Baltimore/Washington Backstage - April 28, 2006

I had the pleasure of making my first journey to Bethesda's Round House Theater last week to see the 2004 Tony-nominated play "Retreat from Moscow". I recall reading about the many Russian tourists in New York buying tickets to see this play "about Russia" only to find a three person play about the dissolution of a marriage in England. What a shock this must have been!

The play gets its title when the husband in the play (Rick Foucheux) starts the evening reading to his wife (Carol Mayo Jenkins) about Napoleon's disastrous march to Paris from Moscow through the snow of a harsh Russian winter. The son in the mix is played by Tim Getman. Under the expert direction of James Edmondson, we are caught up in a marriage of 33 years about to come undone. The acting is superb. All three characters remain on stage throughout the evening with the use of clever lighting (Daniel MacLean Wagner) to demonstrate who is present for conversation. I also enjoyed the authentic English kitchen (set design by Bill Clarke) which had burner covers on the stove.

This autobiographical play is written by William Nicholson, the author of "Shadowlands". Director James Edmondson is an associate artist at the acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he has directed numerous productions since 1973. His bio is filled with productions on the west coast where according to Round House's Producing Artistic Director Blake Robinson he is a "theatrical legend". You can see why.

The sad news is this incredible production ends this Sunday, April 30. This play should not be missed. The Herculean cast gives a memorable performance. For tickets, call 240-644-1100 or go to www.roundhousetheatre.org.

The Bethesda space is about three years old, seats around 400 and is wonderful. Parking is free across the street for evening performances and around the corner is probably the epicurean capital of Maryland. Round House also has a Silver Spring location. Playwright Lee Blessing's new play, "A Body of Water" runs from May 12-June 4. The Friday night, May 12 and Saturday 3 p.m. matinee, May 13 are "Pay What You Can".

You also don't have much time to see August Wilson's last play "Radio Golf" at Center Stage. Sunday is your last chance to see this incredible cast. 410-332-0033.

Center Stage is also presenting on Tuesday, May 9, a preview of next season with Artistic Director Irene Lewis and Resident Dramaturg Gavin Witt. There will be wine and cheese reception at 6:15 followed by the presentation at 6:30. Surprises are promised. RSVP with Coral Garey at 410-986-4000 ext. 4110 or e-mail rsvp@centerstage.org. This is FREE!!!!

This week-end also is your last chance to see "Anything Goes" at the Olney Theatre Centre. See my review posted this week. 301-929-3400.

Also ending Saturday, "Last Night at Ballyhoo" at Laurel Playhouse, 301-617-9906.

At the HIPP, the little women have departed to be replaced by the little mice…that is Mickey and Minnie in "Disney LIVE!" Shows are Friday night @ 7, and three (three???) show on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. I do wonder what that final performance will be like. My suggestion, take the kids and combine the theater with a trip to the inner harbor for the Baltimore Waterfront Festival and the Volvo Ocean Race participants.

Speaking of the HIPP, read the first reviews of the national tour of "Spamalot" and they are glowing. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, "…it functions with precision-tooled musical comedy clockwork." Get your tickets soon for this Tony-winning Best Musical will only be here two weeks.

If you don't have tickets for the sold-out May 1 Kennedy Center's presentation with "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz, head to the Arena Stage Season Preview at 7 p.m. at the Kreeger Theater. Artistic Director Molly Smith presents an evening of scenes from their new season. For reservations, 202-554-9066. Tickets are FREE!!!

Spotlighters is presenting the musical "Mamaleh" through May 21. This Sunday, April 30, the 2 p.m. matinee benefits the "House of Ruth" and Sunday May 7 the 2 p.m. matinee benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This should be a hot ticket (especially if you've seen "Spamalot"). 410-752-1225. Can't wait to see this.

In need of a Sondheim fix? May 12 Bill Kamberger directs "Sunday in the Park with George" at the Fells Point Corner Theatre through June 11. 410-276-7837.

Congratulations to Michelle Baylin who will be will be the new Everyman Theatre's Press Representative. Michelle has been at Center Stage for many years and her theater expertise and her exuberant personality will be a great asset.

What is it with the attraction of spelling bees all of a sudden? Coming to the Hipp next season, the "Putnam County Spelling Bee", the recent Richard Gere film, and now "Akeela and the Bee" which I happened to see in a preview this week and highly recommend it.

Thanks MPT for a wonderful evening of television last Wednesday night. First the terrific "South Pacific" concert version followed by "Broadway at the Pops" highlighting thirty years of Broadway show performers.

Tuesday, May 2, catch Cyndi Lauper on Fox News Channel's "The Big Story" between 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. She will discuss her Broadway debut in "The Threepenny Opera". Rosie O'Donnell has been picked for "The View". Maybe she will bring more Broadway performers to national television as she did when she had her own show?

 For those fans of the Times Sq. TKTS Ticket Booth, don't panic when you see it is temporarily closed. It has moved to the Marriott Marquis into a temporary home in the kiosk on the ground level as the new Duffy Square both undergoes construction. For more information, visit www.tdf.org.

More New York news...happy to report "[title of show]" which ends its successful off-broadway run April 30 will be resurrected for an eight week run at the Vineyard Theatre starting July 14. Don't miss it!! See my review the this site. 212-279-4200 or www.titleofshow.com.

Finally, congratulations Signature Theatre. They just received a $1 million musical gift to produce three original full-length productions that will debut at their new Shirlington space. The recipient composers are Michael John LaChiusa ("Highest Yellow" and "Wild Party"), Ricky Ian Gordon (the beautiful "My Life with Albertine") and Joseph Thalken (who composed the music for the stage adaptation of "Harold and Maude"). The $12.5 million new space should open this September with "Into the Woods".

Keep those suggestions coming in for the film version of "Mamma Mia". Who should play Donna, Sam, Sophie, Sky, etc. For comments, suggestions, and your choices, email me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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