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.

Review: Murder Ballad at Stillpointe Theatre

Reviews September 4, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

We all want to touch the flames but not get burned. Stillpointe Theatre is bringing you flaming theatrical reality with their first main stage production of the 2016/2017 season and it isn’t even on their main stage! In the fully exposed in-your-face, at-your-feet, all-around-you production of Murder Ballad, Director Corey Hennessey and Co-Director Amanda J. Rife bring a visceral and emotional biting love-triangle straight to your eyes, ears, and hearts. Ensconced in the grungy rocker atmosphere upstairs at The Ottobar,

Review: Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at September Song

Reviews September 4, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Close your eyes, draw back the curtain, and you will see for certain what you thought you knew. And what you thought you knew was that September Song, a dedicated summertime community theatre in Carroll County entering its 42nd year of producing a mainstage musical, is doing impressive work on its stage. You were right to think so as the company proves their worth as a community staple and heartfelt institution with this year’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph &

Review: Marx in Soho at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews September 2, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Is there anything more outrageous than an honest critic? It might be the way that The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre is kicking off their 55th season with Howard Zinn’s Marx in Soho. Directed by Sherrionne Brown, with Phil Gallagher in the titular role, this evening of socialist banter is an engaging theatrical endeavor that will grip the audience and give them pause to think about whether or not society is going in any direction at all,

Review: Henry V at The Rude Mechanicals

Reviews September 1, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Suppose within the girdles of the Greenbelt Arts Center’s walls are now confined two mighty forces— The Rude Mechanicals: a community theatre troupe that delivers judiciously trimmed and readily accessible Shakespearean plays— and Henry V: Shakespeare’s middle Henry history play. Directed by Rebecca Speas, this muse of fire finds its place among the Bard’s canon in true Rude Mechanicals style and delivers swiftly the plot, the point, and the perfectly pared-down rendition of what is otherwise a lengthy history lesson in the trajectory arc of Prince Hal to King Harry.

Siobhan O'Loughlin, performance creator of Broken Bone Bathtub

Splish Splash We’re Taking a Bath: An Interview with Bathtub Artist Siobhan O’Loughlin

Interviews September 1, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

How does one decide to make performance art? Where does it come from? And at what point does one say “how about I do this in a bathtub?” In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview with performance artist Siobhan O’Loughlin, currently performing her Broken Bone Bathtub right here in Charm City through Submersive Productions, we sit down and talk one on one about how the world-renowned bathtub show got its start and where it’s going next.

Once More Into the Breach: An Interview with Allison McAlister and Rebecca Speas on Henry V

Interviews August 29, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more! But what if it’s your first time into the breach, like it is for Director Rebecca Speas, who’s taking Henry V out for her first full-length directorial debut? Or you’re newcomer Allison McAlister fresh to the Maryland theatre scene by way of North Carolina and delving into the titular role of the show? In a TheatreBloom exclusive interview, we sit down with Rebecca and Allison to get an idea of what muses stoke their fire when it comes to the Bard and his great history lesson.

Review: Verb (A Play on Words) at Stillpointe Theatre

Reviews August 26, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Fuck.

It’s a verb. It’s a noun. It’s an expletive. But is it offensive? And is it that the word itself is offensive or is it the context in which it is used that offends? Will Stillpointe Theatre offend anyone if they perform the area premiere of Seth Freeman’s new work Verb (A Play on Words)? Only one way to find out. Directed by Ryan Haase, this evocative play on words begs the question of where do we— as individuals,

You Can’t Stop the Beat at Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Meet the Nicest Kids in Town- Justin Calhoun and Christie Graham

Interviews August 24, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

You can’t stop the motion of the ocean or the rain from above— you can try to stop the paradise they’re dreaming of— but you cannot stop the rhythm of two hearts in love to stay! You can’t stop the final installment of the You Can’t Stop the Beat interview series, featuring Christie Graham and Justin Calhoun as Tracy Turnblad and Link Larkin! Read on, readers! Because they’re going to shake and shimmy it and have some fun today!

Review: Lend Me a Tenor at Third Wall Productions

Reviews August 22, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther 3 Comments

Che pazzo! Che buffo! Che divertente! Dio mio, che spettacolo! A-wha? You no speak-a de Italiano? That’s-a okay. Neither do they. Not in Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor now appearing at Third Wall Productions, anyhow. This madcap farce filled to the brim of mocking stereotypes will have you choking on-a your spaghetti before the evening is through! Directed by Mea Holloway, this zany runaround comedy is fortified with door-slamming, bed-breaking action that will keep you chuckling from start to finish.

Siobhan O'Loughlin in Broken Bone Bathtub

Review: Broken Bone Bathtub at Submersive Productions

Reviews August 22, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Think about your day. Think about all you do in your day. You wake up, you shower, you go to work, perhaps you live alone and you do everything on your own. You are self-sufficient. But what if that changed? What if something happened and you were no longer able to complete your daily routine on your own? In a uniquely engaging and compelling theatrical performance, globally traveled performance artist Siobhan O’Loughlin returns to Maryland and under the aegis of Submersive Productions brings her world-famous Broken Bone Bathtub to Charm City.

