Charm City Stage Door - 02/07/2006

Questions, comments, news tidbits, or story ideas about Baltimore/>/> area theatre are welcome!  Please contact me at jameshowardbww@yahoo.com.  And don't forget, you may respond and post for everyone at www.BroadwayWorld.com, selecting Region, then Baltimore/>/>.

 

ANOTHER OPENIN', ANOTHER SHOW

Congratulations to the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center!   This Friday, February 10^th marks the 2^nd anniversary of the re-opening of this historic theatre and modern complex.  Time flies, doesn't it?

 

WHO'S THAT GIRL?

Those of you who regularly read my columns and reviews know that I enjoyed Amy Adams of American Idol fame during her run here in Baltimore/>/>.  Well, I was among the football widows and widowers at the Sunday evening (and final) performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to the Hippodrome, and was part of the collective groan that went up at the announcement that "the role of the Narrator, usually played by Amy Adams, will be played by [unintelligible over general noise of disgruntled patrons]."  I've attended enough theatre and done enough theatre to know that understudies can be a real craps shoot.  I've seen some that were so bad, you felt sorry for them, and some that I thought were better than the person they replaced.  It speaks well for the depth of the cast, and the overall quality of the production that the young lady who went on was more than up to the task, singing with a clear, pleasant voice, and a gentle acting style.  To paraphrase the show, her "charm and winning smile really slayed them in the aisles!"  By the curtain call, she got a wonderful hand from the audience- "bravas" were heard, a generous thank you and kiss from her co-star, Patrick Cassidy, and thunderous applause from her cast mates.  As luck would have it, I happened to run into her on my way to my car, and felt compelled to say, "Good job!"  With a gracious smile and genuine surprise, she thanked me and apologized if she didn't seem up to the task, but she found out moments before the audience did!  The surprise must have registered on my face pretty clearly, because she laughed, and her walking companion, Nicholas F. Saverine (Jacob/Potiphar) said, "We are so proud of her!"  And they walked off before I could ask her what her name was!  So, whoever you are, "Good job!"

 

MARIAN THE LIBRARIAN

Last week, I asked for suggestions for books that might make good musicals and I got two very interesting responses.  One is a classic, The Great Gatsby, suggested by an anonymous reader, who suggested the title to be simply, Gatsby! The Musical.  I'm not sure if F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece has been musicalized, but I'm pretty sure it has been an opera.  Of course, with the author's Baltimore/>/> connection, it seems a fitting choice!  The other suggestion, with all the fuss about Oprah (another Baltimore connection) and James Frey is another appropriate suggestion – the memoir, Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.  That would definitely be interesting as a musical - think Auntie Mame with a dash of The Grapes of Wrath – and would at least make an interesting play!  If you haven't read either book, I highly recommend them both.  And I'd love to post more suggestions, so keep them coming. 

 

ME & MY USHERS

I'd like to offer a brief explanation about myself, in order to clear up some confusion as to my qualifications to review.  First off, the editors of Broadway World.com asked for a brief, light biography, including showing a sense of humor, which is what I provided.  Apparently,  my reviews (whether you agree with them or not) do not convey enough of my experience, thus calling into question my credentials.  So, in order to show that I am, indeed, qualified to give my opinion I will offer the following:  I have been fortunate enough to have done theatre in many different capacities.  I have attended thousands of performances of plays and musicals over the last 30 plus years.  I have been in plays and musicals since the age of 11, which works out to roughly 20 years of acting credits.  I have studied theatre, including courses in design, acting and dramaturgy, and that I have a degree in English, with an emphasis in journalism and literary (drama is literature) criticism. I have directed, designed, stage managed, and yes, ushered.  And even if my only theatre experience was being an usher, I'd consider myself qualified.  The ushers at the Hippodrome (nearly a 1,000 of them!) where I have volunteered, for example, do a magnificent job and collectively have hundreds of years of experience, have seen thousands and thousands of shows, and probably know more about theater than anyone in the business.  Where else can you talk with people in one place who were there the day Frank Sinatra was discovered, knew that Applause and The Wiz were going on to great acclaim after they premiered here, saw the final performances of such legends as Rex Harrison, Geraldine Page, Vincent Gardenia or Frank Gorshin, or even amongst the younger ushers who can name every single actor that ever played Roger in RENT anywhere in the world?  That kind of knowledge more than qualifies "even" ushers to do what I do.  We have seen the good, the bad, and the near criminal.  That said, I am indeed honored, not hurt, that my reviews have generated such debate.  Talking about theatre generates interest in theatre.

 

SOMETHING'S COMING

The following productions and events are coming up this week in the Baltimore/>/> area.  Please support local theater – we will all be the better for it.

 

Towson/> University/>/> will be presenting an original puppet theatre piece called East of the Sun, West of the Moon at its Center for the Arts, in the Studio Theatre.  This family-friendly piece (recommended for ages 8 and up) concludes its run this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 7PM and Sunday at 2PM.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors.  Information and tickets: 410-704-2787

 

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company continues its 3 weekend run of Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid at the Howard/> County/> Center/> for the Arts, located at

8510 High Ridge Road

/>in Ellicott City/>.  A family-friendly show, tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for children under 18.  This Sunday, is a special family performance, with extra show-related activities for the kids.  Tickets are available at www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com or 866-811-4111.  Information is available by calling 410-752-3994.

 

This Friday, The Spotlighters open Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, with a lite fare reception following the show.  And this Sunday, February 12, following the 2 PM show, a Talk Back Session sponsored by the Mystery Loves Company Bookstore will be held.  For tickets and more information call 410-752-1225 or visit their website at www.spotlighters.org.  (Look for my review soon.)

 

[title of show]

I got a few questions about the subtitles I use for the items in my columns.  They are song titles from shows, titles of shows, or plays on words of song titles from shows.  Last week they were from Scrooge, Beauty and the Beast, A Little Night Music, Hairspray, Evita, a play on Johnny Guitar and its Beauty and the Beast star, and Company, respectively.  This week, in order, they are from: Kiss Me Kate, Applause, The Music Man, a play on Me and My Girl, West Side Story, and the new musical [title of show].  There you have it!  And thanks for asking.

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