Baltimore/Washington Backstage - September 2, 2006

"It was a ball, it was a blast, and it's a shame it didn't last…" These are part of the wonderful David Yazbeck lyrics from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" which closed on Broadway on Sunday.  But don't fret…you can look for the tour to stop soon at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre from November 21 to December 3.

 

 

 

And speaking of the Hippodrome, if you are one of the few who have not seen "Mamma Mia!", you have another week to see a wonderful touring production. Look for my review and an interview with Carrie Manolakos (Sophie) soon. You have until Sunday night, September 10 to see this ABBA inspired musical. Call 410-547-SEAT.

 

 

 

"Mamma Mia!" celebrates its FIFTH Anniversary on Broadway on Wednesday night, Oct. 18. The 7 p.m. performance will benefit the Actors' Fund of America's Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and there will be a post-performance celebration. You can attend BOTH for $250. Call 212-221-7300, ext. 133. Soon, you'll also be able to purchase "Mamma Mia!, How Can I Resist You?: The Inside Story of "Mamma Mia! And the Songs of ABBA" beginning on Oct. 17. The 264 page hardback will explore how the musical was created and will sell for $30.

 

There's more news about the 5th anniversary of "Mamma Mia!". Look for the 5th Anniversary Special Edition CD with bonus CD recording on Decca Broadway CD/DVD  which will include the three bonus audio tracks from the encore after the show. The bonus special edition DVD will feature a behind the scenes documentary telling the story of "Mamma Mia!" hosted by the original Sky and Sophie on Broadway, Joe Machota and Tina Maddigan. Included will be opening night features, interviews with the producer, director, and librettist and original ABBA band members Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. There will also be ABBA concert clips and performance footage of different productions from around the world  (English, German, Dutch, Korean, Spanish, and Flemish). The DVD also features video clips of the West End cast performing "Money, Money, Money" and "Dancing Queen". Visit www.deccabroadway.com.

 

 

Thanks to colleague James Howard for plugging the fund-raiser the cast of "Mamma Mia!" is presenting at Baltimore's HIPPO (One East Eager at Charles) on Wednesday night, Sept. 6.  Two charities will be the recipients of this sure to please evening, AIDS Action Baltimore and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and tickets are only $8 general admission and $10 for reserved seating. Doors open at 10 p.m., pre-show is at 10:30, members of  the cast will arrive soon after their curtain call at the Hippodrome when they will shuttle to the HIPPO. Is this confusing?  What a great opportunity to see these terrific performers up close and personal. Call 410-576-0018 or go to www.clubhippo.com.  Very surprised there was no mention in the Playbill or from the stage about this.

 

 

 

Kudos also to James for his September listing of theater which can be found in this website dated August 31.

 

 

 

I thought I may have been the first in the local press to point out the terrific Nike commercial which features the music of  "West Side Story", but one of my favorite Baltimore Sun columnists, Ray Frager beat me to this in his Friday story.  The ad features Maria Sharapova on her way to the U.S. Open Tennis tournament being serenaded by hotel staff, a cab driver, tournament officials, John and Patrick McEnroe and others with the wonderful "I Feel Pretty". Another commercial is being aired by an investment firm featuring music from "West Side Story".

 

 

 

Broadway is bringing singing sensation Usher to the musical "Chicago" and this has resulted in huge box office. "Chicago" normally sells $40,000 worth of tickets a day but when Usher was announced, $200,000 worth of tickets were sold in ONE  day.

 

 

 

Beginning September 8, American Idol's Constantine Maroulis is joining "The Wedding Singer". For a look at his rehearsing for his role, check out a video on Broadway.com.  It's an interesting look at the rehearsal process and you learn Maroulis is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory. And speaking of  "The Wedding Singer", "Mamma Mia's" original Sophie, Tina Maddigan, has replaced Laura Benanti (out on for an extended period on medical leave) and is absolutely delightful in this role.  Maddigan dons  wedding dress on Broadway for the SECOND time and is terrific.  Buy the CD, see the show, and have a ball. The entire cast is wonderful. Go to www.theweddingsingerthemusical.com.

