Arts & Entertainment
Red revolution
Historical play gets brisk, brave local production
‘Les Justes (The Just Ones)’
Through March 11
WSC Avant Bard
Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Rosslyn
$25-$30
888-841-2787

James T. Majewski in the WSC AvantBard production of ‘Les Justes.’ (Photo courtesy C. Stanley Photography, courtesy WSC AvantBard).
“Terror is not for the tender,” says Stepan, a hardened revolutionary in WSC Avant Bard’s tight production of Albert Camus’ “Les Justes (The Just Ones).” When young Yanek (James T. Majewski) balks at blowing up the Grand Duke because the Russian royal’s entourage includes two children, Stepan (John Stange) sneers. It’s better to kill blue-blooded parasites no matter the age, and save the starving masses. According to him, Yanek is too soft.
Based on the true story of a group of Russian socialist-revolutionaries who assassinated the Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich (uncle to the Tsar) in 1905, “Les Justes” — in true Camus fashion — grapples with matters of morality, in this case the ethics of revolution. While most of the action takes place offstage in the muddy streets of Moscow, the audience is primarily privy to the interior of the terror cell’s apartment headquarters — a shining world of ideas beautifully imagined by set and lighting designer David C. Ghatan as a bright white hexagonal platform encircled by four suspended white woodcut panels that allude to the socialist struggle.
It’s here that the group’s philosophies are heatedly debated and forged. Yanek, a poet who gave up a cushy life to join the revolution, yearns to be accepted by his fellow rebels as a true militant. Their decision to assassinate the Grand Duke presents an opportunity for Yanek to prove himself. He argues with Stepan and others about the best way to carry out the plan. He also debates love with sweet but dour Dora (Nora Achrati), a young chemist who’s been recruited to make bombs. Rounding out the opinionated crew are its leveled-headed leader Annenkov (Frank Britton) and a more tremulous member, Voinov (Theo Hadjimichael), who ashamedly admits he is unfit for violent rebellion, opting instead to join the budding party’s propaganda wing.
A second (and more successful) assassination attempt lands Yanek in prison where he meets cellmate Foka (Brian Crane), a convicted murderer/hangman who believes justice is reserved for the afterlife. Yanek’s visitors include Skuratov (Graham Pilato), a private investigator who comes seeking a confession; and the aristo’s widow, the Grand Duchess (Karen Novack) whose burgundy gown (compliments of costume designer Jen Bevan) contrasts sharply with the revolutionaries’ black-and-white period costumes. She conveys to Yanek that while her late husband was no saint, he wasn’t entirely bad either. Neither Camus’ terrorists nor his tyrant come off as villains.
Translated and adapted by D.C. actor/director Rahaleh Nassri, the production’s script remains faithful to the 1949 source while sounding completely contemporary. Director Jay Hardee (who’s gay) puts the diverse nine-person cast through the paces in this brisk 90-minute production. Here and there, performances might ring a little one note in their intensity, but overall they’re more nuanced than not.
A winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Camus’ works reflect his life experience, and what he, no doubt, questioned in his life. A product of French Algeria, Camus joined the French Communist Party in a reaction to the inequalities between Europeans and indigenous Algerians. During World War II he joined the French Resistance. Long after his death (a car crash in 1962), Camus’ questions about political murder feel as relevant as ever.
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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