All posts by Amanda N. Gunther

A full-time theatre reviewer in the Baltimore, Washington, and surrounding areas; Amanda holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Maryland Baltimore County as well as a minor in Creative Writing. Having spent two of her five years at college studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, she has learned a great deal about improv, devised work theatre, and interpretive movement pieces. Striving to promote theatre of all types, she can often be found in a theatre of some type, even on her nights off.

Steel Magnolias at Tidewater Players

Reviews February 22, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

There’s only two rules in Truvy’s Beauty Shop. There’s no such thing as natural beauty and nobody cries alone. And if you’re coming all the way up to Havre de Grace Parish to catch that charming little production of Steel Magnolias, you won’t be alone when you’re crying through the tough moments of that screen-stage iconic story of the six female friends in small town Louisiana. Directed by Bobby Mahoney, this production will bring you Truvy’s favorite emotion— laughter through tears,

In The Heights at Signature Theatre

Reviews February 20, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

With patience and faith we remain unafraid; Paciencia y fe! A more profound message could not be more true in our current climate where joy is in short supply, the future is questionable, and every day we wonder what terrifying headline will cross our news feeds. Lighting up the night sky with their emotionally illuminating production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, Signature Theatre is sending this love-letter from the Washington Heights Barrio out to the world of Northern Virgina,

Holly Gibbs (left) as Luce with Brendan Murray (center) as Mayor William Donald Schaefer and Kathryne Daniels (right) as Adriana in CSC’s It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon! 📷 Kiirstn Pagan Photography.

It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon! at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Reviews February 19, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Didja know that one of them actresses in that It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon! has a baby who shares the exact same birthday as mah nephew? They’re both now eight months old, hon! That’s Smalltimore for ya! And while I didn’t invent that phrase, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is reinventing the wheel with it’s fabulously uplifting, nonsensical production of It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon! Directed by company founder Ian Gallanar,

Disney’s The Lion King at The Hippodrome

Reviews February 14, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

It moves us all— through despair and hope, through faith and love— and Disney’s The Lion King has found its place on the path unwinding— right here in Charm City at Baltimore’s very own Hippodrome Theatre! The mighty tale of the circle of life returns to Baltimore once more and is the joyful uplifting theatrical experience that everyone in the world needs right now. Directed by Julie Taymor with Choreography by Garth Fagan,

The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews February 13, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

May ya be half an hour in heaven before the devil knows you’re dead. May ya be half an hour into this Martin McDonagh dark drama before you know what you’ve gotten yourself into. Maryland Ensemble Theatre picks up its 2025/2026 season with the deliciously dark work of McDonagh, to whom they are no strangers, this time with The Beauty Queen of Leenane, directed by Elizabeth van den Berg. Perception is a tricky thing,

Hairspray at Suburban Players of Saint Demetrios

Reviews February 8, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

I can’t see why people disagree each time I tell them what I know is true— and I’m telling people— the Suburban Players of Saint Demetrios’ production of Hairspray is where it’s at! Now run and tell that! Marking their 50th anniversary season, and the first of many area productions of Baltimore’s iconic musical, the Suburban Players of Saint Demetrios are putting on an extraordinary show— a true Bawlmer extravaganza, hon! And you won’t want to miss it!

The Music Man at Third Wall Productions

Reviews February 7, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Four venues and seven years ago— they had trouble! Right there in Bawlmer County. And they’re at it again! Further up here in Bawlmer County…which starts with a B and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool! Them rootin’ tootin’ gosh-darn Iowa-stubborn Third Wallers certainly know the territory! And they’re bringing you a rollicking good musical theatre classic— Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. With 76 trombones! (Well…one trombone, played by Harry B.

