Baltimore Backstage - March 17, 2006

Last Saturday night I attended the final performance of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None". I agree wholeheartedly with my colleague James Howard's review on this production. It was simply amazing how that small intimate space was utilized to its full effect. Kudos to the entire cast and production team. After most of the audience had left, I was privy to the award presentation on stage by Fuzz Roarke, Executive Director of the Spotlighters, to all involved.  Theatergoers rarely get such an opportunity to see the people behind the scenes who toil so hard and diligently to make live theater happen.

 

Next up at the Spotlighters is "Jesus Hopped the A-Train", billed as a "raw uncompromising portrait of race, justice and faith.  It opens tonight and runs till April 8.

Call 410-752-1225.

 

Also opening tonight at the Everyman is Caryl Churchill's "A Number". The sixty-five minute intermissionless play runs till April 23. Call 410-752-2208. Next Wednesday,  March 22, at 7:30 p.m./> MPT's "Artworks This Week" will feature the play during the thirty minute show which repeats on Saturday mornings.

 

Center Stage offers its "First Look" series on Monday night, March 20 at the theater.

Jason Grote's "1001" will be presented as a "reading" @ 8 p.m./> It concerns a "murderous sultan, a courtier's virgin daughter, a grad student form New York/>/>, and  a thousand and one nights." Resident Dramaturg, Gavin Witt directs. Tickets are only $10.

 

Another Center Stage "Food for Thought" will occur next Wednesday, March 22 at Clayton Fine Books & Café,

317 N. Charles Street from 12:30 p.m./> to 1:30 p.m./>  Join  Gavin Witt (he is everywhere) for a casual conversation about Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's "Radio Golf" which opens Friday night, March 24.  Call 410-332-0033.

 

Two plays I recall very well at Center Stage are on tap at Washington/>/>'s Arena Stage.

N. Richard Nash's "The Rainmaker" directed by Lisa Peterson (who has also done much work at Center Stage) will run through April 9.

 

Opening at the same theater is "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" by Lanie Robertson and directed by Kenneth Lee Roberson (who recently directed Center Stage's great production of "Once on this Island/>"). Call 202-488-3300.

 

An intriguing play at the Kennedy Center Family Theater is "Citizen 13559:The Journal of Ben Uchida" through Sunday. Ben is a 12 year old who along with his family is sent off to an internment camp during World War II due to their Japanese ancestry. This one hour play is designed for children. The realities of war and prejudice are the themes. Performances are Saturday, March 18 at 1, 3:30/> and 7  p.m./>, Sunday, March 19 at 1 & 3:30 p.m./> This is a World Premiere Kennedy Center Production. Call 202-467-4600 or 800-444-1324.

 

"Showboys" is a spring musical production of the  Gay Men's Chorus of Washington. Its presentation is taken from four Broadway musicals. Saturday and Sunday at Lisner Auditorium. Tickets cost $19-$49. Call 202-293-1548.

 

Opening on Tuesday and continuing to April 9 is "Hot Feet" at the National Theater.

This exclusive pre-Broadway engagement is "The Musical That Dances to the Sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire". Call 800-447-7400.

 

Bargain of the week. "Shenandoah" at Washington/>/>'s historic Ford's Theater. All seats  cost $25 during preview performances through Tuesday, March 21. Call 202-397-7328.  This new production is directed Jeff Calhoun, creator of last season's "Big/> River/>/>" concerns a farmer who tries to keep his daughter and six sons out of the Civil War. Scott Bakula stars.

 

You may recall I mentioned Baltimore/>/>'s Eric Anthony (Broadway's "Hairspray) in my article about Rasta Thomas, of "Movin' Out". Eric is opening on March 22 at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta/>/> in a new production of "Jelly's Last Jam", its first major Equity revival in a decade. The Carver/> School/>/> for the Arts and Technology grad will play Young Jelly (the play celebrates the life of musician-songwriter Jelly Roll Morton).  The roll of Jelly Roll (created by Gregory Hines on Broadway) will be played by J. D. Goldblatt who was terrific in the role of Daniel in the recent Center Stage production of  "Once on this Island/>." The show continues to April 9. If you want to cheer Eric on, head to Atlanta/>/>. Call 404-733-5000.

 

Some television suggestions.  If you know someone in New York/>/> with taping ability, on  Fox 5 Saturday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m./> there will be a one hour tribute to this year's Broadway season called "Hooray for Broadway: A Springtime Celebration. Hosted by Pat Collins, the program will have highlights and discussions about Elton John's "Lestat", "Jersey Boys", "Pajama Game", John O'Hurley of "Chicago", the "Color Purple's" LaChanze and segments from "The Odd Couple", "Barefoot in the Park" and "Sweeney Todd". Visit www.fox5ny.com.

 

Sunday morning between 8-10 a.m.on the A&E network, Marshall Brickman will be featured. He co-wrote the book for the hit Broadway musical about the Four Seasons, "Jersey Boys".

 

Reserve the date: June 15. Lincoln/> Center/>/> and PBS are currently discussing the possibility of filming a performance of the "The Light in the Piazza" for an episode on "Live at Lincoln/> Center/>/>". More details to follow.

 

Two interesting stories in today's New York Post. One on the Toronto/>/> massive $25 million dollar musical production of "The Lord of the Rings" with photos of the sets and costumes. Also, in  Michael Riedel's  "On Broadway" column, there is news on the creators of "Mamma Mia", Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, planning a new musical for Broadway, "Kristina".   Go to www.nypost.com. You may enjoy both these articles.

 

One final word about the marvelous cast of "Movin' Out".  You have until Sunday night, March 19 to see this incredible production at the Hippodrome. I don't care where you sit for this.  They may only have obstructed view seats or "cloud club" seats left, but do whatever you can do and get to Eutaw Street ASAP. One of the most moving experiences I have ever felt in the theater. Watching Darren Holden sing and play the Billy Joel role is alone worth the price of admission. (Saw Darren and his lovely wife at Maggie Moore's Irish Pub last night after the show.)  But you ALSO get incredible Twyla Tharp choreography by an ensemble of dancers like you've never seen as well. 

Thank you to cast and crew of "Movin Out" for an incredible fortnight in Baltimore/>/>.

For tickets, 410-547-SEAT.

 

And to the staff of the Hippodrome. Thursday night there were 1,500 seats sold. That means about 700 seats unused. There are three hotels within three blocks of the theater and they were all filled with conventioneers and I bet very few of them had any idea of what was happening at the Hipp. Why not offer half-price rush tickets to the public and especially these tourists who normally have no plans at night and are a short walk away or offer student rush tickets? This is done successfully on Broadway for many productions and is utilized at the Kennedy/> Center/>/>.  Just a thought.

 

If any of you any comments or suggestions for this weekly column or for other stories, don't hesitate to email me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

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