Intjoyity: The Happiness of Interviewing Brilliant Playwrights (or an Interview with Katie Kleiger on her world premiere of Different Words For Happiness at Everyman Theatre)
Intjoyityâ the particular flavor of happiness felt when interviewing creative minded folks, often specifically playwrights or actors, or playwrights who are actors. And this is most certainly a feeling of Intjoyity. The construct of all these various fictitious words for varying degrees, types, and kinds of happiness comes from Katie Kleigerâs play Different Words of Happiness, which is currently making its world premiere at Everyman Theatre. In a TheatreBloom exclusive phone interview,
Welcome to Quarantino’s at Unstrung Harpist Productions
âWhere we are is who we are and this place is all of us.â Arguably the most profound lyrical line in the new work Welcome to Quarantinoâs makings its world premiere at Unstrung Harpists. A two-act musical crafted and composed by Evan Crump and Talia Segal, this uniquely inspiring, oddly challenge, slightly absurdist piece of musical theatre examines the crucial component of âthird spaceâ and its importance to the human race during those unquestionably difficult times of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Barococo at Happenstance Theatre
You cannot starve the people and not expect to pay.
You cannot lie to the people and not expect to pay.
You cannot ignore the people and not expect to pay!
A poignant and potent message coming to you at the pinnacle finale moment of Happenstance Theatreâs Barococo, though thatâs gettingâŚa-headâŚof myself. Devised and written by the ensemble, just one of several signature stamps upon any Happenstance show,
Escape to Margaritaville at Dundalk Community Theatre
author Dave Martinek
There I am, in the audience of Dundalk Community Theatreâs production of Jimmy Buffettâs Escape to Margaritaville Book by Greg Garcia and Mike OâMalley, Music and Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett (a star born on Christmas day), waiting to see what Director Albert J. Boeren, Choreographer Unissa Cruse, and Music Director Jarrett Rettman had in store for my date and I, when the lights dimmed I was magically transported to âOne Particular Harborâ of a charming Margaritaville resort on a Caribbean island far away from these cold mornings and the stressors of a world that could use a âLicense to Chillâ.Â
Mamma Mia at The National Theatre DC
author: Steven Kirkpatrick and Charles Boyington
Some musicals invite audiences to sit back and enjoy the show. Mamma Mia! practically dares them to stay in their seats. The 25th Anniversary Tour, now at Washingtonâs National Theatre, is a jubilant reminder of why this ABBA-fueled phenomenon has endured: beneath the glitter, outrageous comedy, and irresistible pop anthems lies a surprisingly tender story about love, friendship, and the families we make for ourselves.
Six at The Hippodrome
Listen up! Lemme tell you a story! A story that I know youâve heard beforeâ I know you know their names and their fame and their facesâŚyou might have even seen them here three years when they toured Baltimoreâs Hippodrome theatre in May of â23âŚthatâs rightâ the infamousâŚthe wives of that one guyâ SIX! Back in Baltimore, baby, and they are here to rewrite HISstory and make it flourish as HERstory.
Macbeth at Silver Spring Stage
The instruments of darkness tell us truths. And the most delicious truth, buried deep in a centuriesâ old Shakespeare is the one about the tyrantâ the great builder of ballrooms that nobody asked forâ buried in that delectable speech of knocking with the castaway character of the Porter. But letâs rewind a little, despite knowing that history repeats itself. Not a kingdom for a horse, not once more into the breech, but rather Burnham wood on the march to Dunsinane.
Little Women at MAD
author: Jaki Demarest and Alan Duda
A confession. I have never read Louisa May Alcottâs Little Women. But thatâs okay, as this is Allan Kneeâs Tony-nominated 2005 musical Little Women going up at Goddardâs Music and Drama Club (MAD). This is director James Pildisâ ninth show since joining MAD in 2024, and according to his bio, he does not sleep. But I believe his dreams are being fulfilled.
Different Words for Happiness at Everyman Theatre
Theatricityâ the happiness you experience when the electrical nature of live theatre simultaneously tickles your funny bone and gives a hard yank on your heartstrings. The word is mine, the notion gently borrowed from and inspired by the master wordsmithâ playwright and Everyman resident company memberâ Katie Kleiger, author of Different Words for Happiness, presently making its world premiere as the second play of the 2026/2027 season. A properly evocative, emotional roller coaster,
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Colonial Players
When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quakeâŚ
Hmm. Thatâs not quite right.
Pumpkins scream in the dead of night?
No. Not that one either.
Itâs just a jump to the left⌠ooh, no. Not quite. No steps to the right either.
Oh! I know. Let me borrow some favorable verbiage from Mr. Crosby. âGather âround while I elucidate on what happens outside when it gets lateâŚâ but only if youâre in that well-known town of Sleepy Hollow.
