“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.” In Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” now playing at Arena Stage, the follies of romance are the essence of comedy. In this delightful play, two upper-class friends, John Worthing and Alergnon Moncrieff, both adopt the name Ernest to woo the ladies they fancy, Gwendolen and Cecily. […]
How do I sum up 10 years with some of the most entertaining friends I’ve ever had? I’m almost at a loss for words. I guess this is a preview of how I’ll feel Thursday, May 6, when one of the best television sitcoms airs its last episode. I’d be lying if I said “Friends” […]
During the deep freeze of winter, we bustle around in coats, scarves, gloves and hats. But do any of us ever stop to think about what our hats are saying about us? For most, hats just say we’re cold, but for many women – particularly black women – hats mean so much more. Regina Taylor’s […]
“Camelot,” now playing at Arena Stage, features mediocre songs but long-lasting themes. Written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe (“My Fair Lady”), the play offers two pleasant hours of sorcerers, love triangles and underhanded scheming weaved into dialogue and musical lyrics, but as a whole it is not a spectacular theatrical experience. Still, it […]
Collectively known as the White Stripes, Jack and Meg White aren’t your typical rock stars. The Detroit-based duo is an oddity – a Delta blues fan who plays a cheap-looking oblong guitar and his “sister” (ex-wife, actually), who can’t muster anything more than the most basic drum lines. Oh, and let’s not forget that they […]
There are different bras for different people – different brands, different styles, different materials. But does size really matter? When it comes to bra shopping, the answer is a definitive “yes.” The first step in finding a new bra, particularly if you are large-chested, is getting measured. Otherwise, there is no guarantee the bra will […]
As Madonna claims in her recent hit, everybody comes to Hollywood. Even, on occasion, Shakespearean characters. Complete with the Bard’s staple plot element – confused cross-dressing – “Shakespeare in Hollywood” is a wonderfully clever new play. Ken Ludwig’s (“Crazy for You”) tale about the making of the Warner Brothers’ 1935 movie version of Shakespeare’s “A […]
Down with love! Well, down with love that doesn’t involve Ewan McGregor. That’s the conclusion I came to by watching “Down With Love” (Twentieth Century Fox). While the movie is cute and entertaining, it is carried by its star power. The dreamy McGregor and his hint of a Scottish brogue will make the women in […]
As an English major, with a less than loving relationship with Shakespeare’s work, it seems odd to admit that Shakespeare can actually be hilarious. What can I say? It’s just plain funny, especially when performed by as talented a cast as this one. The Royal Shakespeare Company is the cast I speak of, presenting a […]
As a lifelong panda enthusiast (some might call me strangely obsessive), I thought I knew everything there was to know about the cuddly-looking giants. But I was wrong. During my visit to the National Zoo, I learned that pandas have no shame. This was my second time seeing the animals I have adored since I […]