Reviews

Review: If I Hold My Tongue at Compass Rose Theater

Reviews September 21, 2015 Joshua Engel

Desperation breeds desperation. The women of If I Hold My Tongue find themselves trapped, both from the outside and the inside, and struggle to break the patterns that hold them. Now playing in rotating repertory with Eleanor: Her Secret Journey at Compass Rose Theatre, this play written by Patricia Henley, is part of The Rose Play Festival in conjunction with the TheatreWashington’s Women’s Voice Festival.

The play is set in a halfway house in Baltimore,

Review: Eleanor: Her Secret Journey at Compass Rose Theatre

Reviews September 21, 2015 John Nunemaker

Google Eleanor Roosevelt, if you look at the Wikipedia page, or the White House history page or even your history book in school, you will learn quickly that she was the longest-serving First Lady. She served as First Lady during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms as president (1933-1945). Yet there is so much more to Eleanor than the history books and articles will tell you, even today as historians begin to reexamine the role Eleanor played in the White House and politics most people do not realize what an effect she had on women in the U.S.

Review: Ragtime at Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Reviews September 21, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Giving the nation a new syncopation, Toby’s the Dinner Theatre of Columbia proudly presents a masterful production of the treasured Ahrens and Flaherty musical Ragtime. Rolling on the wheels of a dream, the production is Directed by house Artistic Director Toby Orenstein and Co-Artistic Director Lawrence B. Munsey. With Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings, this evocative, soul-searing musical brings forth a hunger for justice and presents to theatergoers all across the Columbia and greater Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan areas a sensationally talented cast with earnest heart and emotional depth.

Review: Pride And Prejudice at Centerstage

Reviews September 19, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Country life is so exhausting. All of the never-ending balls and assemblies, the constant need to be dancing the night away into irretrievable states of fatigue; all of these tiresome chores which fall into the laps of brooding and grim single, terribly handsome young gentlemen, as they have their pick of beautiful, albeit dowerless, eligible young girls. It is truly the classic framework of one of the simplest Austenian storylines in romantic literature. Adapted to the stage by Christopher Baker,

Review: Forsaken Angels at Wolfpack Theatre Company

Reviews September 19, 2015 Alan Duda

Wolfpack Theatre Company once again takes on troubling social issues with their World Premiere production of the new play Forsaken Angels, written by the company’s Founding Artistic Director, William Dean Leary. Now playing at the Greenbelt Arts Center for a limited engagement, this is a raw play about child sex-trafficking. There are no heroes. There refuse to be victims. There are only the survivors and the dead. But what does survival even mean if the spirit is dead?

Review: One Man, Two Guvnors at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews September 18, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Sometimes being a liar works, and with the Maryland Ensemble Theatre there’s bound to be some fireworks! In their season opener, that is. Kicking off the 2015/2015 season with a big comedic bang, MET presents Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors. Based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, this physically intensive farcical slapstick endeavor is Directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Tad Janes, with Musical Direction by Thom Huenger and will leave you rolling in the aisles with gut-bursting laughter.

Review: A Sensation Novel at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews September 14, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Piece together, for a moment if you can imagine, all of the fancy finery that floats to mind when you utter the words Victorian London. Let those images of haughty parlors, high cinched collars, and stodgy outfits with miles of lace drift dreamily through your mind along the delectable operetta-style story telling of W. S. Gilbert. Add the accompaniment of Music by Michael Nash, T. German Reed, and a little hint of Arthur Sullivan.

Review: The Hero of Everything at InterAct Story Theatre

Reviews September 12, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Calling all super heroes! Calling all super heroes! It’s time to save CityTownCity! And The Alliance of Awesome can’t do it without your help! If you love super heroes, have always wanted to help save the city from crime and serve justice, then now is your chance! InterAct Story Theatre is landing in Silver Spring at The Black Theatre and giving all the area young super heroes a chance to be superfantastic!

Review: Once Upon a Mattress at Prince George’s Little Theatre

Reviews September 12, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Hear ye! Hear ye! The royal proclamation has been set down by Prince George, and his little theatre, that those interested in a most fanciful retelling of a treasured fairytale find their way by foot, horse, hired carriage, fairy godmother, and any other means necessary to the quaint little playhouse in the woods and witness the whimsically enchanting production of Once Upon a Mattress, being performed by the aforementioned Prince George’s Little Theatre.

