How Do You Spell 'Awesome'? H-I-P-P-O-D-R-O-M-E 2-0-0-6-/-2-0-0-7!

I envision a local run on Cingular phones, Webster's Dictionary, green face paint and John Hughes films – all in preparation for the incredible season that will play the Hippodrome in 2006 – 2007. Five musicals and two plays, plus three non-subscription offerings were announced today. Congratulations to Marks Chowning and his staff who clearly worked hard to get what might be the best lineup Baltimore/>/> has seen in years. This season is just about as fresh as it gets – all 7 shows are currently in or will be starting their First National Tours. And there is something for everyone here – witty, avant-garde, nostalgic (not creaky old), classic and riveting drama, trend-setting, blockbuster, some family-friendly, and even some stuff just for us grown ups!

The 2006 – 2007 Season of Shows:

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: It should be interesting to see how one of the smallest Broadway musicals in years plays the comparatively huge Hippodrome. My guess is that audiences here, like in New York/>/>, will embrace this little charmer. (I'd subscribe, if I were you.) But be ready! Audience participation is part of what makes this show such fun. So, get out those Webster's - you have until September 19^th to bone up on how to spell antidisestablishmentarianism. (I hope I spelled it right!) (September 19 – October 1)

Twelve Angry Men: The critically acclaimed and oft-extended Broadway run (I'd subscribe, if I were you) of this classic courtroom drama comes to town, starring Richard "John-Boy" Thomas. Perhaps those "Good night, MaryEllen" spots Cingular has been running were an omen of things to come. Thomas will, no doubt, show us an entirely different side to his acting abilities as the holdout on the jury. (October 24 – November 5)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: From the directing/choreographing team (Jack O'Brien and Jerry Mitchell)who made Baltimore/>/> look so great in Hairspray, comes their second teaming with The Full Monty's writer, David Yazbek. The Baltimore/> connection doesn't end there, either – one of the shows producers, Amanda Lipitz is a Charm/> City/>/> native. I am looking forward to the casting of this one! (I'd subscribe, if I were you.) Based on the Steve Martin film of the same name, this slick musical should give us something to be thankful for on Turkey Day. (November 21 – December 3)

Wicked: Get ready Baltimore/>/>! The Inner/> Harbor/>/> is about to be over run by teens, 'tweens, and all kinds of Ozians when this long-awaited blockbuster finally makes a stop here. Green Elphabas and pink Glindas should swarm the theatre in what will likely be 4 sold-out weeks. (I'd subscribe, if I were you.) (January 24 – February 18, 2007)

Monty Python's Spamalot: The 2005 Tony winner for Best Musical, that is still packing them in at the Shubert on Broadway, clip-clops its way here for another likely sell-out. (I'd subscribe, if I were you.) Rumor has it, you don't have to be a Python fan to enjoy this, but you might want to refresh your memory with the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, from which this romp was "lovingly ripped-off." (March 6-18)

Sweet Charity: People either loved this new, non-Fosse revival or they hated it. I managed to miss it somehow, so I can't say, but the score alone is worth going for ("Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now" are just the tip of the iceberg), but its star might also compel you to get your seats now. (I'd subscribe, if I were you.) Molly Ringwald, known primarily for starring in three 80's John Hughes films (16 Candles, Pretty in Pink, and the generation-defining The Breakfast Club) will star in this revival. Musical theatre fans, despair not. La Ringwald has built up a pretty nice resume of credits on the boards, including critically-acclaimed stints in Cabaret and Jonathan Larson's Tick-Tick-Boom! (April  10 - 22)

Doubt: Winner of just about every major award (including the 2005 Pulitzer and Tony for Best Play), this stunning drama makes a nice way to end a stunning season. Recently re-reviewed with a new cast in New York/>/>, this record breaking play is now being heralded as a "classic" and "cast-change" proof. (I'd subscribe, if I were you.)  (May 1 – 13)

Non-Subscription Offerings:

Mamma Mia! – The ABBA juggernaut returns in all its spandex glory for 2 more (sure to be sold-out) weeks. And this time, Baltimore/>/>, don't be in such a rush to leave during the curtain call! The 3 song concert at the end is good reason enough to stay, and while you wait in the parking garage line, roll down your windows and blare "Dancing Queen." NOTE TO MY FAITHFUL READERS: I fully intend to do all of the dances again, and this time, NOT backwards! (August 29 – September 10, 2006)

Altar Boyz – 'NYSNC meets the Osmonds in this boy band spoof. Who said having your soul saved couldn't be fun? (November 7 – 12, 2006)

Annie – Christmas comes early this year, as everyone's favorite little curly-haired imp returns to Baltimore/>/>, Leapin' Lizard-ing her way into our hearts. I already can't get "Tommorow" out of my head. (December 12 – 17, 2006) 

If you read my Tuesday column, you'll see that I am personally pretty darned happy about this news. Five of the seven shows I was hoping for are here, and the two subscription revivals are new revisions of classics! And no Lloyd Webber in sight. Yippee!  Let me say it again – I'd subscribe, if I were you! You will regret not doing so. 

And 2007 – 2008 could still bring us Chita/> and The Light in the Piazza (surely Baltimore/>/> would be among the 50 cities chosen for its tour). And now would be a great time for the Hippodrome staff to put our names on the list for Avenue Q (touring likely now that they went bust in Vegas), and what surely be a battle with DC over Tarzan and Mary Poppins. Early word on the vine lover is that this will be bigger than Lion King. And Ms. Poppins will be floating around the New Amsterdam, which is suspiciously similar to the Hippodrome, making it a supercalifragilistic place for its inevitable national tour to start (hint, hint). Never to early to start wishing, right?

See you at the Hippodrome!

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