Articles Tagged With: Laura Miller

Bye Bye Birdie at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 23, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Kids! You can talk and talk til your face is blue! Kids! But they still do just what they want to do! And they want to be laughing, singing, dancing, grinning— sensations! And while we’re on the subject— Kids! They’re at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland kicking off the 2024/2025 season with their production of Bye Bye Birdie! Complete with lots of moonlight swims and loop-da-loops! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans,

Mamma Mia! at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre

Reviews August 19, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

People everywhere! A sense of expectation hanging in the air! Giving out a spark! This theatre’s glowing and they’re shining in the dark— it’s Mamma Mia! and it has landed at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre for three performances only this summer! Directed by Diane M. Smith, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans, and Choreography by Rachel Miller, this ABBA-sensation splashy Broadway hit is not your grandmother’s Mamma Mia! With a more realistic,

Rachel Miller (left) with Diane Smith (center) and Charlotte Evans (right) on the set of Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre's Mamma Mia

Super Troopers: The Titan Talent Behind Mamma Mia’s Creative Team at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre

Interviews August 14, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

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,

Newsies at Cockpit in Court Jr ???? THSquared Photos

Newsies at Cockpit in Court’s Court Jesters Summer Theatre

Reviews June 25, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

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.

Mean Girls at Children's Playhouse of Maryland

Mean Girls (High School Edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 6, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

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.

Finding Nemo Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

News March 3, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Just below the coral— sea parents dream of who their kids will be! And live on the stage of Children’s Playhouse of Maryland— you can see how wondrous these talented kids can be! Just as long as you— JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING! And you’d better swim fast if you want a chance at catching this production of Finding Nemo Jr.— several of the performances have sold out!

Neverland: A New Musical at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 5, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

What if you can’t remember the last time you were able to let go, have fun, and just be yourself? Well isn’t that exactly what theatre is for? A place to let go, have fun, and just be yourself! And Children’s Playhouse of Maryland has always been that place for all of the up-and-coming theatrical talents that pass through their doors over in Essex. Celebrating the holiday season with a very special, brand-new-production (written and conceived by their musical director and her father) Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is thrilled to present Neverland: A New Musical.

Anastasia at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 26, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

Dancing youths…painted scenes…things I almost remember… then a song— someone sings… once upon a…September… when the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland presented the area premiere of Anastasia, the much-anticipated, full-length musical. A sparkling gem, a radiant endeavor, this delightful and charming show is both beautiful and serene, full of humor and heart, and a spectacular start to the 2023/2024 season at CPM. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans Crowley,

Matilda Jr. at Cockpit Court Jesters

Reviews July 11, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

They are revolting children! Living revolting times! They sing revolting songs! Using revolting rhymes! And you’ve got to get your tickets to see them do their thing— they’re stupendous, they’re great— they are REVOLTING! Only in a Roald Dahl musical could you use an adjective like revolting as a pride-of-place badge to describe a wildly talented bunch of kids as they bounce all around the stage with exuberant energy and smashing voices. Which musical is that you ask?

Jesus Christ Superstar at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 8, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

Sing out for yourselves for you are blessed! Blessed to hear the stellar talent performing live on stage for the final production of the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland 2022/2023 season. Closing this season with a bang, their production of Jesus Christ Superstar is nothing short of stunning; it will give you chills, bring tears to your eyes, and make you thunder with applause by the time the show reaches its conclusion. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt,

Cinderella at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 10, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

Your majesties! Your majesties! A list of the royal necessities! At the top of that list there simply must be a— ticket or two to see Cinderella! (Youth Edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland! The iconic Rogers & Hammerstein classic is proving that impossible things are happening every day with a score of talented young performers parading all across the stage in their ballroom finest trying to catch the eye of his royal highness Prince Christopher Rupert Windemere Vladimir Karl Alexander Francois Reginald Lancelot Herman— Herman!?

Disney’s Descendants at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 8, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

They got all the ways to be W-I-C-K-E-D! Just get your tickets and you’ll see them be W-I-C-K-E-D! Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is bringing the house down this holiday season with their production of Disney’s Descendants. And it is living up to its wicked namesake! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Rachel Miller this thrilling, high-energy, totally upbeat and wildly twisted tale of the children of Disney’s finest ‘evils’ will have you recognizing that bad is the new good all through the holiday season.

