Charles Shubow - Page 4

Many of my readers know my connection with MAMMA MIA! on Broadway (see my bio below). When I saw many months ago that Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia would be presenting it (the professional regional premiere) I knew it would be a money maker and knew, after seeing many Toby productions, it would be done well. Well, not only have they done well, this edition of MAMMA MIA! is just plain superb.

Wonderful cast directed by Tina Landau is a nice diversion from presidential politics.

I do not believe I have ever seen a more 'kid-friendly' theatrical event than the Olney Theatre Company's H.M.S. PINAFORE. Olney has welcomed back 'The Hypocrites' Chicago based troupe (they last appeared during the summer of 2016) who have taken their productions of both PINAFORE and PIRATES OF PENZANCE previously to the Pasadena Playhouse, and the Skirball Center in New York. 'The Hypocrites', founded in 1997 by Artistic Director Sean Graney have taken their repertories all over the country. 'The House Theatre of Chicago' has become the fiscal agent of 'The Hypocrites' and now serves as a co-producer.

I'm not sure how veteran musical theater director Todd Pearthee did it but the Modell Lyric has announced their inaugural Music Theatre Summer Camp for students in grades 9 to 12 from the Baltimore metropolitan community with Pearthree directing the musical GODSPELL. Mandee Ferrier Roberts is the Musical Director and dance instruction is being provided by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland and CJay Philip.

I congratulate Everyman Theatre for presenting their initial Summer Cabaret which includes the stars from their wonderful production of LOS OTROS, Judy McLane and Philip Hernandez. The event will be at Everyman's intimate rehearsal hall Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Broadway - get ready for another homage to a great music group.

Director Marc Bruni assembles a Broadway-ready cast and does his work masterfully.

It's more like a party than a musical...it's that much fun!

Alan Paul directs a superb cast in Lerner and Lowe's classic musical.

Signature Theatre presents another Kander and Ebb musical for the ages.

On October 22, 1986, Richard Hollander was a well-known television reporter for Baltimore's WBAL-TV with his wife Ellen (an attorney and currently a U.S. District Court Judge) and three children, Craig, Hillary, and Brett (currently a sport reporter for WBAL).

I cannot think of a more fitting way to say thank you to Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah than attending SOUL THE STAX MUSICAL which runs to June 10, 2018.

A musical/play about Vietnamese refugees you will always remember.

It is always exciting when you sit in a theater to see the world premiere of a new musical. The Arena Stage's Kreeger Theater was a buzz in anticipation of SNOW CHILD which is a co-production with Alaska's Perseverance Theatre. Why Perseverance? Well, Arena Stage's Artistic Director Molly Smith actually grew up in Alaska, returned there after schooling and founded the Perseverance Theatre in Juneau. She served as Artistic Director there for 19 years before coming to Arena Stage. Four years ago, Smith and Perseverance Artistic Director Art Rotch discussed the idea for an adaptation for SNOW CHILD.

Rep Stage closes its 25th season with a riveting presentation of Sam Shepard's TRUE WEST which is full of laughs.

Once again Toby's Dinner Theatre presents top flight entertainment for the entire family.

Everyman's Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi directs this so-production with the Olney Theatre Cednter.

A sold-out seven performance production of CHESS in Concert blew the rafters of the roof of the Eisenhower Theater.

Thank you Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith for bringing to the Washington Area the sequel writer Robert Schenkkan's two part series on President Lyndon Baines Johnson. First there was the Tony Winning ALL THE WAY which dealt with Johnson ascending the presidency while THE GREAT SOCIETY picks up at Johnson's State of the Union message in 1965 after his massive election victory.

Columbia's Rep Stage takes a leap into the lives of Etta And Claribel Cone in world premiere play by Susan McCully.