Charm City Call Board: November 27 - December 3

Welcome to Charm City Call Board for the week of November 27 – December 3, keeping you up to date each week with all that is theater in Baltimore.   

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

NEW THIS WEEK!:

• BALTIMORE GEARS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH SEVERAL SHOWS!
• News of Mobtown, BSF, Fells Point Corner Theatre, Spotlighters, the Hippodrome and more!

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

Discounts and contest notices are listed first.  Show listings follow in this order: current productions and upcoming productions.  Audition notices, news bites, and book/CD recommendations are at the end.  

BROADWAYWORLD.BALTIMORE DISCOUNTS!

• The Lion in Winter at Spotlighters - $5.00 off each ticket!  Go to www.spotlighters.org and click on "tickets".  Enter code BWW-LIW to get your discount.  You may also get this discount at the box office by bringing a copy of this article with you.  The show runs through December 16th.   
• Holiday Hot Nostalgia at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore - $10.00 off each ticket, no limit to number of tickets!  Offer good for any Thursday, Friday or Sunday evening performance through January 6th.  Call 1-866-99-TOBYS and tell them you want the "BroadwayWorld.com" discount!  (This incudes dinner AND the show!)

CONTESTS!

A BIG contest for Avenue Q tickets!  Contest posted 11/12/2007.  NOTE: Entries that do not follow the guidelines will NOT be accepted.

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 very 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!  Opening this week!

• The Threepenny Opera (Musical): UMBC Theatre.  Through 12/9.   www.umbc.edu.
• The House of Bernarda Alba (Drama): Towson University.  Through 12/8.   www.towson.edu. 
• ◊◊◊◊ Mrs. Bob Cratchet's Wild Christmas Binge (Comedy): Mobtown Players.  Through 12/22.  2 hours, 5 minutes, including intermission.  Mild adult humor and language.  Review posted 12/2.  www.mobtownplayers.com or 410-467-3057.

  IN PREVIEWS:

 

• The Sound of Music (Musical – Dinner Theatre): Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia.  Through 2/15.  hours, minutes.  Review to be posted 12/8.  www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or 1-866-99TOBYS.
• ◊◊◊◊◊Holiday Hot Nostalgia (Musical Revue – Dinner Theatre): Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore.  Through 1/6.  1 hour, 35minutes, plus intermission.  Review posted 12/3.  www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or 410-649-1660 or 1-866-99TOBYS. 

CURTAIN DOWN!  Closing this week!

Macbeth at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

• ◊◊ 1/2 Macbeth (Shakespearean Tragedy): Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.  Through 12/2.  2 hours, 25 minutes, including intermission.  Graphic swordplay, adult themes.  Review posted 11/19.  www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com or 866-811-4111. 
• ◊◊◊ Hearts (Play): CENTERSTAGE.  Through 12/2.  90 minutes, no intermission.  Adult language, war violence and images.  Review posted 11/1.  www.centerstage.org or 410-332-0033. 

NOW PLAYING!  Shows that are currently running.

Much Ado About Nothing at Everyman Theatre

• ◊◊◊◊ 1/2 Broadway Bound (Comedy/Drama): Fells Point Corner Theatre.  Through 12/9.  2 hours, 40 minutes, including intermission.  Adult language.  Review to be posted 11/14.  www.fpct.org or 410-276-7837.  BEST BET 11/13!
• ◊◊◊◊ 1/2 Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespearean Comedy): Everyman Theatre.  Through 12/16.  2 hours, 20 minutes, plus intermission.  Review posted 11/12.  www.everymantheatre.org or 410-752-2208.  BEST BET 11/13!
• Little Women (Drama): Laurel Mill Playhouse.  Through 12/15.  Review TBA.  www.laurelmillplayhouse.org or 301-617-9906.
• ◊◊◊◊◊The Lion in Winter (Drama): Spotlighters.  Through 12/16.  2 hours, 30 minutes, including intermission.  Adult content and themes.  Mild swordplay.  Review posted 11/19.  www.spotlighters.org or 410-752-1225.  See above for BWW discount!  BEST BET 11/20!
• Miracle on 34^th Street (Musical – Dinner Theatre): Timonium Dinner Theatre.  Through 12/23.  Review TBA.  www.timoniumdinnertheatre.com or 410-560-1113.

Broadway Bound at Fells Point Corner Theatre; The Lion in Winter at Spotlighters

See below for holiday-themed shows!

