Baltimore/Washington Backstage - April 13, 2007

You don't have to be a "Big Spender" to enjoy the wonderfully entertaining "Sweet Charity" playing at the Hippodrome Theatre through April 22 (tickets start at just $27).

 For many theatergoers, "Sweet Charity" is known as a film starring the irresistible Shirley MacLaine.  But the lucky patrons on "Opening Night" on Tuesday, April 10, were treated to a lovely evening of theater. If you count yourself as belonging to a group of theatergoers who have been disappointed at small shows like "Alter Boys" and "Spelling Bee", you will not be with "Charity".  You have great music (two blockbuster songs) played by a superb orchestra and some fabulous dancing by an incredibly talented ensemble who perform great choreography by Wayne Cilento. While you may recognize some moves from the "Bob Fosse School of Dance" (he directed and choreographed the original Broadway production with Gwen Verdin), Cilento has added his own signature moves. While Molly Ringwald does an admirable job as "Charity", in my mind the reason to see this show is the ensemble. When they weren't on the stage…I was hoping they would be back soon.   

The only part of the evening I felt lasted way too long was the end of Act I when Charity is stuck in an elevator. While the contortionist comedic performance by Guy Adkins brings many laughs, the scene really drags. But, beyond that, Ringwald deserves credit for tackling a tough role made for a dancer. 

For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT and look for an interview with Ringwald on MPT's "Artworks This Week" on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

One further note on the Hippodrome, I brought my theater group, "The Shubow Shuttle" to this performance and we were seated in the front mezzanine seats know as the "Grand Suites". There used to be three rows of seating in this location but now there are just two rows and I highly recommend them. The leg room was terrific and the view is fabulous.

 John Waters made an appearance on the AMC Network's "Sunday Morning Shoot-Out" and talked a lot about "Hairspray", the film. He makes a cameo at the beginning as a "flasher". The buzz is very good about the movie version of the musical, taken from the Broadway musical, based on a movie.

Want to see a number from Broadway's newest musical, "The Pirate Queen"? Check out "The View" on Tuesday morning, April 17.

 On MPT's "Artworks This Week", THIS week, Dr. Gail Kern Paster, Director of the Shakespeare Folger Library (holding the largest Shakespeare collection in the world), shares the wonders of this treasure in Washington, DC. They are celebrating their 75^th Anniversary with an exhibit titled "Shakespeare in American Life" which continues to August 18. The show repeats Saturday mornnig at 9 a.m. and Monday morning at 5:30 a.m.

While Shakespeare's Birthday is April 16, his birthday celebration will occur on Sunday, April 29 at the Folger and what a party it will be.  There'll be a cake-cutting ceremony presided over by Queen Elizabeth I at 3:30 p.m. on the front lawn, much Renaissance music, song and dance, jugglers, jesters, stage combat workshops, a performance by the Folger's Secondary School, and for The Children: quill pen writing, brooch making, Elizabethan games and much more. The event runs from 12-4 p.m. and is FREE!!!

For further information, go to www.folgertheatre.org.

The Baltimore theater community has been in a buzz about the wonderful newcomer to the area, Beth Hylton, who is so terrific in the Everyman Theatre's "And a Nightingale Sang". She revealed in an interview on MPT's "Artworks This Week" (last week) that she is from the south and moved here due to a job opportunity for her husband who's a scientist. She thanked her dialect coach, Gary Logan, for helping her with the English accent. You have until April 29 to see for yourself what the talk is all about. For tickets, call 410-752-2208.

Also at the Everyman beginning, Sunday night, April 15-17 and 22-24, will be "Sondheim Tonight!" with vocalist Judy Simmons. This should be really entertaining. But act quickly. This will sell-out like the Everyman's previous cabaret performance.

 Closing this week, April 15, is the Center Stage production of "Ah, Wilderness" by Eugene O'Neill. Call 410-332-0033.

Did anyone else notice in the April 9 edition of "People", a photograph of David Hasselhoff wearing a "Spring Awakening" shirt?

GOOD NEWS: "Pillowman" at the Studio has been extended to April 29. This wonderful production is getting rave reviews. Not for the squeamish. Call 202-332-3300.

