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,
Grease is the word…is the word…is the word… is the word… it’s on stage… it’s here now…
At Tidewater Players for two weekends only (and be careful to pick your Grease very carefully when you make your ticket selections because Tidewater is offering Grease-OG and Grease-Elite, where the Elite production cast is comprised of performers age 55+ so if you’re hoping to see someone you know,
Reviews come out a lot faster when the critics leave at intermission! But take it from this critic— if you leave at the intermission, you’re only getting half the hilarity, half the good times, and half the damn show! I could never! And you should never! But you SHOULD definitely get your butt to a seat at The State Theater of Havre de Grace for what is a surprisingly heartfelt but equally off-the-rails funny production of Mel Brooks’ The Producers.
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.
Out there! There’s a world outside of Carney! Way out there beyond this suburb, Barnaby! There’s a theatre, Barnaby! Out there! Full of shine and full of sparkle! The Suburban Players of Saint Demetrios’ are glistenin’, Barnaby! Listen, Barnaby! Put on your Sunday clothes— or your Saturday clothes or your Friday clothes— and get yourself down to Hello, Dolly now appearing at The Suburban Players of St. Demetrios’ Greek Orthodox Church before that parade passes you by!
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,
It’s life affirming to own multiple accessories! Even if you don’t have the exact shade of lime-green stilettos to match your green, green dress. (Which has neither the 20 buttons nor the strap!) You know what else is life-affirming? Good, obscure-ish musical theatre at affordable prices! It renews the hope and faith in the theatrical world as we know it. If you want to feel life-affirmed, State Theater of Havre de Grace has got you covered with their production of Tick,
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!
Blue skies— smiling at me! Nothing but blue skies do I see! And ain’t it the truth, folks. Here Scottfield Theatre Company is trying to open their holiday production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and what does Havre de Grace, Maryland give ‘em? 71 ° weather with brilliant, bright blue skies! It’s like Pine Tree, Vermont, complete with no snow! Directed by Chuck Hamrick with Musical Direction by Nathan Scavilla and Choreography by Becky Titelman,
Sure as the day follows into the night, sure as the sky turns blue— this much I know, this much is true— Scottfield Theatre Company’s Something Rotten is the show for you! Because above all else— to thine own selves, they’re being true! It’s a mu-si-cal! That’s right— a mu-si-caaal. And it’s the polar opposite of its namesake! Directed by Chuck Hamrick with Musical Direction by Nathan Scavilla and Choreography by Beck Titelman,
Friends don’t let friends ford the river! But it’s only a game, right? Or at least it was, until Starkid made it into one of their zany, irreverent musicals. Currently appearing at The State Theater of Havre De Grace, The Trail To Oregon! (based on the old Macintosh computer game The Oregon Trail) is a trip. Period. Down memory lane, also that, but mostly just an outrageous, tongue-in-cheek, ludicrous musical mishap that will put a barrel full of belly laughs out there for all to enjoy.
Scottfield Theater Company has a dream, a song to sing… and sing it they do! Running October 5-7 and 12-14 in the Cultural Center of Havre de Grace, this production of Mamma Mia is stuffed to the brim with infectious energy, uproarious laughter, and an impressive performance of pop monolith ABBA’s timeless catalog.
Mamma Mia tells the story of Sophie and Donna, a daughter and her single mother in their journey to discover who Sophie’s father was and face the memories Donna has of her three old flames and potential father for her daughter.
Jellicle cats come out tonight! Jellicle cats come one, come all! Jellicle cats at Milburn Stone— Jellicle cats have a Jellicle Ball! And you too will find yourself among the feline fantasy world of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats if you dare to venture to the Milburn Stone Theatre for a sensational production of Broadway’s second-longest running musical. Directed and Choreographed by Bambi Johnson with Musical Direction by Shane Jensen, this phenomenally enchanting evening is whimsy incarnate and invites you to a wildly wondrous world of feline fantasy that will delight every family this holiday season.
How do you document real life when real life’s getting more like fiction each day? The Phoenix Festival Theatre is documenting the musical that captures that essential message with spectacular brilliance in their current production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent. Directed by Laurie Starkey with Musical Direction by Terri Mathews, this timeless musical of life, love, and humanity comes roaring to life straight off the stage in Harford County with punch,