To go or not to go? That is the question! Technically it’s ‘be’ or ‘not be’ but with Shakespeare being hundreds of years of dead, I’m sure he’ll grant us this liberal creative license…especially considering what the world at large is doing to his canon from a musical standpoint! I won’t extoll and wax poetic like Polonius, earning me an eyeroll from Laertes and Ophelia, no I shall to the point as brevity is the soul of wit.
And here they go again, they know the start, they know the end! Masters of the scene! They’re really glad you came, you know the stars, you know the game! You know what they mean! It’s— Mamma Mia! and now it’s here again! The 25th Anniversary tour, making the rounds across the country and landing for a brief spell in Washington DC at The Kennedy Center on the Opera House stage. You know the ABBA songs,
What if I told you— you could change the world with just one thought? I think the thought you might think would be “please let me somehow get my hands on some tickets to see Big Fish at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre.” And it’s going to take a miracle to get your hands on those because the run is sold out. And rightfully so, the show itself is stupendous, thoroughly engaging, emotionally invested,
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring!
One more look and I forget everything!
Whoa—ooh! Mamma Mia! Here I go again— except I won’t be forgetting that summer where Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre produced Mamma Mia (it was now— right now— this summer, summer of 2024 and you still have a chance to see it!) And I definitely won’t forget that I got to sit down with the three Titans of Theatre— Diane Smith,
If the first nine awesome kids didn’t give enough reasons to come and see Scottfield Theatre Company’s School of Rock, we’re giving you a “BAND EXCLUSIVE!” That’s right— we sat down with the four* ‘kids of the band’ who are playing their instruments live on stage in the band and heard all about this rockin’ experience!
So excited to be sitting down with you guys for this! Thanks so much for letting me ‘crash the band’ at rehearsal and talk to you!
Are you ready to— ROCK!? How about getting down with nine of the ensemble kids from Scottfield Theatre Company’s School of Rock which opens this weekend? Oh yeaaaaaah! ROOOOOOCK! The rarely produced School of Rock musical (coming to you by way of the Jack Black film of the same title and the incomparable Andrew Lloyd Webber) has some surprises in store for you at Scottfield Theatre Company, not the least of which is these talented youngsters talking the stage!
Be very careful of these rumors that prevail. Be very careful what you say. I am the girl who knows the truth behind the tale…don’t let this one get away! The Neva flows! September Song shows— and now it’s finally here… They’re on the stage, they’ll turn your page… with their Anastasia this year. In case you somehow haven’t heard, (the rumors in Carroll County-berg) September Song Musical Theatre is celebrating their 50th Anniversary season with Anastasia,
The answer that you’re after is the music lights and laughter— and they’ve got it— all you have to do is… be Italian! Well, not even that, just get your tickets to Nine now appearing in the Eisenhower Theatre of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as a part of the Broadway Center Stage series. Directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler with Musical Direction by Lily Ling, this visceral and evocative musical exploration of one man’s existence and his perceived madness of the women that create,
(Sacred) Heart don’t fail them now! Courage won’t desert them! Step right up— now that you’re there! People always say— theatre’s full of good times— things to make you clap and cheer! See their stage and their cast— let them take you— on this journey…to the past! Now, if you sang that intro to this review against the tune in your head, we know you’re a true fan of Anastasia! The Grand Duchess Anastasia?
Victory! Guts and glory! They’re a front-page story— they’re the kings of— Frederick! You heard it here first, folks, and the papes don’t lie! Newsies at Other Voices Theatre is a real smash sensation! OVT is on a mission, kill the competition! And they’re doing it right! Directed by Ashely Gerhardt with Musical Direction by Tyrus Mataban-Ward, and Choreography by Kiersten Gasemy, this exuberantly energetic production is carrying the banner of excellence and engaging the audience with their enthusiasm and heart from start to finish.
It takes a village— a village of 50 Frenchmen even— to assemble a production as massive as Disney’s Beauty & The Beast. And the little town— yes, that quiet village— with Belle, Gaston, all the enchanted objects? It’s set its sights on Small Town Stars Theatre Company and there it is! Disney’s Beauty & The Beast like you’ve never imagined it before, complete with flying shoes* and dancing peppermints all for young audiences,
Have you heard? There’s a rumor in Westminster-berg! Have you heard what they’re saying on the street?
50 seasons going strong! 50 years still going on!
September Song Musical Theatre!
And yes, do, please repeat!
In a retrospective look back at their 50 seasons of existence and their current production of Anastasia, we’ve sat down with some of September Song’s finest theatre-makers to chat shop and discuss the past,
Street Lamp Community Theatre. They’re here to tell you how this whole damn freak show works. And once you’ve seen…you can’t unsee. Known for their edgy, unusual choices in musicals that are rarely produced, SLCT is bringing you a dark and bloody thriller for the ages! Directed by Matthew Peterson with Musical Direction by Mia Bray and Choreography by Stephanie Peterson, Carrie is here to thrill you with a few shivers up the spine from the powerhouse company belt-blasting their way through this haunting score.
Turn your face toward Cockpit in Court…let your memory lead you…open up enter in (to the F. Scott Black Theatre inside the Robert & Eleanor Romadka College Center) you will find there…the meaning of what happiness is… and a new show…will begin. If it was mystical the first time, magical the second, it will certainly be memorable, magnificent— truly Jellicle— the third as Bambi Johnson (who has become synonymous with Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S.
Glamourous. Or fallen from Grace? Memory…
With only one cat remaining, I think it’s pretty clear who you’re playing, but just in case people haven’t been following along, tell us who you are and who you are playing!
Lisa Pastella: I am Lisa Pastella and I play Grizabella.
Tell us all about Grizabella.
Lisa: I feel like I am Grizabella, where coming back into theatre after five years…after Covid…after Covid and of course having the baby…I am surrounded by lots of younger people that are incredibly talented.
