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.
author: Steven Kirkpatrick
“Don’t tell me not to fly, I simply got to
If someone takes a spill, it’s me and not you
Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my parade?”
This colorful, surprisingly fresh production of a vintage musical is decidedly worth a trip to The Kennedy Center, where Funny Girl lights up the Opera House, in grand old fashion, through July 14th 2024.
author: Amanda N. Gunther
Ain’t it a fine life? Carrying the banner to the hall (The lecture hall— of the admin building!) A mighty fine life! Carrying the banner tough and tall! And boy oh boy is them kids doing exactly that with this brilliant and energetic production of Disney’s Newsies! You read it here first, folks! And the papes don’t lie! Some sensationally talented kids are giving you two weekends worth of summertime entertainment over at Cockpit in Court Jr.
author: Amanda N. Gunther
Call it hell, call it heaven, it’s a probable 12-ta-7 that HCST is doing— Guys & Dolls! That iconic, classic musical where the dice and the prayers are rolling all over New York City has landed (once again after being Howard County Summer Theatre’s inaugural production in 1975 and was produced again in 2008) at Marriotts Ridge High School for a two-week engagement and this ain’t no fly-by-night-Broadway-romance!
author: Amanda N. Gunther
They’ve taken the photographs and still-frames in their mind and hung them on a shelf— well, a stage— in good health and good times… Small Town Stars Theatre Company is putting tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial with their striking and impressive production of Green Day’s American Idiot. Directed by Miranda Secula-Rosell (with Assistant Director Erik Secula) with Vocal Direction by Jude Sims, and Choreography by Delaney Goodwin &
author: Erin Tarpley
“There nothing that a hundred men on Mars could ever do”
If you’re like me, then you have never heard of the play Crocodile Fever before. If you’re like me, you didn’t immediately see the connection between “crocodile” and Northern Ireland when you did get a brief whiff of where the story was set. If you’re like me, and you are ready to take a chance on the unknown but are ultimately looking for an evening of comedy and drama,
author: Amanda N. Gunther
Hundreds and hundreds of girls! At least they didn’t just get off of the train…though that might be a different composer. And actually, it’s only six— six girls— and no, three of them are not named Katherine. Different six- ~Casey~ * ~Heather~ * ~Holly~ * ~Izzy~ * ~Lizzie~ * ~Meli~ and Steven. And while they may not be famous dead queens formerly married to a tyrant, they are certainly queens of the stage with their vocal prowess as they tackle this musical revue-cabaret of Jerry’s Girls,
author: Amanda N. Gunther
The thing you have to remember is spirit and teamwork! And that happiness is anything and anyone that’s loved by you. And you’ll just love all the spirit and teamwork that’s coming together in Stand Up For…Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! It may not be the Broadway revival version (so no Sally, no “Beethoven Day” and no “That’s My New Philosophy”) but it’s still adorable,
author: Amanda N. Gunther
There’s music to play— places to go— people to see! Everything— at The Kennedy! (…Center for Performing Arts!) And that luscious, glorious 22-person orchestra is playing the sensational music of Bye Bye Birdie! appearing in The Eisenhower through June 15th 2024 as a part of the ‘Broadway Center Stage’ series at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts! And you should definitely come see this refreshing revamp of this show;
author: Amanda N. Gunther
Angry men don’t write the rules and guns don’t right the wrongs. A debatable truth from “The Ballad of Booth” inside of a Sondheim show. What’s not up for debate is the caliber and quality of the production of Assassins now appearing live at Silver Spring Stage— their first musical in 27 years! And it’s quite the impressive feat considering it’s their first musical in nearly three decades and it’s a Sondheim to boot!
author: Jimi Kinstle
Head Over Heels, book by James Magruder, conceived by Jeff Whitty, is open and running at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) in Frederick, MD. Directed by MET Associate Artistic Director, Gené Fouché, it offers an entertaining evening of frivolity and fantasy while exploring themes of love, acceptance and self-discovery – all set to the sounds of the 1980s high energy band, The Go-Gos.
