CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 04/04/2006

LUCK BE A LADY

Bernadette "Bernie" Gietka, a lifelong Maryland resident and winner of Maryland's Mega Million Jackpot has given a $50,000 gift to Towson University in support of the Arts. Gietka, who has studied at Towson, has an appreciation for film, theater and music and is pursuing her dream of producing a musical.

This generous gift to Towson's endowment will allow us to use the money where we need it the most - faculty development, student travel, equipment, or guest artists," Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Communication, Christopher Spicer said. In recognition of her gift the university is naming the following spaces in the Center for The Arts: The Bernadette and Jerry Gietka Green Room; The Bernadette Gietka Script Library, The Bernadette and Catherine Gietka Costume Shop and The Bernadette Gietka Practice Room.

Gietka worked four part-time jobs struggling to maintain her modest Essex home when she won the $183 million Mega Millions lottery in June of 2003.

Congratulations, "Bernie" and Towson University.

THE AUDITION

Everyman Theatre, Baltimore's Intimate Professional theatre, is holding open call auditions for both Equity and non-union actors to cast its 2006-2007 season of plays. Roles are available for all ages. The auditions will be held at the theatre (1727 N. Charles Street) on Monday, April 10, 12:00PM-4:00PM; 5:00PM-8:00PM and Tuesday, April 11th, 10:00AM-5:00PM. Auditions are by appointment only.

To schedule an appointment, Equity Actors please call 443-524-0154 on Monday, April 3rd, 10:00AM-3:00PM; 6PM-8PM Non-union and AEA actors call 443-524-0154 on Tuesday, April 4th, 10:00AM-3:00 PM. This phone number works only during these hours. Please do not call other numbers at the theatre.

Actors will be allotted two minutes to present memorized monologue(s) to the auditors. NO SINGING PLEASE! If necessary, auditions for a musical will be announced at a later date. Each actor must bring one 8"x10" head shot with a resume attached to the back of the photo.

SO LONG, BABY

The following local productions are offering their final performances this week:

Rep Stage , professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), will present William Shakespeare's Hamlet through April 9, 2006 in the Smith Theatre on the college campus. HCC is located at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, 21044. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. (except no matinee April 8) and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 410-772-4900 or online at www.howardcc.edu/repstage. Tickets are $21 Friday evenings, $15 Saturday matinees, $24 Saturday evenings, $20 Sunday matinees and $17 Sunday evenings. Student tickets are $12 for any performance. As a participant in the League of Washington Theatres' "Stages for All Ages" program, Rep Stage will make available one free student ticket for an adult purchasing one full-price ticket, while quantities last. (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/> 03/20/2006 & Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/27/2006/>/>.)

Spotlighters daring production of Jesus Hopped the 'A'Train also ends this weekend, with performances Friday and Saturday at 8PM. Because of mature themes, violence and graphic language, this production may not be suitable for children. For tickets and more information call 410-752-1225 or go online at www.spotlighters.org/boxoffice.htm . (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/> 03/15/2006 & Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/17/2006/>/>.)

I'M STILL HERE

The following productions continue this week:

/>August Wilson's Radio Golf will be presented at The Pearlstone Theater at CENTERSTAGE through April 30, 2006. Performance times are Tuesday through Saturday: 8 pm, Sunday: 7:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday Matinee: 2 pm , with a Wednesday Matinee: April 12^th at 1 pm. Tickets are $10–$65, with Student & Senior Discounts (half-price on the day of show, except for College Night—advance half-price student tickets available for Friday, April 7^th ). Discounts are available for groups of 15+. Contact Group Sales at 410.986.4008 or groups@centerstage.org. Call 410.332.0033 for tickets and information. Or E-mail: info@centerstage.org or visit the website at centerstage.org .  CenterStage is also offering the following programs in conjunction with the show: Thursday, April 6th at 6PM, a free community discussion entitled "A Living Monument: Charting the African American Odyssey in Theater".  Reservations required: call 410.332.0033.  Also, M & T Bank sponsors the Kickin' It with the 'Rents on Wednesday, April 12th.  Baltimore families enjoy an evening at the theatre, including pre-show activities and dinner for only $8 a person.  I highly recommend this! (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/05/2006 & Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/30/2006.)

