First Lady Michelle Obama celebrates Washington's first-rate arts scene

 

Michelle Obama applauded a showcase of Washington's vibrant arts scene April 21 as the cultural community officially welcomed the administration.

The First Lady received the evening's largest ovation as she took her seat to watch a dazzling array of theater, dance, and music.

"I can say from the White House, 'The Arts are back,'" Special Assistant to the President, Kareem Dale, told the audience. "The President told me a week ago that 'arts are critical to educating the children, the leaders of tomorrow.'" The Administration is substantially increasing arts funding, including $50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts.

The evening at the Sidney Harman Hall began with a rousing gospel number (look right) from "Crowns", an Arena Stage production running through April 26 at the Lincoln Theatre. 

As if to accentuate the diversity among DC's 300 arts organizations, "Crowns" was followed by the Washington Bach Consort, which added a contemporary song, "How Can I Keep from Singing?" That was the last thing anyone wanted. 

The Signature Theatre offered highlights from musicals including one of the two it commissioned from Michael John LaChiusa. His musical "Giant", based on  Edna Ferber's book and the hugely popular movie, opens next week.

The Washington Ballet presented "Celts", choreographer Lila York's, well, balletic take on "Riverdance". Far more exciting was "Step Afrika!", eight dancers using their bodies as instruments, creating intricate rhythms and sounds through stepping, tapping, clapping, and a bit of rapping. "Step Afrika!" opens May 27 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

The Synetic Theater, the Washington National Opera, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company also gave excellent offerings. Michael Kahn, Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, created this first-ever "'Welcome to Washington' to introduce the Administration "to the wealth of talent in Washington's professional performing arts companies...Our city offers an extraordinary variety and richness of artistic experience..."

The Washington Performing Arts Society's 67-member Children of the Gospel Choir ended the program with a glorious medley.

During the buffet dinner, Floyd King, one of Washington's most celebrated actors told me, "I wanted to impress the First Lady, who comes from a big theater town. But we have a bigger theater audience -- we're the real 'Second City.'"

King had told the audience that Washington has more theatrical performances than any other U.S. city except for New York City. "I'm tired of people thinking actors are poor and starving. I earn my living that way -- and it's not a bad living."

The arts are thriving, and very welcoming in Washington.