Fall 2003 Schedule ~ Monday Night at the National

FREE PERFORMANCES!
6 pm and 7:30 pm, in the Helen Hayes Gallery.
Information available at 202-783-3372.

Seating is limited!! Tickets are Required, and are Distributed without charge one Half-Hour Prior to Performance, on a First-Come First-Served policy.

This weekly showcase in the Fall, Winter and Spring, features local performers, and provides free quality live entertainment to the Greater Washington Area community. Original plays, singers, musical ensembles, dance, drama and comedy are on the bill.

September 22 - BUT ALIVE!

JOSEPH PERNA delivers dramatic vocals enhanced with elements of pantomime, vaudeville and musical theatre, influenced by Parisian and Berlin traditions of "cabaret artistique." Intimate and intense, the show is a "theatre of miniatures," presenting an array of characters to explore the bawdy and innocent, the humorous and poignant, the hopeful and dark sides of human nature. Works by Harold Arlen, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim, Harry Warren, and others are in the program. You'll enjoy this musical voyage!

September 29 - LET ME SING

This witty one-act musical by PAUL NASTO and SUSAN DEVINE captures the turning point in two couples' lives as one approaches the dawn of their life together and the other nears the sunset of theirs. Set amid the dramatic dynamics of a theatre company during a rehearsal for a musical, this vibrant play comically, melodically and touchingly expresses the trying frustrations and incomparable joys of falling and staying in love. You may see some reflections of your own experience on the stage and hear your thoughts in the songs.

October 6 - SOJOURNER TRUTH AND HER SEARCH FOR FREEDOM

Right of Passage Theater seeks the real story behind the myth of the illiterate former slave, Sojourner Truth, in this readers theatre production. Based on the 1850 narrative, the presentation sheds light on the plight of slaves in the North before the Civil War. Two women, an escaped slave and a white abolitionist, explore together their feelings about race, gender, and spirituality. Their conversations shed light on the utopian community where they met and lived as equals. SALLIE LETTERLOUGH portrays Sojourner Truth and NANCY CHRISTOPHER is Olive Gilbert, her amanuensis.

October 20 - THE FLAMENCO WORLD OF DON QUIXOTE

Created and choreographed by MICAELA MAR, this innovative and captivating interpretation of Cervantes’ beloved tale of the Quest of the Knight of La Mancha comes brilliantly to life. In dazzling motion, DANZAMARINA creates a fantasia of music, mime and classical Spanish flamenco. Colorful costumes, intricate rhythms, staccato footwork, swirling skirts and the snap of castanets recreate the fabulous crusade and otherworldly visions of the idealistic knight and his adventures in a daunting world.

October 27 - THE LAST PROPHETS: BRINGIN’ THE RUCKUS WITH PERSPECTIVE

Produced and directed by INGRID CORNELL, this unique evening stars poets ROGER "TOBAL" WRIGHT and MUNDAY CROWELL, JR., two reflective men delivering a feast of their riveting introspective poetry and thought-provoking reminiscences. They talk of love, analyze everyday experiences, rant about American hypocrisy, and bond closely with the audience as they create a life-changing vision for the future of the community. Drums, candles, and music enhance the mood, as these talented writers host the audience as their intimate guests.

November 3 - JUBILEE!

This one-woman show celebrates the African American journey from slavery to freedom as depicted through spirituals and the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Ossie Davis, Margaret Walker Alexander, Maya Angelou and other African American writers. The show features JENNIFER COVER PAYNE portraying the historical evolution of a people. She is accompanied by her husband, WARDELL PAYNE, who provides the musical selections.

November 17 - PAYING THE PRICE

The true story of an American soldier's struggle abroad during World War II comes alive in this dramatic play with music. Trained as a tail gunner and assigned to a B-17 named "Flaming Arrow," Edwin Maurice Braswell battles his way through the skies of Europe in this thrilling account. Shot down over Romania, held as a prisoner of war, and cared for by a princess, he is at last rescued. A secret kept for 50 years, this story is at last being told by the soldier's son, with book, music, and lyrics by MARK WALTER BRASWELL. Website

December 1 - SIXTY KARATS AND THE DIAMONDS

These sizzling spangled senior dancers will lift your spirits as they tap their way through a variety of styles including rhythm tap, soft shoe, close-to-the-floor, military novelty, swing and jazz. Each number is individually and glitteringly costumed. These awesome energetic performers are ladies "of a certain age," who will leave you breathless with admiration as well as envious. They may inspire you to take a few tap dancing lessons yourself!

December 8 - XMAS WITH THE FABULOUS FABULETTES

It's nostalgic Santa time with a bevy of beauties who rekindle the great "Girl Group Sound" of the 1960s, with enveloping harmonies and a piquant 1990s twist. It's back to bouffants and beehives, taffeta and sequins, the Watusi, Swim and Pony. DIANA QUINN, LISA MATTHEWS, JANE QUINN and their band recreate classics by Martha and the Vandellas, the Chiffons, and the Shirelles. Their knock-out wardrobe and unabashed sense of humor enliven such timeless love songs as My Boyfriend's Back, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Chain of Fools and Chapel of Love ! Website

December 15 - A RENAISSANCE CHRISTMAS

Back by popular demand! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Gentlefolk All! Her Royal Majesty the Queene commands Your Presence for A Grand Elizabethan Fete, with Harpsichord, Song and Joye abundant! Master of the Revels GARY SCHWARTZ at the virginal, and his bevy of Court Beauties, will lead the merriment. Don Ye Now your Regal Apparel and lend Your Voice to Greensleaves, Let All the Earth Rejoice, Gaudette and others. Join in the courtly dances. Miss not this most wondrous of e'entides.

These programs are made possible through the generous support of THE MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION and the Trustees of the National Theatre. The National Theatre is deeply appreciative of this valued assistance. The series is produced by Donn B. Murphy. Todd Clark is MC, with Hosts Allison Canada and Gregory Lee.
HOST Greg Lee	PRODUCER Donn Murphy	MC Todd Clark	HOST Allison Canada
To receive a schedule, mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to: "Monday Night," National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. Recorded program information is available at 202-783-3372.
** Parental guidance suggested for children under 13 years of age for shows marked with .

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