ALL FAIRFAX READS - The Uncommon Reader - September. 2008

All Fairfax Reads celebrated, and concluded, its fifth successful season in September. The program began in 2004, when county residents were encouraged to read Harper Lee’s forceful novel To Kill a Mockingbird. With the choice of Hosseini’s bestseller The Kite Runner in 2005, the program soared. All Fairfax Reads is a comprehensive effort to promote literature, an initiative spearheaded by the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). From May through September, every adult in the county is challenged to read and discuss one book, which has been nominated by a committee of enthusiastic, knowledgeable readers. Study guides for the book, library talks, blogs, lectures, films, and demonstrations are components of AFR. The event culminates during The Fall for a Book Festival, a week-long series of lively literary activities at or near George Mason University.

In 2008, Alan Bennett’s novel The Uncommon Reader was chosen for All Fairfax Reads. Bennett is considered one of England’s foremost contemporary playwrights. Since his first play was produced in 1960, he has kept audiences in stitches. “What a brilliant choice!” his many Fairfax fans undoubtedly exclaimed. Others less familiar with his writing might have been put off by the volume’s plain cover, its brevity, and its seemingly prosaic title. But the truth of a couple of old saws becomes quickly apparent; good things do come in small packages, and judging a book by its cover is indeed shortsighted. After the first few paragraphs, the title’s clever pun is revealed. When the Queen’s rowdy Corgis are introduced on the second page of the slender novella, readers are enchanted – and hooked, relishing every turn in the plot and savoring each delicious phrase.

The planning of All Fairfax Reads is managed by the office of Katie Strotman, the FCPL Programming Coordinator. Each year, a book is nominated, and a committee, composed of residents, professors, FCPL personnel and Board members, staff from other County agencies and representatives from the business world, develops program ideas. Strotman and her committee have a realistic, but inspiring goal for the program: “We hope this project gives our citizens a comfortable place to start reading and discussing books with friends and neighbors, and maybe that will lead to continued conversations and a deeper understanding of others and of the community.”

George Mason University’s Theater of the First Amendment (TFA) was a valued participant in All Fairfax Reads. A Celebration of Alan Bennett was offered on Sept. 23 at the Old Town Village Gallery in Fairfax. TFA Managing Director Kevin Murray picked the play Habeas Corpus for this presentation because, he observed, “it struck me as the most accessible and funniest of the plays I read. Much of Bennett’s work is commentary on the political and social life of Britain, and I am not an expert in that area. But I know comedy. It's also refreshing for TFA, which often does serious, thought-provoking work, to have a little fun with this.” And fun they had with Bennett’s mildly risqué, wildly funny farce. The staged reading sparkled. Cast members included Naomi Jacobson, Lynn-Jane Foreman, Frank Robinson, Jr, and Lisa Nanni-Messegee, who have all performed in previous TFA productions. “The City of Fairfax and Fall for the Book both sponsored the event, and we were proud to be part of it,” concluded Murray.

Like book clubs all over Fairfax, the Democratic Women of Clifton’s book club focused on The Uncommon Reader. The group, which is organized by Peggy Azouqha, held its September meeting in Springfield. Leah Johnson, who lives in Little Rocky Run, was the moderator. She began by presenting a brief biography of Alan Bennett, then moving on to questions in the FCPL study guide. Clifton resident Jane Barker commented that everyone at the meeting enjoyed the novella. Captivated by the British humor, they “loved the irony of the title.” The unanticipated ending delighted the participants immensely. Gretchen Klimoski, also of Clifton, found it interesting that such a “small book” could make an extremely important point. “Through her reading, the Queen learned how little she knew of real people and their concerns. Can we make a comparison with the Queen and our political leaders today? Do our elected officials read, and if they do, what is the impact of their reading?” To Klimoski, “this funny little story’s relevance to our choice of leaders today” is significant.

Many activities to enhance our appreciation of The Uncommon Reader were developed by the Fairfax County Public Library. The Web site is easy to use and informative (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/allfxreads/). It contains not only a thought –provoking reading guide, but also Her Majesty’s Reading List, which is impressive. Discussion groups were scheduled at the Oakton and Burke Centre Libraries and the George Mason, Reston, Sherwood and Centreville Regional Libraries. In addition, horticulturist Bruce Nash gave a well-attended lecture and demonstration on The Art of Flower Arranging, UK Style, at Pohick. Helen Mirren’s 2006 Film, The Queen, was screened at the George Mason Regional Library, and British writer Alison Larkin spoke about her recent novel, The English American.

The Uncommon Reader gives us a peek into a world unfamiliar to most of us. While presentng a vision of the insularity of leaders who must depend on their staff for information, it emphasizes the importance of reading widely with style and charm. In describing The Uncommon Reader, Gerald E. Connolly, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, commented astutely: “This year’s book selection is a witty, quick read that speaks to the importance of literacy in an active community. I strongly encourage you to read this book, or any of the previous All Fairfax Reads selections, and discuss them with family, friends and neighbors.” What a ringing endorsement both for the book and for the many activities surrounding it!

