Comeuppance(s) and the Up-and-Comers
What I'm Writing
Finally! Some bylines to share. For Washington City Paper, I reviewed The Comeuppance at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. It's not a profoundly disturbing play, but it is a profound sleep disturber. I was up most of the night after seeing Brendan Jacobs-Jenkins play about reunited high school pals, and in the weeks since, I've thought so much about what it meant to come of age around Washington, around the time of 9/11.
And for The Globe and Mail, I interviewed Robert Binet and Lily Sutherland, the new co-CEOs of Fall For Dance North. Rob is leaving a cushy post at National Ballet of Canada to take this gig (and continue his freelance choreography career). Rob's father is quite high up in Canadian business circles, and has ties to The Globe and Mail. But what I'd heard about Rob is that he's a talented guy and "someone who uses his privilege well." (That quote from a another Canadian choreographer.) I agree. Lily, meanwhile, is a fully qualified festival producer. They applied for the job together, and seem like an up-and-coming duo in dance leadership.
What I'm Seeing
Ritzel Recommends™
☆ Babbitt, at Shakespeare Theatre, in Washington through Nov .3.
☆ Macbeth, at Taffety Punk Theatre/Riot Grrrls, in Washington through Oct. 12
What I'm Watching
Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher on Dancing with the Stars. And failed New York art impresario Anna Delvey, who was sent home last week. DWTS took some flack for casting the con artist who inspired Inventing Anna but not from me. It's often incumbent upon critics to separate a personality from the performance. So getting to take pleasure when a terrible person turns out to be terrible dancer? That's genuine luxury. And a comeuppance.
If I Could Write Anything...
This week TikTok disabled the account of Riley Thomas Weber, a.k.a. every dance girl's gay internet BFF. If you don't know Riley, he's a former dancer who — after back surgery — found a second career as a pointe shoe fitter and content creator. Thanks to my friend Katherine Warminsky for turning me on to Riley's snarky shoe reviews, some of which topped two million views. He finds silicone "full toe" toe pads triggering and has strong thoughts about plastic shanks. Watching his videos is like going to a bad performance with your cattiest pal, except you can take Riley and his social media show with you wherever you go.
Or you could. Until this week, when Riley shared on someone reported him to TikTok for "violating community guidelines." Apparently, TikTok decided that videos showing only a young woman's legs and a close up of Riley peering at her feet are... porn? Even though he's a professional pointe shoe fitter providing educational content. Riley has set up a new account, but says the loss of income is significant, as is the loss of content. Wishing him well, and wish I could write about this!
If I Could See Anything ...
Broadway may have two dueling Great Gatsbys, but Sweden only has one, and it's a first. My friend Linda Zachrison, artistic director of Götesborgs Stadsteater (aka Gothenburg State Theatre) commissioned the first Swedish stage adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic. The show has earned Linda and her theater all sorts of plaudits and press. So while those of us State-side may be a little tired of Nick, Daisy and all their Jazz Age parties in West Egg, I'm thrilled that Linda has a hit on her hands. Grattis!
