Baltimore/Washington Backstage - February 8, 2008

By Charles Shubow

One of the only local television shows that showcase local theater is MPT's "Artworks This Week". This week's edition had two actors from the Center Stage production of
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Michael Jean Dozia and Reese Madigan. Look for a repeat on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. On the next edition, Wednesday, Feb. 13, catch a segment on the wonderful children's theater, "The Imagination Stage" in Bethesda. The show will also celebrate its 6^th Anniversary. Congratulations!!

 

Set your VCR's, DVR's, or circle on your calendar Monday Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. when ABC televises Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin In the Sun.  This is a recreation of the award-winning Broadway revival directed by Kenny Leon. This is Leon's first film.  Sean Combs reprises the role of Walter Lee, Jr. Also starring are Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald.

 

If you would like to view a video of the making of  The Little Mermaid  CD, check out BWW TV where Sierra Boggess is the host.

 

Also on BWW TV, you can watch the music video of Idina Menzel singing her new single "BRAVE" off her first CD "I Stand". She will also perform on the Feb. 13 edition of "The View".

 

The Kennedy Center is gearing up with an ambitious undertaking of presenting ALL of August Wilson's plays. These readings offer outstanding casts and directors.  The plays and dates:

 

1900s: Gem of the Ocean (March 4-8)

1910s: Joe Turner's Come and Gone (March 6-8)

1920s: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom  (March 9-11)

1930s: The Piano Lesson (March 12-15)

1940s: Seven Guitars (March 14-16)

1950s: Fences (March 16-19)

1960s: Two Trains Running (March 20-25)

1970s: Jitney (March 22-26)

1980s: Kind Hedley II (March 23-27)

1990s: Radio Golf (March 28-29)

 

For more information, call 800-444-1324 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

 

Another Kennedy Center event of interest occurs on Friday, April 11 when Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner will perform songs from their new CD "Raw at Town Hall" featuring selections from Side Show and other musicals, plus original works.

 

Friday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. The Vagina Monologues will be presented one night only at the University of Baltimore Student Center Performing Arts Theater to benefit V-Day (Until Violence Stops) and the House of Ruth. Visit www.ubalt.edu/studentcenter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming next to the Hippodrome, High School Musical which runs Feb. 19 to March 2, 2008. For tickets, 410-547-SEAT.

 

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.

 

The Turn of the Screw continues at the Everyman Theatre. You'll be impressed with the entire cast….Megan Anderson and Bruce Nelson. It continues through Feb. 24. 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org.

 

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.

 

Center Stage, as mentioned above, continues with Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are DEAD directed by Irene Lewis. 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.

 

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.

 

Ella continues at the new temporary location of the Arena Stage in Crystal City through Feb. 24. I had the privilege to see Ella Fitzgerald in concert with the late Oscar Peterson at Boston's Symphony Hall. She was absolutely amazing. This production is outstanding. Don't miss it. Call 202-488-3300.

 

Argonautika at the Shakespeare Theatre. This is adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman. This production hopefully will head to Broadway. This is what "THEATER" is all about. You'll laugh and be amazed. Through March 2. 202-547-1122.

 

The world premiere of the musical Glory Days is getting great reviews. See it 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.

 

For you book-club members, head to the Round House Theatre in Bethesda for The Book Club Play.  It runs until March 6. 240-644-1100.

 

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

 

The Bay Theatre Company in Annapolis got some good news recently when they became eligible for the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards. I would love to see the Helen Hayes extend to Baltimore.

 

The Bay Theatre will be presenting Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie Feb. 22  - March 29. Their pay-what-you-can performance is March 6.  Post-show discussions with the cast will be offered on March 2 and March 16. Call 410-268-1333 or visit www.baytheatre.org.

 

Ending this week-end at the Vagabond Players is Light Up the Sky. 410-563-9135.

 

The Fells Point Corner Theatre presents Off the Map  through Feb. 17. 410-276-7837.

 

Pageant opens at the Spotlighters Feb. 15 and continues until March 9. 410-752-1225.

 

Dundalk Community Theatre offers Other People's Money running Feb. 22 to March 2. 410-752-6369.

 

Coming to the Folger Theatre Feb. 28-April 13 is Macbeth, conceived and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller. YES…that Teller of Penn and Teller. He also designed the magic. This could be really something. Call 202-544-7077 or visit www.folger.edu/theatre.

 

 

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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