HELP WANTED: TECHNICAL CREW FOR PAGEANT AT SPOTLIGHTERS

• SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre is bringing back the beauty - with PAGEANT - the 10 year reunion!
   - - and we need your help! Run dates:  Feb 15 - Mar 9, 2008
• They are seeking the following Technical Crew :
  Lighting Designer - design the lighting plot for the show with the constraints of the house hand at SPOTLIGHTERS.  Be familiar with an  ETC computerized board, and completing hang and loading light cues.
  Set Design and Construction - design the set in collaboration with director, and then build and paint set as needed.
  Questions - Auditions@spotlighters.org

 

AUDITIONS!

A New Brain

WHO: Spotlighters Theatre  

WHAT: William Finn's A New Brain, which runs April 25 through May 18, 2008 on weekends and some Thursdays. 

WHEN:  Saturday, December 1 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and Monday, December 3 from 7:00pm – 10:00 pm, with callbacks on Saturday, December 15 (by invitation only).

WHERE: Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202  

WHAT TO BRING:  A headshot/resume and prepare 32 bars of one up-tempo song AND one ballad. You may or may not be asked to sing both. Bring sheet music - accompanist will be provided. No CDs, tapes, karaoke, or a cappella. A short dance combination will be taught at audition.  

Important: Come with ALL CONFLICTS through the end of the show.

QUESTIONS: E-mail all questions to david@ciastudio.com.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR: All roles are open:

• GORDON MICHAEL SCHWINN: A vulnerable, lovable and sarcastic composer. (Rock Tenor: Low G – High A)
• ROGER DELLI-BOVI: Gordon's charming and affectionate lover. Loves to sail.  (Rich Baritone: Low A – High G)
• RHODA: Gordon's business manager and best friend. Sarcastic and straightforward.  (Belt, Low G – High E)
• MIMI SCHWINN: Gordon's very loving yet very unstable mother. (Alto: Low E to High D)
• MR. BUNGEE: The director/producer/ star of a children's television show.  (High Baritone: Low G – High G)
• A HOMELESS LADY: Wise, yet bitter and tough. (Belt, Low E – High E)
• NANCY D (Also doubles as WAITRESS): The waitress is overbearing and overzealous. Nancy is a cruel and sadistic nurse. (Mezzo-soprano: Low G – High G)
• RICHARD: The kind and compassionate nurse, "slightly" overweight.  (Tenor: Low B – High A)
• THE MINISTER: A hospital employee with a bit of a drinking problem.  (High Tenor: Low B – High B)
• DR. JAFAR BERENSTEINER: Gordon's unsympathetic doctor.  (Full-bodied Baritone: Low F – High F)

 

BACKSTAGE BABBLE!  News, Best Bets, etc. 

BSF AND PEABODY COLLABORATE ON SHAKESPEARE'S MUSIC CONCERT

This Friday night, November 30th at 7:30PM, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival collaborates with The Peabody Renaissance Ensemble for Shakespeare's Music: The Food of Love. This concert of Elizabethan music, lead by Director of the Ensemble, Mark Cudek, will provide beautiful music and will be accented by BSF actors Gregory Stuart and Kateri Chambers (also a Peabody grad) performing scenes and monologues from some of the bards greatest works. Tickets are $15/$10 and are available either by website (www.baltimoreshakespeare.org) or 410-366-8596.

HOLIDAY – THEMED PERFORMANCES

Below are several holiday-themed shows playing in the Baltimore/DC area.  "Adult Holiday Entertainment" means that these performances are NOT meant for children.  "Family Friendly" means that these performances are suitable for the entire family, regardless of age.

SPOTLIGHTERS AND DO OR DIE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT SLAY RIDE (Through 12/15)

(Adult Holiday Entertainment)

Spotlighters and Do or Die Productions will present the original interactive murder-mystery-comedy, Slay Ride at The Spotlighters Theatre on St. Paul Street.  Performances run through December 15, Fridays and Saturdays at 11PM.

This production includes adult themes and language, and the murder of Santa Claus. 

Tickets are $18/General, $15/Students/Seniors/BTA Members, and are available online at www.spotlighters.org .  For more information, call 410-752-1225.