The Signature has the world premiere of "Saving Aimee" with Carolee Carmello, E. Faye Butler, Ed Dixon, Florence Lacey, Andrew Long, Adam Monley and Steve Wilson. This long-awaited musical with book and lyrics by Kathy Lee Gifford should be something. Carmello and Butler TOGETHER??? Can't wait. Call 800-955-5566.

"Crime and Punishment". You've read the book, seen the movie, now a play at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda. 240-644-1100.

Closing this week-end, "Family Secrets" at Theater J. Sherry Glaser is phenomenal. Call 800-494-TIXS.

While I went to law school at UB, I have never seen the musical "Eubie". What a treat this was. Presented at the Olney Theatre Center, this musical history lesson of the great Eubie Blake, born in Baltimore in 1887 to former slaves Emma and John Blake, is such a delight. I had a constant smile on my face watching a terrific cast, a superb set (Daniel Conway), moving lighting (Charles Morrison), snappy costumes (Nanzi Adzima), and a tremendous orchestra perched high above the stage under the leadership of Christopher Youstra (on piano), Patrick Plunk (reeds), Greg Holloway (percussion), Kimberly Spath (banjo/guitar) and Yusseff Chissolm who not only plays the tuba, but also does a great job on bass guitar. (Tuba AND guitar?). They are fun to watch.

I was so excited after I had seen this musical, I thought to myself why didn't the Orioles use this company as entertainment on "Opening Day"?

The Ensemble is just plain terrific: Randy Aaron, Loretta Giles, Roz White Gonsalves, LC Harden, Jr, D. William Hughes, Carole Denise Jones, Kara-Tameika Watkins, Fredena J. Williams, and Devron T. Young (also a Baltimorean, like Eubie).

This is one of the most entertaining shows I've seen in a while. There's tap dancing galore, great music, fabulous voices, ballads, comedy, and history.  Yes, you will learn about the great Eubie Blake. You can also SEE the great Eubie Blake as you walk into the Olney Theater. There he is at the piano thanks to the Great Blacks in Wax Museum of Baltimore.

If you have never been to Olney, this would be a terrific introduction to this great theater.

Thankfully, "Eubie" continues until April 29. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.

Call 301-924-3400 for tickets.

But wait…there's more at the Olney. How about the Tony-winning play "I Am My Own Wife" opens Wednesday, April 18 with a "Pay-What-You- Can" performance and continues until May 20. I saw this on Broadway and really enjoyed this one-man show. It's all happening at the Olney!! You can even see both plays in one day.

Speaking of putting smiles on your face, the Spotlighters has a delightful comedy "The Mineola Twins" by the Pulitzer-prize winning author, Paula Vogel.  First-time director Brad J. Ranno does a miraculous job working in the confines of this tiny theater with an energetic cast headed by Stephanie Ranno who plans both a "conservative" and a "liberal" twin.  Shane Logue has does a "double" role. Rounding out the wonderful ensemble are Terry Hicky (a soon-to-be candidate for the Baltimore City Council), Karina Ferry, Todd Krickler and Loandra Torres. Pay attention to the great dance moves during the scene changes by Choreographer Christian Richards.

Treat yourself to "The Mineola Twins". Call 410-752-1225.

The late Wendy Wasserstein's "The Heidi Chronicles" is being done at the Arena Stage through May 13. This not only won the Tony for Best Play but also won the Pulitzer Prize. See it and you'll understand why. Call 202-488-3300.

Closing this week-end is "Driving Miss Daisy at the Catonsville Theater Company. 410-455-4400.

Three college notes:

 

Loyola College – "A Flea in Her Ear" until April 22. 410-617-5024.

 

UMBC – "Silence, Cunning, Exile", a Baltimore premiere through April 29. 410-455-2476.

 

Towson University  - "Angels in America"- "Part One: Millennium Approaches and "Perestroika". See both on one day, May 5. Call 410-704-2787.

One final note, head this week-end to the Johns Hopkins University Spring Fair. It's always great fun.

For comments, write me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

 

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