News and notes from Reston (tm).

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Reston's vibrant cultural scene: Nekkid people and barbershop quartets

Now there's a Google search term we'll be the #1 result for! All we know is that while we were busy paying attention to tree cullings and fancy new headquarters proposals, Reston's vibrant cultural scene has taken a turn for the... um, creepy.

When you think "indecent exposure" and "Reston," you usually think about 5:30 am strolls around South Reston. But last weekend, the Reston Players kicked off their month-long run of The Full Monty, in which your neighbors tromp around the stage at the Reston Community Center buck nekkid. But what of the children?

While the show’s calling card are its striptease numbers — and this production will feature full-frontal male nudity, according to director Sue Pinkman — the baring of bodies is merely a pretext for the characters’ baring their souls, she said.
Riiiight. I'm sure that's just what this guy said.
"There are so many levels to the comedy and so many levels to the message," she said. "It’s like, people really do need people. It’s about love in all different forms, sons and fathers, husbands and wives, it has a gay couple in it, it has an older man in it who isn’t ready to retire, so there’s all kinds of wonderful elements to it."
Frankly, we blame the Obama administration. And this guy, too:
Herndon native Evan Hoffmann stars as Jerry Lukowski, the de facto ringleader of the down-and-out workers. He said he’s embraced the challenges of the complete exposure the role demands.

"It’s exciting, it’s one of the main reasons that I was excited to do the show," he said. "I’ve certainly never been in a play where I was asked to take my clothes off. I look at it as a test of my own will — it’s a nice test of my comfort level with myself, if I’m able to do it.
Well, that's how they roll over in Herndon, we guess.

If you wanted a break from that unspeakable filth, there was an equally exciting live performance last weekend. We're sorry to say we missed the Annual International Preliminary Contest of The Barbershop Harmony Society, which is also known as "The Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization," in case you're keeping score at home. This festive event took place this past weekend at the Hyatt Regency Reston in the Reston Town Center. As you may have guessed by your dog's incessant howling, 28 barbershop quartets from New York to North Carolina competed for the right to sing at this summer's 2009 International Convention in Anaheim, California. It must have been just like American Idol, only with barbershop quartets.

We're praying they kept their clothes on.

11 comments:

  1. You're sort of a douche-bag guy

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  2. Really? Have you seen the show? You really never see anybody naked - it's the anticipation that titilates the audience. It shows people overcoming thier inner obstacles - and physicalizes the aspect of 'letting go'. Knowing the story of the characters has you cheering for them as they conquer their inner demons and at the same time make you laugh and cheer and ponder how uptight you might really be. Seems you missed all that. Stick w/ the barbershop quartet - they're more your speed - God forbid you take an honest look at yourself over spewing what you think will get attention.

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  3. Hmm. Understand sarcasm much?

    And barbershop quartets rock.

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  4. The Full Monty is an amazing show and movie. Not necessarily for young children, but it has a strong, positive message and values - and it's hilarious. See the movie or listen to the music or learn something about it before you dismiss it out of hand. Barbershop quartets are also cool -- in fact, The Full Monty and barbershop quartets share a similar male musical-bonding spirit. As a musicology PhD student, I endorse both whole-heartedly.

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  5. The disrobing in "The Full Monty" is less sexual than silly. It acknowleges our own foibles and insecurities.
    There are actually very few "nekkid" people, and at the precise moment where the audience might actually be shocked, the clever staging protects even the most sensitive from any emotional scars.
    The production is very professional, and the characters are endearing; in the course of the show, they reveal much more than their private parts.

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  6. Never read your blog before and I doubt I'll ever be back. Not only does your "humor" fall flat, but you appear ignorant and uncultured, especially in this particular post. Since when has it become cool to celebrate one's own curmudgeonry? You're just another wanna-be pop journalist polluting the blogosphere. Please stop. My eyes are burning.

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  7. You really are a tool!

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  8. All I can say is VA is a blue state now. Get used to it. Oh, and shut up.

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  9. Come on, people. "The Full Monty" was an entertaining movie, and I'm sure the play is entertaining too, but we're not exactly talking about Shakespeare here.

    What's funny is the idea of people prancing around naked on stage in Reston. That's something you don't see in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" or your typical community theater fare. More power to them for taking a creative risk -- but if they're going to show some skin, they need to get thicker skin.

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  10. I voted for Obama BECAUSE there are people like you still out there roaming the streets. So, really, you should only blame yourself. Shame on you.

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  11. Crazy Like Fox Mill.....who doesn't have thick skin?

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