CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 05/30/2006

KIDS GET FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK FROM CSC & CORPORATE SPONSOR

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. The plays alternate performances and run weekends, June 2 – July 9, 2006 at the PFI Historic Park in Ellicott City.

In order to ensure adequate supervision, there must be at least one paying adult per three free children.

“CSC has offered free tickets for children under 11 for the past two summers, and we are enormously grateful to Group 1 Software for making it possible for all students under 18 to have free tickets as well,” notes Managing Director Lesley Malin. “We hope this will encourage parents to bring their families and allow teachers to organize and bring groups of students.” CSC is especially welcoming to children on Sundays with special Family Performances featuring storytelling by one of the actors, face-painting, and maypole dancing.

“So many students are introduced to Shakespeare in the dull confines of an English textbook. This sponsorship allows every child—no matter his income—to experience the excitement and energy of live Shakespeare, and we’re delighted to help it happen.” commented John Renehan, Chief Financial Officer of Group 1 Software.

Both productions run June 2-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.

SPOTLIGHTERS GAY-THEMED PLAY IN TIME FOR PRIDE CELEBRATIONS

What do you get when you mix alcohol, blossoming teenage hormones, and drag queens with a good ol' dose of Baptist dogma? You get Southern Baptist Sissies--a story about four boys growing up feeling "different" at Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. More than just a story about growing up in the church, it is a story about feeling different and learning that God accepts us all--whatever our race, religion or sexual orientation.

With Gay Pride parades occurring in every major city in the next month and a half, the inner struggle between sexuality and religion is rarely (if at all) mentioned. 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.

Four friends grow up together attending Calvary Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Each boy in his own different way learns how to deal with emerging hormones and feeling of inadequacy. Also joining the boys is a bitter drunk and a woman searching for someone she lost. A play that offers moments of hilarity and moments of deep sadness, in the end we realize that God loves each and every one of us just as we are.

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

The cast includes: David Allen, 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.

(To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore 06/10/2006)

SPOTLIGHTERS OFFERS STAGE MANAGER TRAINING CLASS

SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre and Kristen Bishel are providing a 4 hour Training Session for Stage Managers on Saturday, July 1 at 11AM at SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre.

The Workshop will focus on the basics of being a stage manager, and the duties and responsibilities of the job. The workshop will be an excellent introduction for the Novice Stage Manager, and a great refresher for the Seasoned Stage Manager. It is also a great resource for Directors, so that you will know what your stage manager should and SHOULDN'T be doing! The Workshop will follow the Stage Manager's duties from Pre-Audition to Strike of the show.

The cost is $35 --- BTA Members are $30 with valid ID Card. To register,

Email FUZZ@SPOTLIGHTERS.org with your name, phone number and brief description of your Stage Management Experience.

TOBY’S BALTIMORE IS ‘FOOTLOOSE’& COLUMBIA HAS ‘MILLIE’ & ‘BUDDY’ FOR SUMMER

As summer heats up, Toby’s Dinner Theatres help area theatre goers stay cool, light and refreshed! Delicious food, great performances and good times are to be had at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia, with their dazzling production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The show continues through June 18^th. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 03/06/2006.) And after Millie packs up her tap shoes, the late, great Buddy Holly takes the stage in the rock n’ roll bio of a music legend in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical from June 22 – September 9. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore in July 2006.)

The inaugural production at Toby’s Baltimore – Disney’s Beauty and the Beast just finished its acclaimed, successful run. And no sooner has the castle been cleared then Footloose: The Musical takes the stage in this high energy 80’s music musical. Based on the smash hit Kevin Bacon 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. That show begins Friday, June 2^nd through August 20^th.(To be r eviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 06/23/2006.)

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

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.

Directed by Donald Owens, the cast features Fred Haun, Penny S. Demps, Da ‘Quan Webster, Jerome Banks-Bey, Charlene Williams and Virginia Frank, Geanna Franqui, Chalrs R. Landry and Roger William MacDonald.

MOBTOWN EXTENDS “Inventing van Gogh”

Known for exciting, cutting edge theatre, the Mobtown Players is extending the run of its current offering, Inventing van Gogh. The returns with additional performances that have been added June 2^nd and 3^rd at 8PM. Go to www.mobtownplayers.com for more information and tickets. Don’t wait to reserve tickets! It’s a winner. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/26/2006)

JOYFUL “Crumbs” CONTINUES AT CENTER STAGE – SPECIAL PROGRAMS ABOUND

CenterStage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage and directed by David Schweizer continues through June 11^th. In conjunction with the show, CenterStage is offering the following:

After Thoughts: Join members of the artistic staff for a post-show discussion of the production. Sponsored by McDaniel College, these free discussions follow the June 1^st (8pm), June 4^th (2pm) and June 8^th (7pm) performances.

Post-Show Conversations are scheduled after nearly every performance in the Talk Back area of the main lobby. There will be NO Talk Backs on June 1, 4 or 8. This event is free.

Graduation Celebration: Book a graduation party for your daughter and 15 or more and pay only $20 per ticket! Smaller parties enjoy a $5.00 discount per ticket. Call 410-986-4008.

(Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/10/2006.) My interview with ‘Crumbs’ star, Amina S. Robinson posted on 05/26/2006.

‘Sunday in the Park’ CONTINUES AT FPCT

Fells Point Corner Theatre presents the Baltimore premiere of Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday in the Park with George, with performances running Friday and Saturday at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM through June 11^th. This risky production is worth going to see for its two leads, Randall Dunkle and Santina Maiolatesi and some beautiful group vocals. Tickets are $17.00. For more information, call 410-276-7837. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/15/2006.) My interview with Mr. Dunkle posted on 05/24/2006.

EVERYMAN’S “Candida” CONTINUES

They say that behind every great man is a great woman—but what if she’s not yours? 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 runs through June 25^th, 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

For those of you who are occasional readers, I have written reviews that are available to you via email. Currently, I have reviews of Broadway’s Wicked, The Drowsy Chaperone (Nominated for 13 Tony Awards) and the long running hit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the tour of which will be playing Baltimore’s Hippodrome later this year. In June, I’ll have reviews of Avenue Q, Sweeney Todd and Tarzan. And later in the year, I’ll have The Times They Are A-Changin’, A Chorus Line, Mary Poppins and Jersey Boys. 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 theatre goers.  And the more they know you are reading us, the more times they'll offer exclusive discounts and ticket giveaways.
• Please continue to send me (or Charles Shubow) your Tony predictions.  We will be posting a Tony predictions article very soon, and we might just include your picks.
• New York/>/> reviews are available via email at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.
• SEE A SHOW!  Everyone wins!

Thanks for reading!  James

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