Charm City Call Board: March 25 - 31

Welcome to Charm City Call Board for the week of March 25 -31, keeping you up to date each week with all that is theater in Baltimore and the region.         

 

Discounts and contest notices are listed first.  "On Stage" listings follow in this order: opening this week, in previews, current running productions, closing this week and upcoming productions.  Audition and help wanted notices will be next (arranged by date), followed by "Backstage Babble" - news bites, your letters and book/CD recommendations and "Theatre Events" are at the end.   I hope you find this format even more user friendly! 

Please feel free to send me suggestions/comments at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.  

NEW THIS WEEK!:

• BEST BETS: A Little Night Music at CENTERSTAGE and Gem of the Ocean at Everyman Theatre!
• NEW SHOWS: The latest from Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Project and Signature Theatre!
• COMPLETE LISTINGS:  How to get tickets for all of the local shows!  April listings coming next week!

If you have some news or an event you'd like added, please contact me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com. 

 

BROADWAYWORLD.BALTIMORE DISCOUNTS! 

• Camelot at The Hippodrome Theatre: Get $20.00 off per ticket at Price Level 1 for the March 25, 26 and 30th performances!  This offer good at the Hippodrome Box Office, ticketmaster.com or by calling 410-547-SEAT.  For all of the above, use Password: ARTHUR to receive your discount!
•  4 By Tenn at Spotlighters:  BWW readers get $5.00 off per ticket!  Just go to www.spotlighters.org, click on "Tickets" and enter code BWW-4T, or mention this code when making phone reservations at 410-752-1225.

 

CONTESTS

There are no contests currently running.  Check back soon!

 

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK!

A five star system will be utilized in order to differentiate between the various levels of success: artistry and entertainment value.  This system is not directly numeric, however.  That is, a 4 rated show isn't necessarily twice as good as a 2 rated show; neither is a 4 rated show a "B" or an 80%.

◊◊◊◊◊ - The absolute best theatre has to offer!  Missing this should not be an option!
◊◊◊◊ - This is excellent theatre!  Do not miss this show!
◊◊◊ - This is a good production.  Try to get to this one!
◊◊ - This is a fair production.
◊ - Save your money.

Be sure to contact the theatre directly for show times, dates and prices.  All shows subject to change.  

 

CURTAIN UP!  Shows opening this week.

• ◊◊ 1/2 Camelot (Musical): Hippodrome Theatre.  3/26 – 4/6.  Review posted 3/26.  410.547.SEAT or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.  See above for BWW Discount!
• ◊◊ Thom Pain (One Man Play): Rep Stage.  3/26 – 4/13.  Review to be posted 3/28.  410.772.4900 or  www.repstage.org.
• The Wizard of Oz (Musical – Dinner Theatre): Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore.  Through 6/8.  Review to be posted 4/1.  Look for interviews with the stars of the show coming soon!  1.866.99TOBYS or www.tobysdinnertheatre.com

 

A Little Night Music at CENTERSTAGE; Gem of the Ocean at Everyman Theatre

NOW PLAYING!  Shows currently open.    

• Love, Sex and the IRS (Comedy): Laurel Mill Playhouse.  Through 4/6.  301.617.9906 or www.laurelmillplayhouse.org.
• ◊◊◊◊◊ A Little Night Music (Musical): CENTERSTAGE.  Through 4/13.  2 hours, 30 minutes, including intermission.  Review posted 3/20.   New interview with Polly Bergen posting on Thursday! 410.332.0033 or www.centerstage.org.  BEST BET 3/25!
• ◊◊◊ 1/2 Three Days of Rain (Play): Fells Point Corner Theatre.  Through 4/13.  2 hours, 30 minutes, including intermission.  Review posted 3/23.  410.276.7837 or www.fpct.org.  

Three Days of Rain at Fells Point Corner Theatre; 4 by Tenn at Spotlighters

• 4 by Tenn (Drama): Spotlighters Theatre.  Through 4/13.  Review to be posted 3/29.  410.752.1225 or www.spotlighters.org. See above for BWW Discount!  See below for related article!
• ◊◊◊◊ 1/2 Kiss of the Spider Woman (Musical): Signature Theatre.  Through 4/20.  Review posted 3/18.  703.820.9771 or www.signature-theatre.org.  BEST BET 3/18!
• ◊◊◊◊◊ Gem of the Ocean (Regional Premiere Drama): Everyman Theatre.  Though 4/27.  Review posted 3/22.  410.752.2208 or www.everymantheatre.org.  BEST BET 3/25!
• ◊◊◊ Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Musical – Dinner Theatre): Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia.  Through 6/5.  Review posted 3/9.  www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or 1-800-88TOBYS.

