author: Anthony Case
Sometimes, you just really need to escape the world for a while, sit in a dark theater, and pray you’re about to see a great show. That was certainly the mood I was feeling sitting in the dark theater at the Opera House in Havre de Grace last night, waiting for Scottfield Theatre Company’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone to start. While not a huge fan of the wink-wink nudge-nudge nature of some similar musicals,
Rock the house and make a scene and crank the amps to 17! There’s no way you can stop— Scottfield Theatre Company’s School of Rock!!! Directed and Choreographed by Becky Titelman with Musical Direction by LaShelle Bray, this unconventional Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is a little extra— it’s bringing you some very talented youngsters and they’re playing their rock-n-roll instruments LIVE on stage all night long! Filled with energy and enthusiasm these kids (and their supportive,
Broadway dreams. We’ve all had ‘em. And Scottfield Theatre Company is havin’ ‘em right now. They’ve got all you need to cheer you up right on the ends of their ankles! Side by side— they’re glorified— that amazing tap corps that makes up the splashiest, flashiest dance routines of 42nd Street. Directed and Choreographed by Becky Titelman, with Musical Direction by LaShelle Bray, this iconic golden-era Broadway musical is a true dancer’s dream and every bit the spectacular dance show one expects.
Side by side, they’re glorified! In the other half of our dueling-divas interview exclusive (if you missed part 1, you can click here or catch the link at the bottom of the page to read the interview with Katelyn Dixon who is currently playing Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street) we get to sit down with Elizabeth Marion, currently playing the role of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street at Scottfield Theatre Company.
Reset your mind to island time. Because it’s five o’clock somewhere. And for the next two weekends, it’s five o’clock in Havre de Grace as the Tidewater Players presents Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. Directed by Dickie Mahoney, with Musical Direction by Chris Rose, and Choreography by Evyo (and tap-choreo by Bambi Johnson), this ‘throw-your-cares-away’ silly good time show is just what the doctor ordered in these chilly winter months. And if you really want to be on “island time”?
If you find yourself short on cheer just think about that special year (no, not 2019 that was a different year…same story) that Tidewater Players reached up on their shelf…and put up on their stage a musical called Elf! It’s sparkle-jolly-jingle-twinkly! Or however it goes (this Christmas Grinch over here still hasn’t finished writing out her Christmas cards…) but however it goes— it goes with lots of razzle-dazzle seasonal pizzazz! Elf at Tidewater Players is a heart-warming,
Fun! It isn’t planned! It isn’t programmed! Though you may have to do some planning and programming to make sure you get this big ol’ dose of fun into your calendar sometime over the next couple weekends. See what I did there? ‘big ol’ musical?’ I’m talking about Big, of course, now appearing— making its area premiere— at Scottfield Theatre Company to close out their 2023 calendar. Based 20th Century Fox Film (of the same name,
“Spit it out, dear. Go on. On the floor. There’s worse things than that down there.” – Mrs. Lovett
And she’s right. In a world where borders are overlooked, people are minimalized, and one pill or another is all you need what ails you, the floor of humanity is riddled with disgust. The Havre de Grace Opera house has found a way to give us a three-hour respite from what lies outside their doors.
Hey. I gotta prediction. You wanna hear it? Tidewater Players production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is going all the way! Don’t write off this jukebox musical, featuring the music & lyrics of Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil (and a book by Douglas McGrath) because its actually a heartwarming story that reads extremely well on an intimate stage, like the one Tidewater Players is working with at The Opera House.
You’ve got to highlight what you’ve got! Even if what you’ve got is not a lot! You’ve got to be LOUD! And they are definitely loud! Loud with their lighting, loud with their costumes, and loud with their singing! Who’s being loud? Scottfield Theatre Company with their current production of Matilda. And even if what they’ve got is not a lot (of stage space) they don’t let a little thing like little stop them!
Puppy dogs with droopy faces…
Unicorns with dancing mice…
Sunrise in wide open spaces…
Disney World— I’ll go there twice!