Jeff Foxworthy Live at Hollywood Casino

News August 21, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

“If your working television sits on top of your non-working, you might be a redneck.” The humor that put Jeff Foxworthy on the map as a stand-up comedian is how he chose to close his 75-minute set after really giving the audience a rip-roaring ride of good personal humor that touched the funny bone of everyone in attendance. It would have been a Foxworthy stand-up show without the infamous “redneck” string of hilariously low-brow comedic insults at the conclusion of the show,

Review: The Missing Peace at Stillpointe Theatre

Reviews August 19, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

One voice have I, one task to tell, but I shall need to borrow your breath to tell my story. Breathe in…breathe out…and prepare yourself for a fantastical journey the likes of which one could never imagine. The Missing Peace, a new musical with Music and Lyrics by Ron Melrose, is making a three-performances-only whirlwind reprise in the home space of Stillpointe Theatre. After a successful run at the 2016 Capital Fringe Festival,

Review: The Tempest at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Reviews August 19, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

With spirits to enforce and arts to enchant, Shakespeare Theatre Company offers up the most whimsically enchanting of the Bard’s theatrical canon with their production of The Tempest. Presented as the 26th Annual ‘Free for All’ performance, and Directed by Ethan McSweeny, Shakespeare’s final play is delivered with radiant justice, mesmerizing theatrical magic, and exquisite emotional endeavors that envelope the audience for a truly fantastical experience. The majesty of Lee Savage’s set juxtaposed against a myriad of miraculous production design elements make this a truly magnificent experience for all who are able to attend.

Review: The Women of Lockerbie at Milburn Stone Theatre Elkton Station

Reviews August 18, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Hatred will not have the last word in Lockerbie. For hatred is simply love that has been injured, so if there is hatred in your heart then there is love there too. And the love flowing out of The Milburn Stone Theater Elkton Station production of The Women of Lockerbie is strikingly profound. A harrowing and yet emotionally inspiring play based on true events from the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy,

Review: Lost in Yonkers at Prince George’s Little Theatre

Reviews August 16, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The only place in the world where you can truly feel safe is with family. Especially when your family puts the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional as the Kurnitz family does in the classic Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers, now appearing at Bowie’s playhouse in the woods to start off the 2016/2017 season for Prince George’s Little Theatre. Directed by Ken Kienas, this touching family dramedy tugs at the heartstrings as two teenage boys find themselves unexpected living with their extremely rigid and strictly traditional German grandmother out in Yonkers,

You Can’t Stop the Beat at Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Meet the Nicest Kids in Town- David James and Larry Munsey

Interviews August 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Some folks can’t stand it— say time is a bandit— but not these two, because they’re timeless to everyone! Heading into the home stretch of the TheatreBloom “You Can’t Stop the Beat” interview series, we sit down with Toby’s veterans David James and Lawrence B. Munsey who are no strangers to theatre in the round nor to the roles which they’re currently reprising in Hairspray.

Thank you both so much for giving me a quick nugget of your time!

You Can’t Stop the Beat at Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Meet the Nicest Kids in Town- Andre Hinds and Sophie Schulman

Interviews August 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

They say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice, and Seaweed J. Stubs is here to run and tell that alongside Miss Penny Lou Pingleton, who has found her blue-eyed soul after meeting Seaweed! Continuing on the You Can’t Stop the Beat interview series, TheatreBloom sits down with Andre Hinds and Sophie Schulman to talk about Seaweed and Penny.

Thank you both for taking a moment and sitting with us! If you could give us a brief introduction of who you are,

Review: Snow White at Heritage Players

Reviews August 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Would that be The Heritage Players because they’re currently presenting a family-family production of Snow White? Dramatized by J. Michael Straczynski and Directed by Kathy McCrory, the well-loved fairytale is the perfect end-of-summer treat for young audiences and audiences’ young at heart. With just one over a dozen performers featured in the classic story, the show is all but perfect,

Review: Jelly’s Last Jam at Signature Theatre

Reviews August 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

And it came to pass that jazz was born at Signature Theatre when Jelly’s Last Jam kicked off the 2016/2017 season in the sweltering August heat! Step right into ‘The Jungle Inn’ where you’re jammin’ with Jelly tonight! There’s no doubt about this masterful musical— with book by George C. Wolfe, Music by Jelly Roll Morton, Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and Musical Adaptation & Additional Music composed by Luther Henderson— as it lays down the birth of jazz exactly like Jelly Roll Morton remembers it!

Review: Murder Rocks at Do or Die Productions

Reviews August 12, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame! Well, not exactly, at least the shot through the heart part— but you could be to blame at Do or Die Productions’ latest whodunit incident, Murder Rocks, appearing now at The Sunset Restaurant for the month of August. In true DoDP fashion the show, written by Ceej Crowe, is ripe with wild parody humor, a few puns, and a great evening of comic audience-interactive murder mystery!

