| African American Artists Interpret Shakespeare’s Work at Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala |
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| Entertainment Archive | |||
| By Edith Billups - WI Contributing Writer | |||
| Thursday, November 19, 2009 | |||
 Stew, performs at the Harman Center for the Arts Gala. Photo by Kevin Allen From the high-energy group Step Afrika to music composed and performed by Tony Award-winning artist Stew, the evening was a festive staging of the myriad ways that different disciplines can celebrate one of Shakespeare’s most endearing works. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of The Will Award for Classical Theatre to renowned British actor Sir Ian McKellen. Michael Khan, Shakespeare Theatre artistic director said, the gala’s performers were chosen to demonstrate the artistic dialogue that exists between all of the performing arts—from dance to opera to classical theatre—and those onstage provided both an educational and artistic lesson. Opening with Max Reinhardt’s classic movie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, starring 15-year-old Mickey Rooney as Puck and featuring James Cagney and Olivia DeHavilland, the evening then displayed how the Bard’s work has been celebrated in other disciplines. The Synetic Theatre, Washington’s premiere physical theater company, performed “That Shrewd and Knavish Sprite” from the play fusing the classical elements of drama, movement, dance, music and mime. African American singer and guitarist Stew, and accompanist Heidi Rodewald, performed three selections, including “Oberon’s Spell,” and “Lullaby,” with the latter offering a lovely blending of the two musician’s voices. Dancers Romi Beppu and Michael Bearden from Ballet West presented a stunning pas de deux, “The Nocturne for Oberon and Titania,” from “The Dream” that featured choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton and music by Felix Mendelssohn. The dancers’ elegant and graceful moves were a stark intro to Step Afrika’s thundering African drums and high-powered stepping that was combined with Zulu dance and chants to interpret a quote from the play: “And thence from Athens turn away our eyes to seek new friends and stranger companies.” The group’s 10 members, including Makeda Abraham, Talibah-Atiya, Christopher Brient, and Jakari Sherman, set the stage for a surprise appearance by 89-year-old actor Mickey Rooney, who performed a soliloquy from the movie which he starred in 74 years ago. Spry and still boyish, Rooney regaled the audience with his memory of how he was selected at age 15 for the role of Puck in the film that was highly lauded at the time for its special effects. The Will Award was presented to McKellen, who has been called “the leading actor of his generation” and who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1991. McKellen, known to younger audience members for roles in the X-Men, and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, thanked the Shakespeare Theatre Company for recognizing his work, but also thanked Americans for their support of British theater. The gala ended with an elegant dinner at the National Building Museum, where a magical forest was the theme. Pauline Schneider, an African American board member, called the evening one that will allow the company to continue to fund educational programs for youngsters in District public schools. Annually, the company presents the Free for All, which is in its 19th year and provides thousands the opportunity to enjoy a world-class Shakespeare production each year free of charge. The Harman Center for the Arts Gala was hosted by the British Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald, with support from several corporate sponsors. Beverly Perry, senior vice president with PEPCO, and one of the sponsors said, she thoroughly enjoyed the evening. “We are one of the largest businesses in D.C. , and we are committed to supporting the arts in the city, particularly an event like this.” WI
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