Baltimore/Washington Backstage April 21, 2006

I attended the Thursday night, April 27, performance of "Little Women" at the HIPP and though I am not a huge fan of the musical, I heartily agree with colleague James Howard's review and highly recommend it. It plays through Sunday night at the HIPP but if you miss it you can catch this terrific cast at the Kennedy Center from June 27-July 23. Call 410-547-SEAT.

Due to a late scratch, Julie Foldesi played the role of Jo March. This was such a late decision, there were no inserts in the Playbill. Thus, unless you noticed the bulletin board in the lobby, you had no clue there was an understudy on stage. She was terrific. I saw the original cast on Broadway and was very annoyed at the manner in which Tony-winner Sutton Foster sang the signature hit at the end of Act I, "Astonishing". She would constantly just use her eyes toward different sides of the audience which I found distracting. In my opinion, Foldesi did actually perform this number better. Foldesi was in the original cast on Broadway.

I was looking forward to seeing Maureen McGovern since I missed her on Broadway due to illness. And I was not disappointed. McGovern is terrific. You also will have an opportunity to meet her after the show since the cast is collecting for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. So...Baltimore and Washington, if you want to see some terrific Broadway caliber voices, head to the HIPP. You have until Sunday night, April 23 and I'm sure there are PLENTY of tickets.

Why do I say that? The cavernous HIPP was 1/3 full. There must be better way to fill these seats via the method on Broadway and in DC, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia which allows for half-price price tickets at the last moment. I would think students, seniors, and last minute ticket-buyers could help fill these seats.

 Kudos to the Hippodrome Foundation for buying out the house for an 11 a.m. matinee on Wednesday morning @ 11 a.m. As reported in the Sun by Mary Carole McCauley, this was a terrific experience for the "all girl" audience of middle and high school students. The students also received a commemorative bracelet and a copy of the Alcott's novel. There was even a post-show discussion about the show.

But I have do have a problem in inviting ONLY young females to this production. I can't imagine the theater ONLY inviting males to see a play whether it's "Twelve Angry Men" or "The Full Monty" or ONLY Blacks to see the musical "The Color Purple". Young males in middle and high school would also enjoy this book and musical. And once again, there were close to 900 EMPTY seats. With so many underprivileged students in this city who have NEVER been to the HIPP, so many senior citizens who would love the opportunity, inviting musical theater students from Carver in Towson, Baltimore School for the Arts, Paptspco High's theater program, Howard County's theater program, and even downtown workers who may want to take advantage of a "long" lunch (like weekday Orioles' matinees), I would hope in the future these changes could be implemented. Having such a terrific downtown venue which normally sits empty all day long during the week, when there IS a matinee (rarely done), it would be wonderful to make this known and to invite the community. Especially, in this situation when the house is completely paid for in advance.

At the Kennedy Center is the Royal Shakespeare Company's "The Canterbury Tales, Parts 1 & 2. This has been getting rave reviews. You have until May 7 to see this "lively journey through 14th century English traditions and values as performed by one of the most critically acclaimed theater companies in the world." Call 202-416-8400 or www.kennedy-center.org.

 Best Bargain of the Week: All seats for "Canterbury Tales on Thursday matinees April 27 and May 4 are $25...INCLUDING orchestra seats!!! Catch MPT's "Artworks This Week" Saturday morning, April, 22 @ 9 a.m. for a great report on the show.

Cannot wait to see "Mamaleh" at the Spotlighters. This musical-comedy features five Jewish-American women through three generations. Performances through May 21. 410-752-1225.

You have until Sunday, April 23 to see the Everyman's production of "A Number". 410-752-2208.

Center Stage continues with August Wilson's "Radio Golf". Do NOT miss this incredible production. 410-332-0033 until April 30. Center Stage presents the "Young Playwrights Festival" on Monday night, April 24 at 7 p.m. This is FREE but registration is requested.

TV WATCH: Friday night, April 21, another opportunity to catch "High School Musical" on the Disney Channel at 8 and 10:10 p.m..