REP STAGE BRINGS BACK SANTALAND DIARIES WITH BRUCE NELSON (12/5 - 12/23)

(Adult Holiday Entertainment)

Last year, Rep Stage had a huge holiday hit with David Sedaris' hilarious Santaland Diaries, a biting "expose" about life as a department store elf/Santa's helper.  Well, December 5 -23, they are bringing it back for all the shop-weary folks that this time of year seems to create.  What a tonic for the Holiday Blues!  (This production is recommended for mature audiences.)

This one-man show again stars Helen Hayes Award-winning actor Bruce Nelson, and is directed by RepStage's own Michael Stebbins.  This year, the show will be performed at the Slayton House in Columbia's Wilde Lake Village Community Center, which is located at 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia.  Tickets are $25 - $17, depending upon which show date you attend.  There are discounts available for groups of 6 or more, senior citizens over age 60, HCC staff/faculty, and all students are $12.00 for any performance with ID.  Tickets may be purchased at 410-772-4900 or at www.repstage.org.

YULTIDE BENEFIT FOR THE MOBTOWN PLAYERS (12/29)

(Adult Holiday Entertainment)

The cast of the upcoming US Premier of the musical Six Dead Queens…and an Inflatable Henry and The Gilded Lily Burlesque ( www.myspace.com/gildedlilyburlesque), will be hosting Mistletoe Masquerade 2007,  A Yuletide Celebration to Benefit The Mobtown Players on December 29^th, from 7pm – 11pm.  The event will be held at The Mobtown Theatre at Meadow Mill on 3600 Clipper Mill Road in Hampden.  Tickets are $45 and Black Tie/Costume is optional.  There is a limited capacity of 80, so order tickets soon.

The event will feature: 

• Open Bar – Beer, Wine, Coffee, Tea, Soda, and more!
• Menu – Light Holiday Fare – a little something for everyone, as well as a decadent dessert table! 
• Silent Auction! The evening will include a Silent Auction of fabulous prizes including items autographed by John Waters and Baltimore Ravens Players, tickets to shows around town, gift certificates for restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, handcrafted jewelry, baskets of cheer and more! 
• Also, be one of the first to see the Six Dead Queens Trailer, launched on the big screen after the evening's performances!

Tickets can be purchased at www.mobtown.net through Acteva or for more information got to sixdeadqueens@gmail.com.    

CCBC-ESSEX CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH 50's STYLE HOLIDAY SHOW (12/6 - 12/9)

 (Family Friendly)

He might not be Ed Sullivan but CCBC student Brian Meise will host a real-ly big show, A Sleigh Ride Spectacular, 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 in the B Building Theatre at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard.  Director Anne Lefter, CCBC director of Performing Arts, and Music Supervisor Bill Watson, department chairman for Performing Arts and Humanities, have crafted an original production saluting the 50s glory days that gave us both CCBC and the entertainment television era. 

Staged as a live broadcast from "WECC" Studios in beautiful downtown Essex, A Sleigh Ride Spectacular will feature:

• "Sleigh Ride" by the Baltimore Symphonic Band and the CCBC Chamber Singers
• "White Christmas" sung by Randall Murrain of Baltimore City
• "Santa Baby" by Aria Montgomery of Towson
• "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Brian Meise of Hampstead and Heather Elswick of Dundalk
• "Winter Wonderland" by Hank Butz of Dundalk, Lelia Hopkins of Rosedale, and Chris Jehnert and Hyejin Park of Parkville
• "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Megan Zupancic of Parkville
• "Home for the Holidays" by Hank Butz of Dundalk
• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Lelia Hopkins of Rosedale
• "A Christmas Festival" of carols sung along with the audience.  

Other performances include:  The CCBC Dance Company presenting a comic "Nutcracker March" and "Blue Christmas." The Children's Playhouse of Maryland, Inc., in residence at CCBC Essex, singing a medley including "I'm Gettin' Nuthin" for Christmas" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Ashton Fletcher and "The Fletchtones" will provide the 50s sound of the production's "house band." 

Highlights of the production will be "Twas the Night Before Christmas", a piece for narrator and band, narrated by F. Scott Black, dean of the CCBC School of Liberal Arts, (Thursday-Saturday) and William Watson, department chairman, Humanities and Performing Arts, (Sunday).

The show also includes a 50s style "Christmas Quiz Show" with classic commercials for brands such as Ovaltine, Oldsmobile, Esso Gas and Alka Seltzer. 

