Love fest at the National Symphony

Seong-Jin Cho takes his seat to begin Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

The Kennedy Center was hopping Friday night with Chinese dance and music in the Opera House, tick, tick ...BOOM! at the Eisenhower Theater, the National Symphony Orchestra at the Concert Hall and plenty of ushers to smile, greet us, and answer questions like, "which way to the opera?" "The Symphony?"

At the Concert Hall, I was fortunate in my wretched seat (first tier, against the wall's perimeter) to be caddy-corner from a fellow on the row in front of me whose head bobbed up and down, like maestro Gianandrea Noseda's baton, affording me a milli-second glimpse every so often of the guest pianist Seong-Jin Cho playing Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58.

Seong-Jin Cho returns to the stage again and a standing ovation, followed by conductor Noseda/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

Before Cho finished Beethoven, the head of the man in front of me at last settled at a right angle and did not move until roused by the applause at the end which afforded me a long-awaited few moments of actual sighting of Mr. Cho whose fingers naturally were obscured from my view and hidden by the piano.

The piece thrilled the sold-out crowd, calling Mr. Cho back for five (or six? I lost count) returns to the stage where, at last, he sat down for one more time to play a bit of, was it Mozart?

It was a dreadful seat I had.

Once at Strathmore for the Baltimore Symphony, when I had one of those seats high up against the wall on the perimeter of the hall, I asked for another seat at intermission and got one! (This has worked for me every time on Broadway when two-ton Harry sits in front of you and your view is hidden. I tell you stage managers do a very good job!)

I had waited until the last minute to buy a ticket for the National Symphony and there were few tickets left. My fault.

My dreadful seat ($45.71) allowed me to see half the stage, smashed up against the wall, but, after all, we go for the sound, right? and not the visuals, but seeing is believing and sights do help!

You know the seats: The ones you spot when you look up from the orchestra level and are always thankful it's them and not you sitting up there, only able to see half the stage.

All three of the pieces on the program were huge hits and it was hard to judge which was the crowd favorite, but let me just say, they all were.

I went for the Shostakovich.

Conductor Noseda and composer-in-residence Carlos Simon at the conclusion of Simon's Wake Up!/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

Conductor Noseda and composer-in-residence Carlos Simon bow their heads to receive the audience's applause at the conclusion of Simon's Wake Up!/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

The evening began with the stirring Wake Up!, a NSO co-commission and the NSO premiere with the composer-in-residence, Carlos Simon, on hand to receive ongoing applause from the wildly enthusiastic audience. Mr. Cho followed before intermission.

Conductor Gianandrea Noseda recognizes members of the National Symphony at  the conclusion of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

But, truly, truly, I say unto you that the Washington, D.C. Symphony audience is madly in love with conductor Gianandrea Noseda who seems to sincerely enjoy the accolades thrust upon him and who wouldn't?

He was awarded with nonstop standing ovations and applause which drew him back three times to the stage after he finished Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony which the orchestra pounded out in militaristic style. (Take that, Stalin and Putin!)

Although the QR code was available for a digital-ugh-program, the ushers upstairs distributed printed programs to the welcoming crowd. (Thank you very much, ushers! Maybe I should not complain so much about upper-level seating where we can get printed - mon Dieu! - programs!)

What a night it was!

More! More! Please play and program more like last weekend!

Rock on, National Symphony!

Next up: The National Symphony Orchestra with Audra McDonald, Jan. 30 and Jan. 31, 8 p.m., Kennedy Center

The view from Tier I while standing/By Patricia Leslie, Jan. 26, 2024

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Eating at a 5-diamond restaurant in Canada

This was served first and I am not sure what to call it since it was not listed on the menu, but it was delicious/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

Eden at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff National Park  in the Canadian Rockies is one of only three AMA Five-Diamond restaurants (and the Eden, more than once) in all of Canada, and the only one in western Canada to achieve this status.

It has recently been named one of the top 1000 restaurants in the world for 2024 by the French-based guide, La Liste, making it one of only 19 restaurants in Canada to be included on that list.  

The first course was canapes of "artisanal breads" and three kinds of "cultured butters" and every bit as delicious as one might expect/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

In 2022 it was named the Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant in North America by the World Culinary Awards.  

So, naturally while staying at the Rimrock as a member of Road Scholar's Christmas tour in Banff, my new friend Sara and I took advantage of the proximity to Eden to partake of its fare.  

