Sharpenicity

THREE IN DC Love in Afghanistan at Arena Stage Measure for Measure at Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet at the Folger Was Roya reading Shakespeare in Kabul?  The lead female in Love in Afghanistan seems an obvious  worthy successor to Shakespeare’s Isabelle in Measure for Measure. A risk taker, one focused on the noblest purposes in life, a woman who a man whether the king of the hip hop world or an Italian Prince would crystal clear know was his life mate.  A woman in short phrase, unlike the rest of women, worthy to stand and speak as equal in mind and spirit. And--here comes the plot spoiler--both walk away from all that love and praise of which so many aspire. Roya rejects a spectacular engagement  ring which promises a glamourous life, as well  as  her long hoped for an American visa. In MfM, what Isabella does at the end when the Prince proposes a union is unwritten and usually staged with ambiguity.  In the Shakespeare  Theater production, it is clear.  She walks not o

After you see  36 Views, you will wonder how many art works  in museums are frauds but you will have no doubt that the Constellation production is the real thing! .Do not be deceived by the lush images and evocative poetry. There is no one without guilt in this story.    Behind the beautiful world of art, there lurks intricate layers of  deceitful dealings by artists, art foragers, dealers, curators and scholars, fueled by cravings for money, love, sex  and recognition. Taking its title from Katsushita Hokusa’s 36  images of Mt. Fuji,  Naiom Iizuka’s play is constructed in 36 intersecting scenes of a complex plot.  Constellation director Allison Arkell Stockman and company explore intersections of commerce and connoisseurship,  with a fine cast  led by Jim Jorgensen, with Sue Jin Song, include Megan Dominy, Ashley Ivey, Tuyet Thi Pham and David Paglin.   Special kudos to Kendra Rai for costume design and Aaron Fisher for projections design  Far from being a discourse in art