The acting company features: Brian Meise of Hampstead as Host and Rabiah Bowman of Rosedale as Hostess; Zach Hock of Middle River as Floor Manager directing a crew that includes Rachel Ahrens of Nottingham, Billy Coutain of Parkville, Phil Diedeman of Phoenix, Pavel Goucharov of Sparks-Glencoe and Nicole Wheatley of Middle River.   

Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for senior adults, students, CCBC faculty and staff.  For tickets and information, call the CCBC Box Office at 410-780-6369. 

FELLS POINT CORNER THEATRE PRESENTS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (12/14 - 12/23)

(Family Friendly)

Fells Point Corner Theatre will present its annual holiday show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson, and directed by Mike Ware.

The Herdman children put the "H" in horrible and now they are going to put "C" back in Christmas.  How do these awful hoodlums achieve this?  They take over the Annual Christmas Pageant and in turn, learn the true meaning of the season.    

A Holiday Bazaar will be held before and after all performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, featuring gifts, baked goods, refreshments and auction opportunities to benefit FPCT's youth programs.

Director Mike Ware has appeared in several FPCT productions, including Street Scene, Sunday in the Park with George, Life X 3 and Anna in the Tropics.  Many will remember his special performance as "Elvis" in last season's holiday production of The Six Jewels, which was written and performed by FPCT's Challenged Ensemble.  Featured in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are many talented Baltimore actors of all ages.

Performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are December 14th to December 23rd, 2007, Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.  Call 410-276-7837 for reservations.  Tickets are $17/General, $15/Seniors and Students, and $8/Children 12 and under.  Order tickets at www.fpct.org. 

THEATRE PROJECT PRESENTS BALTIMORE: THE OPERA (11/29 - 12/9)

(Family Friendly)

Nearly 300 years of Baltimore history, hons, rowhouses and crab cakes will be boiled down into 90 minutes of irreverent fun when Baltimore: The Opera takes the stage at Theatre Project Nov. 29 - Dec. 9; Thurs.-Sat. at 8pm; Sun. at 3pm.  Tickets are $20 general admission/ $15 seniors and artists/ $10 students, and can be reserved by calling the box office at 410-752-8558 or online at www.missiontix.com.

Performed by Squonk Opera, Baltimore: The Opera is a toast to Charm City with a decidedly skewed point-of-view. The show features local dancers (from Morton Street Dance Company, Rayn Fall Dance Studio and Wayne Jackson Studios); interviews with area personalities (including one of the last interviews with Ruby Glover); and the artwork of Orems Elementary School students; as well as Squonk Opera's stunning visuals and sophisticated music. It all adds up to a delightful ode to the city and community of Baltimore - chock full of rock-and-roll, projected videos, dancing and puppets.

The production is the latest incarnation of Squonk Opera's (put your hometown's name here): The Opera series. The project is very unique in that it isn't Squonk Opera's vision of a city, but the residents' version of their hometown. The show changes with each city it salutes and is built on months of research and work with local groups. During the week of Oct. 15, Squonk traveled to Baltimore and met with the local community to fill the show with as much imagery and culture as possible. From Arabbers to the Patterson Park Pagoda to FederAl Hill, Squonk saw a little bit of it all.

FORD'S THEATRE IN DC PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL (12/6 - 12/29)

(Family Friendly)

A Christmas Carol, Washington's favorite annual holiday tradition at Ford's Theatre continues – just with a twist. Performances of the Ford's Theatre production written by Charles Dickens, adapted by Michael Wilson and originally directed by Matt August will take place at the Lansburgh Theatre on 7th Street, NW, utilizing a new venue for our classic production. 

"It's still Christmas in Washington" said Paul Tetreault, Producing Director of Ford's Theatre.  "Just with a new twist to a classic story."  "I am thrilled to be able to say that Ford's Theatre will continue the more than 20 year tradition of producing this classic tale of love and redemption."  "With just a few modifications for the new space," Tetreault continued, "the show will go on better than ever!" 

A Christmas Carol, with original staging recreated by Mark Ramont, will include Martin Rayner reprising his role as Ebenezer Scrooge.  Other cast members include David Covington, Michael Bunce, Michael John Casey, Elliot Dash, Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Goodwin, Bill Hensel, Claudia Miller, Susanne Richard, and Todd Scofield.

A Christmas Carol will run December 6 through 29th.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (202) 547-1122 or visiting www.fords.org or at the Lansburgh Theatre Box Office.  Ticket prices –$30 - $55 plus $3.00 Lansburgh Theatre facility fee.

