CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 12/27/2006

CHICAGO TICKETS CONTEST UPDATE!

Hundreds of you have read the contest, but no one has entered!  At least that is what I thought, until I caught a typo in the email address to send the entry to!  Please send all entries to jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.  If you think you already entered, I DID NOT receive your entry, so please resend it to the address just given.  Because of this snafu, the contest will be extended – entries will be accepted until noon on New Year’s Eve.  Also:  There are a lot of questions, but you DO NOT have to answer them all!!!  Answer as many as you can, and send it in!  Good luck!  There are 5 pairs of opening night tickets to Chicago: The Musical still up for grabs!

BROADWAYWORLD DISCOUNTS:

• Run of the Mill Theatre at The Theatre Project’s Statements Made After an Arrest and/or Sizwe Bansi is Dead: A 38% discount - $16.00 tickets for just $10.00!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.  The festival ends Sunday.

BEST BET OF THE WEEK: The Santaland Diaries at RepStage

Bruce Nelson again proves why he is one of the area’s finest actors in the HILARIOUS one man show.  And the fact that Christmas is over is all the more reason to see this comedy about being a department store elf at Macy’s!See below for more details! (Review to be posted 12/28/2006)

RING IN 2007 AT THE THEATRE!

Say good bye to 2006 and hello to 2007 at your local theatre!

• At Spotlighters: On December 29th, beginning at 8PM join their holiday celebration.  Singers at the event includeAdele Russell, Madonna Refugia, Paul Ballard, Timoth David Copney, and Michael Tan.  Also appearing that evening will be the Baltimore Improv Group.  The cost is just $15.00, with discounts available for seniors, students and BTA members.  The cost includes a lite fare reception.  Go to www.spotlighters.org for details and to make reservations.
• At CenterStage: On December 31st, following the performance of The Boys from Syracuse, join members of the cast for a free post-show cabaret and champagne toast when the clock strikes 12!  The event is free, and you do NOT have to attend the performance to join the festivities, but you DO need to make a reservation.  See www.centerstage.org for details.

YOUR PICKS FOR THE BEST IN BALTIMORE THEATRE 2006!

Thanks to all of you (all 178 of you!) who took the time to name your favorites for 2006.  Here they are!

• Best Community Theatre Musical: Dreamgirls at Winters Lane
• Best Community Theatre Play: An Inspector Calls at Cockpit-in-Court
• Best Regional/Equity Play: Hamlet at RepStage
• Best Regional/Equity Musical: (tie) Footloose and Ragtime, both at Toby’s in Baltimore.
• Best Local Actress: Kelli Blackwell, Dreamgirls
• Best Local Actor: Karl Miller, Hamlet
• Best Local Costumes: Anya Nebel, Dreamgirls
• Best Local Choreography: Carole Graham Lehan, Tintypes at RepStage
• Best Local Director of a Play: Kasi Campbell, Hamlet at RepStage
• Best Local Director of a Musical: Toby Orenstein and />, Ragtime at Toby’s BaltimoreDaniel McDonald
• Best Local Set Design: Tony Cisek, Hamlet at RepStage
• Best Local Lighting: The Full Monty at Cockpit-in-Court

And special thanks to all of you, too, who so “graciously” let me know that you disagreed whole-heartedly with my reviews.  Here’s hoping 2007 brings as much passion to the hearts and minds of local theatergoers!

CONTINUING THIS WEEK:

• CenterStage presents the Rodgers and Hart musical classic, The Boys from Syracuse.  Based on Shakespeare’s hilarious Comedy of Errors and set during the age of vaudeville and burlesque, this musical runs through January 14^th.  The cast includes veterans of these Broadway shows: />, />, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, La Boehme, 1776, Cinderella and Damn Yankees.  Tickets run from $10 - $65.  Students and senior citizens can receive a half price ticket with ID at the door, the same day they see the show.  An extensive article that includes more information and a performance schedule was 12/04/2006 on the Baltimore and DC pages, and a two part interview with Broadway stars /> (Cinderella, Pacific Overtures), Kevin R. Free (NPR Radio), Manu Montalban (/>) and /> (/>, Damn Yankees) posted on 12/11 and 12/18/2006. (Review posted 12/14/2006)Mamma Mia!Michael WintherBombay DreamsPaolo MontalbanBombay DreamsMamma Mia!
• David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries continues this week at RepStage’s Howard Community College venue.  The comedy, directed by Joe Brady/> and starring Bruce Nelson (Stones in His Pockets, School for Scandal), runs through January 7.  Don’t let the title fool you, though.  This is no Christmas kids show –  RepStage advises the play has adult content.  Performaces are Wed – Thur at 7:30PM, Fri – Sat at 8PM, Sat at 2:30PM, and Sun, 01/07 at 2:30PM and 7:30PM.  There is no performance 12/24/, 12/31, or 01/03.  (Review to be 12/28/2006.)
• Run of the Mill Theatre at the Theatre Project is in the midst of a South African play festival, and has performances of Sizwe Bansi is Dead December 30 and 31 at 8PM, and Statements After an Arrest by Athol Fugard December 30 and 31 at 5PM.  For the full schedule and information go to www.theatreproject.org or call 410-752-8558.  Tickets are $16 general.  BWW readers get a 38% discount!  See above. The entire festival continues through December 31^st.  (Review of Statements posted 12/12/2006; Sizwe to be posted 12/28/2006)
• Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore is presenting is award-winning original musical, It’s a Wonderful Life, based on the classic holiday film.  The production stars Matthew Schleigh (Buddy, Ragtime) in the Jimmy Stewart role.  The production runs through January 14^th, with a varying performance schedule.  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for full details.  (Review posted 12/05/2006)
• Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia presents the holiday musical classic, Here’s Love: The Miracle of 34^th Street Musical, beginning through January 14^th, 2007.  With a score by Meredith Willson, of Music Man fame, this seasonal treat is sure to be the perfect way to celebrate the holidays!  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for information.  (Review posted 12/08/2006)

COMING SOON:

• An interview with the dancers of The Boys from Syracuse!
• An interview with Matthew Schleigh of It’s a Wonderful Life at Toby’s!
• Local Theatre New Year’s Parties!
• And the best of theatre for 2006 lists, starting tomorrow!

Thank you for reading!  And have a safe, fun New Year!  James