Caryl Churchill's most recent play, A Number, continues at Everyman Theatre. The show runs through April 23^rd, with performances Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM. Tickets range from $28 (Sat.Eve. & Opening Night), $22 (Thurs/Fri/Sun. Mat.), $20 (Wed.Eve.) and $18 (Sat. Mat.). Wednesday Evenings and Saturday matinees also feature a $1.00 discount for Seniors and Students. Call the Box Office at 410-752-2208 or go online at www.everymantheatre.org for information and tickets by credit card. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/20/2006 & an Interview with co-star Kyle Prue will appear this week on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore.)

Charles Busch's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife continues performances this Friday (through April 16^th), at The Fells Point Corner Theatre. Directed by Richard Dean Stover, this hilarious, slightly off the beam comedy features Brandon Cater, Maribeth Eckenrode, Dave Gamble, Margery Germain and Susan Porter. Tickets are $14, $12 for students and seniors. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. More information and reservations can be made by calling 410-276-7837. (Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/26/2006.)

DELIGHTED

The following are coming to the Hippodrome very soon:

Let me say it again: now would be a good time to secure tickets to />Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway, coming to the Hippodrome for one night only, Friday, April 7th at 8PM. A veritable who's who of modern day Broadway celebs, this should be a "don't miss" event for musical theatre lovers. Two of Broadway's most celebrated divas will be appearing: />Donna McKechnie, A Chorus Line's original Cassie, and />Liz Callaway, who originated lead roles in Miss Saigon and Baby, and played Grizabella in Cats. Recent Woman in White star,/>Ron Bohmer (The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Sunset Boulevard – on tour) and , the magnificently voiced />Danny Zolli star of Jesus Christ Superstar are also part of the evening. For tickets and more information go to france-merrickpac.com. And PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, support these one-night ventures as much as you do the Broadway series. Far too many events like this have been cancelled for lack of sales before at this venue. 

And you've probably seen and/or heard the ads for Little Women: The Musical, which will be playing at the Hippodrome beginning next Tuesday through April 23^rd. The touring company of the show features original Broadway star and 70's pop icon Maureen McGovern as Marmee. Show times are Tues – Sat at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM, and Sundays at 1PM and 6:30 PM. The Sunday evening, April 23^rd performance begins at 6:00PM.

DAMN YANKEES RED SOX, ANGELS, INDIANS

And speaking of events at the Hippodrome, now that baseball season is in full swing, keep in mind the following when you attend the above: some garages near the Hippodrome charge higher rates when there is a home game, and parking will be harder to find, so allow extra time in order to be at the performance on time.

Orioles home games that take place during Hippodrome events are: Friday, April 7^th: Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway (Show starts at 8PM, Game, vs. Boston, starts at 7:05PM); Friday, April 14^th: Little Women (Show starts at 8PM, Game, vs. LA, starts at 7:05PM); Saturday, April 15^th: Little Women (Show starts at 2PM & 8PM, Game, vs. LA, starts at 4:35PM); Sunday, April 16^th: Little Women (Show starts at 1PM & 6:30PM, Game, vs. LA, starts at 1:35PM); Tuesday – Wednesday, April 18 -19^th: Little Women (Show starts at 8PM, Game, vs. Cleveland, starts at 7:05PM); Thursday, April 20^th: Little Women (Show starts at 8PM, Game, vs. Cleveland, starts at 3:05PM).

Let's Go O's!

Coming this week: An interview with local acting couple, Megan Anderson and Kyle Prue (Everyman Theatre), and Part 2 of The Usher Chronicles. Coming soon: A behind the scenes article about how local theatres select their seasons, a review of Little Women: The Musical, and a contest for complimentary tickets to a local theatre!

This week: Guys and Dolls, 42^nd Street (a repeat, I know!), On the Town, Follies, Little Women: The Musical, Damn Yankees. Thanks for reading! James

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