We could have ordered the seven course meal ($185, Canadian) or the vegetarian seven courses ($175), but being cost-conscious consumers, we opted for the four course meal ($135 Canadian dollars = about $100 American dollars).

What looks like a boat growing trees (the latest in yacht designs) was actually beetroot with pomegranate, quinoa and pecan which I ordered for my second course and although this presentation may look unappetizing, let me assure you it was anything but.  (You don't  have a landscape gardener for your yacht?  Let me assure you, they are coming.)

For her second course, Sara chose Brussel sprouts in maple glaze with chestnut and gruyere. (Please read below.)/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

As I recall, Sara ordered Brussel sprouts, a vegetable I escape whenever possible and I cannot recall how she described it which was probably as dull as the taste. (If you grow up in the South as I did, Brussel sprouts is a Yankee dish that does not grace Southern tables.)

 

For our next course, we both chose the lamb tartare in carrot curd with mint gel and herb crostini/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

I erred and joined Sara in choosing "lamb tartare" (raw lamb) for our next course.  If you do not know (I did not), it is raw lamb which I was unable to eat. (What was I thinking? I was not thinking!) Indeed, it was so rare that, to quote my dad when describing rabbit my mother cooked for him one time and one time only, the baby animal jumped off the plate, crying baa...baa all the way home. I did not know that rabbits cried outloud.

Sara raved about the lamb tartare.

For my entree, I selected sablefish in chorizo with clams in lobster bisque/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

The sablefish for my next course had been heartily recommended by our tour guide, Jake, and it lived up to its reputation, floating in a clam and lobster bisque which was as scrumptious as this description implies and not too heavy.

Sara had the celeriac pithivier with mustard, sauerkraut and umami jus for her entree/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

My dessert was, of course! Chocolate, manjari with citrus and red currant and cashew/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

My dessert, the Manjari chocolate kind did not disappoint! 

A dessert of sea buckthorn in creme fraiche with hazelnut and brown butter was Sara's choice. Since I cannot recall accurately about her receipt of some of her choices, I shall not include Sara's opinions/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

For a parting gift, Eden gave us this loaf of bread packaged in a handsome cardboard box/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 23, 2023

For "take home," Eden gave us each a loaf of bread beautifully wrapped for the season.  Although a bit dry, we agreed the next day, which was Christmas Eve, that it was an ample substitute for breakfast on Christmas Day when we skipped breakfast for champagne and the delicate but mountainous tea spread (no one could eat everything) at the historic (1888) Fairmont Hotel. (Check out the pictures.  Our tea [pictured below] was on that first floor above the tree tops with all the glass windows overlooking the mountains. Sigh) 

Tea at the Fairmont Hotel where we could not finish all the delicacies, but I do recall that was some sort of Egyptian tea and quite delicious, almost exceeded in taste by the champagne. If there's anything which beats champagne, prithee, sayeth thee!/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 25, 2023

A bar at the Fairmont/By Patricia Leslie, Dec. 25, 2023

After our meal at Eden, we independently agreed later that the experience, ambiance, and restaurant service exceeded the food quality, and perhaps it was because we only ordered wine by the glass and perceived that the sommelier was a bit haughty and unhappy with us whenever he wheeled the wine bar up to our table. 

Overall:  All I want for Christmas is more Rimrock! Where service exceeds any that I have found in Europe, Africa, North and South America, and if you're lucky, Pierre, the 7-foot-tall bellman, will be "on duty."

But, please leave the Brussel sprouts and baa baa baby lamb at home.  Thank you.

A view from my hotel room at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, Canada/By Patricia Leslie, Dec., 2023

Another view from my hotel room at the Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, Canada/By Patricia Leslie, Dec., 2023

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Holiday lights still gleam in Centreville at NOVA Park

There's more than just lights at the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

 At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

 At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

You've still got time to pile up a carful and drive through NovaPark's Festival of Lights in Centreville with a discount of $10 to get you in cheap ($20) this last weekend, if you order online.

The show starts at 5:30 p.m. with the last admittance at 10 p.m.

At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

Toy soldiers welcome visitors to Toyland at the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

Take a look at these beautiful colors and designs to make a festive tradition for you and yours along this 2.5 mile stretch.