 

Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature Theatre; Joseph... at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia

CLOSING THIS WEEK! Your last chance… 

• ◊◊◊◊ Sects and Violins(Sketch Comedy): Single Carrot Theatre.  Through 3/29.  Review posted 3/17.  443.844.9253 or www.singlecarrot.com.
• From Tel Aviv (Performance Piece): CENTERSTAGE.  Through 3/29.  410.332.0033 or www.centerstage.org. See below for related article!
• ◊◊ Hatful of Rain (Play): Vagabond Players. Through 3/30.  Review posted 3/3. www.vagabondplayers.com or 410-563-9135

 

OPENING SOON!   

Look for a complete list of April openings next week!  

 

AUDITION NOTICES: 

Please send audition notices to me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com

 

BACKSTAGE BABBLE!  News, Best Bets, etc. (New items in RED.)  

BEST BET - MUSICAL: A Little Night Music at CENTERSTAGE

You can't really get much better than a Stephen Sondheim classic full of Broadway stars – Barbara Walsh (Company, Falsettos), Polly Bergen (Follies, Cabaret), Stephen Bogardus (Falsettos, High Society), Sarah Uriarte Berry (Beauty and the Beast), etc.  Add lovely staging by Mark Lamos and dazzling production values, and you have a musical theatre lover's dream show!  See above for ticket information.

BEST BET – PLAY: Gem of the Ocean at Everyman Theatre

The opening decade of the 20^th century provides the time of the show, August Wilson captures the poetry, history and reverence for the past, and the company at Everyman Theatre brings the brilliant work to life.  With standout performances by Lizan Mitchell and Dawn Ursula, this is an evening you won't soon forget!  See above for ticket information.

NEWS: Laurel Mill offers Pay What You Can Performance of Love, Sex and the IRS

Laurel Mill Playhouse, located at 508 Main Street in historic Laurel, MD., continues their presentation of the reunion show of Love, Sex and the I.R.S written by William Van Zandt and Jan Milmore. Directed by Jay Balcar and R. Brett Rohrer and produced by Maureen Rogers, this hilarious comedy opened  Mar 21. Last presented in 2005, this sidesplitting comedy has been brought back by popular demand and is sure to tickle the funny bone of everyone who sees it.

The original ensemble cast includes Jay Balcar, Melainie Eifert, Maureen Rogers, R. Brett Rohrer, Larry Simmons, Jack Wassell and Jessica Wieder. LMP is pleased to introduce Michael Hartsfield to the reunion play, previously appearing in Six Degrees of Separation at Laurel Mill Playhouse. 

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. performances run weekends through April 5 with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. and one Sunday matinee which will be held on Mar 30 at 2 P.M. A special Pay What You Can performance will be held on Thursday April 3 at 8 P.M. Tickets are $13 for general admission, $10 for students (18 and under)  and seniors (65 and over). For reservations, please call 301-617-9906. For further information visit the web site at www.laurelmillplayhouse.org or contact Maureen Rogers at maureencrogers@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

NEWS: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Announces Summer Shows; Early Bird Ticket Special 

The award-winning Chesapeake Shakespeare Company-in-the-Ruins returns to its summer home for a sparkling new outdoor season just down the road and in a venue like no other.  This year, CSC presents The Comedy of Errors, the mischievous comedy of mistaken identity, and The Tempest, Shakespeare's magical romance, performed among the picturesque ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, Ellicott City, Maryland. 

The Comedy of Errors and The Tempest will be produced in repertory, with one cast performing both shows alternately.  On Saturday, June 28th, audiences will have the opportunity to see both shows performed back-to-back in our traditional doubleheader beginning at 4pm. The schedule is as follows: June 6 – July 13, 2008; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 5 pm; Both shows performed on June 28 beginning at 4PM; Friday, July 4 will be at 5pm; there will be a Thursday, July 10 show of The Comedy of Errors at 8pm. 

Tickets and dinners can be purchased online through our website www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com, by phone at 866-811-4111 or prior to the performance at the box office. Groups of 10 or more, please call 410.313.8874.

