The Russians came to town

While the officer sleeps during the opera, a back seat irritant a la Buster Keaton keeps tabs in  Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

I loved, loved, loved it!  

"It" would be the Russians who came to D.C. and threw a hilarious party of ten Anton Chekhov short stories at the  Kennan Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

At the door, proof of Chekhov scholarship was not required.

Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Non-stop laughter filled the SRO auditorium for 90 minutes with a promised "happy ending" as in the title, Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending.  

It was.

Washington, D.C. needed it.

The reflections in the picture are "ocean waves" in Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending presented by the Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

From scene to non-sequitur scene the transitions flowed as smoothly as clouds changing colors on a March day while Chekhov played on. 

Excellent music, sound effects, lighting, and costumes all contributed to the dynamism of the production beginning with a beach scene where an actor in swim gear sang on the shore, soon occupied by other beachgoers, some to doff their clothes and "dive in."

Splashy lighting magnified the reflections of ocean ripples amidst the always welcome sound of waves that echoed throughout the chamber.

And there was music.

The wife and the mistress fight over the goods in Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Although the actors promised a "happy ending," alas, there was none until they made it so:

"You have a splinter in your finger? Be happy it's not in two fingers!"

“You don't live in downtown DC?  Be happy you live nearby!”

All this and more (Buster Keaton slapstick, action, opera, lots of sex) by a cast which wove in and out of changing sets and roles in gaily colored costumes wearing huge smiles.

It's not what you think (and certainly not at the Kennan Institute!) but merely a dentist extracting a tooth in Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

It was all a very happy ending at Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending by Russian Arts Theater & Studio at the Kennan Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Photo by Patricia Leslie

They do have a good time which rubs off on the audience and doesn't that make for a fine performance? Enjoy!

 

The Russian Arts Theater & A Studio are based in New York City where members direct acting classes and present old and new works at the new soon-to-be home at the former McAlpin Hall, West 86th and Amsterdam.

Their mission: “To preserve, promote and advance Russian arts and heritage in New York City” and “train a new generation of imaginative, innovative, and sincere artists capable of servicing the mission for generations to come.” TRATS was founded in 2004 and its studio is modeled after the Moscow Academy of Theater Arts. 

Aleksey Burago adapted Chekhov's stories and directed Michael Dona, Roman Freud, Conor Andrew Hall, Ariel Polanco, Flavio Romeo, Luisa Menzen, Tom Schubert, Lana Stimmler and Di Zhu, managing director. 

These are Russians? Sad, colorless Russians? Nyet!

My next stop in NYC:  86th West and Amsterdam! 

patricialesli@gmail.com

 

Palm Sunday concert at Church of the Little Flower, Bethesda

Choirs from Church of the Little Flower, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Louis, and Annunciation parishes with the Apollo Orchestra at the Church of the Little Flower Palm Sunday concert/Photo by Patricia Leslie

If I get to heaven, I know the music I hear will be the Agnus Dei movement from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, which, according to Wikipedia, is the Catholic Mass for the Dead, the best-known of the composer's large works with a focus on "eternal rest and consolation."

Soprano Madison Leonard with Stephen Czarkowski, director of the Apollo Orchestra, at the Church of the Little Flower Palm Sunday concert/Photo by Patricia Leslie

I do not have words to convey the majesty and beauty of the piece performed Palm Sunday at the Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda by the Apollo Orchestra and its 55 members who accompanied Washington National Opera's "young artists,"  Madison Leonard, soprano, and Michael Hewitt, baritone, and choirs of 62 voices from Little Flower, Saint Batholomew, Saint Louis, and Annunciation churches who sang the entire Requiem under the direction of Terry Eberhardt.

Soprano Leah Hawkins sings at the Church of the Little Flower Palm Sunday concert/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The packed audience knew the program would be glorious hearing the first piece, Richard Wagner's Prelude and Good Friday Spell from Parsifal, which was followed by WNO star Leah Hawkins, soprano, and her presentation of Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs. 

At the Church of the Little Flower/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Members of the Apollo Orchestra at the Church of the Little Flower Palm Sunday concert/Photo by Patricia Leslie 
It was an ethereal afternoon listening to the vocalists and the Apollo, Stephen Czarkowski, directing. Thanks be to all, especially the Downing Family Foundation which made the concert possible.

Not to miss!  These upcoming concerts:

April 15, 4 p.m., Sunday Stephanie Lange and Karla Rivera

May 20, 4 p.m., Sunday Julliard Alumni Ensemble Reunion celebrate U.S. veterans with opera, "oldies and goodies," and Broadway tunes

June 8, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Apollo Orchestra  and Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Sibelius's Symphony No. 5 and National Symphony's cellist, Steven Honigberg to play Elgar's Cello Concerto

Where:  The Church of the Little Flower is located at 5607 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20816

For more information: 301-320-4538

Admission:  There is no charge. A thank offering may be made.

patricialesli@gmail.com 

March For Our Lives in pictures, Washington, D.C.

 March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

  March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

His sign says:  "I Don't Want to Graduate Summa Cum DEAD!" March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Volunteers from St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, distribute water and snacks to participants in March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

  In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Vote411.org had volunteers out galore collecting registrations of new voters at the March For Our Lives Rally in Washington, D.C. This lady at the corner of 15th and Pennsylvania told me the registration materials were good for all 50 states and the District of Columbia/Photo by Patricia Leslie

On 15th Street, N.W. on the way to the March For Our Lives Rally, this salesman had shirts and hats for $20 each, however, returning from the rally, another vendor sold them for $10/Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
On 15th Street N.W., on the way to the March For Our Lives Rally, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Victims of gun violence are pictured on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. for the March For Our Lives Rally/Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign says "Not One More." March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
At the Trump International Hotel, March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Near the Trump International Hotel, March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. For the weekend Trump fled to Florida at taxpayers' expense to play golf and only tweeted about a situation in France on Saturday, neglecting his own nation/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In front of the Trump International Hotel, March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., a participant wears a sign:  "Veterans for Gun Control."/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the Trump International Hotel, March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign says "Arm teachers with Knowledge and Compassion." March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
The sign says "I march so I don't have to fun FOR MY LIFE FOR MY LIFE." March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign says "The Grandmas Have Your Backs!" March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

  March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign says:  "Who Sold This Gun That Killed My Son?" At March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign on his hat reads: "Gun Owners for Gun Control." March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The sign says:  "No Respect At All" at March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. To take this picture I climbed a short stone wall at the back of the White House and hung by one arm onto a wrought iron railing, and no one from the White House chased me away/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
In front of the White House, March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The toddler in the pink on the left holds a sign while napping. See pictures below.  March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

This looks like two families in the March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.with a napping toddler in pink/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 While bent over in sleep the toddler in pink (left) never lets go of the sign in March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The toddler has risen indeed!  March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

   March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie
 
March For Our Lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

Near the White House a restaurant offered special pricing for participants in March For Our Lives, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie


patricialesli@gmail.com