If you've ever been to the East Building at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, this will remind you of the gateway to the cafeteria. At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

At the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

At the Holiday Market when the lights display ends, a mother and son pack food treats for holiday-goers to buy and feed the animals, one of whom is "Mac," a baby kangaroo which lies comfortably in the pouch held by the man who sleeps with it!!! My, what big ears you have! (For the person who has everything, a kangaroo pouch.) At the Holiday Market at the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

"Hey, what in the world is this?" seems to be on the mind of the toddler at the Holiday Market at the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

"Baaaaa...baaaa," says the wee one.  "I'll take some of that!"  At the Holiday Market at the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

"Wait just a minute!" says the black and white horned goat: "I don't mind stepping over my pal here to get some of the grub which must be for me!!" At the Holiday Market, the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

"Gulp, gulp," says the camel:  "I'll have some of that, please." At the Holiday Market, the 2023 Bull Run Festival of Lights/By Patricia Leslie

The Holiday Market is found at the end of the drive, complete with animals to feed, like a camel, sheep, llamas, and more.

If you've missed the dates, there's always next year to insert this tradition in your new 2024 calendar beginning in November.

Enjoy, whether this weekend or next Christmas! 

What: Bull Run Festival of Lights

When:  Ending Jan. 7, 2024 at 10 p.m.

Where: 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA 20121

How much:  Online, $30/carload (use promo code extra 23 to get $10 off online), $40/carload at the gate; $75/bus or those with 15 or more. (Transaction fee and tax, not included.)

For more information:  703-631-0550 or email  bull_run@nvrpa.org

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A play for all seasons: Folger's 'Winter's Tale'

Hermione (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) and Polixenes (Drew Kopas) talk stayovers in Folger Theatre's The Winter Tale; Brittany Diliberto, photo

Shakespeare is alive and well at the newly renovated Folger Theatre, inaugurated by one of the master's so-called "problem plays," simply defined as a mixture of drama and comedy, a "tragicomedy," the latter scattered throughout The Winter's Tale.

Sex, murder, and (surprise!) a love triangle  take center stage as the jealous King Leontes (Hadi Tabbal) falsely accuses his wife, the pregnant Hermione (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) of infidelity with his best friend, Polixenes (Drew Kopas), king of Bohemia.

King Leontes sends his wife to prison for her supposed infidelity where she dies after giving birth to Perdita. 

Grief stricken over the death of his mother causes Leontes and Hermione's beloved son, Mamillius (Richard Bradford and/or Clarence Michael Payne) to fall ill and die, one of the play's tragedies.

But back to the baby whom King Leontes proceeds to exile in what turns out to be, yep, Bohemia, where she is raised by shepherds for sixteen years and falls in love with the son of Leontes's friend, who is - surprise!- Polixenes.  

When Perdita (Kayleandra White) returns home, a statue of Hermione miraculously "comes to life," and everyone is reconciled for another of the master's happy endings. (Shakespeare has a way of tying all the loose ends together for what is a story with a happy ending in the middle? Not a good one!)

When Hermione's friend, Paulina (Kate Eastwood Norris) tries to persuade the king of his irrationality, one wishes that Pauline's words prevailed in today's political discourse: 

The silence often of pure innocence

Persuades when speaking fails.

his stay in Sicilia.
King Leontes (Hadi Tabbel) talks evil with Camillo (Cody Nickell) in Folger Theatre's The Winter Tale; Brittany Diliberto, photohis st

The powerful performance of Hadi Tabbal as King Leontes is dramatic with delivery and actions which easily command every scene he's in, as it should be. 

At the end when all the living players are united, and Hermione comes alive from her statuesque position to enchant her husband all over again, there is much rejoicing and good cheer. 

Shakespeare even tries to assuage Paulina's sorrow over the death of her husband, Antigonus (Stephen Patrick Martin), who has been killed by a bear while sleeping on the Bohemian beach to protect the infant, by marrying Camillo (Cody Nickell). (You have to be there.)

(One of the marvels of the show was Crowe-Legacy's ability to stand silently without movement for several minutes like the statue she was, and my proximity to the stage allowed me to view her closely.) 

The Winter's Tale is one for all seasons for it kept me going all night without my breaking into slumber which usually is my condition around the second act.

Raul Abrego, Jr.'s minimalist scenic design detracts none from the action and dialogue, often seized by the whimsy of Autolycus (Reza Salazar) who periodically shows off his shiny new bicycle with a radio to streak across the stage and into the background (with sound).

Costume designer Sarah Cubbage mixes up the old with the new which fits Autolycus's antics just fine.

All's well that ends well which it does here for we like happy endings, especially at this time of year! Thank you, Folger and Shakespeare.

