CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 04/18/2006

LOVELY LADY

I had the chance to speak with Louisa Flaningam who currently stars as Aunt March in Little Women: The Musical at the Hippodrome between shows last Saturday.  Among her long list of credits is a co-starring role in the First National Tour of I Love My Wife with the Smothers Brothers.  She remembers playing that show at the Mechanic Theatre and its maze-like backstage area. So, how does she feel about the Hippodrome?  She says the company loves it; it is beautiful and it is nice to have the audience so close.  While it has many seats, it doesn't feel like some of the "huge caverns" the show has played, which she thinks is ideal for this chamber musical.  She also likes the sound – there is no delay in hearing audience response.  In keeping with the small size, Little Women also travels with very small, but highly effective speakers, which also help the site lines incredibly much.  Ms. Flaningam also views this stint in Baltimore with a sad, but satisfied attitude.  Her final performance, after 8 months on the road, will be this Sunday.  She is looking forward to not having to cart huge cases through airports and to looking after her house.  Her husband, PJ Benjamin, after a LONG stint in Chicago, has just joined the tour of Wicked as the Wizard.  How long will he be in that?  Through mid-January, right before the show comes to Baltimore.  As she says, though, you never know, he might just re-up!  Congratulations on a fine run, and come back to Baltimore soon, Louisa!

 

A CHANGE IN THE HEIR

Spotlighters Theatre has announced a change in its upcoming schedule.  Instead of the previously announced POSEIDON, an Upside Down Musical, Spotlighters will present SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, by Del Shores with direction by Terry Long.

 

MAMALEH

Just in time for Mother's Day, Spotlighters Theatre brings Mamaleh! to the stage, beginning April 21 – May 21, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM.  This musical filled with laughter and tears, encompasses the eras from turn of the century immigrants coming to America to modern matriarchs contemplating the 21st century.  Mamaleh! (Yiddish for Little Mother) tells of the life long friendship among three generations of Jewish-American women. 

 

Mamaleh! brings together Sherrionne Brown and FUZZ Roark to direct the production.  Both Brown and Roark were nominated for Outstanding Direction by the Great Baltimore Theater Awards (Brown for All My Sons, 2005 and Roark for Rocky Horror Show, 2004).  Brown and Roark bring their skills in developing intimate relationship and intricate backstory to the stage with these five ladies. 

 

The five ladies of Mamaleh! come from across the Baltimore region.  Suzanne Young portrays  as the strong willed, and quick spoken matriarch of the family, Grandmother Sonya.  Her stalwart daughter, Frieda, is played by Donna D. Davis, and the granddaughter, Debra, who is filled with admiration for her grandmother, mother and her friends, is played by Deborah Miller.  The two friends, Jenny and Maddy, are portrayed by Bonnie Sarf and Sharon Kneebone.

 

Ticket Info: Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office one hour prior to each performance.  Tickets may be placed on Will Call by phoning the theatre at 410-752-1225, or from the website:  www.spotlighters.org.  Will Call Reservations are strongly recommended.  Cash and Credit Cards are accepted at the Box Office.  Tickets may be purchased on line at www.missiontix.com using a credit card.  Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for Seniors, Students, and Baltimore Theatre Alliance members.

Spotlighters Theatre is hosting two benefit performances of MAMALEH!  On Sunday, April 30, 2006 the 2pm Matinee will benefit HOUSE of RUTH (Women's Shelter).  Tickets for this benefit are $25, and reservations are strongly suggested.

 

On Sunday, May 7, 2006 the 2pm Matinee will benefit SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION (Maryland Affiliate).  Tickets for this event are $30, and reservations are strongly suggested.

A lite fare reception will follow the benefit performances.

 

For more information about the theatre and this production, visit www.spotlighters.org.

 

GOOD TIMES

You only have two weeks left to see the brilliant production of 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). 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 .  You REALLY don't want to miss this show, heading for Broadway next season.  (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/05/2006 & Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/30/2006.)

Caryl Churchill's most recent play, A Number, closes this weekend 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.), $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 BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 04/06/2006.)

 

And finally, the Baltimore engagement of Little Women: The Musical ends this Sunday as well.  Perfect for the entire family, this lovely, lively, sweet and funny show stars Maureen McGovern as Marmee, matriarch of the March clan during the Civil War.  You will really kick yourself if you miss this one. The show runs at the Hippodrome tonight through Saturday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM, and Sunday at 1PM and 6PM (a change from the usual 6:30PM).  Also, the company is collecting for my favorite charity, BroadwayCares/Equity Fights AIDS, and they have a real special deal.  For just $15, you can get a personally autographed CD of a Maureen McGovern's specially recorded single.  She will actually sign it right in front of you! (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 04/12/2006)

 

Coming Up:  Reviews of After Dinner at Fells Point Corner Theatre, Steel Magnolias at Vagabond Players and Mamaleh! at Spotlighters, articles about summer theatre programs for kids, how local theatres select a season, a new installment of The Usher Chronicles, and a review of Wicked's current Broadway Cast.

 

This week: Les Miserables, A Change in the Heir, Mamaleh! and Kiss of the Spider Woman.  Thanks for reading, James

 

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