you with
L
ooking for some fresh ideas for your home? The Capital Home Show offers an eye for design?
inspiration and advice on the “latest home and remodeling trends, as well YIP: Yeah, they have really
as tips and tricks,” says show manager Lisa Gardon. good design eyes. I remember
Many of those tips will be dispensed from the show’s Main Stage at the before they were born, a cou-
Dulles Expo Center, where local experts will present on specific topics including ple of friends came over and
“Luxury Design on a Budget” per Daniels Design and Remodeling on Friday, said, “Look at your house, all
Sept. 21, at 3 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m.; “Straight Answers to this stuff that’s on the coffee
Essential Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Questions” via NVS Kitchen & Bath on table, its got to go. Everything
Friday, Sept. 21, at 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m.; “How to Select that’s breakable that they can
Window Treatments for Your Home” by Frank Giglio of Value Blind & Heirloom reach, its got to go.” But I
Draperies on Saturday, Sept. 22, and Sunday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m.; and “Kitchens wasn’t raised that way. I was
That Wow!” by Dory Clemens of Foster Remodeling Solutions on Saturday, raised in a really beautiful
Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. Marlo Furniture will sponsor a new source for soliciting one- household that was appointed
on-one advice: the Ask An Expert station. with a lot of valuable, break-
But the leading dispenser of knowledge and know-how this year will be able things. And I was expect-
the show’s national headliner, designer Vern Yip. The Atlanta-based home ed to understand what should
remodeling TV star will offer an hour-long presentation “Design Wise: Essential just be looked at, versus what
Elements to Make Your House a Home” on Friday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m., and again could be touched gently, ver-
on Saturday, Sept. 22, at noon and 2 p.m. To get even more of the Yip experi- sus what was no big deal to
ence, Gardon notes that “we will also have some of Vern’s fabrics and pillows handle. I broke a few things
in the Design Home from Calico Corners.” for sure, but at the end of the
That interactive, custom-built Design Home, taking up 1,400 square feet right day, it exposed me to these
on the show floor, is meant to highlight the latest trends and ideas in design and things. I lived with them and I
decor by showcasing products, features, and accessories from local purveyors became very visually sensitive
including Revitalized Design, NVS Kitchen & Bath, ClosetAmerica, Happy Feet as a result. So we decided to
International, and Blue Sky Landscaping. take the same approach with
Finally, Stylish Patina sponsors a series of free, hands-on workshops at the our kids. And I don’t know if
Falls Church-based company’s Make-It, Take-It DIY Station. There, attendees can that’s why they’re design-ori-
sign up to make a painted picture frame or to learn how to use Chalk Paint by ented, or if it’s for another rea-
Annie Sloan, among other scheduled craft-related activities (supplies provided). son. But yeah, they have really
“We have over 270 exhibitors who are the experts in their field, all in one good design sense.
room,” says Gardon. “It’s one-stop shopping to find great deals for your MW: I understand you also have
home.” —Doug Rule four big dogs. I imagine you
have to keep some things out of
The Capital Home Show is Friday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 their way.
a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Dulles Expo YIP: Yeah, we live with over
Center, 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, in Virginia. Tickets are $10 per day. Call 500 pounds of dog. We don’t
703-378-0910 or visit capitalhomeshow.com. let them go upstairs, but that’s
not because of things that are
breakable. They have full abil-
Stunt Man
through the number of #MeToo creeps
Hillary Clinton had to face in order to
not win the presidency. A montage of
Bill O’Reilly, Matt Lauer, Mark Halperin,
Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 11/9 takes aim at Trump, Charlie Rose, Roger Ailes, and Les
the GOP, the DNC, and everything off-kilter in Moonves all praising Trump, or challeng-
post-election America. By André Hereford ing Hillary’s character, is pretty rich.
