author: Jake Schwartz
Let’s do the time warp again! But this time, in the 60s! Stand Up for… Theatre returns with their third annual production of Rocky Horror, but this time with a groovy twist! Everything from references to Beach Boys, Scooby Doo gags, Laugh In, to the entire set being painted a yellow floral pattern, director Ed Higgins wanted a 60s feel and he sure got one!
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,
COMMUNITY— noun. “a unified body of individuals such as: people with common interests living within a particular area broadly; a group of people with a common characteristic or interest; a body of persons with common interest scattered through a larger society; a group linked by a common policy.” Stand Up For…Theatre’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is fostering a real sense of dedication and commitment to the local theatre community,
Don’t dream it. Be it! In the season of Rocky Horror Shows, picture or otherwise, Stand Up For… Theatre is it! Director Ed Higgins takes an overdone, yet annually anticipated show, and turns it on its head. In a theatre world of copycats Higgins brings a refreshing twist to a classic tale.
Set in the round, this version gives an intimate feel and, in my opinion, makes for better audience participation.
Stand Up For…Theatre (SUF…T) is bringing its stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz to the DoodleHatch Interactive Art Museum in Columbia from June 9 to June 18. This timeless tale, in which Dorothy travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, is sure to delight kids of all ages who want to join in on the adventure and follow the yellow brick road to see the great Wizard of Oz!
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand? Third Wall Productions will show you how with their stellar production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Having changed venues again, to what is hopefully now their theatrical-forever-home, the hard-working community theatre brings its 2023 stage productions to the stage & hall of Chestnut Grove Presbyterian, and is settling into the space a bit like Maria Rainer is settling into the von Trapp household,
It’s a science fiction— whoa-ooh-ooh double feature— well… maybe just a singular two-act musical feature? It must be spooky season because Stand Up For… Theatre has got The Rocky Horror Show bouncing all over its stages! Directed by Ed Higgins with Musical Direction by William Zellhofer & Andy Kay Wojciehowski, and Choreography by Lilou Altman, this bawdy cult classic has all the iconic, recognizable numbers and some of your favorite Halloween characters to make your evening wild.
Tumble on the stage and they’re
hopin’ and a wishin’! They’ve poured themselves a cup of ambition— Stand Up For…
Theatre! is doing 9 to 5. They’re singin’ and a dancin’; they got their
blood pumping! Dolly Parton’s musical will really keep you jumping! I’ll say it
again— they’re producing 9 To 5. Produced by Grant Myers, Directed by Ed
Higgins, with Musical Direction by Brandon Seehoffer, and Choreography by
Lenore Florez,
Sometimes you can only shake your
head and ask, “Why?” Why the need to turn everything into a musical? Shows like
Pipe Dream, Kelly, and Via Galactica top Smithsonian.com’s list
of Broadway’s Top Ten Musical Flops; also
making the list, Carrie the Musical. Carrie opened on Broadway in 1988 and
after 16 previews and 5 performances it closed. In 1991, Ken Mendelbaum wrote a
book chronicling the history of Broadway musical flops,
Whenever
I am assigned to review a show presented by Stand Up For… Theatre, I know for
sure that I am going to be challenged to examine my conscience. For years now SUFT,
the theatrical division of Erase Hate Through Art, has been giving us
productions that challenge us to not only look at the world around us and the
role we play in it, but our perception of the madness that surrounds us.
Every holiday season I search the idiot box for that feel-good show of the year. Little did I know that this year I would find it at the Chesapeake Arts Center, in Stand Up For…Theatre’s La Cage Aux Folles. Like Macy’s, Best Buy, SUFT brings Christmas early; only instead of a big box they use a black box.
Before I dive into the cast, crew, and show itself,
Ed Higgins, as Alan Turing says in one scene, “It’s about right and wrong.” How Do You Like Me Now Productions (HDYLMNP) understands this and gets it right again with Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking the Code. If there is one thing that we have learned about HDYLMNP throughout the years, it’s that they will take an issue, put it in your face, and make you aware of something that you needed to be made aware.
Donuts are not your life. Donuts are nobody’s life. Your life is your life. A life with a theatre. A life with a theatre and a production of Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts. Third Wall Productions has got something special on their hands, and it ain’t horse fat! Directed by Grant Myers, this evocative drama with uplifting heart is remarkably well executed by the company and showcases the heart of human compassion at its finest.