 

 

 

So now I have seen all four of the Tony nominees for "Best Musical" and I recommend them all, including the other three, "The Color Purple", "Jersey Boys", and the one I think should have received the nod for Best Musical, "The Drowsy Chaperone". Let me know what YOU think.

 

 

 

Hats off to the Everyman Theatre where things are happening.

 

 

 

First, the Baltimore/Washington premiere of "Opus" plays Sept. 6 to Oct. 15. But, on Sept. 5, check out the Pay-What-You-Can Preview @ 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Then there is the play "The Cone Sister". And ticket holders can sign up for an exclusive tour at the Baltimore Museum of Art on Sept. 15 and 16 (3 p.m.) entitled "A Fascination with the Creative Process: Etta Cone as Collector".  To reserve a spot, call the BMA at 443-573-1825 and mention Everyman Theatre.

 

 

 

If you have never been to the wonderful new Italian restaurant, Sammy's Trattoria at

1200 N. Charles St.

, give it a try. The Baltimore Theatre Alliance will also be presenting a Cabaret Series at the restaurant on  Sept. 17, Oct. 22, Dec. 10, Jan.14, Feb. 18, April 15, and May 20. Doors open at 5 p.m. for cocktails, and showtime will be 6-8 p.m.  Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. They will feature a cabaret menu. Call the BTA office at 410-662-9945 or info@baltimoreperforms.org.

 

 

 

 

I attended a discussion on Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" recently which will be presented at Center Stage Sept. 15-October 29. I recommend you learn more about this amazing playwright who died at the young age of 44. You can learn more at www.centerstage.org. For tickets 410-332-0033. Sorry to hear there will be no more Noontime Lecture Series but am pleased to report there will be a Backstage At Center Stage returning. More to come on this great event.

 

 

 

Thanks to Sun Theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck for her mention of Carver grad Catherine Brookman doing well in Chicago where she is attending Northwestern. (www.baltimoresun.com August 24 edition).  Brookman was praised in the Chicago Sun-Times for her role in a new musical "The Boys Are Coming Home".  Another Carver grad Lauren Williams will soon be seen in "My Fair Lady" at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA (opens Oct. 1, www.signature-theatre.org) and Carver grad Eric B. Anthony will be in the Broadway production of "Mary Poppins". Maybe Baltimore magazine can finally do an article about this amazing school.  I'll report soon on the new Carver theater season which will feature Jason Robert Brown's "Songs for a New World".

 

 

 

The Olney Theatre Center presents the world premiere of "In the Mood" by Irene Wurtzel Sept 6 to Sept. 24. You can go to the Pay-What-You-Can performance on Tuesday night, Sept. 5. Call 301-924-3400.

 

 

 

Dundalk Community Theatre is presenting the Baltimore premiere of "Jane Eyre, the Musical". I've giving you advanced notice on this great addition to the 2006-07 theater season.  "Jane" will be presented the week-end of Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. For tickets, call 410-780-6369.

 

 

 

Saw a sneak preview of the film "Hollywoodland" and highly recommend it. One of the stars is Lois Smith who I remember seeing at Center Stage many years ago.

 

If you were one of the lucky ones to see Len Carioui the original "Sweeney Todd", you'll enjoy seeing the Tony winning actor in the small independent film "Boynton Beach Club". He's terrific.

 

Kudos to Andre Braugher for winning a recent Emmy Award. He was terrific in "Homicide" and I was lucky to attend a free Shakespeare workshop for local high school actors he organized  which was amazing to watch. He will shortly be added to the NBC cast of "ER" for six episodes. Great to see good things happen to great people.

 

 Finally, I love to report on FREE events…so circle Wednesday night, Sept. 13 when the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra invites you to a season sampler at 8 p.m. at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. You'll hear selections by Mozart, Smetana, Vivaldi, Debussy, Berlioz, and Tchaikovsky. Tickets are required so call 410-783-8000 or go to www.baltimoresymphony.org.

 

And one more FREE event…Saturday, Sept. 16 from 12- 7 p.m. is the 22^nd Annual Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival. Don't miss this terrific opportunity.

Call 800-444-1324 or go to www.kennedy-center.org.

 

For comments, email me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.