Everyone enjoys fan mail, and we have received a generous amount over the years. The appreciation of our audience is typified in this recent e-mail letter: "Thank you for yet another incredible night of music! Outstanding show last night! I am still amazed that we are able to enjoy such world-class jazz in such a wonderful venue so close to home. Your theatre is a jewel but is too well kept a secret."

Fans: please help dispel any remaining "secrecy" by spreading the word about what we have to offer! The Theatre welcomes ideas and assistance in drawing ever-increasing numbers into the audience. Bring your friends, tell your colleagues, consider posting our schedule in libraries, schools, and offices close to your home.

In Memoriam: Charlie Byrd

At the Theatre's final concert of 1999, played on December 4, the audience stood for a minute of silence in memory of Charlie Byrd, who had died earlier that week. Charlie was the first guitarist to play jazz at the Theatre, and his last appearance here was in February of 1999. Jazz guitarists Gene Bertoncini and Frank Vignola, who performed the December 4 concert at the Theatre, dedicated their concert to Charlie's memory. They concluded the evening with bossa nova music, and a gentle, fading close--a perfect tribute and more fitting than any words.

Chamber Music, Jazz, With a Little Drama

Three concerts in the Smithsonian at Little Washington series, now in its eighth season, will bring music of Schubert, Bach, Haydn and Mozart to the Theatre in the first months of the new year. Kenneth Slowik, artistic director of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, continues to be the inspiration and guiding force in arranging these concerts, as well as performing in several of them and discussing the music with the audience. We are deeply indebted to him for taking time out of a heavy schedule of performances and commitments in order to come so regularly to the Theatre at Washington.

Making their first visits to the Theatre in 2000 will be two well known jazz musicians, both coming from New York. In January, pianist Bill Charlap will give our upright Steinway a workout when he plays jazz, music of Broadway and music by Scott Joplin. Then, in February, Leroy Jenkins will play more jazz, with his own improvisations, this time on the violin. Later in the spring, there will be two more jazz concerts; Bucky Pizzarelli will be back playing guitar, along with Chuck Redd on vibes, and finally, in May, we look forward to a return visit from California's "Flying Pisanos."

The Christendom College Players have chosen the Pulitzer prize winning comedy "Harvey" for their annual play at the Theatre in March.

In April, the Fauquier Community Theatre returns to Little Washington with FCT's production of Emlyn Williams' thriller "Night Must Fall."