Baltimore/Washington Backstage - Nov. 9, 2006

For you "Mary Poppins" fans, you can take a backstage tour of the new musical (which opens on Broadway November 16) Wednesday morning, Nov. 15 (this is the third date they have scheduld this)  on NBC's "Today Show". If you miss it, you may be able to see on www.today.msnbc.com. Go to www.marypoppins.com for more info.

Martin Short's Broadway production of  "Fame Becomes Me" is featured on Sunday's A&E Network's "Breakfast with the Arts" which can be seen between 8-10 a.m.

Is it too early to discuss what Broadway shows will be featured during the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on NBC? Nah! Cast members from "A Chorus Line", "Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: the Musical", "The Color Purple", and "Spamalot" will perform. They always perform during the 9-10 a.m. hour on Thanksgiving.

MPT's "Artworks This Week" has a great interview with the real-life husband and wife team who star in the Center Stage production of "Death and the Maiden". Mhari Sandoval (Paulina) and Triney Sandoval (Gerardo) give great insight into this terrific production. You can catch repeats of the show on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and Monday morning at 5:30 a.m.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production even more than the Broadway version that starred Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman, and Glenn Close. New to Center Stage is Director Lillian Groag and she does a masterful job. After a recent performance, I inquired about the lighting of the masks (done by lighting designer Mark McCullough) on the terrific set by Todd Rosenthal (his first and hopefully not last Center Stage credit) with Groag. The line concerns the "masks of civility" and the lighting focuses on the many masks displayed in the living room of the Gerardo and Paulina. Groag stated it was HER idea and she had to FIGHT to win approval from the designers. Groag is a welcome addition to the lists of talented directors we've seen at Center Stage and I hope she returns from her base in California.

 

Death and the Maiden" continues at Center Stage through Nov. 26.  See this week's "City Paper" for a nice interveiw with playwright Ariel Dorfman by John Barry. For tickets, 410-332-0033.

 

Everyman Theatre presents the 18^th century comedy "The School for Scandel" through Dec. 17. This is the theater'sYou can catch Artistic Director Vince Lancisi discuss the play next week on MPT's "Artworks This Week", Wednesday night, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., with repeats on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. Why not let MPT know you enjoy these segments.

Everyman also presents its inaugural Cabaret series Nov. 12-14 and 19-21. "Broadway Boys" presents the music of Gershwin, Kander & Ebb, and Cole Porter celebrating the giants of the Golden Age of musical theatre. For Everyman tickets, call 410-752-2208.

I caught the five "Altar Boyz" performing on Baltimore's Fox 45 the other day. This hit Off-Broadway show is now at the Hippodrome and ends this Sunday night, Nov. 12. It was strange watching the five actors sing to a horrible-sounding pre-recording. It looked very amateurish. I'm sure they're much better in person. For tickets, 410-837-7400. Or, if you prefer, you can see it in its original setting in New York in a great intimate space with only a couple of hundred seats. Let me know if you think the show works at the Hippodrome. I was informed there were a total of 300 seats filled recently for a performance in the 2,200 seat Hippodrome. Kudos to the Hipp for allowing ticketholders to sit closer to the stage. Due to this non-subscription event, you can get half-price tickets at the box office. Just mention the discount code VOTE.

 

Now one show I HIGHLY recommend you see at the Hippodrome is "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". Since the Broadway version has closed, this is your ONLY chance and don't let this opportunity pass. I enjoyed this MORE than "Spamalot" and believe it should have won the Tony for Best Musical. So…act fast, DRS is here Nov. 21 till December 3. ADDENDUM: DRS is NOT coming the first week of the run. Slow ticket sales are the reason for this. So, it now opens on Tuesday night, Nov. 28. At least the cast and crew can spend the holiday with their families.

 

 

If you are expecting out-town-guests over the Thanksgiving holiday, why not consider "Death and the Maiden", "The School For Scandel" and/or "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (NOT ANYMORE). What a theater week-end Baltimore has to offer.

I love sharing "Pay What You Can Performances" (PWYC).

First, Tuesday night, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. catch the family musical classic "Cinderella" at the Olney Theatre Center. This Rodgers and Hammerstein work was originally created for television in 1957 but has been updated by director, Mark Waldrop. It runs through Dec. 31. (Not a bad idea for a New Year's Eve party with friends and family). For tickets, call 301-924-3400.

Olney is also having auditions for the musical "Eubie" Sunday Nov. 12 and Monday Nov. 13. All auditions are by appointment. Call Kirsten Keyt at 301-924-4485 ext. 131 for an appointment. Rehearsals begin March 6.

Now, the other PWYC performance is Wednesday night, Nov. 15 at 7:30 and Wednesday matinee, Nov. 18 at  3p.m. for the Round House presentation of "The Little Prince" bases on the classic children's book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. The Bethesda theater's run of "The Little Prince" ends Dec. 10. What a great way to introduce young children to LIVE theater.  For tickets, 240-644-1100.

Next week also welcomes the musical "She Loves Me" at the Arena Stage. Its story comes from a Hungarian play that inspired three films, "The Shop Around the Corner" with Jimmy Stewart, "In the Good Old Summertime" with Judy Garland, and the more recent "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks. Composers are Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (yes...they did "Fiddler on the Roof"). "She Loves Me" opens Nov. 17 (you can get discounted tickets during preview performances until Nov. 28) and continues through December 31. Another option for New Year's Eve. For tickets, 202-488-3300.

The Rep Stage continues with "Tintypes" in Columbia until Nov. 19. This production opens the beautiful new Black Box Theatre at Howard County Community College which is a terrific addition to the local theater scene. I admire the performances of the five member cast, Kate Briante, Evan Casey, Felicia Curry, Gary Hiel, and Shannon Wallman but this is more a musical review than a play. The music (from the turn of the century)  you will recognize like George M. Cohan's "Yankee Doodle". But, honestly, I prefer the musical "Ragtime" by Lynn Ahren and Stephen Flaherty. For tickets, 410-772-4900.

"My Fair Lady" has been extended at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. through Nov. 26. (Another Thanksgiving week-end option). For tickets, call 800-955-5566.

And if you don't mind buying tickets six months advance, call the Signature NOW for tickets just released for the musical "The Witches of Eastwick". Based on the novel by John Updike, "Witches" runs from June 5 - July 15 at the new theater called "The MAX", a 299-seat double-height black box space. This should be the most anticipated musical of the year in the DC area.

Last chance to see "Angels in America: The Millennium Approaches" at the Spotlighters. Sunday it closes. Call 410-752-1225.

Also ending this week-end, the musical "Jane Eyre" by Dundalk Community Theatre. This is a Baltimore premiere for this Broadway musical.  Call 410-780-6369.

 

For comments: cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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