Set in an Elizabethan-esque fairy tale world,
author: Charles Boyington
Is Topdog/Underdog worth seeing at Round House Theatre? That is what you want to know, of course, and the answer is Yes. It is an excellent production of a difficult but truly remarkable script that at times will make you laugh and also, at times, render you incredibly uncomfortable. It is a play that general audiences should definitely see, not just because it is well produced, but because of its story.
Prescribed plans for wellness do not allow for love at first sight. But haven’t we all been there? Or at least seen our friends and family be there? Jumping into something when they shouldn’t based on nothing more than a glance across the Supercenter shopping aisle? Or not jumping out of something when they should have because there just wasn’t an easy way out? If you’re looking for a good evening of dark, laugh-out-loud comedy,
One thing’s universal! Life’s no dress rehearsal! And they are certainly making waves before it’s through! Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre has indeed built a prom! For everyone! And they’re showing us— it can be done! Kicking off the 2024 season under the stars, ASGT is bringing The Prom to life with its powerful, important message and it’s a real glittering spectacle well worth attending. Directed and Musical Directed by David Merrill, with Choreography by Elysia Merrill,
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest.
Well, say it ain’t so, hon! Because Baltimore Center Stage is closing out its 2023/2024 mainstage season with a wild new adaptation of Wilde’s fanciful comedy— The Importance of Being Earnest— and it’s just a delightful gem, serving as the perfect sparkling cap to the five-show season. Adapted and Directed by Jenny Koons,
Step aside, Cinderella! Move over, Imelda Marcos! Because Dundalk Community Theatre is here! And they are lighting up the stage like a live wire with Lola’s Kinky Boots! Directed by Roger Schulman, with Musical Direction by Catina Ramis McLagan, and Choreography by Rachel Miller, this stunning production of a gloriously heartwarming tale invites you to embrace yourself for who you are, live your best life, and to simply— just be!
Buckle up for a trip to Northampton as seasoned Technical Director Marc W.
author: Erin Tarpley
You’ll sing, you’ll laugh, you’ll want to buy things!
Let’s play a little thought experiment. When I say the word “Tupperware,” what is the first thought that comes to mind?
Is it “bowls”? Is it “plastic food preservation”? Or is it “Party!”?
Ok, for a lot of men, the honest answer is probably “bowls;” but for so many others who had a more traditionally feminine upbringing in the later half of the American Twentieth Century,
I’m reviewing— the situation! Or as the case may be— the production! Of Oliver! at Tidewater Players this spring. And it is not your grandma’s Oliver! which is arguably one of the best things that can be said for a production of this show, as so many people write it off as either a children’s show or Annie with boys. This production is neither of those things and I’ll raise all the flagons of ale in the tavern in a grateful cheer to that!
author: Erin Klarner
The Wedding Singer at Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, the company-in-residence at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Rosedale, is directed by Bryan Brown, assistant directed by Lou Otero, and music directed by Darwin Ray, with choreography by Suzy Zacker. This stage musical – book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics also by Chad Beguilin – is based on a popular 1998 movie (of the same title) which this reviewer has never seen,
It was Mr. Green! In the billiards room! With the dagger! Cue elaborate explanation— hold— drop lights— “That’s not how it really happened. Because we know who actually did it!” REWIND! RESET! GO! It was Clue! At The Hippodrome! With a stage show! Murder, mystery, mayhem, a manor and— six!? SIX DEAD BODIES!? That’s a lot of bodies piling up on the floor! Or in the lounge! Or wherever they’re piling up!
Right and wrong don’t matter in the woods… only feelings. And the feeling is that Woodbrook Players has some talented vocalists appearing in their current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods. Directed by Ron Oaks with Musical Direction by Bryan Alston, this iconic fairytale-gone-wrong musical brings all of your favorite storybook characters together to unravel their stories amid the darkness of the woods. Sondheim is a bear at the best of times (not featured in this particular woodsy setting,
Plastic, glitter, and rhinestones don’t shine like these stars do! And Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is closing out their 2023/2024 season with some of the shiniest stars around with their production of Mean Girls (High School Edition). It’s so phenomenal— IT’S FETCH!! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans, and Choreography by Rachel Miller, this fabulous and cautionary tale is an extraordinary way to end their season and showcases some of the area’s brightest and most talented stars making their way out into the theatrical universe one twinkle at a time.
