By JOE BARBER
For the News & Messenger
MOVIES
Opening Jan. 8: "Leap Year" stars Amy Adams ("Julie & Julia") as a young woman who's disappointed when her boyfriend fails to pop the question before leaving on a business trip to Ireland. She follows him there, planning to follow the country's custom that "allows" a woman to ask a man to marry her during a leap year. Complications arise when the charming young Irishman who's been helping her finds himself falling for her.
"Youth In Revolt" stars Michael Cera ("Juno") as a very bright, mild mannered teen who decides to become a very bad boy to win the girl of his dreams.
"Crazy Heart" is getting plenty of Oscar buzz, primarily for Jeff Bridges' soulful performance as "Bad" Blake, a down on his luck country singer/songwriter. Down and almost out, he finds himself drawn to a young journalist ( Maggie Gyllenhaal) who's writing a piece about him.
THEATER:
The first new shows of the New Year have hit the boards. "Stick Fly" is a comedy about the quirks and complications in a wealthy African-American family as they spend some quality summer time at their home in Martha's Vineyard. Directed by Kenny Leon, the play runs at Arena Stage's Crystal City stage through Feb. 7.
The Studio Theatre in Washington has just opened a new play by the author of the recent Studio hit "The Brothers Size." "In the Red and Brown Water" looks at the personal and professional conflicts facing an exceptionally talented female runner. "Water" runs at Studio through Feb. 7. For more information, check out Studio's Web site at www.studiotheatre.org.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company on "D" Street, N.W, in the District, welcomes back gonzo journalist and performance artist Mike Daisey with his latest one-man show. "The Last Cargo Cult" is part adventure story, part memoir about Daisey's trip to a remote South Pacific island where the people worship cargo from America at the base of a frequently erupting volcano. If you saw Daisey's last show at Woolly, "How Theatre Failed America," you know he is a compelling story teller. Two Pay-What-YouCan previews of "Cargo Cult" will be presented on Jan. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at 6:30 p.m. "Cargo Cult" continues through Feb. 7. For more information, visit their Web site: www.woollymammoththeatrecompany.org.
CLUBS & CONCERTS:
The Birchmere in Alexandria presents Ricky Skaggs and his band, Kentucky Thunder, for two nights, Jan 8 and 9. The legendary band War visits the music hall on the 12th.
Blues Alley in Georgetown plays host to blues master Mose Allison for four nights, from the 7th through the 10th. The Blind Boys of Alabama share the Warner Theatre stage with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a celebration of the music and spirit of New Orleans on Jan. 8. Former National Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Leonard Slatkin returns to the Kennedy Center to lead the N.S.O. for three nights of performances from Jan. 7 through 9 in the Concert Hall.
The National Philharmonic Orchestra performs Bizet's "Carmen" on Jan. 9. The Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis welcomes R & B vocalist Maysa on Jan. 8, the Kingston Trio on the 10th and the Christian group Jars of Clay Jan. 13.
Joe Barber is a contributing entertainment writer for the News & Messenger and can be heard Fridays through Sundays on the WTOP.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement