The Taming of the Free-for-All

I'm woefully behind in my reviews of cheap and easy culture in the DC area, for which I humbly apologize. Late summer/early fall is a great time for freebies, and the city is peaceful, beautiful, comfortable, and relatively free of Congressmen at that time of year.

First, I'll give you some thoughts about the Shakespeare Theatre's new twist on its annual Free-for-All production. Until this year the annual free event was held at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, which offered Shakespeare under the stars for more than 4,000 people at a time. Families brought babies and picnic baskets and introduced their young spawn to fabulous theatre in a fresh-air, non-threatening environment.

This year, for reasons that the Shakespeare Theatre Company never made clear in any meaningful way, the Free-for-All was held at its luxe, 774-seat Sidney Harman Hall across from DC's Verizon Center. Their argument was that being directly across from the Gallery Place Metro station, the entertainment complex would make the experience more available for more people.

Perhaps in theory. The Carter Barron was difficult to access by public transportation. I could argue, however, that people coming with strollers and picnic baskets weren't going to use Metro anyway. And although the STC was able to produce more shows in its own space than it could have put on at the Carter Barron, I'm not at all convinced that more people had access to the show this year.

First, lines for free tickets before each performance were at least 2 hours long. That's right, I sat in line on a filthy DC sidewalk for 2 hours before I was allowed to grab 2 free tickets for that night's show. Lines at the Cater Barron had been practically non-existent, yet they packed the place every night they played there. Many people this year were turned away after waiting for 2 hours because all tickets had been distributed, many thus discouraged from trying again another night.

And because it was indoors, there were no picnic baskets, few young children being introduced to Shakespeare, and no starlight. STC's suggestion that families could picnic on the grounds of the National Building Museum a few blocks away was laughable. The STC did thoughtfully provide a crying space next to the bar in the lobby with view of a monitor displaying the performance, where parents could have a martini, rock a petulant child, and watch the show all the same time without disturbing others. A brilliant and thoughtful idea. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that many parents shied away from attending the Free-for-All because they were intimidated by the glistening hall and by fears of being trapped in an enclosed space with a wiggly child. The new complex is largely made of glass, for God's sake.

That being said, J. and I did have a blast. The revival of the STC's 2008 The Taming of the Shrew was brilliant, adding new principals who outshone the originals and new stage business that lowered the tone considerably--and I mean that in a good way. While the original was a great production, this one was amazing. It's still not my favorite--that honor goes to an Alabama Shakespeare Theatre production in the late 1980s--but it's up there as one of the most lively and enjoyable I've ever seen. And perhaps if it had been produced outdoors, by 14-year-old might not have turned her nose up at the idea of going to see Shakespeare.

Was it worth the 2-hour wait? Yes, because I work within walking distance, took a good book to read in line, went on a casual Friday so I was wearing clothes that could not be sullied by DC grime, and met my husband for date night since our daughter wouldn't come.

I've never rated these experiences before, but I'm going to give it a bash here:

Production: A-
Overall experience: C

Next installment: Read all about how Opera in the Outfield kicks the Free-for-All's ass.