Baltimore/Washington Backstage - February 2, 2008

By Charles Shubow

 

 I strive to inform theater-lovers when you can watch highlights from Broadway shows on television. Well, one of my favorite programs "Theater Talk" is returning to WETA beginning April 5 at 11 p.m. (following their regular Saturday night film). "Theater Talk" is also to be shown on WMPT as well on a date that has yet to be determined.

 

"Theater Talk" is hosted by New York Post theatre columnist Michael Riedel and producer Susan Haskins. The first syndicated episode will feature The Homecoming's Ian McShane and Raul Esparza. Subsequent programs will include interviews with Rock 'n' Roll playwright Tom Stoppard, Elaine Stritch, and drama critics Charles Isherwood and John Simon. Visit www.theatertalk.org.

 The Little Mermaid has opened on Broadway and has been seen recently on "The View", ABC's "Good Morning American", and NBC's "Week-end Today".

 The film of Mamma Mia! will be released on July 18. I saw the trailer for the first time when I saw Sweeney Todd on the big screen in NYC. Visit www.MammaMiaMovie.com. And speaking of Todd, Tim Burton's film was the #1 film in the U.K.

 Theater group leaders in the Baltimore area didn't get a chance to say good-bye to one of the jewels of the local theater world, Barbara Wirsing. Barb just left her position as head of group sales at the Hippodrome Theatre after more than 15 years (previously working at the MechanicTheatre). She will be difficult to replace. This is a great loss. I wish her well in her new position working with the Hippodrome Foundation.

Also leaving the Hippodrome will be Marks Chowning, the executive director of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, which houses the Hippodrome.  Chowning will be heading to Las Vegas working for Base Entertainment. I wish him well. The new executive director will be Stella Benkler, currently the general manager.

More news about the Hippodrome. Live Nation, Inc. has sold its theatrical assets including Broadway Across America who manage the Hippodrome. This can only be good news for the Baltimore/Washington area. The new owners, Key Brand Entertainment, hopefully will increase the number of theater presentations. And maybe we won't have to suffer with shows like Cirque Dreams which ends its two week run at the Hippodrome on Sunday. While children of all ages may enjoy this mini-circus, it reminded me of an expanded Ed Sullivan Show presentation with louder obnoxious music and European and Asian acrobats and contortionists. The hail mostly from Russia, Ukraine, Mongolia, and Bulgaria. No plot, no acting, no theater. There is an unusual looking violinist who tosses his long blonde hair all over the stage while wearing a skimpy outfit. I wonder how subscribers have felt about this being made part of the "theater" season. Coming next to the Hippodrome, High School Musical which runs Feb. 19 to March 2, 2008. For tickets, 410-547-SEAT.

Readers of this column may recall how much I loved The History Boys.  Well, the film of the Tony-winning play will be shown on HBO's Signature Network Tuesday night, Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. 

At opening night at the Everyman Theatre's production of The Turn of the Screw, I talked to the wife of Director Donald Hicken, Tana Hicken, who mentioned she will be performing in the DC production of The History Boys at the Studio Theatre beginning March 26. If you did not get a chance to see the Broadway production, circle this on your calendar. Next up at the Studio is Alan Ball's All That I Will Ever Be running Feb. 13 – March 9 in Stage 4. 202-332-3300 or visit www.studiotheatre.org.

About The Turn of the Screw. You will witness amazing acting by the duo of Megan Anderson and Bruce Nelson. But I am not a fan of ghost stories. But give it a try. It runs through Feb. 24. 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org. Catch MPT's "Artworks This Week" for a nice interview with Anderson and Nelson.

And speaking of the Everyman, they scored a runaway hit with their holiday cabaret, A Concert Tribute to Rodgers & Hart which played Dec. 26-30. They had six sold-out performances. Look for more of such presentations. I suggest a New Year's Eve show next year.

A member of the Everyman Theatre troupe, Stan Weiman, is presenting The Gershwin Years In Songs and Words, on Superbowl Sunday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Straus Auditorium, Weinberg Park Heights JCC. On piano is Douglas Lawler. Oh, do I remember working with Doug many years ago when I played Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof at the White Marsh Dinner Theatre. What memories!!  Tickets are $10. Call 410-542-4900.

Good news for theater-goers. Baltimore's Winter Restaurant Week has been extended until Feb. 10. Take advantage of the many great gastronomical delights prior to your next theater experience. Visit www.BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com or call 410-468-1624.

Looking for a theater gift for Valentine's Day? Here's an idea. The Cockpit in Court is offering a benefit performance for their summer theater with A. R. Gurney's Love Letters on Feb. 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at Essex Community College. It features Liz Boyer Hunnicutt and Edward J. Peters. Tickets are $20 and include the performance, desserts, champagne and coffee bar. Call 410-780-6369.

Ending Feb. 3 at the Spotlighters Theatre is Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. 410-752-1225.

In previews at Center Stage now is Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are DEAD directed by Irene Lewis. Opening night is Feb. 6 and it runs until March 9. Meet the Actors Night is Feb. 15. The same performance is LIVE!@CENTERSTAGE where young professionals can enjoy a happy hour with free hors d'oeuvres and entertainment and a ticket for only $25. Baltimore families can enjoy the play and dinner for only $8 on Feb. 28. Tune in next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. for MPT's "Artworks This Week" for a segment about the show.

And don't forget the all day WBAL Radio Auction for Center Stage on Sunday, Feb. 10. Visit www.centerstage.org. For tickets, call 410-332-0033.

I want to take this opportunity to thank media mogul Aaron Heinsman for his assistance at Center Stage. Aaron is leaving Baltimore for DC and the Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Aaron, you will be great missed by all members of the press.

One of my favorite plays, George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession is running until Feb. 24 at the Rep Stage in Columbia. 410-772-4900.

Now to Washington.

Two shows NOT TO BE MISSED!!

Ella at the new temporary location of the Arena Stage in Crystal City through Feb. 24. Look for my review. Call 202-488-3300.

Argonautika at the Shakespeare Theatre. This is adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman. Through March 2. Look for my review. 202-547-1122.

The world premiere of the musical Glory Days is at the Signature Theatre through Feb. 17. 202-397-7328.

The Tony-winning play Doubt is coming to the Olney Theatre Center running from Feb. 12-March 9. Feb. 12 is a Pay-What-You-Can performance. 301-924-3400.

Another Pay-What-You-Can performance is at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda for The Book Club Play on Wednesday, Feb. 6. It runs until March 6. 240-644-1100.

Woolly Mammoth has a hit in No Child…through Feb. 17. 202-393-3939.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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