Photo by Scott Suchman
Move over Clark Rockefeller, because the liar of all liars takes the stage this month at Shakespeare Theatre. “The Liar” is a cautionary tale about the consequences of lying, even telling so-called white lies. Written by French writer Pierre Corneille and translated by David Ives, “The Liar” is about a pathological liar who just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper. “As the story goes on, his lies have to become more and more elaborate to save his butt,” explains Christian Conn, who plays Dorante, the consummate liar.
This 17th century play has everything you need: a handsome lead character, a romantic love interest and comedy. Once Dorante arrives in Paris, he begins to court a woman he believes to be someone else. In an attempt to impress her, he manufactures lie upon lie.
“He lies about everything ranging from things of great importance like inventing a non-existent pregnant wife,” explains Conn, “to things of little importance like being fluent in the language of Algonquin. He comes out of the tradition of great story tellers.”
Lucrece, played by Miriam Silverman, falls prey to Dorante’s elaborate schemes and machinations . “Lucrece is so shy around men she can’t even speak and so sort of lives vicariously through the many flirtations her best friend carries on,” says Silverman, “but she is a wild and hopeless romantic at heart who falls in love with the Liar, knowing full well what he is.” Adam Green, Erin Partin, Miriam Silverman, Tony Roach, Aubrey Deeker, Colleen Delany and David Sabin round out the cast of this comedy farce.
“[Dorante is] a lying genius, if a moral zero,” says Conn. “I guess what I take away is the value of one’s imagination, and the power of language. Dorante believes deeply that the unimagined life’s not worth living, as he bastardizes Socrates. And, certainly the play points out the amazing influence of persons in command of their own language. They can captivate, motivate, manipulate, and woo. . . with the simple power of their words.”
With a BFA from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts and years of stage experience on and off Broadway, Conn studied the great comedians for his role as the charming but truth-challenged Dorante. “I watched a lot of farce; a lot of Chaplin and Keaton. They are clowns in a tradition that is very different from Dorante, but it is always helpful to watch skillful comedians and their endless ideas,” says Conn.
”This play never ceases to make me giggle. I think audiences will fall in love with the sheer joy of this piece,” says Conn. “It is emotional in the sense that all farce is emotional. The emotions are huge, and turn on a dime…it certainly takes its characters on a ride.”
Tickets start at $50. Discount tickets are available for students, seniors and members of the military.
“The Liar” runs from April 6 through May 23 at Shakespeare Theatre’s Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F St. NW, DC; 202-547-1122; www.shakespearetheatre.org.
Also on stage…
Directed by Kathleen Akerley, Keegan’s “The Graduate” takes a new approach to the classic coming of age story. Written by Charles Webb, “The Graduate” is about a soon-to-be-21-year-old-college graduate who is deciding what to do with the rest of his life. While he wrestles with his future, he becomes involved in an affair with the wife of his father’s business partner, the infamous Mrs. Robinson. The 1967 film version of “The Graduate” starred Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock and Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson. “The Graduate” runs from May 1-23 at Church Street Theater: 1742 Church St. NW, DC; 703-892-0202; www.keegantheatre.com.
Signature Theatre’s new musical sensation, “[title of show],” is a sharp comedy about two writers writing a musical about two writers. In keeping with the adage of you write what you know, writing partners Jeff and Hunter struggle to piece together the perfect musical only to be inspired by their writer’s block. The two writers feverishly work to finish their musical for the 2004 New York Musical Theatre Festival, but cannot decide what to write about. This show gives audiences a bird’s eye view into the chaotic production of a Broadway musical. Tickets are $52 to $76. “[Title of show]” runs from April 6 through June 27 at Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA; 703-820-9771; www.signature-theatre.org.
A witty talking plant and thoughtful flower store employee make an unlikely comedy duo in the musical classic “Little Shop of Horrors.” Written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, “Little Shop of Horrors” tells the story of Seymour, a lonely flower store employee who raises a very large venus flytrap who enjoys toe-tapping musical numbers and the taste of blood. Husband-and-wife Christopher Kale Jones and Jenna Coker-Jones star in this madcap dark comedy as Seymour and Audrey. Tickets are $10 to $55 with discounts available for individuals under 35. The Hard Rock Café (999 E Street NW) offers Little Shop patrons ages 35 and under a $25 Post-Performance Special on Mondays. Patrons should present their ticket stub to receive a non-alcoholic beverage, one appetizer and one entrée from a special Ford’s Theatre menu for $25. Offer is good for post-performance dining only. “Little Shop of Horrors” runs through May 22 at Ford’s Theatre: 511 10th St. NW, DC; 202-397-4833; www.fords.org.
“Countdown to Yuri’s Night,” is a 21 and over theatrical extravaganza replete with cosmic performances that are absolutely out of this world. Now in its third year, “Countdown to Yuri’s Night” celebrates the first human space flight on April 12, 1961 when Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made the first manned flight into space. Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, an acrobatic duo, perform at the event as well as Miss Saturn, a vaudeville performer with 40 hula hoops. Do not miss this variety show that features everything from dancers to comedians. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. “Countdown to Yuri’s Night” is held on April 10, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Capitol Skyline Hotel: 10 I St. SW, DC; 202-321-2878; www.outofthisworldparty.com.
Choreographed by notable performer, actor and jazz singer Maurice Hines (brother of Gregory Hines), “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies” brings the pulsating rhythms of jazz and swing to the Lincoln Theatre. Featuring an onstage orchestra, “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies” is an homage to the great musician and his musical repertoire. Two local teen brothers John and Leo Manzari will also showcase their dancing talents on stage. Tickets range from $25-$74. Discount tickets are available for patrons purchasing tickets for multiple shows, students and groups. A limited number of $10 tickets for patrons ages 30 and under go on sale beginning each Monday for performances that week. (All patrons must present valid ID.) HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available 90 to 30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance. “Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies” runs through May 30 at Arena Stage, Lincoln Theatre: 1215 U St. NW, DC; 202-488-3300; www.arenastage.org.