Nunsense at Damascus Theatre Company
Whatâs the Popeâs favorite garment?
WHITE SOCKS!!!
If youâre not prepared for that level of groan-inducing humor, and is anybody ever prepared for that level of groan-inducing humorâ then you are not prepared for Nunsense at Damascus Theatre Company. Seriously, those puns are habit-forming! #IYKYK Directed by Keith Edward, with Musical Direction by Paul Rossen, and AD/Choreography by Megan McNellage, this trippy little musical comedy will get you back in the habit of laughing your tail off.
Avenue Q at Stand Up For…Theatre
Do you wanna feelâŚspecial? For an hour or two? Cause they can make you feelâŚspecial⌠if you just give them your money! Itâs like the mid 00âs on retro-repeat over at Stand Up ForâŚTheatre with their current production of Avenue Q and just like when it went up for its Tony against Wicked, weâre hoping that the *INSERT TEMPORARY THING* that they chose for the âFor Nowâ ending is indeed just that!
The Rocky Horror Show at Iron Crow Theatre
author: Leonard Taube
If I were to say to you, âI can make you a manâ, or âTouch a Touch-a-Touch meâ, or maybe ask you coyly if youâd do the âTime Warpâ with me, would you look at me as if I was batty or respond with some clever retorts such as âOnly if you take me to a science fiction double featureâ? If the latter, you are a Rocky Horror fan and if the former well,
The Much-Needed Third Space: An Interview with Evan Crump on the New Musical “Welcome to Quarantino’s’
For me? It was the little dive barâ The Angle Innâ who was always pretty low attended, except on trivia nights and railroad-union worker meeting night, even before the lockdown so only allowing a limited number in at a time wasnât ever really going to be an issue for them. That place that once the âsmall gatherings in public limited to X-number of peopleâ were allowed to happenâŚthat sacred âthird spaceâ that wasnât work and wasnât homeâŚthe place we all still retreat to even on this side of the pandemic and certainly before the pandemic,
Sweeney Todd at Vagabond Players
The history of the world, my sweet, is who gets eaten and who gets to eat! But fortunately itâs also clearâ that everybody goes down well with beer! And a side of ECT. Or at least thatâs whatâs being served up as Vagabond Players kicks off their 111th season this fall with their innovative and visionary new production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Matilda at Silhouette Stages
Silence, maggots! The smell of rebellion is in the air! And itâs wafting through the atmosphere all the way over from Silhouette Stages in Columbia with their brilliant production of Roald Dahlâs Matilda! Directed by Amy Haynes Rapnicki (assisted by Derek Cooper) with Musical Direction by Terin Kelsey and Choreography by Hunter Lubawski, this zesty, good-fun musical is filled with heart and is being enjoyed by the audience as well as everyone on the stage;
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
This story begins with a spark. A spark of light. A spark of life. A spark of humanity. Truly, an electrifying retelling of the iconic monster novel, now such a smashing success on stage that itâs already received itâs first extension before officially being open. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company jolts their 2026/2027 to thrillifying life with Mary Shelleyâs Frankestein, by David Catlin, directed by Ian Gallanar and Lizzi Albert. This devilishly delicious sweet treat is the perfect pop of terrifying thriller to start spooky season on the right foot.
The Pansy Hour at Submersive Productions
âLike a pansy in winter, even the brightest things must fade.â Tragically beautiful, a quote pulled from the âhistory wallâ at the front of the âexhibitâ before you fully submerse yourself into Submersive Productions The Pansy Hour. Conceived by Josh Aterovis and fabricated into fruition by The Creative Teamâ Josh Aterovis, Aaron Barlow, Liz Gordon, Vicky Graham, Jacob Marrero, Ursula Marcum, Glenn Ricciâ this secretive, immersive theatrical experience delves into the history of Baltimoreâs Queer social scene and visibility,
Dirty Dancing at The National Theatre
author: Steven Kirkpatrick & Charles BoyingtonÂ
Dirty DancingâThe Musical, now playing at The National Theatre, is a visually rich, energetic dance showcase built around the beloved 1980s filmâs signature elements: the Catskills setting; the romance between Frances âBabyâ Houseman (Annalese Starzec, who resembles Jennifer Grey) and dance instructor Johnny Castle (a muscular Blake Zelesnikar channeling Patrick Swayze); the famous lifts; and, of course, the climactic declaration that âno one puts Baby in a corner.â
The audience was thrilled and the production is certainly worth seeing,
Where Dead Women Go To Dance at Theatre Prometheus
âLife can still be good; better than death.â The quote may presently come from Stephen Spotswoodâs Where Dead Women Go to Dance, but thereâs a ubiquity and a universality to its truth. No matter what youâre facing, no matter what youâre going through, life can still be good; better than death. Itâs a powerful notion that gets driven home in this new work, appearing under the direction of Lauren Patton Villegas at Theatre Prometheus.