Other cast members are Nicholas Gerwitz, Jonathan Del Palmer, and Sabrina Lynne Sawyer.

 

The creative team included Tamilla Woodard, director;  Chelsea Dean, properties; Max Doolittle, lighting; Matthew M. Nielson, sound and composer.

Also, Kaja Dunn, intimacy; Joya Powell, choreographer; LaShawn Melton, hair and wigs; Michele Osherow, dramaturg; Lisa Nathans, vocal coach; Leigh Robinette and Taylor Kiechlin, production stage managers; Kacie Pimentel, assistant stage manager; Shana Laski, assistant director; and Tara-Whitney Rison, assistant to the director.

Folger's Winter's Tale is one of 12 different Shakespeare productions in the District's  Shakespeare Everywhere Festival, some performed through the end of the year.

(It always benefits me to read a summary of the play before I see it, rather like reading up on a country's history and culture before I visit it.)  

What: The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

When: Now through Dec.17, 2023

Where: Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Tickets: Buy online, by phone (202-544-7077), or at the box office.

Metro station: Capitol South or Union Station

For more information: 202-544-4600 or info@folger.edu

Duration:  2.5 hours with one 15-minute intermission

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Alexandria's 'Young Frankenstein,' the hit of the season!

 

Dr. "Fronkensteen" (Noah Mutterperl) and Inga (Claire Jeffrey) take a buggy ride in Young Frankenstein at Little Theatre of Alexandria/Photo by Matt Liptak

Attention, theater lovers and others: rush, do not tarry, but go straight to the Little Theatre of Alexandria‘s website for tickets for Young Frankenstein, if there are any tickets left. You can send me thanks later.

It's a hoot!

A delight!

Lots of fun throughout the night! 

Love makes the hair of Elizabeth (Liz Colandene) stand on end when she mixes it up with the Monster (Joshua Nettinga) in Young Frankenstein at Little Theatre of Alexandria/Photo by Matt Liptak

Although billed as an adult comedy, the matters at hand go by so swiftly, youngsters of all ages will enjoy the music, the action, the costumes without getting too caught up in the fast-paced adult themes.

It's the work, music and lyrics of Mel Brooks (still kickin') just so you know you're in for a good time.

The story centers on the inheritance of a spooky castle in Transylvania by Frederick Frankenstein (Noah Mutterperl), the grandson of the celebrated monster scientist of the same last name (Joshua Nettinga).

Frederick (who insists on being called Dr. "Fronkensteen" to separate himself as much as possible from his famous ancestor), needs to sell his new castle quickly so he can return home to the arms of his fiancee, the gifted (in real life) singer, Elizabeth (Liz Colandene).

Off he ventures to see his grandfather's castle and find out just what his grandfather did.

Along the way he meets a humpback, Igor (Joshua Redford) and a lab assistant, Inga (Claire Jeffrey), no relation (we don't think) a young lass who yodels and whose presence, alas, takes Dr. Fronkensteen's mind from Elizabeth as much as he tries to keep the faithful.

Together they all recreate his grandfather's monster who comes alive, escapes into the town and later meets up with Elizabeth who has suddenly arrived in town to find her fiance mixing it up with Inga. 

Alass!

Meanwhile, the townspeople are going  mad.

That Redford was able to maintain his stooped back and moving hump through the show is a marvel. Inga's playful innocence and gestures are perfect for the role and hear! hear! to those ninnying horses who don't care too much for she "vas his girlfriend," the grandfather's totally serious amour (Judy Lewis) who was able to make the good doctor rise from the dead.

Nettinga's stalk and enormous height with his makeup (by Natalie Turkevich) match all the visuals you may have mentally stored for decades.

The rich sounds of music from the hidden 10-member orchestra under the direction of Francine Krasowska and Christopher A. Tomasino make the show all the more enjoyable.

There's lots more to make the evening one of solid entertainment.

Give me laughs!

Make me smile and let's talk about the show to all who'll lend me an ear!

Other cast members are: James Maxted (the Hermit), Brian Ash (the Inspector), and ensemble members,
Daria Butler, Emily Carbone, Andrew Edwards, Louis, Eggleston, Odette Gutierrez del Arroyo, Patrick Kearney, Evie Korovesis (also dance captain), Luke Martin, James Nugent, and Lourdes Turnblom.

Congratulations to director Frank D. Shutts II who has outdone himself!

