Charles Shubow - Page 6

How else can one describe actor Edward Gero's incredible performance as the late Supreme Court Justice Antonia Scalia other than a 'tour de force' in the acclaimed play by John Strand and directed perfectly by Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith.

I recall with reverence the illustrated cover of the original cast album of MY FAIR LADY by the acclaimed caricaturist, the late Al Hirschfeld (who has a Broadway theater named in his honor). It featured the author of 'Pygmalion' which MY FAIR LADY is based on, George Bernard Shaw, overlooking a cloud in heaven with puppet strings holding up the two lead characters in the show, Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, It's a true classic. So was the original cast which opened on Broadway in 1956 and starred Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison and later became a smash movie with Harrison and Audrey Hepburn in 1964. I recall having a reserved seat ticket for the film.

I always find it exciting to see a musical I know nothing about and FINDING NEVERLAND fits that bill. I remember watching Jennifer Hudson sing 'Neverland' on the 2014 Tony Awards and recall watching the cast perform on the NBC 'Thanksgiving Day Parade' in November, 2014. The cast included Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer, Laura Michelle Kelly and Carolee Carmello. However, the Tony Awards snubbed the musical with no nominations. After seeing the show this week, I do not understand why. I found the musical absolutely wonderful and worthy of a Tony nomination for Best Musical. FUN HOME won the Tony for Best Musical in 2015 beating out SOMETHING ROTTEN!, THE VISIT, and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. There were no nominations for FINDING NEVERLAND.

So who is John Davidson? He is an actor, comedian, author, musician, TV host, singer, and entertainer. And Baltimore/Washington audiences should be in for a treat watching this consummate performer live on the boards of the historic Hippodrome Theatre as he stars in the acclaimed musical FINDING NEVERLAND from June 27 to July 2, 2017.

This national tour ends at the Kennedy Center and Morton my very well be the greatest Hedwig ever!

If you are a fan of the late August Wilson, you must not miss HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED now playing at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD. Even if you have never heard of August Wilson, you should not miss it for it is an exciting and remarkable piece of theater.

Playwright Nambi E.Kelley's adaptation of Morrison novel is a herculean effort.

It truly is one of the funniest plays I've ever seen.

Directed by Co-Artistic Director Joseph Ritsch, with book and lyrics by Richard Mailman and music by Ryan Haase, DORIAN'S CLOSET is a fictionalized account of Buffalo native Dorian Corey who headed to New York City for a life as a 'female impersonator' and 'performer' and became a huge hit. One may think of such Broadway hits like LA CAGE AUX FOLLES or KINKY BOOTS which both deal with the life of male performers dressing as females. And as in those two monster hits, a musical to succeed needs one heck of a star and Director Ritsch has found such an individual in Stephen Scott Wormley who is absolutely astonishing in his role as 'Dorian' . I recall seeing his former performances in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Olney Theatre Center), HAIRSPRAY at Signature Theatre, and in the HAIRSPRAY concert version with the Baltimore Symphony where he excelled as 'Seaweed'.

A stellar cast establishes SOMETHING ROTTEN! as a 'Must See Musical'!

See the Baltimore/Washington premiere featuring two stunning actors: Judy McLane and Philip Hernandez.

Do not miss this spectacular presentation of the Tony Award-Winning musical.

This is an auspicious beginning of a new era and grand reopening after a $28 million renovation.

Six Broadway performers will headline a fundraiser for children and teens.

Charles Dickens gigantic novel put on stage is a challenging experience.

Baltimore's five year-old Henry McCrea attended dressed for the show.

Stephen Sondheim musical is given an exceptional production with a superb cast.

Lisa Loomer's new drama focuses on the two women responsible for the decision in Roe v. Wade.

ABBA musical hits the right notes and audiences continue to love it!!!!

TITANIC should not be missed but must close January 29, 2017.