SPOTLIGHTERS: CHEKHOV THE COMEDIAN???

Perhaps an evening of rib-tickling belly laughs is not always the first thought that comes into one’s mind when hearing the name Chekhov.  The themes of his plays, though, are the stuff of wonderful comedy---the never-ending conflicts between men and women merely trying to cope with the world, with the tedium of life, and with each other.  Directors John Sadowsky and Mary H. Pohlig, and translator Paul Schmidt bring to life some of this world-class playwright’s greatest short plays in an evening of hilarious vaudevilles.  Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for Seniors, Students, and Baltimore Theatre Alliance members.

This production features five of Chekhov’s early sketches, including “Swan Song”, “The Proposal”, “The Bear”, “The Reluctant Tragic Hero”, and “The Festivities”.  In short, these plays are all about life and allow us all to laugh at the absurdity of problems which are only problems when we don’t just stand back and see the humor in it all.  Everyone who has suffered through the unfortunate misrepresentations of Chekhovian plays as somehow dark, depressing, and heavy, should see these plays.  We see Chekhov as a master of farce, satire, and even slap-stick---not at all your grandfather’s Chekhov. 

The cast features some of Baltimore’s favorite veteran actors, including J. R. Lyston, Mark Squirek, Kathy Ireland, and Branch Warfield.  Baltimore newcomer and Loyola professor of theater, Charlie Mitchell is making his Spotlighters debut with this production.  The cast also features talented newcomers Russ Addis and Taylor Craig. 

Director, John Sadowsky is a Spotlighters veteran whose production of The Diary of Anne Frank was recognized as one of Baltimore’s best in 2002, and who directed Uncle Vanya at Spotlighters in 2004.  Director Mary H. Pohlig has been an artistic force behind several of the recent Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s productions, including the much-acclaimed Dog in the Manger, which she stage managed.  The set is designed by Baltimore architect, Marc Schabb.  Lighting design is by David Sadowsky and sound design is by Brad Ranno.  Costumes and makeup are designed by Stephanie Petagno.

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 07/13/2006 on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore.)      

MARYLAND ARTS FESTIVAL:  GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!

The Maryland Arts Festival at Towson University is celebrating women, with the recent openings of Beehive: The 60’s Musical and the American Musical classic, Gypsy, and now the award-winning one-woman show The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, starring Julie Herber.  Also coming up before the festival closes in 2 weeks: Air Heart, starring aerialist Mara Neimanis, Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat and Betty, starring Emmy Award- winning actress Elaine Bromka, and a recital of Sondheim classics called, “A Woman is a Sondheim Thing”, starring Carolyn Black-Sotir.  The MAF season is truly a celebration of women.  Dates and performance times vary widely for these events, as do ticket prices.  For more information, call 410-704-2787 or go online at www.towson.edu/maf.

(Gypsy review posted on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore on 07/05/2006.  Beehive review posted on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore on 07/03/2006.  Search for Signs… to be reviewed this weekend.)

An interview with Gypsy’s Kathryn M. Lyles to be posted this week.

COCKPIT-IN-COURT : THE MUSIC MAN & MORE!

Cockpit-in-Court at its home at CCBC-Essex as usual – 34 years in a row, and now for July they have three truly classic shows.  First up is the musical Mary Martin made famous, Peter Pan, presented by the children’s theatre group whose home is the Essex campus.  Peter Pan runs from July 7 – 16, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM.  Then, on the main stage is Meredith Willson’s family classic The Music Man will run at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre from July 21 through August 6, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm, and one Thursday performance on August 3 at 8pm.  An affectionate paean to Smalltown, U.S.A. of a bygone era, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize – this despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.  The musical’s beloved numbers include Goodnight My Someone, Lida Rose, Ya Got Trouble, The Wells Fargo Wagon, Seventy-Six Trombones and many more.  Ken Kemp of Gaithersburg plays Harold Hill in this production, opposite Kimberly Hart of Fallston as Marian Paroo.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm, with one Thursday night performance on August 3 at 8pm.  Tickets are $18 general admission, $16 seniors and CCBC alumni, and $12 for children 12 and under.  Tickets are available in advance by calling the Box Office at 410.780.6369.

Closing out the season in the upstairs cabaret is the mystery classic, An Inspector Calls, running from July 28 – August 6, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM.  For tickets and more information go to www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit.

(The Music Man to be reviewed on Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com – 07/22/2006.) 

TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE FOR THE SUMMER

Local theatre icon Toby Orenstein has great summer fare in two locations – her original Toby’s of Columbia and now the terrific new Toby’s of Baltimore.  And that great fare takes place at both the dinner table (sumptuous buffets are featured at both locations) and on the stage!  Toby’s Columbia just 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)

At the fabulous new Toby’s in Baltimore (located at the newly renovated Best Western at the Baltimore Travel Plaza) the terrific Footloose:The Musical continues its successful run throughout the summer.  This don’t-miss production features two of Baltimore’s most thrilling new performers, Kurt Boehm as Ren and Becca Vourvoulas as Ariel.  For more information, and to make reservations (you REALLY should) call 1-866-99TOBYS or go online at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

(Review of Footloose posted 06/20/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore.)

An interview with Mr. Boehm and Ms. Vourvoulas will be posted next week on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore. 

NOW PLAYING AT THE 25^th ANNUAL BALTIMORE PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival is in the midst of it 25^th year of bringing new, exciting works to the stage.  Running through July 23^rd at Fells Point Corner Theatre is “The Past is Present” a collection of one-act plays: Willie Baby by Joe Dennison, Carol Weinberg and Kimberley Lynn, directed by Marianne Angelella; Memory Garden by Mark Scharf and directed by Sharon Weaver; Wilderness by Mark Scharf and directed by Miriam Bazensky; and Miss Alice Plays by Rich Espey and directed by Mark Squirek.  Show times at FPCT are Thurs – Sat at 8PM, Sun at 7PM and tickets are $14 General/ $12 Seniors and Students.  For more information go to www.fpct.org or call 410-276-7837.

For more information about the entire festival, go to www.baltimoreplaywrightsfestival.org or call 410-276-2153.

BEST THEATRE BET OF THE WEEK: Gypsy

You really can’t beat the terrific production of Gypsy now playing at the Maryland Arts Festival at Towson University.  It features 3 superb leading performances and a solid supporting cast, a great orchestra and some of the best music ever written for the stage, including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Small World”, and the riotous “You Gotta Get a Gimmick”!  See the information on the show and the Maryland Arts Festival above.  Support this marvelous local theatre production – you won’t be sorry.

BEST THEATRE CD BET OF THE WEEK: Tarzan

I haven’t had this one off my CD player since the day it came out!  The score is beautiful, the sound is fantastic, and some really catchy tunes await you, including “Different” the song that tells of Tarzan and Jane’s first meeting, “Strangers Like Me”, when Tarzan realizes he is more human than ape, and any song that features the incredible Jenn Gambatese.  Her voice is so clear and lovely, she reminds me of a very young Julie Andrews.  Josh Strickland has a great voice, and his comedic and dramatic skills come through loud and clear.  The packaging, of course, is awesome as well.  The CD also contains a bonus track sung by Phil Collins, and it is rumored to be among his last vocal recordings as he plans to retire from performing and concentrates on his next stage effort.  It would be a shame for everyone to write this great show off like the dismissive NY critics.  Listen to it and judge for yourself.

Avenue Q & BROADWAY BARKS 8

Last Saturday, I had the good fortune to take a day trip up to New York to see Avenue Q with some close friends.  What a day it turned out to be!  First of all, I have to say, I have the best luck with AQ understudies – managed to see Barrett Foa before he left, got to see his understudy, Howie Michael Smith, who now has the role full time, and this weekend I got to see HIS understudy, Las Vegas Company Princeton/Rod, Jonathan Root.  I say I have good luck, because each time I see an understudy in AQ, I am just amazed at how great they all are.  Mr. Root was superb!  Great voice, great timing, and effortless rapport with his castmates and the audience.  I also have to say Mary Faber as Kate Monster/Lucy T. Slut was also great – pretty, sweet and charming, and hilariously funny! 

What fun it was to leave the theatre and join the masses in Shubert Alley for Broadway Barks 8, sponsored by the ASPCA and hosted by creators Mary Tyler Moore and Bernadette Peters.  It was fun to stand shoulder to shoulder with theatre fans and theatre folk, as the cavalcade of today’s greatest stage talents lent their celebrity to a great cause – the rescue and adotion of stray animals.  Among those in the show were 3 of the 4 Jersey Boys, including Tony-winner Christian Hoff, Tony-winners Bebe Neuwirth, Shuler Hensley (along with his Tarzan co-stars, Jenn Gambetese and Josh Strickland), Sutton Foster (along with her fiancé, Spamalot star, Christian Borle), Cherry Jones (and girlfriend, Sarah Paulson), Christine Ebersole, and, of course, Bernadette Peters!  Other celebs included Cheyenne Jackson, Dan Lauria and the great Lucie Arnaz, who is currently appearing in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  Note to Karen:  The great pictures you took come out too small on here.  Thanks, anyway!

Thanks for reading, James.

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