CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR: 06/20/2006

BEST BET FOR LIVE THEATRE OF THE WEEK: TOBY'S BALTIMORE'S 'FOOTLOOSE' 

 

At Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, Footloose: The Musical takes the stage in this high energy musical. Based on the smash hit film, the show includes the top hits "Footloose" and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and several others. So dust off your dancing' shoes and get to Toby's Baltimore. Becca Vourvoulas as Ariel, Daniel McDonald as Reverend Shaw Moore and Kurt Boehm as Ren lead an amazing cast of triple threats.  The show runs through August 20th.   Kevin Bacon

 

(Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 06/19/2006.)

 

At Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia, the late, great Buddy Holly takes the stage in the rock n' roll bio of the music legend in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical from June 22 – September 9.

 

(To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 06/29/2006.) 

 

For tickets and information for both shows go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com

 

BEST BET FOR THEATRE READING: MAKING IT ON BROADWAY: ACTORS' TALES OF CLIMBING TO THE TOP

 

Looking for a light easy read this summer, but want to keep theatre in your mind?  I heartily recommend Making It on Broadway: Actors' Tales of Climbing to the Top by David Wienir and Jodie Langel, with an introduction by Jason Alexander.  This interesting backstage glimpse of the REALITY of Broadway is a real page turner!  The excerpts are short, pretty funny and very enlightening!  Tony winners, chorus boys and girls and even technicians offer tidbits from their life on Broadway and on the road.  Particularly interesting to me was what was happening during Les Miz when the cast was bored after doing a zillion performances, or the cutthroat casting in Mamma Mia!

 

AMAZON.COM offers this description of this fun book: Countering the misperceptions about Broadway performers leading glamorous lives, the words of more than 150 Broadway stars provide unprecedented insight into their struggle for stardom. With an introduction by Jason Alexander and candid interviews with today's most celebrated Broadway stars, this book offers stories to entertain and astonish theater lovers, as well as serve as a sobering reality check for those considering careers on the stage. This book shares firsthand accounts of professional actors' difficult yet fulfilling journeys to Broadway: moving to New York, finding survival jobs, auditioning, landing roles, avoiding pitfalls, forging a family life, and much more.

 

Amazon.com lists the book at $12.97 + S&H (as of 12:30 PM 06/20/2006).

 

If you read it, let me know what you think!  Any other book suggestions?  Send 'em in!

 

BEST BET FOR THEATRE MUSIC: THE WEDDING SINGER: OBC

 

This fun, tuneful score has been given an excellent cast recording from brand new label Masterworks Broadway.  The booklet features the lyrics, several pictures, and some real toe-tappers that pay homage to the great sounds of the 80's.  Stephen Lynch, Laura Benanti, Amy Spanger and cast sound like they are having as much fun in the recording studio as they do onstage at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  Particularly fun are the opening number, "It's Your Wedding Day" (performed on the Tonys), "Pop!", and the hilarious "A Note From Linda", sung by Felicia Finley, and "A Note From Grandma" sung by Rita Gardner.

 

Looks to be a popular recording – both Best Buys and the Wal-mart near me were sold out of it.  Amazon.com lists it at $14.88 + S&H (as of 12:30PM 06/20/2006)

 

Let me know what you think!

 

BEST BET FOR THEATRE EDUCATION THIS WEEK: SPOTLIGHTERS STAGE MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE

 

If you have thought about being a stage manager, but have absolutely NO idea what it is all about - - -

 

If you are a director who would like to know what your Stage Manager should (or shouldn't) be doing - - -

 

If you have been stage managing for years, and want to really do the job the way it should be done - - -

 

This is the workshop for you ---

 

 

 

Kristen Bishel (NON-AEA Stage Manager) will take you through the hoops - and fires - and reports of being a stage manager.  Kristen will work the group down the SM Time Line from pre-audition to strike and burying the show!  The group will be provided various reports and worksheets that are approved and used by AEA stage managers and will come to understand the details involved.

 

When: Saturday, July 1^st at 11 AM Depending upon the amount of discussion the workshop could end before 3pm!Cost:  $35 - payable at the workshop by cash or credit card.

 

Pre-registration is desired - please send an email with your name, stage management experience to Info@spotlighters.org

 

SISSIES AT SPOTLIGHTERS 

 

Southern Baptist Sissies, directed by Terry J. Long, explores the relationships between four friends growing up in a Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and how their relationship with God, with each other, and with themselves affects their paths through life. A hilarious and poignant play; it is not one to miss this summer.

 

Spotlighters offers this advisory: No one under the age of 16 will be admitted due to content, language and partial nudity. 

 

The cast includes: , Tammy Kugler, Alex Peri, John Sadowsky, Cathy Shipley, Andrew Syropoulos, Tony Viglione, Ed Zarkowski, and FUZZ Roark. The production staff includes: director Terry Long, stage manager Shannon Hunt, sound designer Robbie Heacock, costumer Nicolette LeFebre, lighting designer David Sadowsky, and set designer E. Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office one hour prior to each performance. Tickets may be placed on Will Call by phoning the theatre at 410-752-1225, or from the website: www.spotlighters.org. Will Call Reservations are strongly recommended. Cash and Credit Cards are accepted at the Box Office. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.missiontix.com using a credit card. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT BELOW! David Allen

 

(Reviewed on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore 06/13/2006 & Posting this week a two-part interview with the cast!)

