All posts by Amanda N. Gunther

A full-time theatre reviewer in the Baltimore, Washington, and surrounding areas; Amanda holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Maryland Baltimore County as well as a minor in Creative Writing. Having spent two of her five years at college studying abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, she has learned a great deal about improv, devised work theatre, and interpretive movement pieces. Striving to promote theatre of all types, she can often be found in a theatre of some type, even on her nights off.

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: Alice Stanley

Interviews August 10, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“That’s the thing with magic. You’ve got to know it’s still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.” –Charles de Lint

What would you wish for if you had magical powers? Would you wish to be able to fly and soar high above the rooftops, the treetops, over the clouds, and see everything from above? Or would you wish for money, riches, and wealth beyond your wildest dreams so that you could purchase everything your heart desired?

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: Jen Diamond

Interviews August 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“Magic is not a practice. It is a living, breathing web of energy that, with our permission, can encase our every action.” –Dorothy Morrison.

Do you believe in magic? How about ghosts? The supernatural and the inexplicable tend to go hand in hand, walking precariously together down the long and winding road we call life. Ghosts are magic too, aren’t they? Aren’t we all, in a sense, made of magic? Made of ghosts?

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: Larry Malkus

Interviews August 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“Never ever doubt in magic. The purest honest thoughts come from children, ask any child if they believe in magic and they will tell you the truth.” –Scott Dixon

Children have a knack for believing readily in the unbelievable. Maybe it’s because as children our minds are freer; our minds are not fettered by the complexities and responsibilities that come along with adult life. We’re encouraged to believe in magic— faeries, dragons, wizards,

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: Tatiana Nya Ford

Interviews August 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“Children seek magic because they look for it.” –Christopher Moore

J.M. Barrie once said something like the moment you doubt your ability to fly you will never be able to do so ever again. What is it about believe that so strongly tethers us to the magical world? What would you believe in if the world was ending? Magic? Faith? Humanity? Exploring what the fourth playwright of this year’s Variations on Magic has put forth in her ten-minute selection,

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: MJ Perrin

Interviews August 8, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartache. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true. A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re feeling small. Alone in the night you whisper,

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights From Variations on Magic: Race Brown

Interviews August 8, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl.

Time to take a look at another playwright from this year’s Variations on Magic.

Name: Race Brown

Play Title: Really?

Teaser: A play about having your cake and slicing it too.

Abracadabra: A Prestige of Playwrights from Variations on Magic: Jeff Dunne

Interviews August 8, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Every great magic trick consists of three parts:

The first part is called “The Pledge”. This is where the magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird…a play… The Variations Project, proudly produced by Rapid Lemon Productions as it enters its 13th annual production, is back in Baltimore this summer and this year’s theme?

The second part is called “The Turn” where the magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary…

Wood Van Meter (left) as Joseph and Cathy Mundy (right) as The Narrator

Go! Go! Go! See Cathy Mundy as The Narrator in Joseph at Toby’s

Reviews August 6, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Guess what? In their heads— two co-directors had a crazy dream! Five narrators all summer long, was the dream of Mark Minnick and Toby Orenstein! No one knew exactly what that would mean! What to do— it was such a crazy dream! And strange as it seemed— that crazy, crazy dream, brought five women who interpret musical theatre with astonishing brilliance to the stage for the summertime run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Beauty and The Beast at Glyndon Area Players

Reviews August 6, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Little town, Glydon’s a quiet village. The Glyndon Area Player’s play, a theatrical feast! Little town, filled with talented people…putting on a production…of Beauty and the Beast! And this isn’t your run of the mill Disney musical! This fine Disney classic, under the skillful direction of Homero Bayarena, assisted by Teresa Ertel, with Musical Conduction by Andrew Zile and Vocal Direction by Tom Zepp, is magnificence in excelsis! The attention to detail,

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts’ Teen Professional Theatre

Reviews August 6, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Now, here is a riddle to guess, if you can— hear the bells of Notre Dame! What makes a monster and what makes a man? Sing the bells…bells…bells…of Notre Dame! You’ll only discover the answer to this mystifying riddle in the stunning, stirring, brilliant, and breathtaking production of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts’ Teen Professional Theatre this summer. Directed by Stephen Fleming with Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings and Choreography by Mark Minnick,

Lysistrata Jones at Red Branch Theatre Company

Reviews August 5, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh, citizens of Columbia! What can a theatre give but love, love, love? And what can theatergoers do but watch, watch, watch? All’s fair in love in war at Red Branch Theatre Company as they bring the zany, high-octane musical Lysistrata Jones to their stage to jumpstart the back-half of the 2017 season! Directed by Stephanie Lynn Williams with Musical Direction by Dustin Merrell, this modern musical adaptation of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata is a summer sizzler fierier than the heat of Hades!