Adults $30, Seniors $25, Students 21 and under $15, and for the fourth year in a row Kids are Free! 

SPECIAL OFFER: Pre-sales via www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com receive $4 dollars off the price of an adult ticket.

 

THEATRE EVENTS (New items in RED.)  

Through March 29: CENTERSTAGE Presents From Tel Aviv to Ramallah

CENTERSTAGE is pleased to announce a special limited engagement of From Tel Aviv to Ramallah: A Beatbox Journey—a striking Helen Hayes Award-nominated drama from writer/director Rachel Havrelock featuring award-winning solo performer Yuri Lane. Called "an acrobat with sound" by The Washington Post, Lane brings more than 20 characters to life through the art of beatbox in this dynamic hip-hop documentary of two young men leading surprisingly similar lives: Amir, an Israeli motorcycle messenger and club DJ, and Khalid, a Palestinian entrepreneur with a thriving Internet café. Splicing the hectic sounds of traffic with calls to prayer, Amir's and Khalid's struggles in their divided homeland are conjured against a kinetic videoscape—designed by Sharif Ezzat—as their lives inevitably intersect at a West Bank checkpoint.  

General admission tickets are $25, with CENTERSTAGE subscribers paying $20 and students just $15. Tickets are available now: online at tix.centerstage.org or by calling the CENTERSTAGE Box Office at 410.332.0033.

Performance Schedule:  Wednesday, March 26th, 8 pm; Thursday, March 27th, 8 pm; Friday, March 28th, 8:30 pm; Saturday, March 29th, 5 pm; and Saturday, March 29th, 9 pm.

The Happy Time at Signature Theatre

April 1 – June 1: Signature Theatre presents Kander & Ebb's The Happy Time

Signature Theatre continues its national Kander & Ebb Celebration with a new production of the Broadway greats' forgotten musical The Happy Time, performed in Signature's 110-seat ARK Theatre.  The story of a worldly photographer's return to his small French-Canadian hometown in the 1920s, The Happy Time is part of a four-month celebration of the works of John Kander & Fred Ebb, the longest song-writing partnership in the history of the American musical theater.  The Happy Time plays Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, June 1, in repertory with Kiss of the Spider Woman in The MAX Theatre (through April 20), then The Visit (May 13 – June 22).

Headlining The Happy Time are three Broadway talents:  Michael Minarik as Jacques, the charming but reckless photographer, David Margulies as his colorfully cantankerous father, and George Dvorsky as his brother, the stern father of an impressionable young boy, Bibi, played by young newcomer Jace Casey.  The Happy Time is directed by Michael Unger, with music direction by David Holcenberg and choreography by Karma Camp.  The Happy Time's book is by N. Richard Nash, based on a play by Samuel Taylor.

The Happy Time was originally produced on Broadway by David Merrick in 1968, just after Kander & Ebb's huge hit Cabaret.  Directed and choreographed by Gower Champion and starring Robert Goulet, the production won them both Tony Awards®, and garnered another seven nominations.  Signature Theatre is producing a revised version of The Happy Time, restoring four numbers from the Broadway production that had been cut following the Broadway run. The show tells the story of Jacques Bonnard, a world-traveling photographer, who returns home to the small French-Canadian town of St. Pierre in search of his happy youth.  Along the way, Bonnard fires up the romantic spirit of his hometown's inhabitants — including his old flame Laurie — and tempts his godson with dreams of escape.  This classic tale of the prodigal son features a "lilting score" (New York Times) that is "melodious…in variety and scope" (Newsday).  

The cast also includes Tracy Lynn Olivera as Suzanne, Rob McQuay as Louis, Carrie A. Johnson as Laurie, Amy McWilliams as Felice, and performing in the ensemble are Kate Arnold, Emily Levey, Lauren Williams, and Rachel Zampelli.  William Beech, Rafael Hernandez-Roulet, Jordan Moral, Matthew Nee, and Jordan Silver play the schoolboys.  The creative team is completed by costume designer Kathleen Geldard, scenic and projection designer Todd Edward Ivins, lighting designer Mark Lanks, sound designer Matt Rowe, and production stage manager Katherine C. Mielke.