 

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT FOR BROADWAYWORLD READERS! 

 

BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/Washington and Spotlighters Theatre have teamed up again to bring you savings for one of the best-reviewed plays of the year – Southern Baptist Sissies! Production details are below. For all remaining performances – this Thursday at 8PM and Friday at 8PM, as well as Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM through July 1, readers who reserve by phone or online at www.spotlighters.org or at the box office that mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase will get their tickets for just $10.00 each! That is a 33% savings over the $15.00 ticket price, just for you, loyal readers!

 

Spotlighters offers this advisory: No one under the age of 16 will be admitted due to content, language and partial nudity. 

 

CSC GOES REP WITH LEAR AND SHREW IN REP OFFERS PLAYGOERS A CLASSICS SUMMER ALTERNATIVE

 

If musicals aren't your thing, acclaimed classics theatre company CSC is performing an alternating schedule of Taming of the Shrew and King Lear through July 9, 2006 on the grounds of the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, 3691 Sarah's Lane in Ellicott City, Maryland, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Gates open 90 minutes prior to show time for picnicking and The Show Before the Show. Tickets are $25; tickets for seniors are $22 and children under 18 are free (at least one paying adult for every three free children). Tickets can be purchased at 866.811.4111, on-line at www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com, or prior to the performance.

 

Sundays are special family performances with all ages welcome. Saturday, June 24 is the Shakespeare Doubleheader—both shows performed in one day, beginning at 4:00 with a break for dinner. For more information and a complete schedule, call 410.752.3994 or visit www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

 

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is thrilled to announce that, thanks to a sponsorship from Group 1 Software, a Pitney Bowes Company, it is able to offer free admission to this summer's King Lear and Taming of the Shrew for every child under 18. In order to ensure adequate supervision, there must be at least one paying adult per three free children.

 

(Shrew reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 06/05/2006 & Lear reviewed on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore 06/12/2006)

 

COCKPIT IN COURT CONTINUES THE FULL MONTY & OPENS PLAZA SUITE 

 

The Baltimore area premiere of The Full Monty will play at the Cockpit-in-Court Summer Theatre in Essex. Tickets for The Full Monty are on sale now, and cost $15 general admission and $13 for seniors, students, CCBC faculty, staff and alumni. The Cockpit Box Office is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm, and two hours before every performance. Tickets may be purchased over the phone at 410.780.6369. Further information is available at www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit. NOTE: Children's tickets are NOT available for this production.

 

(Reviewed by BroadwayWorld – Baltimore 06/19/2006) 

 

Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre, the oldest continuously running summer theatre in Maryland, continues its thirty-fourth season with a production of Plaza Suite, running June 23 through July 2. Performances take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3 pm. All performances take place in the Cabaret Theatre, upstairs in the B Building at CCBC Essex,

7201 Rossville Blvd.

One of Simon's early hits, Plaza Suite tells three stories of different marriages, all taking place in the same suite of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Cockpit in Court's production of Plaza Suite is directed by Joey Hellman.  All of the performances take place in the Cabaret Theatre, Cockpit in Court's in-the-round venue, located on the second floor of the B Building at CCBC Essex, a wheelchair accessible facility. With advance notice, audio description for the visually impaired may be arranged. Patrons requiring special accommodations are urged to notify the Box Office in advance at 410.780.6369.

 

VAGABOND PLAYERS END SEASON 'ON BORROWED TIME' 

 

The fantasy-drama On Borrowed Time by Paul Osborne will run at the Vagabond Players in Fell's Point from June 9 – July 9, Fridays and Saturdays at 8Pm, Sundays at 2PM. Tickets are $15.00, with a $2.00 discount for seniors and students. Call 410-563-9135 for information and reservations.

 

EVERYMAN'S "Candida" IN FINAL PERFORMANCES 

 

Candida , George Bernard Shaw's witty comedy of love, desire, marriage, and morality continues at Everyman Theatre, and features Everyman company members Deborah Hazlett and Stan Weiman, as well as Helen Hayes Award-winner, Jenna Sokolowski (Urinetown) Hazlett's performance is one of the best by a leading actress this year! Candida ends its acclaimed run June 25th, offering performances Tuesday through Sunday . For tickets call the Everyman Theatre Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.

 

(Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/21/2006.)

 

NEW YORK REVIEWS FOR BALTIMORE AUDIENCES AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL

 

I have written reviews that are available to you via email. Currently, I have reviews of Broadway's Wicked(coming to the Hippodrome this winter), The Drowsy Chaperone (Winner of 5 Tony Awards), the long running hit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the tour of which will be playing Baltimore's Hippodrome later this year, with Tom Hewitt and Timothy Gulen, and now, just added:Avenue Q , Sweeney Todd, and The Wedding Singer. Later this month, I'll have Tarzan. If you are interested, please email me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com, and be sure to tell me which reviews you'd like.  

 

REMEMBER:

 

• When you see a local show, please tell the box office and theatre staff that you read about them here on Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com. It helps them to know that we are a valuable source of information to local theatergoers. And the more they know you are reading us, the more times they'll offer exclusive discounts and ticket giveaways.

   
• New York reviews are available via email at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

   

• SEE A SHOW! Everyone wins!

   

Thanks for reading!  James

 

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