Phantom and Elephants and Gatsby, Oh My! Talking with Ron Legler on The Hippodrome’s 2025/2026 Season Featuring Three National Tour Launches

Interviews February 5, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Just when you thought Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre couldn’t get any more exciting for the 2025/2026 season— after announcing that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera will be launching its National Tour right from the heart of Charm City in November of 2025— the whole rest of the season announcement has dropped and it’s a glitter bomb of spectacular proportions! Three National Tour launches— not one, not two, but THREE. Seven extraordinary shows;

30 Minutes of Wonderful: An Interview with Jessica & Mackenzie Brockmeyer on playing M’Lynn & Shelby Eatenton in Steel Magnolias at Tidewater Players

Interviews February 1, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Half of Chinquapin Parish would give their eye teeth to play opposite their real-life daughter in the iconic mother-daughter duo roles (originally made famous by Sally Field and Julia Roberts in the 1989 original film) of M’Lynn and Shelby Eatenton in Steel Magnolias. Tidewater Players is giving that exact opportunity to Jessica Brockmeyer and daughter Mackenzie Brockmeyer, who are playing opposite one another as M’Lynn and Shelby in the company’s upcoming production of Steel Magnolias,

Justin Oratokhari (left) as Christopher and Yael Schoenbaum (right) as Pegeen in The Playboy of the Western World at Silver Spring Stage 📷 Freckled Fox Photography

The Playboy of the Western World- a new version at Silver Spring Stage

Reviews January 31, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

As many a bleak day lay ahead, we have to remember what’s good about this part of the world. There’s information and things work. The information: Silver Spring Stage is producing a new version of John Millington Synge’s Playboy of the Western World (by Bisi Adigun & Roddy Doyle) and it’s now appearing on their stage as the first show of 2025. And it works. Directed by Seth Ghitelman, this quirky but dark comedy of incidental errors and tall tales puts a refreshing spin on the way we look at outsiders and how we value their stories.

Tia Silver (left) as Fastrada, Dani Rizzo (center) as Leading Player, and Alex Gibbs (right) with the ensemble of Pippin at Small Town Stars Theatre Company 📷 Mort Shuman

Pippin at Small Town Stars Theatre Company

Reviews January 25, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Do you like the way dreams stick to the sky? Are you ready to run where you can ramble? Then you’re ready for Pippin with Small Town Starts Theatre Company. Come journey with them through their anecdotic revue of Stephen Schwartz (music & lyrics), Roger O. Hirson (book) and Bob Fosse (also book) because STSTC has magic to do…and it’s just for you! Directed by Joel Roberson with Musical Direction by Kelly Stoneberger and Choreography by Olivia Winter,

The Seagull at The Rude Mechanicals

Reviews January 24, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Everyone must write what they feel as best they know how. Chekhov said it. Maybe. Probably. Hard to tell what’s direct source material versus creative licensing with this rather impressive new production of The Seagull being produced by The Rude Mechanicals at The Greenbelt Arts Center. Directed by Melissa Schick, this imaginative reinterpretation and musical adaptation of one of Chekhov’s more depressing works is surprisingly charming, well-parsed and paced, and delivers a refreshing new spin on an old war-horse-staple of the theatrical canon.

Whitechapel at Stillpointe Theatre

Reviews January 17, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Welcome to the end of days…trapped willingly in Stillpointe Theatre’s maze…

Come one, come all…to Whitechapel: A New Musical, making its world premiere at The Club Car, Stillpointe Theatre’s resident home performance space, and you’re in for a salacious treat. Directed by Ryan Haase with Musical Direction by Stacey Antoine, and Choreography by Sarah Fremuth, this 80-minute sordid story drops you right into the heart of the ominous tale of Jack The Ripper.