Maybe don’t go there twice, but consider going to see Tidewater Players’ production of The Addams Family? They’re creepy and kooky…and all that jazz… and we’ve got two of them— Wednesday and Pugsley here to chit chat about the process and give you some doom and gloom— I mean,
“I don’t want to start a riot. I don’t want to blaze a trail. I don’t want to be a symbol or a cautionary tale.” Musical theatre is story first. Always has been. It’s the lyrics in the music which transports the story to the audience and at the end of the day, the story at the heart of The Prom is just about a person wanting to live their life like any other normal person and get to have all the things that any other normal person has.
She just wants to go to the prom. And take her girlfriend. Why can’t the world be more accepting instead of prejudiced, homophobic, and closed-minded? In the final installment of our ‘It’s Time To Dance’ interview series with the Teen Corps from Tidewater Players’ The Prom, we get to chat with Lizzie Sprague and Sammi Flickinger, playing Emma and Alyssa, one on one with what it’s like to be a part of this area premiere.
Got your glittery Converse to match your sparkly dress? We’ve got two more chit-chat conversations with cast members from the ‘teens’ of The Prom here for you!
Thank you so very much for coming to chat with us! Tell us who you are and who you play in this!
Shelly Squire: My name is Shelly Squire and I’m in the teen ensemble.
Why I you want to come out and be a part of The Prom?
Will you be this year’s Prom Queen? Are you ready for this year’s Prom dance? We’ve got a couple more members of the ‘teens’ from Tidewater Players’ production of The Prom to get you totally psyched about coming out to see the show!
Thanks so much for sitting with us! Really thrilled to be talking with you about The Prom. Tell us who you are and who you play!
Do you have your tickets to The Prom? If you’ve been following along so far we’ve had four members of the ‘teen’ group tell us all about what’s so special and why you should come! Here’s a couple more for your consideration!
Thanks for joining the conversation and sitting down to chat with us— tell us who you are and who you’re playing?
Tristin Goodenough: I’m Tristin Goodenough and I’m part of the teen ensemble.
Who’s ready to add some Zazz to their Prom? Two more ‘teens’ from the area premiere of The Prom here to chat with us about their prom experiences!
Thanks for sitting down with us, why don’t you tell us who you are and who you play?
Maggie Donahue: I’m Maggie Donahue and I play Shelby.
Tell me a little bit about Shelby.
Maggie: Shelby is a cheerleader.
One thing’s universal— life’s no dress rehearsal! Do you have your perfect prom dress? Shoes? Gown or tux? Or— *gasp* date!? For the area premiere of The Prom, Tidewater Players has given us their “teens” to have some “Prom-Goss” (also known as gossip) about what it’s like to be a part of the area premiere of this sensational new show that’s currently sweeping the nation.
Thank you so much for sitting down with us,
With Cats some say one rule is true: get your tickets for Tidewater Players’ production this fall. It is like no other production of Cats ever seen or that will ever be seen. The stunning immersive world of T.S. Eliot and Andrew Lloyd Webber come swirling together in a mystical, magical, Jellicle production directed and choreographed by Bambi Johnson with musical direction by Chris Rose. There are singing cats, there are dancing cats,
Feline, fearless, faithful, and true. Jellicle cats can and Jellicle cats do. Preparing to meet our second cat in the Jellicle Cat Lineup, for the upcoming fall production of Tidewater Players’ Cats, we have Suzanne Zacker, recently returned to the Maryland area, and dipping her paws back into the theatrical pond, so to speak!
Thank you for giving us a few moments of your time! Tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats!
Well they’ve got dreams and you know they matter— they’re doing their own show and climbing that ladder— that show is finally here it’s on their stage. Two years in the makin’ with the Tidewater Players, it’s a Dolly Parton show and it’s got layers, the spring finale is here and it’s all the rage! Yes it’s 9 to 5; it’s all dancing and all singing— makes you feel alive— with toes tapping and joy ringing— through the audience— get your tickets or you’ll regret it!