A creepier stunt, but just as effective,
H
is a bizarre interlude that jokingly exam-
AVE THESE TOPSY-TURVY CULTURAL AND POLITICAL TIMES DRIVEN ines Trump’s history of leering comments
reliably liberal filmmaker Michael Moore so far around the bend that he’s a and gestures directed towards his favorite
9/11 Truther now? The Bowling for Columbine Oscar-winner’s latest documen- daughter. His defenders surely will assail
tary, Fahrenheit 11/9 (HHHHH), raises that and many other thorny questions, mostly Moore’s take as a low blow. But is it?
prompted by the results of the 2016 presidential election. The best stunt Moore pulls with
The query that seems foremost on Moore’s mind, as he surveys the landscape of a Fahrenheit 11/9 is baiting his audience for
United States presided over by Donald J. Trump, is “How the fuck did this happen?” a takedown of #45, when really his sights
How did the transparently unscrupulous real estate mogul, who in 1998 appeared are set elsewhere. The politician who gets
alongside Moore as a C-list guest on Roseanne Barr’s failed daytime talk show, get pilloried here is Michigan’s Republican
elected to the highest office of the land? And what can “real Americans” do to protect Governor Rick Snyder, the elected official
the values of democracy, civility, and compassion from being completely eroded by any most responsible for causing, then cover-
popular demagogue with racist, sexist, and nationalist tendencies? ing up, the deadly and disabling crisis of
Moore, who definitely shares the showmanship gene with DJT, performs his lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint.
patented comic narrator routine to swell effect as he pursues enlightenment from Given what the world already knows
Philadelphia to Flint, and from Trump Tower to Stoneman Douglas High. about what happened in Flint, it’s astound-
Following a brutal prologue, that allows viewers to relive the agony/ecstasy of ing that Snyder still holds office (until
Hillary Clinton’s loss and Trump’s victory on election night, the film digs in by decon- he’s term-limited out in November). After
structing the stunt that started it all: Trump’s slow descent down that gilded escalator what is shown in this film of his handling
to announce his candidacy for president. Without providing much evidence, Moore of the crisis — based on official documents,
casts the campaign launch as a publicity stunt and NBC salary negotiation tactic that and Snyder’s own statements and press
happened to backfire into political success. conferences — it should be next to impos-
The outline and details of that argument are credibly presented, and fit Moore’s sible for him to attain any future elected
(and the Left’s) narrative about Trump, but the sequence amounts to an amusing stunt office. But stranger things have happened.
on Moore’s part to set the table for what comes next. The film intriguingly posits Snyder, a
Fahrenheit 11/9 is rated R, and opens in theaters everywhere September 21. Visit fandango.com.
Never Forget
the midst of secrets spilling, the siblings’
differences over money, responsibility,
character, parenting, politics, and religion
play out as they likely have for decades,
Pondering the ghosts of Jewish family past and present in If I Forget since long before their mother’s recent
and The Pianist of Willesden Lane. By André Hereford illness and death.
Levenson sets great traps for each of
S
the characters, granting them all the tools
TUDIO THEATRE’S STAGING OF STEVEN LEVENSON’S IF I FORGET to foil or free themselves. They’re good
(HHHHH) offers a moving, if uneven, production of a powerful play. The at getting themselves into trouble, and
gripping D.C.-set Jewish family drama, ignited by fierce political debate, seems full of surprises, too, with the exception
designed by Levenson, a Bethesda native, to cajole and discomfort in equal measure. It’s of Holly and Howard’s teenage son, Joey
up to director Matt Torney to keep the intra-familial mudslinging not just emotionally (Joshua Otten). The saggy-jeans-wear-
ripe but entertaining, and he and the cast are up to the task. Opening mood music that ing Nintendo-bot amounts to a fairly lazy
sounds disconcertingly like the theme of a treacly TV drama casts doubt at the outset, depiction of youth, and Otten’s shrill per-
but Torney and company prove to know their way around the Tenleytown home of the formance doesn’t add much dimension
play’s Fischer family. to it.
Three adult siblings — Holly (Susan Rome), Mike (Jonathan Goldstein), and Sharon Rome reveals boundless facets of
(Robin Abramson) — gather at the home of their father, Lou (Richard Fancy), ostensi- motherhood and sisterhood in her turn
bly to celebrate dad’s 75th birthday. Of course, no one is ever really just home to pop as Holly. And mingled with that is the
bubbly. It’s the summer of 2000, and much fuss is made over the storefront property almost wholly separate part of her being
that Lou owns on swiftly up-and-coming 14th Street. The eldest sibling, Holly, wants to that’s concerned with her marriage. Rome
take over the location for her new business venture, financed by her attorney husband, brings it all together beautifully, and with
Howard (Paul Morella), and she’s willing to pay market rate rent to occupy the space. lacerating humor. Abramson’s Sharon,
Sharon, the youngest, has grown close to the Latino immigrant family who currently however, probably gets the show’s best
leases the store and wants to help them by maintaining the generously below-market punchline (about an ex), and the actress
rent they pay her father. She lobbies in the interest of preserving the diverse character delivers it perfectly.