Tickets to The Happy Time are $45 - $69 and are now on sale at Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or by visiting www.signature-theatre.org <http://www.signature-theatre.org/> 

April 3 – 6: Theatre Project Presents A Grief Ago

From April 3-6 at Theatre Project, Theatre of the Rising Sun presents the world premiere of Valery Netrebco's A Grief Ago. Starring Darryl Croxton and directed by Dwight R. B. Cook, A Grief Ago focuses on the ghost of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, whose mysterious death still haunts scholars and students of Russian literature.

Pushkin has been called the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. He was also the great-grandson of Gannibal, who came to Russia as a slave to Peter the Great and became a major-general, military engineer and Russian governor. Set the night before Pushkin's death, this mystical and poetic drama shows how Pushkin's work led to the advent of a new age in Russian literature that produced poets, playwrights and composers as distinguished as Profokiev, Shosh Akovich and Yetushenko.

A Grief Ago runs at Theatre Project April 3-6. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 seniors and artists and $10 students. To make a reservation, please call 410-752-8558. For more information about the production, please contact Darryl Croxton, producing director of Theatre of the Rising Sun, at 410-752-5167. 

April 4 – 27: BSF Presents The Winter's Tale

Baltimore Shakespeare Festival (BSF) announces the opening of The Winter's Tale, Friday, April 4th at 8pm on its Elizabethan Stage, 3900 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211. The run continues, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm until April 27th.  

The production is directed by Kathleen Akerley, Artistic Director of Longacre Lea productions in DC and two-time Helen Hayes Award Nominee. The cast features; Steven Carpenter*, Teresa Castracane*, Kathleen Coons*, Theo Hadjimichael, Kaveh Haerian, Lindsay Haynes, Clare Johnson, Christopher Ross*, and Jonathan Watkins*.

"Our wonderful design team has created a fairytale-like world", says James Kinstle, Artistic Director. "Kathleen's adept manner of storytelling and focusing on the actor and the text will give this piece a compelling framework and theme".

BSF is one of 35 professional theatres selected nationally to participate in the National Endowment for the Arts 2007-2008 Shakespeare for a New Generation program, bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to thousands of middle and high school students in communities across the United States.  This grant enables BSF to partner with ten Baltimore City and Baltimore County schools to implement a wide range of Shakespeare related activities including development of study guides, bringing teaching artists into schools, conducting workshops, as well as for tickets, busses and lunches to bring area students to see matinees of The Winter's Tale. (Student Matinees: April 9, 10, 17, 23 & 24 at 10:00am)

This is the fifth phase of Shakespeare in American Communities, the largest tour of Shakespeare in American history. The National Endowment for the Arts believes a great nation deserves great art. Shakespeare in American Communities exemplifies the Arts Endowment's commitment to artistic excellence, arts education, and public outreach to all Americans.

The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare runs April 4th through 27th, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. For more information, please visit www.baltimoreshakespeare.org or call 410-366-8594.

*member of Actors Equity Association 

Through April 13: Spotlighters presents four early and rarely seen plays by Tennessee Williams

Spotlighters Theatre presents 4 by TENN. This series of short plays shines a light not only into Tennessee Williams' psyche but also into his creative process and how as an artist he toyed with an idea, slowly shaping it until it came into full fruition.

Veteran Baltimore director, Barry Feinstein has assembled a diverse and talented cast to bring these short plays to life. The cast includes:
The Writer - Harry B. Turner;

• These Are The Stairs You Got To Watch: Carl - Greg Freitag; Boy - Alex Joseph Barone; Gladys - Tracy Dye; Man - Omar Pulliam; Girl - Suzana Pesa; Mr. Kroger - Branch Warfield; Cashier - Dickens Warfield; Policeman - Eric Barker
• Summer At The Lake: Mrs. Fenway - Janise Whelan; Donald - Andrew Syropoulos; Anna - Dickens Warfield
• And Tell Sad Stories Of The Death Of Queens: Candy - David Allen; Karl - Greg Freitag; Alvin - Eric Barker; Jerry - Andrew Syropoulos
• I Can't Imagine Tomorrow: One - Omar Pulliam; Two - Ralph Piersanti.

Special Events for 4By Tenn:

• Talk Back with Cast & Crew - Sunday, April 6, following 2pm performance
• Thursday Performance - April 10 at 8pm

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.Order online at  www.spotlighters.org - just click on TICKETS.  Will Call Reservations - 410-752-1225 or Tickets@spotlighters.org .  See above for a BWW discount!

 

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