Room Service at Vagabond Players

Reviews January 16, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

There’s a screw loose in this theatre! (And damn skippy if it isn’t ever in the doorknob! IYKYK!) And holy heck and go-ta-war, if the Vagabond Players aren’t determined to find it with their current production of Room Service, directed by Steve Goldklang. Making its return to the Vagabonds’ stage (it appeared April and May of 2013 as a part of their 97th season!) with the same director but a brand new cast,

Writing For Crumbs at Spotlighters Theatre 📷 Matthew Peterson Photography

Working For Crumbs at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews January 13, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

What do you do all day? Sound familiar? If you’ve ever worked in a corporate office with a raging, RBF-boss whose attitude can be felt permeating walls from miles away, it might be a little too familiar. Add in the antics of a smelly, obnoxious co-worker, and the fantasy scenario we all daydream about but have no idea what to do with once it becomes a reality and you’ve got the American premiere of Working For Crumbs,

Honey Bee Baby

Reviews January 9, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Words have meaning. Precision of language is everything. When you wish to communicate an idea, you use your words. And Philadelphia-based playwright Erlina Ortiz has done exactly that with her play Honey Bee Baby, receiving its world premiere this January with Rapid Lemon Productions. Directed by Jalice Ortiz-Corral, this fascinating new work takes a futuristic deep dive into a plethora of timely, relevant topics that will leave you deeply pondering and questioning where you stand on the ethical side of the dividing line when it comes to things like natural resources,

Hazel Vogel (center) as Annie and the company of Annie 📷 Matthew Murphy

Annie at The Hippodrome

Reviews January 8, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Everything’s humming now! Good times are coming now! It’— Annie! ANNIE! And Annie has returned to Charm City once more (after running their tech week at Baltimore’s illustrious Hippodrome Theatre back in November 2024 before heading out on their national touring circuit!) Annie marks the first Broadway Across America tour to grace the Hippodrome stage this 2025 calendar year and— leapin’ lizards! It’s genius! Charming and heartfelt and a perfect way to carry that holiday spirit well into the new year,

The Sun Will Come Out: Interviewing Baltimore’s Own Hazel Vogel as Annie

Interviews December 29, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The sun’ll come out! TOMORROW! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow— there’ll be— well, in Maryland, it could be sun, could be snow, could be 92° with a hailstorm because this is the state where the weather changes on a dime and without much sense or warning. But Towson native Hazel Vogel, currently starring in the titular role of Annie knows all about Maryland weather. And she’s hoping to bring the sunshine with her when the National Tour of Annie returns to her home state for the first full week in January of 2025.

Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail 📷 Mort Shuman

Winnie-The-Pooh Christmas Tail at Small Town Stars Theatre Company

Reviews December 14, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh, bother! There’s a rumbly in my tumbly and there’s something I’m supposed to do! Ooh— think, think, think, think! Hmm. Maybe if I have just a little something…aah, yes. Just a little something— some hunny, perhaps? Oh! Oh, that’s it. I’m supposed to tell you that you should venture out to the Hundred Acre Woods this weekend! Yes! Oh yes, yes, yes, that’s it! To the Hundred Acre Woods for a very lively, very charming Christmas show!

Life of Pi at The Hippodrome Theatre Baltimore 📷 Evan Zimmerman

Life of Pi at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre

Reviews December 11, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

“Every soul is a piece of the Creator so every soul has a whisper of the divine within.” There were numerous quotes sprinkled liberally throughout last night’s production of Life Of Pi, that hit home, strike the heart, spark the mind, inspire the soul, and give theatergoers in Charm City a real chance to connect with a human story this holiday season. Making its national tour debut here at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre,

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly at The Strand Theater

Reviews December 9, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

author: Erin Tarpley

“Love is about knowing the other person and allowing them to be the person they are”

With the holiday season upon us, tis the season to be merry, jolly, and joyous. And after a wonderful evening at The Strand watching their rendition of The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, these are three adjectives that I found made even my Grinchy heart grow three sizes that very night!