ARTS BY GEORGE! An Evening of Enchantment - August, 2008

The third annual ARTS By George! will be held on September 27 at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts (CFA). The event supports student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts, as well as the CFA Great Performances at Mason series. Organized by an energetic core of volunteers and staff members. ARTS By George! is co-chaired by Fairfax Station residents Shirley and Charles Joyce, whose dedication to the arts is well-known in the community. The sponsorship chairs are Carolyn Peterson, Enrique Tessada, and Julie Dyson. The Steering Committee includes Robert C. Buchanan, Don and Tota Conwell, Richard Henneberg, Don and Sonja Palomaki, Robert Purks, Candy Reeder, Carole Scanlon, Sue Skaddan, and Judy Weltz.

This group of art aficionados, who have worked together for many months, had one overriding goal: introducing the College of Visual and Performing Arts to the community. Although audiences in Northern Virginia are devoted to the Center for the Arts, many are less familiar with Mason’s dynamic student productions. Guided by a dedicated, gifted faculty, CVPA students routinely give brilliant presentations at impressive recitals, plays, concerts, operas, and gallery shows.

Guests who previously have attended ARTS By George! anticipate a celebration of exceptional artistry. The format of the evening is unique. When guests arrive at the university’s Fairfax campus in the late afternoon, they are ushered to reserved parking, greeted by Mason Student Ambassadors, serenaded by musicians, and escorted to the Performing Arts Plaza. There, they enter different studios in the Performing Arts Building, viewing “behind-the-scene” artistic presentations by Mason’s outstanding students. Along the way, hungry guests eat their fill of delicacies prepared and graciously served by RSVP Catering.

The visual arts will be showcased at every venue, in the Welcome Tent, along the hallways of the Performing Arts building, and in the Concert Hall’s lobby. The exhibit presents an extensive display of original paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, and sculptures by students and faculty. The Art and Visual Technology (AVT) Department chair Harold Lnton explains that printmaking for collectors receives special emphasis in the AVT Show, which he describes as “masterfully curated by Solomon Wondimu.” In Linton’s opinion, it provides a perfect opportunity for art lovers to build their collections and contribute to scholarship funds.

A new feature has been added to ARTS By George! Committee members Sue Skaddan and Bob Purks, along with Nyla Louh, CVPA’s Assistant Director of Development, have orchestrated an unusual silent auction. Visitors can bid on premiums while strolling from one student performance to another or they can view them and bid online. What kinds of items are offered at the ABG! silent auction? Consider these: A week’s vacation at an exclusive condo in North Carolina; a Chilean wine-tasting and tapas buffet for ten; private gallery tours with artists Chawky Frenn in Washington and Peter Winant in New York City; a behind-the-scene tour and luncheon with members of the Dance Department; an hour-long lesson on conducting with Professor Anthony Maiello; courtside seats at a GMU men’s hoops game and a basketball signed by Coach Jim Larranaga. The entire list is a bidder’s dream!

At 8 o’clock, ARTS By George! participants will settle into premier orchestra seats at Mason’s imposing Concert Hall to enjoy a performance by baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell. Described by The New York Times as “the last leading man,” Mitchell has performed with many of the world’s foremost classical conductors and their orchestras, including Leonard Slatkin, John Williams, and Michael Tilson Thomas. He has starred in performances of works such as Porgy and Bess, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Carnival, Kismet, and Ragtime. Awarded a Tony for Kiss Me Kate, he has received several Tony nominations, a Helen Hayes Award, and a Theater World Award. In addition, he has acted on TV shows such as Crossing Jordan, Frasier, and Trapper John, M.D. What versatility! The Washington Post commented that Mitchell is “a talented musician and an engaging personality, but his rarest gift is for knocking show tunes over the moon.” His admirers are awaiting his fabulous renditions of Embraceable You, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, and The Impossible Dream.

The performance will be followed by a champagne and chocolate reception, saluting the end to a memorable celebration. Mitchell will join the guests, and many of Virginia’s elected officials will also attend the on-stage reception. Fairfax resident Carole Scanlon, who has assembled a star-studded Honorary Committee, which features Governor Timothy Kaine as the 2008 Honorary Chair. In addition, Mason’s own stars, President Alan Merten, former President George Johnson, and Coach Larranaga, will assuredly please the crowd of their faithful fans.

ARTS By George! is an unforgettable evening. Participants meet the students and their teachers, savor a delectable meal, watch impressive student performances, and enjoy Brian Stokes Mitchell’s beautiful baritone. But most important of all, guests support the scholarship fund for talented young dancers, singers, musicians, dramatists, film-makers, visual artists, and arts managers – or support the Center for the Arts program, which benefits everybody in our region. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the Web site (www.artsbygeorge.com) or call Deborah Paez (703.993.4188).