The thing about songwriting is that you can’t have just one catchy line. You have to tell a story and get at that truth. Enter Cynthia Kaplin, her three-man band— all named Mike— and her Cock Show, which is a metaphor. And also not a metaphor. Buckle up, kids, this one is something else! Directed by Dani Davis, this one-woman, one-hour clusterbang of chaos is quirk and off-color whilst being a little entertaining, and a whole lot of in your face politically.
Romance. Tragedy. Primal Murder. The urge of revenge. This looks like a job for—
Well it isn’t Sherlock Holmes, that’s for sure! In a Christie? He would never!
Hercule Poirot, but of course! And ooh la la, ooh la la, ooh la la, does he have a case for you! Er— a show. Yes, that’s it! A show! Murder On The Orient Express, based on Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name and adapted to the stage by Ken Ludwig,
Sex and games in Brooklyn Park— gotta be played with flare and passion! Songs and dance at Chesapeake Arts (Center)— gotta be played with flare and passion! Welcome to Falsettoland! It’s so much more than just a ‘march of the Falsettos’ it’s the whole damn show— Falsettos— a half-decade in the making for The Maryland Theatre Collective, currently in residence at CAC. This brilliant production is the perfect close to their first,
If love be rough— be rough with love! Or get on down to Club Escalus for Mercutio’s Funky Boogie Woogie! Or both! All of the above. Groove to rhythm of ’75, baby— and nah, we don’t mean no 1575. We’re talkin’ 1975, ya dig? And we’re talkin’ Baltimore Baby! Closing out their 2023/2024 season on their Main Stage (and please join them for their fabulous summer fling out at the PFI in Ellicott City when R&J closes) Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is bringing you the grooviest production of Romeo &
Tell your children! Fight the menace! Kill the devil! Save our country! Because it’s—
Reefer Madness!
Now live on stage at The State Theater of Havre de Grace for two weekends only! Directed by Marion Jackson with Musical Director Jerrett Rettman and Choreography by Katie Gordon, this ‘cult-classic’ black-comedy musical has all the warnings you need to protect America from THE REEFER!
One of the most impressive things about the performance is how well-balanced the orchestra pit is.
author: Alan Duda
“It’s not Immodest, it’s Art!”
Alfie Byrne loves art. Specifically the works of Oscar Wilde. Which he reads daily to the commuters of the Dublin bus he conducts. And nightly as he conducts Wilde’s plays for his community theater at St. Imelda’s church. And everyone loved their Importance of Being Earnest. But as Wilde himself discovered, not everyone loves the idea of them putting on Salome.
author: Charles Boyington & Steven Kirkpatrick
Round House Theatre launches the premiere of Inda Craig-Galván’s play A Jumping-Off Point. It is a great launch and worth seeing! The new piece focuses on Leslie Wallace (Nikkole Salter), an African American writer newly hired to develop a series for HBO, whose personal victory is compromised by the return of Andrew (Danny Gavigan), a white man from her graduate school days, who accuses her of plagiarism.
author: Wes Dennis & Liana Olear
How shall you beguile the lazy time, if not with some delight? Perhaps by running off to Silver Spring Stage for their performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and spending the evening with besotted Athenian lovers, pranking fairies, and those oddest of creatures, amateur actors!
The Director, Emma Hooks, shows a solid understanding of Shakespeare’s language, and her actors illustrate the words with enthusiastic action (though language purists – or audience members not expecting to hear multiple F-bombs punctuating the iambic pentameter – may not appreciate the choice to also insert modern phrases to add reactions where the bard neglected to spell them out).