CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 08/22/2006

UNSUNG HEROES

Are you a producer, director or cast member of a local show that is currently running or will run during the month of September? If so, I'd like your help! Beginning today, through September 19th, I am accepting nominations from you for the unsung heroes of your production. The stars of the show get all of the attention, right? Well what about those hard workers in the chorus or ensemble? What about those even harder working technicians - prop people, costumers and dressers, lighting folks who never get recognized? Each month starting with September, I would like to post a feature article about those folks who work hard, get little credit, but without whom, the show couldn't happen.

Here's what I need from you: an email sent to me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com, with September Stage Heroes in the title. In the email, please give your name, position, theatre, show and schedule of performances. Your name WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE ARTICLE. Give the name of the nominee, the category (ensemble/chorus/walk-on actor/dancer/singer, or technician) and a brief, but detailed explanation of this person's contribution to the show and why you think they deserve recognition. Not required but it would be nice is a picture of the person. Also, please give contact information so I can get more details from you. Each production (running between today, August 22 and any time in September or beyond - the show must run primarily in September. Multi-month runs can nominate in any of the months the show runs, but duplicate nominees for the same show will not be recognized) may nominate one performer and one technician. All nominees will get mention. Deadline for September entries is NOON, SEPTEMBER 19th.

MAMMA MIA! TO PRESENT BENEFIT IN BALTIMORE DURING LATEST TOUR STOP Mamma Mia fans have many reasons to rejoice! Not only is this crowd-pleasing favorite making a two-week return stop to the Hippodrome, but the cast will again give Charm City a charity event not to be missed. The benefit show will be held on Wednesday, September 6th at the Hippo (the bar, not the theatre!) located at One West Eager at Charles Street.

The benefit will be for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and AIDS Action Baltimore, two very worthy and acclaimed charities. If this show is like the one they held last time they were here, tickets will sell fast! The entertainment is first-rate, showing what these energetic young people can do aside from singing and dancing to the tunes of ABBA. In fact, last time, they performed nothing from the show, so don't expect Mamma Mia in a club setting.

And tickets are CHEAP! $8.00 general admission/$10.00 for reserved seating. The door opens at 10 PM, the pre-show starts at 10:30 PM, and the night goes on from there! Call 410-576-0018 or go to www.clubhippo.com for more information and reservations. Trust me, you'll have a great time! See you there!

Mamma Mia!, the show, returns to the Hippodrome Theatre for 16 performances only, starting August 29th through September 10th. Show times are Tuesdays - Saturdays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM and Sundays at 1PM and 6:30PM. For tickets and information go to www.france-merrickpac.com.

BEST BET OF THE WEEK: Hope's Arbor A BPF/SPOTLIGHTERS PRODUCTION

The bad news is there are only 2 performances left of this terrific play, a Baltimore Playwrights Festival entry. The good news is you still have 2 chances to see it!

Hope's Arbor is a modern play, filled with the current technology that all young people use to stay connected, but are they really connected? And, how do their parents fit into this new modern age? The play seeks to look at the multi-tasking relationships of the modern-techno-family and the issues, expectations and solutions that often result. This is a play for every teenager and young adult, and for the parents who struggle to understand and deal with children growing up. Rich Espey (playwright) is teacher, actor and writer fortunate enough to have had his plays produced all over the country. Hope's Arbor marks a return to the world of Thwaite Academy, setting for the 2003 BPF first place award winner Fifty-Fifty. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild. For more info, go to www.richespey.net. Taking the helm is Jayme Kilburn, making her Baltimore directorial debut The cast includes: Courtney Krimmel, as Hope, Allison Buckley, as Jean Fox Horrishall (Hope's mother), Mark Scharf as Peter Horrishall (Hope's father), Madonna Refugia, as Sakio, Eric Berryman, as Chris and Dina Epshteyn, as Caitelynne.

Special rate for BroadwayWorld readers!!!  Call 410-752-1225, extension (option) 3 or make reservations at www.spotlighters.org/boxoffice.htm and mention "BroadwayWorld.com" and get tickets for $10.00 EACH!  That's a 33% savings just for reading BWW and going to Spotlighters!

Ticket Info: 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.

(Reviewed 08/22/2006 - Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com)

MORE Spotlighters NEWS: 2 NEW ONE ACTS

Spotlighters will present a special event - two one act plays directed, produced and starring all local talent. The plays are: Date with a Stranger by Cherie Vogelstein and The Cagebirds by David Campton, with direction by new directors, Ian Bonds and Kelly Cavanaugh, respectively. Date with a Stranger chronicles the chance encounter between two young New Yorkers, who proceed to carry out a long, dynamic relationship in the span of fifteen minutes, all within the confines of the very coffee shop where they meet. The Cagebirds is about seven "birds" who have been locked away by "The Mistress" to be kept as pets. Each "bird" who has lived contently with this concept knows only their individual world and the world of The Mistress. Later, The Mistress adds "The Wild One" to the cage, who pushes the other birds to revolt and break free, turning their world upside down. Performances are Thursday, August 24at 8PM, and Sundays, August 27 at 2PM. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors, students and BTA members. (Reviewed 08/22/2006 - Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com)

TOBY'S DINNER THEATRES: NOW PLAYING: BUDDY; COMING SOON: RAGTIME

I'd like to send my personal thanks to Toby's Baltimore for making Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com the site for your patrons to go! As of today, the review of Footloose is the number one article in the history of the page, and the interview with stars of the show is the 5th most popular interview of the year!

Toby's Columbia recently opened its summer show, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical, which will run through September 3, 2006. For more information about this rock n' roll event, call 1-800-88TOBYS or go online at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com. (Review posted 07/10/2006 on BroadwayWorld - Baltimore)

Toby's Baltimore just closed its acclaimed production of Footloose, and is readying the opening of the modern musical classic, Ragtime. This glorious musical of a time gone by has remarkable resonance today, and features a beautiful score and large cast. For more information, dates, show times and reservations, go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com. (To be reviewed in September on BroadwayWorld.com - Baltimore)

I can not recommend this new venue strongly enough - great food, great location, free, well-lit parking, easy access to 95! Please support Baltimore's newest theatre. We all win when theatre thrives.

NOW PLAYING AT BALTIMORE PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival is winding up its 25th year of bringing new, exciting works to the stage. Through August 26th, Spotlighters Theatre presents Hope's Arbor by Rich Espey, directed by Jayme Kilburn. Shows are Fri - Sat at 8PM. Go to www.Spotlighters.org or call 410.752.1225 for more information. And finally, through August 27th, Fells Point Corner Theatre presents Split by Ira Gamerman, directed by Ian Bellnap. Shows are Thurs - Sat at 8PM, Sun at 7PM. Call 410.655.4826 or email mirdrama@yahoo.com for more information. (Hope's Arbor reviewed 08/22/2006; Split to be reviewed 08/24/2006 on BroadwayWorld.com - Baltimore.)

Remember:

• Support local theatre!

• 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 theatre goers. And the more they know you are reading us, the more times they'll offer exclusive discounts and ticket giveaways.

• Comments, suggestions and items to include in Charm City Stage Door should be sent to me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

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