Review: Sherlock’s Last Case at Colonial Players

Reviews September 11, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Matters of life and death are but flotsam and jetsam, but a riveting play packed with shocking twists and daring conclusions that, my dear readers, is a fine evening of theatre. Which, to put a finer point to it, one could call Colonial Players current production of Charles Marowitz’ Sherlock’s Last Case a resplendent recitation of theatrical trickery, mysterious mayhem, and vivacious Victorian debauchery all in one go and still be completely accurate,

Review: Detroit at Fells Point Corner Theatre

Reviews September 5, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

The lost art of communication speaks volumes about the devolution of our existence as human beings. Most of us don’t know our neighbors names or what they do for a living, because who borrows a cup of sugar from the neighbors anymore? Who has time to bake anyway? Fells Point Corner Theatre is baking up a world of poignant drama and dark humor, making the communicative connections that our modern society lacks with the Baltimore premier of Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit.

Review: The Journey of Thing Three at BOOM Theatre Company

Reviews September 3, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

A bottle of Jack, a pack of Marlboros, and a gram of weed a day; a surefire recipe for the easy life, or at the very least one that will keep the doctor away— away from saying that you’ll live a long and prosperous life. BOOM Theatre Company presents The Journey of Thing Three, a new work Written and Directed by Joshua Fletcher. The semi-autobiographical work explores the relationship of two brothers that struggle through the trials and tribulations that life has to offer,

Review: The Shape of Things at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews August 29, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Anyone can be provocative. But there is a line drawn between saying something artistic and just saying something for attention. At least there should be. Shouldn’t there? Are love and cruelty human heartfelt emotions or merely subjective terms thrown about loosely in the art scene for the sake of creating truth in art? In a twisted and evocative emotional drama, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, through their MET-X Production Squad, discovers the honesty in art and poses the question ‘what makes art?’ and ‘when has art gone too far?’ in a compelling and versatile performance of The Shape of Things,

Review: The Life and Death of King John at The Rude Mechanicals

Reviews August 25, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Ne’er so bethump’d with words has this critic found herself when staring down an amalgamation of a Shakespearean remount dipped in Pythonian humor and sprayed liberally with truncation across the Greenbelt Arts Center’s intimate black box stage, than she has in this very moment in attempting to report upon The Life and Death of King John as presented by The Rude Mechanicals. A history most boring upended ass over tea-kettle by Director Alan Duda,

Review: Kiss Me, Kate at NextStop Theatre Company

Reviews August 25, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s too darn hot over at NextStop Theatre Company! They’re shaking up the sizzling end of summer and going out with a big bang as they bring Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate to the stage. One final summer hoorah falls perfectly into place in the intimate black box space under the Direction of Michael Bobbitt and Musical Direction of Steve Przybyiski. This zesty zinger of a show-stopping feel-good comedy,

Review: The Fix at Signature Theatre

Reviews August 24, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

These are the games, the tools and the tricks, of making brilliant theatre with a musical called The Fix. Signature Theatre is revolutionizing political corruption; they’re not accentuating the foul filth of America’s crooked political climate, they’re flaunting it and making it look devilishly delicious. With Book and Lyrics by John Dempsey, and Music by Dana P. Rowe, this rarely produced musical sensation is a riveting and electrifying political scandal that has all the razzle dazzle of Broadway and all the unctuous sleaze of Washington DC.

Review: Witches Vanish at Venus Theatre

Reviews August 24, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Fair is foul and foul is fair when tragedy runs through the air. How long can a blind-eye be turned to the everyday tragedies of woman that vanish? From Juarez, Mexico to right here in the United States, women are vanishing all the time— be it physically or erased from their identities of religion and culture by oppression— it has become a cultural phenomenon that is all too often not addressed. In an evocative new work by renowned playwright Claudia Barnett,

Review: The Pretties at Glass Mind Theatre

Reviews August 13, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

To have a dark task isn’t the worst fate, even death does not hold that honor. The gods will not be plagued if you do not call after them, but they may lay a pox upon you if you don’t call after Glass Mind Theatre and their current production of The Pretties. Inspired by The Oresteia and Adapted by Ann Turiano, The Pretties unfolds in a new performance space for GMT under the Direction of Lynn Morton.

Review: Shrek at Glyndon Area Players

Reviews August 9, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Things are looking up here, in Glyndon— just take a look! The things they’re cooking up here, in Glyndon— they like to cook! (theatrically, that is) A musical that amazes— a show with many phases! Bahm, bahm, bahm, bahm, bahm, oh, things are looking up here, in Glyndon! Late to the party, but they’re doing what love with their one-show conga line, the Glyndon Area Players proudly presents their 18th annual summer musical, Shrek.

Review: Really Rosie at Heritage Players

Reviews August 8, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Move over, Saturday morning cartoons! Rosie and her hoi poloi crew are shaking up the Rice Auditorium with Heritage Players this summer! From the celebrated mind of Maurice Sendak comes the fantastical musical Really Rosie. With Books and Lyrics by Sendak, and Music by Carole King, the story of Rosie, Chicken Soup, Alligator and other illustrated icons of the imagination roar to life for young audiences in the Catonsville area. Directed by Stuart C.