Patti LuPone will be a guest on the TODAY show, Tuesday, April 25 (CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY APRIL 26!!!)between 8:30 and 8:55 a.m. singing from her new CD "The Man I Love".

On Wednesday, April 26, PBS' "Great Performances" presents a concert adapation of "South Pacific" with Reba McIntire, Alec Baldwin (Alec Baldwin?), and Brian Stokes Mitchell with a 45 piece orchestrea and 51-voice ensemble. "Stokes" performed at last year's Center Stage Gala and he also has a new CD just released. Check your local listings. This could be really something!

On A&E's "Breakfast with the Arts", Sunday morning April 23 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. will be a feature on Richard Maltby, Jr./> and his latest musical featuring songs by Johnny Cash, "Ring of Fire".

On CBS' Sunday Morning (9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) get a glimpse of Cindi Lauper in her first Broadway appearance in the Roundabout Theatre production of " The Three Penny Opera" which opened last night.

Looking forward to seeing the musical "Anything Goes" at the Olney. There until April 30. Call 301-924-3400. The Olney is presenting their GALA weekend Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. See the Imagination Movers present a rock concert for kids. This New Orleans-based band has earned a national following thanks to catchy, kid-friendly songs and a contemporary style. Tickets are $20. On Sunday, there will be an open house with backstage tours and mini-performances by the National Players. And at 4 p.m. Kitty Carlisle Hart will perform her one-woman show, "Here's to Life". Tickets are $55. This is not-to-be missed.

The Roundabout Theater in Bethesda continues with "A Retreat from Moscow" till April 30. 240-664-1100.

The Arena Stage has been getting terrific reviews for "lady day at emerson's bar & grill". There till June 4. 202-488-3300. And on Monday, May 1 @ 7 p.m. Artistic Director Molly Smith and other artists will present scenes from next year's line-up which includes " Cabaret", "Noises Off", a world-premier musical "The Women of Brewster Place", and honoring two recent deceased playwrights, Wendy Wasserstein's "The Heidi Chronicles" and August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean". THIS IS FREE!! Reserve your seat at 202-488-3300.

The Signature has "The Sex Habits of American Women". 800-955-5566. And congratulations Signature for 8 Helen Hayes Awards for their incredible production of the musical, "Urinetown". This was better than Broadway!!

The University of Maryland has an open house Saturday, April 29 and EVERYTHING is free. So, you can watch the football team scrimmage PLUS see free theater. From10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. see an Early Childhood Festival, Stage Combat Demo, and "An Actor's Experience", an interactive workshop for all ages. Head to the beautiful Clarice Smith Center across the street from the stadium. Oh...the football game is from 3-4 p.m. Call 1-877-UMTERPS or go to www.marylandday.umd.edu.

Opening tonight though May 21 at the Vagabonds is "Steel Magnolias". 410-563-9135. Fells Point Corner Theater continues with "After Dinner" till May 7. 410-276-7837.

Cancellation: the eagerly anticpated "Swan Lake" will NOT be coming to either Washington's Warner Theater next week nor Baltimore's Lyric Theater in May. According to www.swanlaketour.com, Sunday's April 23 performance in Boston will be the end of the tour. What a shame.

Check out Robert Diamond's "Broadway Pulse" dated April 21, 2006 which has a nice round-up of reviews of both "Threepenny Opera' and "Three Days of Rain" with Julia Roberts. This great web column gives you the latest news on Broadway. You'll find the link on this web site.

Finally, "Mamma Mia" returns to the HIPP August 29. Tickets have just gone on sale and I'm sure they will be all gone soon. It was just recently announced a film will be made of this blockbuster musical. So...I am asking my readers...who would YOU suggest for the leads? Please email your entries to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com. I'll report the results. Some suggestions...Dolly Parton, Christina Applegate, Hugh Jackman?? I'm sure there will be big names in this cast. So pick a Sophie, a Donna, a Sky, Donna's two friends, and the three possible fathers.

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