All hail the queen? We’ve got royalty cats in this show? Sure! Why not? Jellicle Cats are a great many things…not the least of which are kings and queens!
Thank you so much for giving us some of your time. Why don’t you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats.
Ryann Reich: My name is Ryann Reich and I play Victoria.
A Jellicle Cat is a theatre cat! And a theatre cat in more ways than one!
Thank you for joining us again, Sam. Pleasure to have you back! Why don’t you remind the readers out there who you are and tell us who you’re playing this time with Cats?
Sam Ranocchia: I’m still Sam Ranocchia but this time I’m playing Gus, the Theatre Cat!
And remind me— and everybody else— who you played last time at Tidewater.
Winding down with just a few more cats to go, one might almost say that the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the Jellicle Ball is done…but not before this cat has her say!
Thanks for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats!
Laura May: I’m Laura May and I play Jennyanydots.
Tell me all about Jennyanydots!
Laura: Well I haven’t quite found her all the way yet.
Father of the clowder, leader of the tribe, revered and exalted, he now hath arrived! Make for…
Thank you for joining us today, tell us who you are and I think given the lead-in to this interview we all know who you play, but please do tell us anyhow.
Ryan Garbee: I’m Ryan Garbee and I am in fact playing Old Deuteronomy.
Tell us all about Old Deuteronomy.
Ryan: He is the leader of the clowder.
Curious Beast! The RTT— which has TWO T’s, which rhyme with P and that stand for…Cat? (The ‘p’ is silent in cat? There’s nothing more TROUBLE than a cat, let’s be honest.)
Thank you for joining us! Can you tell us who you are and who you play?
Adam Goldsmith: I’m Adam Goldsmith and I’m Rum Tum Tugger.
Ooh. So you’re Rum Tum. Got it. Tell me all about him!
Different types who wear a day coat— pants with stripes and cutaway coat— perfect fits— or is it cats in spats? Man Mel Brooks is gonna come for me. What show is this again?
Hello, Wayne! Welcome back to the Jellicle Ball! Remind us who you are and what you’re doing here?
Wayne Ivusich: I’m still Wayne Ivusich. And I’m playing Bustopher Jones again— I like to call him Bustopher Version Two.
There is no doubt that they are going to wound you; they are going to be your bruise. Viscerally evocative and emotionally stunning, Maryland Theatre Collective closes out their season with Spring Awakening, a musical by Duncan Sheik with Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater based on the play by Frank Wedekind. Directed & Choreographed by Tommy Malek with Musical Direction by Rachel Sandler, this gloriously impactful musical is a gut-punch for the ages with a stellar cast,
Meow! Meow! Meow! Hear them? They’re all meowin’ ‘cause he’s the leader of the pack! MEOW! Well…the leader of the pack when the actual leader isn’t hanging around— you get the picture.
Thank you for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play!
Jared Shiver: I’m Jared Shiver and I play Munkustrap.
Tell me a little bit about Munkustrap.
Jared: Munkustrap is the second cat in command.
Jellicle Cats are Made-Up Cats. And not just that kind of made-up! It’s a whole beauty palette coming at you from this Jellicle Cat!
Thank you so much for spontaneously agreeing to be a part of this series. Becky Flickinger has surprised us both with deciding that this was happening— right now* —as you, she, and Bambi were walking back from the theatre, previewing what the space was going to look like! So we’re both going to be doing a little impromptu improvisation!
Could it be? Another— *gasp* CAT!? (Well you didn’t think we’d suddenly switched to Dogs: The Musical, did you?)
Thank you for giving us some of your time today! Could you tell us who you are and who you play?
Alyssa Bell: Sure! My name is Alyssa Bell and I play Cassandra.
Tell us a little bit about Cassandra?
Alyssa: Cassandra is an Egyptian cat.
Jellicle Cats are…ducks and pancake syrup!? Wait a minute…
Thank you so much for sitting with us today! Could you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats?
Meagan Jenkins: I’m Meagan Jenkins and I play Jemima.
Tell me about Jemima!
Meagan: Well, my lore or the show’s lore?
Either or! Or both! Whatever makes you happy!
I’ve been a reviewing critic for nearly 15 years. And there’s no irony lost on me that on the day my personal publication, TheatreBloom, turns 10 years old, Cats at Cockpit in Court will be closing its three-week run, concluding the main-stage 2024 season for that company. The “Local Limelight” was a series of interviews that was cooked up during the pandemic, when everyone was wondering if we’d ever get to “theatre” again (like it was a true verb.) And it’s designed to shine a spotlight on someone in the community who gets up to great things,
You know you’re going to be in for a night when the characters in the program don’t actually have names. Buckle up, bicycle kick, and get ready to go for— goal— with The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe now officially open at Spotlighters Theatre as the last main-stage show of their 61st season. Directed by Lanoree Blake, this 90-minute, no-intermission, theatrical exploration gives you glimpses into the lives of teenage girls and their indoor-soccer-dominated world.
Jellicle Cats are dancing cats…Jellicle Cats are returning Cats…once a combo cat now…
Welcome back! And thank you for giving us some of your time! Tell us who you are, who you were before, and who you are once more? This is getting complicated!
Katelynn O’Connor: I’m Katelynn O’Connor, that is still the same. But last time I was a combination of Victoria and Jemima and this time I’m playing Exotica!
Meow? I’ll bet you a pound of catnip we’re about to meet another cat. I win. Don’t worry, it won’t go very far with my six at home, but hey, catnip is catnip. Maybe they’ll finally tell me their super secretive names. In the meantime, you go meet this amazing cat.
Thank you for joining us! Please tell us who you are and who you play in Cats.
Aaron Knight: I’m Aaron Knight.