If you’re looking for something to see in Havre de Grace’s theatre district one day— Shoop da-doo!
You might pass by this place on Union Street— downtown-da-doo!
And sometimes in that there opera house building— arts-da-doo!
You’ll find some crazy amazing theatre stuff happening inside— Tidewater Players-da-doo!
But don’t take my word for it— take the urchins’! Or take Seymour’s! They’ll tell you that Tidewater Players is putting on a pretty crazy,
Are you ready Havre de Grace? AYE-AYE, CAPTAIN! I can’t heeeaaar you! AYE-AYE CAPTAIN! Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Appearing at Tidewater Players is he! If nautical nonsense be something you wish! Then get your tickets right now and have fun with the fish! At The SpongeBob Musical now appearing live, in-person on the Havre de Grace Opera House stage with Tidewater Players! Directed and Choreographed by Bambi Johnson with Musical Direction by Nathan Scavilla,
They are family! They got all their sisters— you’ll see! That’s
right, they’re back! All four original Wonderettes— Cindy Lou, Betty Jean,
Missy, and Suzie— are back and dreaming on, this time to celebrate their
favorite home-room teacher— Mrs. McPherson (watch out, audience!) and her
retirement party after 39 years as a Springfield High Chipmunk! Tidewater
Players knows how to put on a show when it comes to everyone’s favorite
foursome; their production of The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On is wholesome
family fun that features four talented individuals breathing new life and
dreams into many iconic tunes of the late 60’s and late 70’s!
There’s a saying that they have up in Havre de Grace
That helps keep happy smiles on their face
“If you want a Christmas show filled with glee— make sure
that it’s sparkle-jolly-twinkle-jingle-y!”
And The Tidewater Players is sparkling, twinkling, jolly,
jingling their way across the stage of the Havre de Grace Opera House with
their seasonal production of Elf! Directed by Laurie Sentman Starkey,
with Musical Direction by Stephanie Carlock Cvach and Choreography by Carissa
Lagano,
It’s time to make a joyful noise and
“Raise Your Voice” for Scottfield Theatre Company and their latest production: Sister Act the Musical! Based on the
film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg, this disco fairytale follows
the misadventures of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer forced into the
Sisterhood after witnessing a crime! Directed by Allan Herlinger with Musical
Direction by Niki Tart and Choreography by Becky Titelman,
High above the town, flying down, better catch it quick— it’s better than ole Saint Nick— and it may still be in other locales— but somewhere hovering over Tidewater Players…across the whole opera house stage and straight to you…comes A Christmas Story. That’s right, kids— and kids at heart— after waiting for ages in line at Higbee’s, you’ve asked Santa for that irresistible major-award of a musical, and he’s delivered— because what’s the harm in simply watching Ralphie Parker shoot his eye out with his Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time?
You’ll shoot your— wait. No. That’s later. Before you shoot your eye out with your Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time, have your turkey gobbled up by the Bumpuses hellhound dogs, and do the leg-lamp kick-line for your Major Award, settle into 1968 at the Harper’s Hardware Store annual Christmas Party! And guess what? There’s a wintery surprise— because this year?
Are you where you want to be and who you want to be and doing what you always said you would? Tidewater Players, the resident theatre company of Havre de Grace, is where they want to be and who they want to be and doing what they always said they would! Making a bold move by opening their 2018/2019 season with a politically charged production of Chess (the musical in concert), Tidewater Players stands to set the tone for their season with this shocking opening gambit.
I say this with humility in this— online open space! They’re your responsibility in— good ol’ Havre de Grace! If you want to see their show and all the feelings that they spill, in Havre de Grace Opera House that’s halfway down the hill, then for God sakes get thee to it! For Congress never will! Yes, yes, it’s not even July and the Tidewater Players are calling to order the second continental congress of America with their production of 1776.