Review: The Addams Family at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

Reviews August 8, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

They’re crazier than you. That’s just the overview. And nothing up ‘til now has proved me wrong. With their wall-climbing spiders, creepy set, and kooky performers, the Annapolis Summer Garden is proving black is the new cool with their current production of The Addams Family. Directed by Debbie Barber-Eaton, with Musical Direction by David Merrill, this spooky production is anything but normal. And that’s perfectly fine as normal is relative— what’s normal for the spider is a calamity for the fly!

Review: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Milburn Stone Theatre

Reviews August 7, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Old situations! New complications! Something for everyone at Milburn Stone tonight! A true feel-good comedy for everyone, one of Sondheim’s earliest musicals barrels its way through the doors at the theatre housed on the Cecil College Campus and is received to herculean applause. Directed by John Desmone with Musical Direction by Nicole Tart, this witty farcical evening of entertainment delivers on the promise of the show’s opening number, with comedy tonight!

Rome is looking splendid in its three house representation conceptualized and created by the theatre’s Technical Director Bob Denton.

Review: Hairspray at Purple Light Theatre Company

Reviews August 2, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

You can’t stop the beat as it bursts open in all the glory of the 60’s at the Purple Light Theatre Company this summer! Hairspray, the musical of Baltimore, is making a rampant return to the stage with this summer-based company, and bringing the nicest kids in town to the stage. Directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Tommy Malek, with Musical Direction by Benjamin Nabinger and Nathan Scavilla, the well-loved musical is shaking up local audiences with its spectacular dance routines,

Review: Mary Poppins at September Song

Reviews August 1, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Anything can happen if you let it! And often times all you need is just a spoonful of sugar, because it turns water into tea and cakes or in this case transforms ordinary people in a simple theatre into an extraordinary characters in a fantastical musical. Floating in for their annual summer musical, September Song welcomes 2015 with their production of Mary Poppins. Directed by Debbie Mobley, with Musical Direction by Rachel McCusker,

Review: Legally Blonde at Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre

Reviews July 19, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther 1 Comment

What you want! What you want! What you want— is right in front of you— at Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre with their production of Legally Blonde. A sizzling summer sensation, this peppy energetic movie-based musical is the perfect way to round out the 2015 summer season. With lively musical numbers, enthusiastic performances across the board, and a touching and humorous story that will leave your heart glowing pink, Legally Blonde is the show to see this season.

The Company of Into the Woods at Toby's Dinner Theatre

Review: Into the Woods at Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Reviews July 18, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor and the opportunity to catch one of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular musicals is equally brief at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre of Columbia this summer. With magic that defies description, Into the Woods tumbles fairytale classics onto their ear in this thrilling and adventurous family-friendly musical. Co-Directed by Toby Orenstein and Mark Minnick, with Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings, this heartfelt Sondheim classic grants wishes and proves that right and wrong don’t matter in the woods.

Review: Altar Boyz at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews July 13, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Peace be with you, Baltimore! Are you ready to raise the praise with this funky fresh new sound? It’s Mary Magdalicious and it’s dropping down faster than Sunday morning parishioners on their knees in the pews over at Spotlighters Theatre this summer! That’s right, fathers, sons, and holy ladies— appearing for an extremely limited engagement in the halls of the St. Paul sanctuary— Altar Boyz are live for your praying pleasure!

Review: Baby at Infinity Theatre Company

Reviews July 13, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Look around, it’s in the air, life is changing everywhere! And it’s certainly changing down at Infinity Theatre Company as the second musical offering of their summer season pops expectantly onto the stage. A vastly different sort of musical from the man-in-black show, Co-Producing Artistic Directors Anna Roberts Ostroff and Alan Ostroff proudly present Baby: The Musical for the back-half of their 2015 season. With Book by Bille Pearson, Music by David Shire,

Review: Commander at Vagabond Players

Reviews July 12, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

America is a promise. A promise of hopes and dreams and live theatre at your fingertips. The Vagabond Players are all American, not only because they’re approaching their 100th anniversary season, but because they’re participating in the 2015 Baltimore Playwrights Festival with an area premier of a political zinger. And as the play says— politics is theatre, all that matters is that you say “here I am! Look at me!” Mario Correa’s Commander takes hold of the stage giving local stage manager Chelsea Dove her full-length Directorial Debut in this poignant dramedy of sexuality in politics.

The touring company of Once now performing at The Kennedy Center

Once at The Kennedy Center

Reviews July 10, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

To live you have to love. And you will love the musical odyssey that takes to the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts this summer as Once lands in the Opera House starting July 7th. Based on the motion picture Written and Directed by John Carney with Book by Enda Walsh and Music & Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markèta Irglovà, this strikingly beautiful performance captures the heart and soul of what it is to be a human being alive and in love.