THE MASON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

By Trish Mandes

George Mason University (GMU) has taken another giant step forward with the first Mason Festival of the Arts. Held from June 12-29, the event was brilliant. But brilliance is a commodity we have come to expect from GMU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). The mission of the Festival -- “Create. Innovate. Educate.” – hints at its ambitious scale. Rick Davis, the Artistic Director of the Festival, assembled a staff of professionals and volunteers whose dedication to the arts is matchless. Fairfax’s own Gerry Connolly was the Honorary Chair of the Festival Board.

Kevin Murray, long recognized for his work with the Theater of the First Amendment (TFA), was the Managing Director, and Jim Maiwurm was the Festival Manager, a monumental task handled with aplomb. The three-week program was so vast, so comprehensive, so tempting that attendees might have been overwhelmed by the choices if the activities had not been coordinated so carefully. Perhaps you wanted to go to the Film Festival, but a play, a concert, and an opera were taking place simultaneously. Don’t worry; many were repeated at different times on different days, and you could savor a wide variety.

The Festival opened on Thursday evening, June 12 with a production of Mariela in the Desert. This stark, thought-provoking play, authored by Karen Zacarias, has never before been presented on the East Coast. It was followed on Friday by Two-Bit Taj Mahal, written by Mason’s own enormously talented Paul D’Andrea, the founder of TFA. Described by Davis as “lyrical and tough, sensuous and gritty,” Two-Bit Taj Mahal premiered at the Festival. Both dramas, which were given several times during the Festival, were greeted by enthusiastic audiences. CVPA Dean William Reeder acclaimed D’Andrea's opus as “the finest theatrical work of art by somebody I know that I’ve ever seen!”

The Community Arts Weekend was launched on June 14 and 15. From mid-morning until evening, families roamed happily around the campus, viewing films at the Johnson Center Cinema, sampling performances in the theaters and on the Arts Plaza, visiting exhibitors’ booths, looking at beautiful art, and enjoying marvelous music. Kathleen Stark, co-president of The Fairfax Art League, was justly proud of her organization’s exhibition at the Festival, and spectators were fascinated by the chance to see artists at work. Paintings, prints, and photographs by CVPA professors and students and by the Fairfax School Age Child Care Program’s students were displayed on every inch of available wall space. Free performances on the Spotlight and Sunlight Stages were amazing. The Voices of Merrifield, the gospel choir representing the First Baptist Choir of Merrifield, the Fairfax Jubil-Aires Barbershop Chorus, the Abdul Eshaggai-Afghan Dancers, the Al Williams Jazz Band – the list goes on and on. Who would believe that we have so much talent in Fairfax County!

TFA‘s First Light Discovery Program focuses on the development of new plays. In explaining First Light, Rick Davis noted, “We are offering four playwrights the exceptional opportunity to hear their plays worked on and read by professionals and to receive audience response.” At the Festival, the program’s results were impressive. Sarah Congress, a rising senior at Hayfield Secondary, won the high school competition for her drama, Boxes. Presented in a staged reading, which was directed by Shirley Serotsky, the play was engrossing. Full of one-liners, the dialogue kept viewers in stitches. An example was voiced by a newly-wed carrying boxes of his wife’s childhood collectibles into their first home: “There are so many tchatchkes in our apartment that it’s like living in a Hallmark store.” The language was poignant as well. In one of the vignettes, an older man sifted through a shoebox holding mementos of his dying wife. “Being in love is like being free,” he reflected. After the performance, the appreciative audience discussed the drama with the writer, director, and actors. Two comments summed up the reaction of many of us: “The pieces were beautifully rendered,” observed one viewer, while another murmured wonderingly to Sarah Congress, “You are so young to have captured all those emotions.”

Although artists from all disciplines were represented at the Mason Festival of the Arts, it was produced by The Theater of the First Amendment. The reason for TFA’s prominent role was space, a key concern at Mason’s burgeoning Fairfax campus. In 1990, TFA’s first year, the theater program had 30 majors. Even with Harris Theater, the Black Box, and TheaterSpace, the now more than 100 majors require all available space for their performances during the academic year. At a planning meeting not quite two years ago, a summer theater season was suggested by Dean Reeder, a leader of great vision. An inspiration, agreed his colleagues. Before long, however, the creative minds organizing the summer season had expanded it to a festival. “As inclusive as possible,” explained Davis, “since one of the hallmarks of great festivals is the variety of offerings. We think this Festival is a real showcase of the best of the arts of our region-- both from Mason and from the community-- and a real chance for people to come together in celebration of our own artistic vitality.” Move over, Spoleto!