Charm City Stage Door – 03/21/2006

SO LONG, FAREWELL

            How sad to see the talented Movin' Out Company leave Baltimore/>/>!  By all accounts this tour stop was a major success – critically, popularly and, I'm sure monetarily.  It was particularly heartwarming to see members of the cast outside the stage door following the Sunday Matinee (their final Baltimore/>/> appearance) embracing their fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.  All action stopped, however, when Michael Snipe, Jr., a Baltimore/>/> native and frequent performer in the role of Tony, was swarmed by a shrieking crowd of family and friends, including a relative (reportedly his grandmother) sobbing loudly with pride at his considerable achievement.

            On a personal note, I was greeted by dancer Rasta Thomas (Eddie) and his Brenda, Laurie Kanyok.  His warm handshake and dazzling smile of thanks made my week!  It is nice to know that one's work is valued by other professionals.  And, Rasta, thank you for two memorable weeks.  Like you said, I look forward to our paths crossing again, and soon. 

(NOT) EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO A MUSICAL

Baltimore/>/> is currently home to several high-profile plays, both comedy and drama:

The Vagabond Players continues its 90^th season with a double bill of short plays by American playwright Christopher Durang, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All to You and The Actor's Nightmare.  Directed by Barry Bach, the production continues its run throught April 2, 2006.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM.  Tickets are $15.00, with a $2.00 discount for seniors and students. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/> 03/13/2006)

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 soon to appear on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/>.)

Caryl Churchill's most recent play, A Number, enters its second week 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) 

Spotlighters daring production of Jesus Hopped the 'A'Train also continues this weekend, with performances Friday, Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 2PM.  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.   Next Sunday, March 26^th, the performance will include a Talk Back Session following the performance.  Audience members are invited to a question/answer session with cast, crew, director and members of local law offices and the criminal justice system.  Reservations for this event are recommended.  (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/> 03/17/2006)

And two local Equity companies begin previews this weekend:

/>'s Radio Golf will be presented at The Pearlstone Theater at CENTERSTAGE from March 24–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. CENTERSTAGE also has "Pay Your Age Previews" where patrons age 35 and under can buy the best available tickets—in person on the day of show—for any preview at the price of $1 for every year of their age; ID required, Friday–Tuesday, March 24^th–28^th .  Call 410.332.0033 for tickets and information. Or E-mail: info@centerstage.org or visit the website at centerstage.org .  (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/> 03/05/2006 & Review soon to appear on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/>.)August Wilson

Rep Stage, professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), will present William Shakespeare's Hamlet from March 24 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 soon to appear on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/>.)

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.

YOU'RE THE TOP

            I'd like to extend a sincere "thank you" to the dozens of Baltimore/>/> ushers who responded to my pleas for help.  The first article in the series, all about theatre etiquette, will appear next week

TOMORROW

            Look for the following items in the near future on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>:  Reviews of CenterStage's Radio Golf, RepStage's Hamlet, Fells Point Corner Theatre's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Toby's newest dinner theatre in Baltimore/>/>.  Articles coming up include a series of articles called "The Usher Chronicles", all about theatre from the point of view of the folks who show you to your seat, an article about how one community theatre creates a season of plays, and another created a company of actors to present classics, an interview with a local acting couple, and a round up of summer theatre programs for kids of all ages.  And look for information about 100 Years of Broadway, a must-see for musical theatre enthusiasts coming for one night only (April 7^th) to the Hippodrome.  Who says there is no Baltimore theater scene?!

This week: The Sound of Music, Nick & Nora, 42^nd Street, Anything Goes and Annie.  Thanks for reading!  James

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