of the rapidly changing neighborhood. Or so she says. At a certain point, the line blurs
Mike, who has come from Brooklyn with his wife Ellen (Julie-Ann Elliott), isn’t so between Sharon being insistent and needy,
consumed with what to do about the store. He’s preoccupied more with the upcoming and Abramson pushing too hard in the
election, and with the breakdown in peace talks between Arafat and Barak, given that performance. But there’s good counterbal-
their 19-year old daughter is touring Jerusalem on a two-week heritage trip with “the ance in the ensemble. Elliott is intriguing
Birthright people.” Most profoundly, Mike’s bothered that dad Lou never responded to watch as Ellen, the quietly constant
after Mike sent a manuscript of his new book to read. wife who accepts that in the Fischer house
That was six months prior to the birthday dinner, and while Mike’s frustrations she’s a family member who’s not a “real”
Theater J’s The Pianist of Willesden Lane runs through September 30, at the Kennedy Center Family Theater.
Tickets are $44 to $74. Call 202-777-3210, or visit theaterj.org.
If I Forget runs through October 14, at the Studio Theatre, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $20 to $90.
Call 202-332-3300, or visit StudioTheatre.org.
BacK2bACk
Youngblood
5 Seconds of Summer
God is a Woman
Ariana Grande
SOS/Gimme Gimme
Gimme
Cher
Ring Ring
Jax Jones & Mabel
ft. Rich The Kid Tuesday, PITCHERS Wednesday, Heights, 9pm • Tickets
2317 18th St. NW available at nelliessports-
September 25 Open 5pm-12am • Happy September 26 bar.com
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7pm and 9pm games • Drinks • Half-Priced Pizzas Drag Bingo Night, hosted Full dining menu till 9pm
Side Effects Karaoke, 9pm and Select Appetizers • by Ms. Regina Jozet • Special Late Night menu
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at Number Nine every 2nd with Sasha Adams and only $4 • SmartAss Trivia Night, TRADE
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back2backpro. Wednesday, 5-10pm l
— JOEL KIM BOOSTER, a contributor to Grindr’s Kindr project, discussing sexual racism in the gay community. Kindr is the gay
dating app’s new initiative to stamp out racism, body-shaming and other negative behaviors, and launched with a YouTube video
featuring Grindr users discussing racism they’ve experienced. “It is not racist to not be attracted to me personally,” Booster added.
“But for you to say, ‘I know what every Asian guy looks like and I know for a fact that I would not be attracted to any of them,’
that comes from a racist place.”
“I feel like
the business is much more embracing
of all types of people
than they were when I was coming up.
”
— Television producer and director RYAN MURPHY, speaking with Vulture after Monday’s Primetime Emmy Awards, where a num-
ber of LGBTQ productions and artists picked up awards — including Murphy for directing a limited series for American Crime
Story. “I always felt I was an outsider but if you look at tonight and you look at Versace and RuPaul and Drag Race and Queer Eye,
I feel like the business is much more embracing of all types of people than they were when I was coming up,” he said.
“So I was very moved.”
“[LGBTQ advocates demanded] lessons that outline in detail how kids can engage in
anal and oral sex, the sex practices
of homosexuals.”
— LINDA HARVEY, the anti-gay founder of Mission: America, in an anti-sex education and homophobic article for right-wing website
BarbWire, seemingly believing that oral sex is exclusively practiced by gay people. As one Facebook Comments user noted:
“How I pity her husband!”
“I met some actors I really wanted to work with, and I just said,
‘Let’s do it. Let’s throw out the rulebook.’”
— Director WASH WESTMORELAND, speaking to Gay Star News about casting transgender actors in cisgender roles in his new film
Colette. “I talked to a lot of trans actors and all they wanted was for cisgender roles to be available to them,” he said, adding,
“I have people come up to me about our trans actors and ask: ‘Which one was he?’ And I say: ‘Bingo.’”