Nick Zuelsdorf (center) as J. Pierrepont Finch and the "Brotherhood of Men" ensemble

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Alternate Cast at STAR Ltd.

Reviews August 4, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Dear Reader,

By now you think you have everything you need to know about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at STAR Ltd. But this little book has a surprise for you. This little book is designed to tell you all about the other principal performers who have taken up the leading roles during week two of the summer production! The show’s directors and creatives haven’t changed— see the original “little book notes” about them here— but we’ve swapped out the key players to showcase just how many talented young performers are in and around the local area this summer.

Sing the Bells of Notre Dame with Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts Teen Professional Theatre’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame

News August 4, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther 2 Comments

Morning in Columbia the city awakes— to the bells of Notre Dame!

The merchant man sells and the baker man bakes— to the bells of Notre Dame!

Toby’s Teen Professional Theatre, as a part of Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, is offering up a bold regional premiere this summer with their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Based on the infamous Victor Hugo novel with songs from the iconic Disney animated film,

Charlotte’s Web at Artistic Synergy

News August 3, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Chin up! Chin up! Everybody loves a happy face! Wear it! Share it! It’ll brighten up the darkest place! Twinkle! Sparkle! Let a little sunshine in! You’ll be on the right side looking at the bright side up with your chinny-chin, chin up! Salutations! It’s Artistic Synergy’s reason to twinkle— sparkle— and let a little sunshine into the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church basement this summer! Presenting for the first time— a children’s production featuring the children of Artistic Synergy!

Look Out. Look Out! LOOK OUT! Little Shop of Horrors Invades Purple Light Theatre Company

Interviews July 31, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

On the 16th day

Of the month of August

In an early year of a decade

Not too long before our own

The Baltimore Theatre Scene

Suddenly encountered

A vivacious resurgence

To its very existence!

And this nearly-forgotten company surfaced

As such companies often do

With the seemingly most innocent

And unlikely of productions…

PURPLE LIGHT!

Sharkspeare: The Water Ballet at Fluid Movement

Reviews July 30, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

To swim? Or not to swim! THAT is the question! And Fluid Movement has the answer with their annual summertime Water Ballet: SHARKESPEARE! Written collaboratively by Lynda Del Genis, Todd Gardner, Rachel Kassman, and Justin Sabe, with Kassman and Sabe serving as the show’s primary producers, this laugh-out-loud watery dorsal-fin approach to the Bard will have you in stitches with laughter over the terrible puns, the brilliant ideas, and in absolute awe at some of the synchronized swimming routines the execute in the vein of the Bard’s more popular tales.

Chicago at ArtsCentric

Reviews July 30, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Ladies and Gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery: all of those things that ArtsCentric holds near and dear to their hearts! Presenting for the first time an all African-American production of Kander and Ebb’s Chicago, ArtsCentric is raising the bar of expectation— lucky Lindy never flew so high! Directed by Kevin S. McAllister with Musical Direction by Cedric D. Lyles and Choreography by Shalyce N.

Henry O'Toole (center) as J. Pierrepont Finch leading "Brotherhood of Man"

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at STAR Ltd

Reviews July 29, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Dear Reader,

This little review is designed to tell you everything you need to know about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying currently appearing at STAR Ltd. Now let us assume that you are enthusiastic, passionate, clear-eyed and eager to get out and see quality teen theatre in the Baltimore County area, anxious to arrive at a solid production created by talented youth— you can! If you have education,

Tick, Tick…BOOM! at Stillpointe Theatre

Reviews July 17, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask Stillpointe Theatre, it’s clear that they prefer to soar over the Baltimore Theatre scene with their dazlious wings, showcasing their astonishing talent in their summer musical production of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick…BOOM! Directed by Grace Anastasiadis with Musical Direction by Stacey Antoine, this primer to Rent is delivered with precision, balance, and perfection to the eye, ear, and heart.

Tick.

Knuffle Bunny is just hoping to make it to Infinity Theatre Company this summer- will you!?

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical at Infinity Theatre Company

Reviews July 17, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Aggle! Flaggle! Klabble! Who can understand a word of what tricky Trixie is saying? Well, Knuffle Bunny, that’s who! And of course, if Trixie is flailing her arms and gibbering at the top of her lungs— and— oh no! SHE’S GONE BONELESS!!! It can only mean one thing! That her dearest, darlingist Knuffle Bunny has gone— MISSING!!! Join Mom, Dad, and of course Trixie as Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical gets underway this summer at Infinity Theatre Company.

