If you’re anything like me, you probably were vaguely aware of the concept of a theater and its purpose in mainstream culture. After last night, my eyes have been opened to a different aspect of appreciation for the arts. I implore you, if you have the chance, go and see a play in a theatre. Especially one like Leading Ladies. Don’t worry about not being able to understand what the actors are saying—thanks to I-Caption (from Sound Associates, Inc.) you will be able to follow onstage dialogue by holding a device—very much like a palm pilot—and reading the captions of the dialogue off it. I was able to laugh with the rest of the audience, to ooh and aah at the costumes, backdrop, and the overall historic ambience of the theater experience that Ford’s showcases (it was also the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination).

Leading Ladies is about two struggling actors who are looking to make it big, and they encounter a dramatic situation where a heiress is about to die, bequeathing her fortune to two cousins she’s not seen for ages. The actors devise a plan to step in and masquerade as the cousins—with a hitch.

You see, the actors were males, and the cousins were females. So, I enjoyed the trials and tribulations of “Leo” and “Jack” as they tried to pass off as “Maxine” and “Stephanie.” The cast included John Astin, who also played “Gomez” in The Addams Family sitcom, as well as Charlotte Rae, a.k.a. “Mrs. Garrett” of The Facts of Life. The remaining cast members all did a wonderful job of portraying their characters for the viewing pleasure of the audience. I’ve got to make mention of “Jack/Stephanie”—that was my favorite character, the antics, expressions, on-stage appearance just did it for me! The climax of the story came when “Meg” (the 3^rd cousin of the heiress) discovers that “Maxine” and “Stephanie” really aren’t who they are. Oh, and poor, skeptical, cynical “Duncan”—who was betrothed to “Meg”—if you see the showing, you’ll understand why I say that. All in all it was fun-filled, eye-catching, spectacular and simply enjoyable! It’s showing through October 21^st—go, take a friend, enjoy the sights—after all, it’s another way to appreciate the arts of the District!

The tale ends not here, friends…I also had the honor of accompanying my friend to an opening-night party at the Old Ebbitt Grill afterwards, where I was able to meet each of the cast members, the director (and his staff), the playwright, congratulate them on a splendid performance and proffer an embarrassed nod when they all asked–“so I understand tonight’s your first theater experience??” Sigh.

I think I rebounded nicely, though—by saying that if I died last night, I knew I would die a happy man. The theater is a lot like television, only really live and in living color! Now I’m better able to understand why people loved to go to the theatre… before the advent of technology brought in the television. So, if you have the opportunity, wherever you are—check your local theater listings, ensure that I-Captioning is offered (or an alternate medium), pick up tickets, and settle in for an enjoyable evening!

Ford’s Theatre (www.fordstheatre.org) is also presenting A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, Trying, and Shenandoah throughout the season. Join me in enjoying the performances!