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 9, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

There’s so much time so little to do! Wait a minute… strike that! Reverse it! Make some time and find your way to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland this December! The reimagined Roald Dahl classic is now appearing in all its darkly delicious and devious glory on the CPM stage as their winter offering for the 2024/2025 season! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans (and live percussion musician Lisa Wood) and Choreography by James Hunnicutt,

Happy Birthday, Mon Ami! an Alex&Olmsted production 📸 Ryan Maxwell Photography

Happy Birthday, Mon Ami with Alex and Olmsted

Reviews December 7, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Bonjour! Parlez-vous francais? No? Oui? Peut-être un peu? No matter! You will have a glorious good time at Alex and Olmsted’s latest fabrication— Happy Birthday, Mon Ami playing now through December 8th 2024 at Baltimore Theatre Project. Charming, wholesome family fun put together by these majestic creators of puppets, this delightful experience, reminiscent of a proper Punch&Judy show on Brighton Beach with hints of panto and improv thrown right in the mix is a charming outing for the whole family this chilly weekend in December.

Into The Woods at Street Lamp Community Theatre

Reviews December 6, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Into The Woods without delay! But careful not to lose the way… Into The Woods who knows what might be lurking on the journey. Into The Woods to get the thing that make it worth the journeying— be it cow, wish, potion or festival…Street Lamp Community Theatre makes it worth your journey all the way up to Rising Sun to see their impressive production of the Sondheim beast that is Into The Woods.

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical 📷Jeremy Daniel

A Beautiful Noise at The National Theatre

Reviews December 5, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

“…a sparking diamond of its time; it truly lives up to its namesake…”

Jimi Kinstle as Charles Dickens in A One-Man Christmas Carol at The Carroll Arts Center

A Christmas Carol at Carroll Arts Center Starring Jimi Kinstle as Charles Dickens

News December 5, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The originator. The fabricator. The one and only…Charles Dickens. While he’s no Gonzo, (because everybody loves a furry, blue Charles Dickens this time of year) Jimi Kinstle certainly makes quite the impression as the legendary author, out pitching his wares— and by wares we mean his stories, and by story we mean the popular story associated with Dickens at Christmas time…

“Marley was dead to begin with.” The second most-recognized line in the Dickensian classic,

A Very Jewish Christmas a Maryland Ensemble Theatre 📷 David S. Spence

A Very Jewish Christmas at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews December 4, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

“Embracing happiness is f**king terrifying.” ~Sarah Shulman A Very Jewish Christmas

We don’t usually censor words around here but tis the season and you never know which little ones might be reading alongside the adults in hopes that Santa Claus or Hanukkah Harry or whichever present-bringing seasonal deity will see them being a good little offspring, reading the theatre review of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s latest new work to grace their mainstage.

Indecent at Endangered Species Theatre Project

Reviews November 23, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

You go to the theatre for a little relief, to be a community of people who laugh together. Or perhaps in this case, clutch their hands to their hearts and cry together. God of Vengeance, a real play by Sholem Asch, written in 1906, was surrounded by controversy, and on March 8th 1923, the Broadway production was cut short when the entire cast, producer, and one of the theatre owners were arrested and indicted (and later convicted) on charges of obscenity…of indecency.

Wherever You Find Love It Feels Like Christmas: Interviewing Tidewater Players Merrymaking Christmas Carolers- Bobby Mahoney

Interviews November 22, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

When a cold wind blows— it chills you! Chills you to the bone! But there’s nothing in nature that freezes your heart like years of being alone! It paints you with indifference like a lady paints with rouge. And the worst of the worst! The most hated and cursed— is the one that we call SCROOGE! Unkind as any— with the wrath of many— this is EBENEZER SCROOGE! (And yes, I did that from memory.

Wherever You Find Love It Feels Like Christmas: Interviewing Tidewater Players Merrymaking Christmas Carolers- Jude Mahoney, Ashley Merrill, and Tommy Rinaldi

Interviews November 22, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

You shall be visited by three ghosts, Ebenezer! When the clock strikes one— The Ghost of Christmas Past (Jude Mahoney.) When the clock strikes two— The Ghost of Christmas Present (B. Thomas Rinaldi.) When they clock strikes three— The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be! (Ashley Merrill.) And we may be crazy trying to visit with all three of these ghosts all at once, but what’s Christmas without a little crazy?

We’ve got you gathered here and the clock hasn’t even struck one,