42nd Street- Youth Edition at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 23, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Hey— y’all hear? CPM is doin’ a show! Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is doing a show! So get ready to come and meet those dancing feet— on the avenue they’re taking you to—42nd Street (youth edition.) All the glamor, glitz, and glory of your favorite tunes, with all of the dusty treacle trimmed out for a succinct bullet (over-Broadway) point version of the iconic musical with a sensational score of tap-dancing youth ready to knock your socks off!

Newsies at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre

Reviews August 23, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

See the headline:

Newsies Make Front Page News At Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre Summer 2022

That’s right! They’ll be out there— for two more performances— carrying the banner, side by side! Yes, they’re out there— filling all their parents’ (and friends and families’) hearts with pride! Newsies on a mission— kill the competition! They are out there— giving one of the most rousing, engaging, and talented productions of Disney’s Newsies that the Baltimore area has seen in quite a long,

Honk Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

News March 7, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Come on down— don’t be strangers in their duck-yard of free-rangers! That’s right, folks! Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is welcoming you back to the theatre— live and in person! And they’re welcoming you back with their great big honkin’ production of Honk Jr.! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans, and Choreography Emily Davis, this fun-loving barnyard musical teaches kids that it’s absolutely o-a-kay to be different and just how boring life would be if we all looked the same.

Matilda at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 20, 2019 Amanda N. Gunther

When I grow up… I will be smart enough to know that the real
cool place to go is Children’s Playhouse of Maryland to see all these awesome
kids before they grow up! And now’s your chance to change their story— by
coming to support some of Baltimore’s most talented young performers in their current
full-length production of Matilda, the Roald Dahl story turned stage
musical opening the 2019/2020 theatre season for CPM.

Newsies at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 6, 2019 Amanda N. Gunther

And The World will
know! And The Sun will too! ‘Bout
these Newsies and the awesome job they
do! The things they do today will be tomorrow’s news! And you heard it here
first— right in black in white— front page ABOVE the fold! That’s right— read
all about it! Right here! Children’s Playhouse of Maryland does Newsies and makes Disney proud with all
of their energy,

Once On This Island Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 8, 2019 Amanda N. Gunther

Life! Pain! Love! Grief! Hope! Faith! You! THAT is why they
tell the story! What story, you ask? Once
On This Island Jr.! Who’s telling it, you ask? Children’s Playhouse of
Maryland! Their incredibly talented cast of young performers presents a
whimsical tale of two worlds that were never meant to meet, joined together by
the island they share. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with musical Direction
by Charlotte Evans,

I Hate Shakespeare! at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews October 30, 2018 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh, God! I Hate Shakespeare! That’s right! I said it! I do! I really hate Shakespeare! I just don’t get it! How a mediocre actor from a measly little town is suddenly the brightest jewel in England’s royal crown! Oh, God, I HATE SHAKESPEARE! His plays are wordy— ooh. Wait. Maybe I shouldn’t sing all about it. Something is rotten in the state of— Essex!? Actually that’s sort of funny (Essex is in Shakespeare somewhere…isn’t it?) No,

Anything Goes at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews September 18, 2018 Amanda N. Gunther

At words poetic, they’re not pathetic; they’re always at their best!

They’re getting those songs up off their chest

And they’ve got lots of things to express— The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland that is with their fall opener of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes! They’re a stellar show, they’re a must see-n-go, they’re the farthest thing from a flop! Yes, baby, they’re not the bottom— they’re the top! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Amanda Poxon,

Hairspray at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 9, 2018 Amanda N. Gunther

You can’t stop an avalanche as it races down the hill! And CMP is stopping their season here, with a show that’s such a thrill! And you can try to stop their dancing feet, but they just cannot stand still! Cause the world keeps spinning round and round and their hearts are keeping time to the speed of sound, they were lost ‘til the heard the heard the drums (go Lisa Wood, go, go,

Seussical Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 16, 2018 Amanda N. Gunther 3 Comments

With all of the shows round the town running loose,

Who’d ever have guessed there’d be one about Seuss?