HIPPODROME TO HOST THREE REDNECK TENORS HOLIDAY SHOW (12/6 - 12/8)

(Family Friendly)

On December 6 – 8, the Hippodrome will be invaded by those singing trailer park angels (mullets and all), The Three Redneck Tenors, in their new holiday show, 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Sec-tac-yule-ar!  Join cast members John Wilkerson (Broadway's State Fair), Matthew Lord (The Metropolitan Opera), Dinny McGuire (Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus) and Alex Bumpas (Dallas Symphony Orchestra) for this family-fun filled show.  Classic hits include: "Sleigh Ride," "Santa Claus id Coming to Town," "Silent Night," and such spoofs as "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer!"

Tickets are $35.00 and $45.00, available online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com , by phone at 410-547-SEAT, or at the Hippodrome Box Office. 

FROM LAST WEEK'S BABBLE!

READERS WRITE: ARE AUDIENCES SHRINKING?

This week's writer is Ian Gallanar, Artistic Director of Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and the director of their current production, Macbeth.

James,

I'm writing in to address comments I have been reading in the local media. John Barry (The City Paper), Mary McCauley (The Baltimore Sun) and you all write with concern about dwindling numbers in area theaters.  You know, I've been hearing about declining numbers for 30 years- as well as the aging of our audience, and I always wonder if it's reality or perception. Because I've not found that to be the case. Yes, there are always theaters with declining audience numbers, but there are usually other ones with numbers that are increasing (okay- I'll brag- for instance, we've increased our attendance by about 250% over the last three years- and our average patron's age is about 40- but I'm not writing this to promote CSC!)

 

I truly believe there has been a decline in audiences at many theaters, but not universally. I think theater audiences change. While summer stock has pretty much died out and dinner theater seems to be having trouble sticking around (well, except Toby who is a genius at her business), other kinds of things are around that attract audiences that weren't around 30 years ago. I'll guarantee you that CENTERSTAGE has larger audiences today than any theater in Baltimore did in 1977. The Hippodrome brings in scads of people- and while there have always been Broadway tours in Baltimore, I would be interested in comparing the numbers for 1967,77,87,97 at the Mechanic and the Hippodrome's numbers for last year. Also, could anyone in 1977 imagine having six professional Shakespeare companies in the Baltimore/DC area? That was the era in which I started getting interested in theater in Pennsylvania- and while there were plenty of opportunities to see Charley's Aunt, we were lucky if there was one professional production of Shakespeare in Pittsburgh a year. In addition, things like Menopause: The Musical, Tony and Tina's Wedding and Shear Madness simply didn't exist 30 years ago.  These productions bring crowds of people into the theater.

 

Baltimore theater has its problems. Heck, the theater business is practically an impossible venture, but I'm not worried about its health.  I have tremendous respect for Vince Lancisi (Artistic Director of Everyman Theatre). Vince is a very smart man. I don't think he made plans for expansion without very carefully considering the market.   How very exciting it will be to have two powerhouse theaters like CENTERSTAGE and Everyman in operation at the same time- along with the Hippodrome bringing in scads of people. Can anyone remember a time that there were two big powerhouse professional theaters as CENTERSTAGE and Everyman? Baltimore theater never had it so good.

 

And let me also crow about Howard County Theater. Could anyone in 1977 imagine Howard County being home to three so successful (and diverse) professional theater companies as Rep Stage, Toby's and CSC?   I don't think anyone could make a case that theater is on the decline in Howard County. Plus, a large portion of our audience comes from Baltimore. We feel like we are part of the Baltimore theater community and Michael Stebbins, Toby Orenstein and myself are proud of the success that our theaters are having and continue to have. 

 

Look, I'm a realist.  I'm very serious about this work. I think too often managers of theater companies haven't a clue how to run a business- and their audiences and their artists suffer because of it. I think it is my responsibility to be smart about our market.  I owe it to my audiences and my artists. That's why I make it my responsibility to try and follow closely what's going on in the local theater business. But I've been hearing forever about the decline of audiences for live theater- and yet, for the last fifteen years, no theater I've ran has had a declining audience (except for a small depression right after 9/11) and while I read about declining audiences all the time, no one has ever contacted me about audience numbers- because if they did I would tell them that they're doing quite well, thank you very much. And I bet there are other local theater managers who will tell you a similar story.