Review: Heathers The Musical at Red Branch Theatre Company

Reviews August 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Color me stoked, Heathers The Musical has turned up on the stage at Red Branch Theatre Company this summer. The second show in their season entitled “Paint it Red” and makings its area debut and regional premiere, Heathers is based on the iconic 80’s cult film by Daniel Waters. With Book, Music, and Lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe, this biting dark comedy will worm its way into your heart— if not your funny bone— before the ending,

Review: Dark Play or Stories for Boys at BOOM Theatre Company

Reviews August 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The question. The choice. The question. The choice. Do I tell the truth? Or do I make shit up? Truth is BOOM Theatre Company is engaging in an edgy piece of theatrical brilliance, penned by Carlos Murillo and Directed by Joshua Fletcher. Evocative and mind-blowing, Dark Play or Stories for Boys, is a richly engaging tale that sparks a fire in the mind, and draws a fascination from the dangerous games we play in our minds and our lives.

Review: The Producers at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

Reviews August 8, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The cast is great, the script is swell, but this I’m telling you, sirs. It’s just no go, you’ve got no show without The Producers! And Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre has got a show because they’ve got The Producers as the final offering of their 50th Anniversary season this summer. The iconic Mel Brooks musical arrives at Annapolis’ own theatre under the stars venue under the Direction of Jerry Vess with Musical Direction by Anita O’Connor.

The 11th Annual Kid’s Playwriting Festival at Twin Beach Players

Reviews August 5, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Summer is sizzling up a creativity storm down in North Beach as the 11th Annual Kids’ Playwriting Festival gets underway at the Twin Beach Players. With two dozen scripts submitted from area youth playwrights, six winners were selected for performance in this year’s festival. Festival Director Sherry Lehnen brought six groups of young actors and directors— many of whom have participated in previous KPF events through the years, some of whom have even had their plays produced— together in addition to a series of volunteers of all ages to help run tech and crew for an amazing opportunity for these young and gifted writers.

Review: The Little Mermaid at Glyndon Area Players

Reviews August 2, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

I’ll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue, and it’s hey— to Glyndon Area Players— heave-ho! Look out, folks, a mermaid be waiting for you in mysterious fathoms below! Not just one mermaid, but a dozen or so. And one wicked sea witch. Oh, and a cantankerous crustacean. And a lovesick guppy. And a prince! And so much more if you’ll just plunge in and take the journey with GAP for their 19th season as they present Disney’s The Little Mermaid for the summer of 2016.

Review: Science Fair! The Water Ballet at Fluid Movement

Reviews August 1, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

The Robert L. Drake Jr. Middle School would like to welcome everyone to this year’s Science Fair! Do to the unfortunate ant-colony incident, this year’s project display will be taking place in the outdoor multi-purpose gym-pool-cafetorium, graciously set up at Druid Hill and Patterson Park on alternating weekends. Miss Waters (Kay-Megan Washington) will be announcing this year’s participants and everything will be just dandy, what could possibly go wrong with entries from The Young Environmentalists,

Review: Dreamgirls at ArtsCentric

Reviews August 1, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Miracles happen all the time in the world of R&B. So too do they happen in the world of MT— Musical Theatre. ArtsCentric is currently presenting a stupendous miracle, thankfully for more than just one night only with their stellar production of Dreamgirls. Directed by Kevin S. McAllister with Musical Direction by Cedric D. Lyles, this visionary display of storytelling is laced with exceptional talent, determined dedication, and earnest heart and soul that will leave you dreaming of more and yearning to come back and see it again and again.

Review: Little Shop of Horrors at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

Reviews July 30, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

On the twenty eighth day of the month of August in the summer heat of 2016, the human race suddenly encountered a sensational production of a science-fiction musical thriller in Winchester, Virginia. And this terrifyingly brilliant production surfaced on the stage of Shenandoah Summer Musical Theatre as its ’16 summer closer. Little Shop of Horrors, bop-sh’bop! It’s a Little Shop of Horrors! Be sure and stop to catch this masterpiece,

Review: The Merchant of Venice at The Kennedy Center

Reviews July 28, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Hold the world but as the world, where every man must play a part. The actor his character, the characters their plots, and to you— dear audience— the part of enchanted for an evening’s merriment and mirth masked in the enthralling guise of the Bard’s tragicomedy The Merchant of Venice. For a whirlwind three performance engagement in The Eisenhower Theatre of The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Shakespeare’s Globe on Tour doth set down this remarkable expression of performance before the eager eyes of an audience.

Review: The Drowsy Chaperone at STAR Ltd

Reviews July 27, 2016 Amanda N. Gunther

Isn’t it delightful when a musical does what it ought to do? When it takes you away and gives you a few tunes to carry with you when you go? A feel good, honest fun, good comedic romp with some catchy numbers that lets you disappear for a while into the decadent world of the 1920’s, why that could only be The Drowsy Chaperone now appearing on stage in the Rice Auditorium with STAR Ltd!