Oh the things you must think when you this wild musical

Which one, you ask? Why the musical called Seussical!

And not just Seussical, it’s Seussical Jr. you know

Minus one butter-battle, it’s still a really great show!

Scrooge at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 7, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther 1 Comment

Of all the days in all the year that I’m familiar with— there’s several very important ones leading up to— December the 25th! Correct! And those important days are any days between now and December 17, 2017 wherein The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland has a performance of their holiday musical, Scrooge. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Amanda Poxon, this classic and musical spin on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will put you in the holiday spirit for certain with all of its spry and spirited youngsters skipping and spinning about!

West Side Story at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 11, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

When you’re a CPM Kid— you’re the top cat in town! You’re the gold metal kid, with the heavyweight crown! When you’re a CPM Kid— you’re the swingin’est thing! Little boy, you’re a man! Little man, you’re a king! You’re never alone, you’re never disconnected! You’re home with your own, when you’re company’s expected— you’re well protected! Then you are set, with a capital ‘C’, which you’ll never forget til they cart you away,

The Lion King Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 6, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba! Sithi uhm ingonyama. You may not recognize it in print, but when you hear it? You know it. And the English translation? Here comes a lion! Oh, yes, it’s a lion! And oh yes— here comes The Lion King Jr. to The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland this spring! Breaking onto the stage for a sold-out run, CPM delivers the stellar children’s community theatre area premiere of one of Disney’s finest musical stage adaptations.

Elf Jr. at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is putting some cheery folderol on ev’ry wall and ev’ry nook, and they’ve tinsel’d up ev’ry corner, ‘til it’s Christmas ev’ry where you look! That’s right— they’re having a sparkly, jolly, twinkly, jingly production of Elf Jr. The Musical! Based on the major motion picture, new line cinema film written by David Berenbaum, this razzle-dazzle-ringle-lingle-shiny-showy-cheery-kringle-holly-jolly-very-merry-sparkly-jolly-twinkly-jingly show is rearing up and ready to go just in time for Christmas!

Review: The Addams Family at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Crazy is underrated. Normal is an illusion. What’s normal for the spider is a calamity for the fly, and what’s crazy for normal folk is just the basic happenings of everyday life for the crazies, like the gloom and doom inside the mansion in central park. Closing out the 2015/2016 season, The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland delivers a creepy and kooky performance, with all of the iconic Charles Addams’ characters alive in their shades of gray on the lecture hall stage in The Addams Family musical.

The Insects- (from top left, clockwise) Gwen Lowell as Spider, Jared Alston Davis as Grasshopper, Jacqueline Hicks as Centipede, Anderson Gray as Ladybug, and Jocelyn Castillo as Earthworm

Review: James and the Giant Peach at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Come with me to see something strange unfold and hear the weirdest tale that’s ever been told. But children, be wary if you’re faint of heart, for what’s happening on stage is more than just art! The Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is undertaking a marvelous masterpiece, an enormously fruity and fantastical story— James and the Giant Peach! What a musical! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by R. Christopher Rose,

Rachel Miller (center) as Mrs. Corry and the ensemble of Mary Poppins performing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"

Review: Mary Poppins at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews December 12, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Just a spoonful of sugar is all it takes! And the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland doesn’t just have a spoons— they’ve got the whole bloomin’ bottle of fantastical holiday magic all shaken up and ready to explode all over their audience with their production of Mary Poppins. It’s superb! It’s stupendous! Why, it’s— Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Sherry Benedek, this marvelous musical features the finest young musical talent this side of Baltimore taking on the Herculean task of a Disney musical.

Review: Les Miserables at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 14, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Red! The blood of angry men! Black! The Dark of ages past! Red! A world about to dawn! Black! The night that ends at last! Night has ended and the world is dawning at the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland. Painted in the bold barricade colors of red and black, and just a season behind the sensational trend of producing the internationally acclaimed musical, CMP brings the iconic production of Les Miserables to the stage for Baltimore to enjoy.