Moon Festival Alice at MET FunCompany
Stories can borrow. Stories can change. Stories can put on new clothes. Perhaps youâre familiar with the story of the little girl who chasedâŚor followed⌠a white rabbit down a rabbit hole in her garden one afternoon? What if it was a little girl who was gazing up at the moon, trying to write lyrics for a song for her Moon Festival Celebration? A story that has borrowedâŚand put on new clothes. That beauty and wondrous strange fun is whatâs occurring at the Maryland Ensemble Theatreâs Fun Company as they kickoff their 2026/2027 season with Moon Festival Alice.
It’s Alive: An Electrifying Interview with Vince Eisenson on Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s Frankenstein
âBeware, for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.â
A quote that could readily send chills up the spine if taken out of context, or perhaps, even presented with context. A beautiful sentence, complex and nuanced, and yet eight simple words. From a creation to its creator, but there is beauty in power, strength too, and fearlessness is what it takes to continue to produce evocative art, challenging the norms, and pushing the envelope when it comes to that mythical,
Billy Elliot at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland
What the hell is wrong with expressing yourself? For trying to be freeâ and lemme tell yaââ them wee bairns over at Childrenâs Playhouse of Maryland are pretty flippinâ special, oh yes they are! And theyâre expressing themselves just fine with this really heartfelt production of Billy Elliot. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Lauren Stuart, this dance-focused musical tells a story about learning to love yourself and being accepted for who you are,
Cabaret at Rogue Swan Theatre Company
author: Andrew Worthington
Life is a cabaret, old chum. Come to the cabaret! In the heart of downtown Havre de Grace, MD, Rogue Swan Theatre company is presenting an impressive, though startling, rendition of the Kander and Ebb masterpiece, Cabaret. The cast and creative team have created a fabulous production filled with incredible music, impressive dancing, gritty storytelling, and a message that is needed now more than ever. Director Lilli Burril-Gordon,
Our Town at The Colonial Players of Annapolis
Some people ainât made for small town life. And everybody is entitled to their own trouble. Of course, thereâs layers and layers of nonsense whenever you come near the human raceâ and if our present day societal existence isnât proving that one, I donât know what is. But small town life, whether youâre meant for it or not, whether youâve got your troubles with it or not, has come to Church Circle in that little black-box-in-the-square of Annapolis because Colonial Players is kicking off their 78th season with Thornton Wilderâs American chestnut,
The Drowsy Chaperone at Laurel Mill Playhouse
Do you know what I do when Iâm sitting in a darkened theatre waiting for a show to start? Iâm mostly wondering why the lights have gone down if the show hasnât actually started. Though it sounds like me and âMan in Chairâ of The Drowsy Chaperone infamy, have some similar thoughts. Like âplease, God, let it be a good show. And if not a good one, at least let it be short.â And let me tell you,
Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre
You are hereâ at the start of a moment:
9:37am Tuesday September 11th 2001. The buzzer-bell that should have dismissed second period at Western School of Technology & Environmental Sciences, is two minutes late and instead, the voice of Principal Don Weglein comes on the intercom, excusing the interruption to classes, to state that two planes have crashed into The World Trade Center, classes are to be dismissed in an orderly fashion, and all students are to proceed to their next class or the cafeteria for lunch period,
Into The Woods at The Maryland Ensemble Theatre
This was just a moment in the woodsâ again, please!
165 minutes, give or take an intermission, to be semi exact, and theyâll do it again for 2,475 more minutes over the course of the next three weekends. Give or take, as I chose theatre and the arts not math and numbers. But whichever of your minutes you have to spare over the next several weekends, give them to The Maryland Ensemble Theatre by going to see their production of Into The Woods.
Maybe Happy Ending at The Hippodrome
Everything must end eventually. Now Iâm asking you to trust me. When I say go see Maybe Happy Ending, I mean do it. The Tony Award-winning musical (six wins including Best Musical, with book & music by Will Aronson and book & lyrics by Hue Park) launches its National Tour debut from Baltimoreâs Hippodrome Theatre and is playing through September 19th, 2026. Heartfelt, evocative, gripping, and gorgeous, this striking new musical, directed by Michael Arden,
The Producers at Phoenix Festival Theatre
author: Andrew Worthington
Opening night! Itâs opening night! *jazz hands*
The opening night of Phoenix Festival Theatreâs The Producers was met with a standing ovation from a packed house after hours of laughter and impressive performances. The cast, crew, and production team, including director John Desmone, music director Jarrett Rettman, and choreographer Leslie Perry, have a hit on their hands with a production that pays homage to the iconic performances of the 1967 Mel Brooks film,