Kafkaesque Coincidence
‘Trial’ and ‘Metamorphosis,’ both adapted by Berkoff, at Local Theaters
by Gary Tischler
 Reading works by Franz Kafka is no day at the beach. Nor is watching plays written by British playwright Steven Berkoff. So it’s probably a major case of serendipity and coincidence that not one, but two Kafka works, adapted by Berkoff, are being staged by two of Washington’s smaller but very original and style-oriented theater companies. Scena Theatre and Artistic Director Robert McNamara are putting on Kafka’s “The Trial” at the downtown Warehouse Theatre. It’s based on Kafka’s novel in which an increasingly bewildered average Joe gets caught up in the mindlessly gnawing teeth of the state bureaucracy, accused of unnamed crimes, trying to hopelessly and helplessly defend himself.
Getting the Groove Back
U Street Corridor Hosts Cutting-Edge Bands, New Restaurants, Clubs
by Michael Coleman
When I first moved to D.C., one of my first objectives was to figure out where the cutting-edge live bands were playing. I quickly found the lower U Street corridor. U Street was the place to see the Next Big Thing, and sometimes even a living legend. But although the music was inspiring, the neighborhood was depressing and often downright dangerous. And if you hoped to get a decent bite to eat before or after a show you were pretty much out of luck. What a difference a half a decade makes.
Running on Adrenalin
Wife of Chilean Ambassador Enjoys Washington’s Social Swirl
by Gary Tischler
You always know when she is in the room. The tall, stunning 59-year-old is a model for other diplomatic wives and yet this is the first time her husband has been an ambassador anywhere, no less in Washington. Lily Bianchi, a Chilean journalist born in Colombia and wife of Chilean Ambassador Andres Bianchi, brings such grace and passion to her job that you would think she’s been doing this her whole life.
Uneven ‘Othello’
Although Patrick Page Playing Iago Is Bright, Rest of Cast Is Dull
by Lisa Troshinsky
Never has there been a more delightfully evil Iago than the one being dished out by Patrick Page in the Shakespeare Theatre’s current production of “Othello.” Even peace lovers will secretly find themselves enjoying not only the flying carnage that results from his destructive path, but the pure emotion that is his motivation.
Larger Than Life
DuBasky’s Oversize Work Focuses on Animal, Plant Life
by Vanessa LaFaso
Impressionism has always been limited to the “less is more” philosophy. Small brush strokes and pure unmixed color are used to achieve light and form. Valentina DuBasky’s exhibit “Riverbirds and Rainforests” at the National Academy of Sciences flirts with impressionism in her representation of ancient cave drawings based on her travels to Southeast Asia.
“Altered Landscape” examines
man’s impact on the environment
Dining: Mie N Yu, Baby
Hip Restaurant in Georgetown Does Some Off-Roading Down Silk Route’
by Rachel Hunt and Stephen Qualiana
And the concept at the cutely named Mie N Yu is in high form at the stylish and hip Georgetown restaurant. It looks exotic, but underneath it’s really American. To narrow the target further, it’s very Washingtonian.
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‘A Number’ of Questions
Studio Production Examines Complexities of Father-Son Relationship
by Anna Gawel
Angst, ethics, family ties, genetics and the complexity of the father-son relationship are just some of the powerful themes examined by British playwright Caryl Churchill in “A Number,” now showing at the Studio Theatre.
Reflections on Mexico
‘Mirrors’ Exhibit Is Big, Bold Collection of Native Artists Living in U.S.
by Gary Tischler
If you happen to catch “Mirrors: Contemporary Mexi
can Artists in the United States,” the big, startling, big, electric—did we say big?—exhibition at the Cultural Institute of Mexico, when there’s lots of people around, do this: Watch them.
Holy Moly
Arena’s ‘Passion Play’ Is Religion-Bending, Imagination Fest
by Lisa Troshinsky
Those who avoided the cinematographic controversy “The Passion of the Christ” for religious reasons or to shun horrific gore need not be scared away from “Passion Play, a Cycle,” Arena Stage’s pioneering season opener.
Events Listing
Featuring art, dance, lectures, music, receptions and theater, our comprehensive listing offers an array of options for those interested in international events. Included is a list of all major event locations in the Washington, D.C., area...
Events Locations
International
Film Clips
Film Locations
Soldier Child
‘Innocent Voices’ Is Sharp Political Thriller of El Salvador’s Civil War
by Ky Nguyen
Mexican filmmaker Luis Mandoki has been making Hollywood films with big stars, resulting in mixed success. His first Spanish-language movie in nearly two decades, “Innocent Voices,” is a sharp, political-military thriller that eerily depicts El Salvador’s civil war from a child’s perspective.
Also See:
Elusive Dreams Of ‘Tony Takitani’
Côte d’Azur’: Summer Heat
Repertory Notes
‘Out of the Producing Closet’
Scottish Actress Tilda Swinton Discusses Acting in Indie Film’Thumbsucker’
by Ky Nguyen
Tilda Swinton recently met with The Washington Diplomat to promote the current American indie flick “Thumbsucker,” in which she plays the mother of a 17-year-old boy who still sucks his thumb. The highly intelligent and critically admired Scottish actress is also credited as co-executive producer.
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