This fall marks the start of the 75th anniversary season at the Arena Stage in Southwest D.C. Across that three-quarters of a century, the Arena has become one of the most important regional theaters not just in Washington, but in the country.
Many actors got their starts at the Arena, including James Earl Jones, Jane Alexander, Ned Beatty, Frances Sternhagen, George Grizzard, Philip Bosco, Roy Scheider and Dianne Wiest. Along the way, the Arena has won numerous awards, including over 600 Helen Hayes Awards celebrating the best of Washington theater, as well as Tony Awards for Outstanding Region Theater in 1976, and as a producer for 2017 Best Musical-winner Dear Evan Hansen, which played at the Arena prior to opening on Broadway.
The Arena also changed my life.
In 1962, Mabel Harper, who lived on Clayton Lane, convinced me to join her for a play at the Arena Stage. I had seen plays before, but Mabel and I became regular theatergoers, especially at the Arena. Mabel died in 2001, but Nov. 7 would have been her 99th birthday.
Over the years, my theater companions have changed. As they got older, I introduced each of my children — one at a time, so I could make sure they behaved — to theater, and then did the same with my grandchildren. I also saw many shows with fellow Skyline Drive resident Dot Curcio.
I went anywhere I could find an interesting show, and in the Washington area, there is always interesting theater happening somewhere. But I always returned to the Arena.
Eventually, I started ushering there, which was much cheaper than buying tickets, and which also got me access to the wonderful preshow lectures for ushers. After many years of ushering, I retired and became a season-ticket subscriber, which I continued until COVID hit in 2020. I always got two tickets, knowing I’d be able to find some relative, friend, or neighbor to come along with me. And I always did.
For many years, the Arena had a formal repertory company. Show after show, you’d see the same actors, here playing the romantic lead, there playing the villain, with a comic sidekick role coming later in the season. I loved the talent and versatility of Robert Prosky, Richard Bauer and wife Halo Wines, Tana Hicken, Stanley Anderson and so many others.
In fall of 1973, I got to enjoy productions of Our Town and Inherit the Wind, plays the Arena had performed in Moscow and Leningrad that summer. The State Department had encouraged the Arena to go as a cultural-outreach initiative, and the trip made the Arena the first regional theater to perform American plays in the Soviet Union.
In the 1980s, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Arena introduced me to the work of August Wilson. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and I just wanted to see more. Since then, I’ve attended Wilson plays any chance I get, many of them at the Arena, including Jitney in 2019, which remains one of the finest productions I’ve ever seen.
One of my favorite experiences at the Arena happened offstage at Coming of the Hurricane, which included Linda Powell in the cast. I saw it the same night as her parents, Colin and Alma Powell. I wanted to respect their privacy, but after the play, I just had to turn around and tell them, “Your daughter was great,” because she was. General Powell smiled and said, “We thought so.”
I’ve read great reviews for the current Arena shows, a revival of Damn Yankees and a new dramatic-comedy, Fremont Ave., both of which close this month. I’d love to go, but it’s hard for me to get to the theater these days. I plan to make an exception, however, when they revisit Inherit the Wind next February, since it’s one of my favorites. I can’t wait.
If you’re interested in seeing something (and you should be!), you can get more information at their website, arenastage.org.
Darnall’s Chance
Darnall’s Chance House Museum’s annual Gingerbread House Contest and Show celebrates the rich history and vibrant culture of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Entries must creatively reflect local landmarks, architecture, stories and traditions that showcase the unique heritage of Prince George’s County. Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from the county’s historic sites, cultural icons, historical events and community narratives to bring their gingerbread creations to life.
Contest Categories 2025 Adult Division:
Individual adult, age 17 years and up
Child Division: Individual child, age 8-16 years
Family Division: Group of 3-7 individuals of any age
Prizes Awarded for Each Category 2025:
First Place — $100 Gift Card
Second Place — $75 Gift Card
Third Place — $50 Gift Card
Viewer’s Choice Awards 2025 All entries are eligible for the Viewers’ Choice Awards, where public votes determine one winner in each of the three categories. Each winning entry will receive $300.
For questions or more information about this contest contact the museum at 301-952-8010 or darnallschance@pgparks.com.
The gingerbread houses will be on display from Nov. 28 through Dec. 14. You can visit every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in those dates, from noon to 5 p.m. Entry costs $2 per person; ages 4 and under are free.
Milestones
Happy birthday to Carolyn Follin, Nov. 1; Morningside Councilman Jim Ealey, Nov. 1; Pearl McNamara and Carl McKlveen, Nov. 2; Luke Seidman and Flossie Keck, Nov. 3; V.F.W. Post 9619, Nov. 4 (1947); Al and Debbie Callison, Nov. 4; Brandon Wood and Bob Elborne, Nov. 5; Steve Call, Linda Beatty and Dennis Waby, Nov. 6; Davey Capps Jr., Nov. 9; Linda Fortner Jumalon, Nov. 10; Cindy Lewis, Nov. 12.
Happy anniversary to Michael and Maria (Blankenship) Jinks, Nov. 1; Becky and Dave Capps, Nov. 9; Roseann and Franny Rohan, Nov. 9.
