IF YOU ENJOY musicals — and who among us does not? — you might know of Jason Robert Brown. He's a young composer who has taken the young man angst that made Ben Folds so popular, otherwise known as "I'm a vaguely dissatisfied, self-absorbed young white guy who plays the piano really well," and translated it into musicals. But now he's writing orchestral music for a new adaptation of "Trumpet of the Swan," the beloved children's story.
The script is by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman and Kathy Bates stars, but the real draw should be Brown's music.
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Thu.-Sat., Dec. 4-6, 7:30 p.m., $18-$35; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)
Image courtesy Kennedy Center
THIS YEAR, the Christmas Revels draw inspiration from French-speaking Canada. The party starts on Saturday night at Lisner.
» Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW; Dec. 6-7 & 12-14., $12-$45, 800-595-4849. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)
Written by Express' Nathan Martin
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR again, whether you'd like to admit it or not. The fridge is still stuffed with Thanksgiving leftovers, but radio stations have been piping Christmas tunes since Halloween ended. While some of us harbor a deep resentment for such over-eager stations, others feel a sort of warm, genuine cheer when stores start decorating with tinsel and lights.
The holiday season smells like fresh-baked gingerbread, tastes like spiced eggnog and sounds like the tinkling keys of a piano. Get in the spirit if you're not already with NPR's "A Jazz Piano Christmas" at the Kennedy Center, featuring Elaine Elias and Ellis Marsalis (father of jazz trumpeter Wynton), among other notables. (But if you're saving cash for presents, stay in and listen to NPR's free broadcast of the performance.)
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Thu., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., $40; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)
Written by Express' Kelsey Parrish
Photo courtesy Kennedy Center
SUCK IT UP, HIPSTERS, and hustle your tousled hairstyle and professor glasses down to Foggy Bottom on Sunday. That's where the alt-folk, sharp-dressed and contemplative Ryan Monahan will be performing his slightly twisted, jazz-inflected melodic rock for free at the Kennedy Center. You know you want to.
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Sun., 6 p.m., free; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)
Photo courtesy Revolving Doors Media
AS AN ART FORM, there is no denying the grace and beauty that is ballet. As entertainment, however, perhaps nothing has been subjected to such a blend of both praise and ridicule as ballet has.
So is ballet tiresome artsy froth or a legitimately enthralling diversion? Well, you'll have a chance to decide for yourself when the San Francisco Ballet takes the Kennedy Center stage this week for seven performances over five days. And for you dance aficionados out there who might go more than once, keep in mind the ballet will perform two different shows: a full-length production of Heigl Tomasson's "Giselle," as well as a mixed repertory program.
» Kennedy Center Opera House, 2700 F St NW; Nov. 25-30, $29-99, 202-785-9727. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)
Written by Express' Thomas Floyd
Photo courtesy Eric Tomasson
IT'S NOT SURPRISING that the British-born, American-dwelling Cox moves easily between screen ("Ladies in Lavender," "John Adams") and stage ("Translations," "Passion Play"): He's the scion of ubiquitous, versatile Scottish character actor Brian Cox. Known for his versatility, the younger Cox is currently summoning up celeb journo David Frost circa 1977. That's when the playboy/talking head famously conducted a series of intense interviews with disgraced former president Richard Nixon, in the process extracting the closest thing to a confession anyone ever got out of Tricky Dick.
» EXPRESS: Why reconsider the Nixon era now? How have Americans changed since then?
» COX: I've heard it said that it was a moment when people become more cynical. With the Nixon presidency, people got a wake-up call to hold their presidents responsible and to keep them in check. So, yes, I think that the ethics of the presidency are very much at the forefront of people's minds these days.
Continue Reading "Talking Tricky: Alan Cox, 'Frost/Nixon'" »
WITH HER FIRST solo performance coming at the age of 10, pianist Daria Rabotkina knows her way around the ivories just a little bit. The brown-eyed Russian's finger soaring skills have taken her around the world and into the Kennedy Center on Saturday.
You can't really call her a prodigy anymore; she's more like a virtuoso.
» Kennedy Center, Terrace Theater, 2700 F St NW; Sat., Nov. 15, 2 p.m., $38, 202-785-9727. (Foggy Bottom-GWU)
Written by Express' Nathan Martin
BEFORE THE FILM "Frost/Nixon" takes over your local Cineplex, you can take in the original play at the Kennedy Center through the end of the month.
TV host David Frost and disgraced former president Richard Nixon face off in this dramatization of Frost's famous interviews with Nixon. Even if you're inspired by the new president-elect, Stacy Keach's performance as Nixon reminds us of the most ignominious American political downfall of the 20th century, and it's sobering.
It helps, of course, that the play is stunningly written and that Alan Cox, who plays Frost, delivers a performance that effectively balances Keach's dour ex-president.
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; through Nov. 30, $25-$80; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)
Photo by Carol Rosegg
IF YOU'RE INTO Broadway musicals, you've probably heard Rebecca Luker. The acclaimed soprano has played in everything from "The Music Man" on Broadway to Stephen Sondheim's "Passion" at the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration a few years ago. Her cabaret at the Kennedy Center this time around is part of an ongoing series in which Broadway stars are brought to D.C. and allowed to sing whatever they want.
Her voice is gorgeous, the kind of classic Broadway soprano that you just don't hear anymore. Expect a mix of classic show tunes and probably an ill-advised cover of a modern pop ballad. Ten points if it's "My Heart Will Go On."
» Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW; Sat., Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., $45; 202-467-4600. (Foggy Bottom)
Photo by Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post
MELANIE WEBB IS IN FINE SHAPE year-round, but in the weeks leading up to her annual Utah ski trip, the trainer preps her body for slope supremacy. And this year, she's taking her regimen to the Sports Club/LA (1170 22nd St. NW, 202-974-6600, Thesportsclubla.com). Her six-week course ($640 for members, $880 for nonmembers), which starts next Tuesday, will get progressively more challenging as ski season approaches. She plans to boost strength in key muscle groups — including the legs, the core and the shoulders — and target agility and flexibility, two skills that can save you from an injury on the slopes.
Photo courtesy of iStock
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