Additional crew members are Sherry Clark and Rob Cork, stage managers; Robert S. Barr, Jr., set design; Mike Taister, set decoration; Donna Reynolds, properties; Ken and Patti Crowley, lighting and special effects; Allan Wray, sound; Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley, costumes; Robert Worthington, wardrobe coordinator; Kadira, Coley, hair and wigs; and Kathy Murphy, set painting and design. 

Music and lyrics by Mel Brooks who co-wrote the book with Thomas Meehan.
Rachel Alberts and Russell M. Wyland, producers. Stefan Sittig, choreographer

When: Now through Nov. 11, 2023, Wednesday - Saturday nights, 8 p.m.

Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Tickets: $29 (Wed.- Fri.), $37 (Sat.). Prices includes fees.

Audience: General

Duration: About 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission

Public transportation: Check the Metro and Dash bus websites. Dash is free to ride and has routes which are close to LTA.

Parking: is free on streets and at Capital One Bank at Wilkes and Washington streets, a block away. Paid parking is available at nearby garages.


For more information: 

 Box Office: 703-683-0496; Main Office, 703-683-5778 or boxoffice@thelittletheatre.com.

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Vienna's charming 'Golden Pond'

 

Carolyn Corsano Wong is Ethel, Michael Mehaffey is Norman, and Matteo Hope (on floor) is Billy in Vienna Theatre Company's On Golden Pond/Shayne Gardner, photo

Norman is a grumpy old man. He’s nearing the end of his life, almost 80, and what’s it worth anyway? Life is no fun.

He’s fortunate to have a cheering, enthusiastic wife, Ethel, who’s always helping and encouraging him to look on the bright side of things, why doncha for a change?

After all, here they are again at their lovely summer home in Maine with outdoor scenery to match what surely must be heaven with tall, sweeping pines to reach the clouds, trees which edge the shoreline of the lake whose water movements do seem to wave every now and then (in a set design by Vincent Worthington).

The scene offers beauty and serenity as peaceful as anyone can imagine (to contrast with friction between dad and child soon to screen).

This environment is all part of On Golden Pond presented by the Vienna Theatre Company at the Vienna Community Center, the play certain to remind those of a certain age of the 1981 movie by the same name which followed the play and starred Jane Fonda with her father, Henry Fonda, and Katherine Hepburn, the daughter and father experiencing their own interpersonal struggles in real life.

At the show, nothing seems to be working right now for Norman (Michael Mehaffey), not even that confounded screened door, constantly falling off its hinges, much like Norman himself.

"We're not getting any younger, Ethel!"

Hold it!

Well here comes their daughter, Chelsea (Deena Walter) stopping by to wish her old man a happy birthday, accompanied by her fiancé, Bill (Will Jarred) who's towing his teenaged son, Billy (Matteo Hope).

"Oh, say! Mom and Dad, would you mind watching Billy for a few days while we take off for Europe?"

Gulp, sure daughter, not exactly what we had in mind for our stay here, but whatever makes you happy! Don't mind us.

Turns out, Billy is the gift that keeps on giving, who turns Norman's key to more spring in his step. While the lovebirds are off galavanting across the pond, Billy and Norman are developing their own repartee which becomes the subject of envy when Chelsea returns to Maine and tries to improve her relationship with her dad who's a tad lost.

Director Terri Ritchey has no trouble convincing the audience that Mehaffey's droll and gait make him certifiably "old," while his mate, the energetic and sunny Carolyn Corsano Wong, shines as the opposite.

Zell Murphy is the longtime friend and postman, Charlie, who drops in every so often to reminisce about old times and lighten the mood which, like life, has its ups and downs.
Shayne Gardner is the dynamic telephone operator.

Whatever your age and your spirits, they will be brightened by the message found at this summer home: To count your blessings, hug your loved ones, and celebrate each day as if it were the last which Norman realizes before it is.

Other production team members are Reece Smyth and Pete Storck, producers; Erika Horton and Bob Jordan, co-directors; Sprite Briner, make up and hair; Linda Comer,
properties; Jason Crosby,master carpenter;
Peter Ponzini, lighting; David Ritchey, stage manager; Sue Ellen Smoot, set dressing; Lelah Sullivan, costumes; Wil Taft, sound; Steven Wong, back stage manager; and the playwright, Ernest Thompson.


On Golden Pond  is presented Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through November 5, 2023 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 255-6360. Tickets, $15. For more information: vtcshows@yahoo.com


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