 

Ian Gallanar

 

Please send your comments, questions or other theatre-related issues to jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

 

WOMAN ON THE RAG OPENS AT MARYLAND ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Maryland Ensemble Theatre presents Susan Mele's latest production Woman on the Rag.  Baltimore Theatre Project regular Susan Mele and mother of four brings her latest production Woman on the Rag to the MET. Last April, Mele performed at the Laugh Factory in New York City as one of the finalists in Nickelodeon's Funniest Mom in America.  She has brought 4 of her one-woman shows to the Baltimore Theatre Project which include Moms Gone Mad, Pop Goes the Placenta, Just Say Blow Me and Roxi Starr in 3D with Elvis.  Mele's comedy is always fresh, crazy, fun and in your face.  Mele has never been afraid to cross the line and make her audience feel a little bit uncomfortable. She has been performing across the US and Europe in comedy clubs and theatres for the past 19 years. 

In this hilarious, fully improvised show Mele gives us her take on the woman that exists in all of us, the Woman on the Rag.  We all know what it feels like during that special time of the month.  Within 5 seconds we can go from a happy go lucky girl into a deep depression or a gentle caretaker to a psycho killer with the drop of a hat.  Watch Mele take you on this journey where few women dare to go.  The Chicago Reader says "Mele is like a character out of Lily Tomlin's repertoire."  Don't miss this show!

Woman on the Rag runs Friday and Saturday, November 30th and December 1st at 8:00PM.   The production features and is created by Susan Mele and is directed by MET Associate Artistic Director Gené Fouché.  Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors.  For tickets and more information call 301-694-4744 or visit www.marylandensemble.org.

ONSTAGE PLAYERS ANNOUNCES A NEW PRODUCTION

Onstage Players will be presenting The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker.  Performances are November 30-December 2, December 7-9 and December 14-16; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.  The theatre space is located at St. John's United Church of Christ at 1000 S. Rolling Road in Catonsville.  Tickets are $12 General Admission/$10 Seniors, children under 18, groups of 10 or more and military.  Call the box office at 443-844-6481 or make a reservation on-line at www.onstageplayers.org. Cash and checks only at the door.

CENTERSTAGE PRESENTS HEARTS; RELATED EVENTS ANNOUNCED

Hearts—Willy Holtzman's frank, poignant play inspired by his father's experiences as a Jewish-American soldier in World War II and his struggles to cope with them after—continues CENTERSTAGE's 45th Season, which recently opened with the vintage crowd-pleaser, Arsenic & Old Lace. Former Resident Director Tim Vasen returns to direct a dexterous company of four accomplished actors: Jordan Charney as the central figure of Donald Waldman, with Vasili Bogazianos, Bill Cwikowski, and Merwin Goldsmith playing more than 60 roles. Holtzman's blunt-spoken but surprisingly comedic drama unfolds in The Head Theater through December 2nd. Northrop Grumman is the production's official corporate sponsor, with additional support from Kramon & Graham, PA.

In conjunction with this production, CENTERSTAGE offers the following related programs in November:

Post-Show Chats: Every performance w/o a scheduled post-show event

• Join your fellow patrons for an informal chat on the themes and questions raised by Hearts.  

Live Audio Description

Audio describers from Maryland Arts Access provide a live description of the unspoken action on stage, which is transmitted to a small, hand-size receiver. Please request audio description when purchasing your tickets for one of these scheduled performances: 

• Wednesday, November 28th, 8 pm

AfterThoughts

• Join members of the dramaturgy staff for a deeper look into the production with these post-show discussions, sponsored by McDaniel College.
• Thursday, November 29th, 7 pm

Child's Play

• On-site theater-related "play care" for children aged four to ten during select Saturday matinees. $15 per child; pre-registration is required. 
• Saturday, December 1st, 2 pm

Twilight Thursday: Thursday, November 29th, 7 pm

• There's no need to make a late night of a night at the theater with this early curtain performance, followed by an AfterThoughts discussion.

Sign Interpretation: Friday, November 30th, 8 pm

• The CIRS Agency works with the artistic staff and experienced interpreters to provide a cohesive American Sign Language interpretation, incorporating the style and artistic characteristics of the performance. Please request the sign interpreted performance when purchasing tickets. Advance copies of the script may be requested via e-mail: access@centerstage.org.

 

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