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical at Monumental Theatre Company

Reviews July 17, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

You’ve seen all the stage shows there are to see

With musical fortitude and pride

But if there’s something new you’re craving

Try out the musical of Bonnie & Clyde.

Monumental Theatre Company is of the suggestion

That they ought to go and raise a little hell

So they’ve put together this here production

Of two famous outlaws we know well

Bringing to the DMV the professional premiere

For a little company that is quite the great stride

It’s a limited run,

Go! Go! Go! See Coby Kay Callahan As The Narrator In Joseph At Toby’s

Reviews July 17, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Strange as it seems, there’s been a run of crazy dreams— the dream of playing The Narrator in this 2017 summer production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. And a woman who can interpret the way Miss Coby Kay Callahan does will go far— in fact? She’ll become a star! Taking her place as the third narrator in this rotating series of leading ladies, Callahan presents a convivial and honest narrative character right from the get-go.

Cabaret at The Kennedy Center

Reviews July 17, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play. Life is a cabaret, old chum! Come to the Cabaret! The Roundabout Theatre Company is pleased to give to you— and be sure to give it back when you’re finished with it— Kander and Ebb’s stunning Cabaret. Directed by BT McNicholl, this production is showing the nation’s capital that life is beautiful, the girls are beautiful,

Peter Pan at The JCS Summer Community Theatre

Reviews July 13, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther 2 Comments

Think lovely thoughts! Mermaids! Pirates! Candy! No, no, no, lovelier thoughts! Think lovely thoughts! Make-believe! Dancing! Candy! No, no, no, no, no! You must think LOVELY thoughts! The JCS Summer Community Theatre production of Peter Pan? YES! You can fly! You can fly! You can fly! (See, how lovely a thought that was?) Quick— now that you’re all sprinkled up with your pixie dust and your lovely thoughts of fantastically imaginative and wonderfully performed community theatre,

Spring Awakening at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews July 11, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

11 July and the question is shame. Will you feel shame if you don’t go and see Spring Awakening at The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre this summer? The answer is yes. Shame is a product of education, but do not remain ignorant to this impressively evocative and intimate piece of highly charged sensual musical theatre. Directed by Jillian Bauersfeld with Musical Direction by Michael W. Tan, this gripping and moving musical drama traverses the controversial plains of adolescence blossoming into maturity despite the deliberate ignorance engrained from the religious and parental rule that governs the time.

Godspell at Pasadena Theatre Company

Reviews July 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

When your trust is all but shattered, when your faith is all but killed— because every company and their brother all across the state of Maryland seem to be turning out productions of Stephen Schwartz’ pre-Wicked musical wonder, fear not! And prepare ye the way of Chuck Dick, who— like Lazarus— has risen with strength and fortitude to set Pasadena Theatre Company back on its feet! And what better way to do it than with an iconic and textbook production of Godspell?

Macbeth at The Gypsy Wagon Theatre Compay

Reviews July 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Tis the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes: a theatre company hath sprung up afresh in Reisterstown. But not just any theatre company, nay, but The Gypsy Wagon Theatre Company, whose full intention is to be mobile. At first appearing to be little more than a tin can on wheels, do not be deceived, this collapsible trailer-esque stage is purporting a tall order of theatrical design— when it comes to lighting especially— and currently presenting a mighty solid production of Shakespeare’s very own Macbeth.

Seussical at Heritage Players: The Other Half of Jojo

Reviews July 9, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

Oh! Excuse me there, reader, but I thought you’d like to know

Just what was seen today with the other Jojo!

Remember me, reader? We spoke last week about Seussical?

Well Heritage Players is two weeks in with that musical!

I don’t usually go back to see a show twice

But this show was smashing, it was really quite nice!

I gathered up my friends— five children in tow…

And when we arrived— well?

Godspell at Infinity Theatre Company

Reviews July 6, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

If you have ears to hear, then listen! Live from Annapolis it’s Godspell! In the summer of ’17 when everyone seems to be picking up the good book of John-Michael Tebelak (with Music and new Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) Infinity Theatre Company is reinventing the story of Godspell in a refreshing and original new fashion. Directed by Alan Ostroff with Musical Direction by Laura Mueller, Godspell is being presented like a studio recording of Saturday Night Live and if you’ve ears to hear me,

Seussical at The Heritage Players

Reviews July 3, 2017 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s most certainly definitely a sweltering summer!

But please, oh please, don’t let the weather be a bummer!

Because there are so many things you can think if you try!

Like a production of Seussical that you shouldn’t pass by!

Why, it’s The Heritage Players offering up their zany summer show!

And it’s a pretty darn good one, take it from me— I should know!