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.

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Other Voices Theatre

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Other Voices Theatre

Reviews July 31, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Red…yellow…green…brown…scarlet…black…don’t tempt me. I know all 29 colors by heart— Sara Bosworth of Lansdowne Middle School ensured that every kid in that production could say, sing, spell, and recite in order the colors of Joseph’s coat in the spring of 1998. I’ve been married to this production for almost as many years as the coat has colors. And seeing my umpteenth production from church basements to national touring houses and everywhere in-between— Joseph &

Emma Justine Roeder (left) as Cecily and Elena Echeandia (right) as Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest at ESP Theatre 📷 Michael Mason Studios

The Importance of Being Earnest at Endangered Species Theatre Project

Reviews July 29, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

The very essence of romance is uncertainty! Will they? Won’t they? Is it a Happily-Ever-After? Join The Endangered Species Theatre Project as they embark down the well-worn theatrical path of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest this summer as a part of the Frederick Shakespeare Festival. Co-Directed by Christine Mosere and Kayla Swain, there’s some giddiness abound in this indoor-festival production.

Part of this production’s challenge is the overall pacing,

Deathtrap at Cockpit in Court

Reviews July 28, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Of these two things I am certain; all else is confusion:

Cockpit in Court puts up five shows a year in their summerstock season; two main stage shows, two shows in the cabaret, and a junior show for youth performers over in the admin building.
Deathtrap is arguably the best show they’ve produced up in the cabaret space this side of the pandemic.

It’s thrilleritis-malignus at its finest!

Footloose at Cockpit in Court

Reviews July 26, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Everything I learned that gets me through the worst, I learned at my Mama’s knee. And I invite her along plenty to come see musical theatre, out and about with me. And while she couldn’t make it to the opening of Cockpit in Court’s Footloose— my Mama says, it doesn’t matter, if you’re a first-timer or you been there before, you better get your tickets to see that show, before they ain’t got tickets no more!

Hair at Small Town Stars Theatre Company

Reviews July 24, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

End war before it ends you! Not something most of us thought would be resonating hard here in 2026. History doesn’t repeat itself so much as it rhymes with itself. And you can feel that rhyming resonance in all too relevant way raging through the talent at Small Town Stars Theatre Company’s production of Hair. Yes, that Hair, the one with the hippie-loving ‘be-in’ and the nudity at the end of Act I.

Urinetown at Street Lamp Community Theatre

Reviews July 23, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Well it’s a hard, cold, tumble of a tourney, jumble of a journey to Urinetown! Actually, it’s a long drive, and it’s pretty hot outside, all the way up to Rising Sun for Urinetown. But my friends, I say— you have to run, freedom-run-freedom-run-awaaaaaay— up there to go and see this fine production! Campy, humorous, creative, clever, with all sorts of piss-taking songs and a company 32 strong in that little black box of Street Lamp Community Theatre,

Doll Parts… at The Voxel

Reviews July 22, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

“Change doesn’t come whispered in your ear; it comes as a hurricane.” There was more to that strikingly profound quote but at the risk of butchering Nikki Ann Hartman’s beautiful phraseology, I’ll leave it there. It was one of several, one of many, one of more than a handful that really stuck with me while experiencing Doll Parts… a one{trans}-woman show at The Voxel in Baltimore City last night. A friend of mine likes to tease me about how I struggle with the difference between a couple,

The Addams Family at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre

When You’re An Addams: A Full-Disclosure Interview with The Addams Family (and some Beinekes) at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre

Interviews July 19, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Secrets are the enemies of passion! Speaking truth will get you through the day. Truth is not a thing that one should ration— and believe me as I open up and saaaay—

Actually…they do a lot of the saying. I’m just doing the asking. In this sit-down, round-robin TheatreBloom interview, we’ve got seven Addamses and two Beinekes* talking all about their current experience of working on The Addams Family musical, opening on Sunday August 16th 2026 at Beth Tfiloh Community Theatre.

Bonnie & Clyde at River Stone Theatre Company

Reviews July 17, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

In this hot summer heat if you need someplace cool to go—

Prepare yourself for a sensational show.

They put the ‘hell’ in hello, and you’re in for one hell of a ride

When you come see River Stone Theatre Company’s production of Bonnie & Clyde.

Why? Well, ‘cause ain’t nothin’ rhyme with Clyde & Bonnie. This rarely produced musical is currently appearing at the Opera House in Havre de Grace as River Stone Theatre Company’s third main-stage show and is directed and choreographed by Lauren Hampton,

Anatomy of Performance: An Interview with Nikki Ann Hartman on Her New Work Doll Parts… at The Voxel

Interviews July 15, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

A one-[trans]-woman show about memory, becoming, and transitioning gender in later life. If that sounds like a show that has piqued your interests, then Doll Parts… appearing at The Voxel in Baltimore from July 21st through July 25th 2026 is the show for you. Written and performed by Nikki Ann Hartman (Founding Artistic Director of The People’s Repertory Theatre Company) this new work will debut as a part of the summer residency program offered at The Voxel.

Dare To Dream

News July 14, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Every adventure requires a first step! Even if you don’t know what comes next! It’s time to take that first step and go on a wonderful adventure— and spoiler, I’ll tell you what comes next! Why it’s a wonderful, heartfelt, hour(ish) long show performed by 16 terrific young actors who are doing their show’s namesake— they are daring to dream! Hop on that magic carpet and soar on over to the Court Jesters (the junior division of Cockpit in Court) for this magical production of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr.

Pete Sheldon (left) as Prince Hal and Steven Todd Smith (right) as Hotspur in Henry IV Part 1 with Unstrung Harpist 📷 Cody James

Henry IV Part 1 at Unstrung Harpist

Reviews July 11, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Is not truth the truth? Instinct is a great matter. And your instincts ought be telling you to get thee to Frederick for the inaugural production of the 2026 Frederick Shakespeare Festival— Henry IV Part 1 as presented by Unstrung Harpist. Directed by Evan Crump, this jam-packed history can turn even the most skeptical of audient into a history appreciator if not wholly an enthusiast. Remarkably well executed, this sword-clashing, heartbreaking, villainously ripe tale doth tread upon the heels of Richard II,

Beetlejuice on tour at Broadway at The National in DC 📷 Matthew Murphy

Beetlejuice at The National Theatre in DC

Reviews July 11, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Positivity is a luxury that few can afford! But I’m positive that you’ll want to catch Beetlejuice now that it’s returned home to The National Theatre for a two-week summertime engagement! It’s a show about death! And they tell you that straight away— no punches— no surprises— well, plenty of surprises, but not about the whole “being dead thing.” Based on the Geffen Company Picture of the same name, with story by Michael McDowell &

producing artistic director Tad Janes (left) with Rona Mensah (right)

Cheers to 29 Years: Maryland Ensemble Theatre Launches 2026/2027 Season

News July 2, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

You wish to go to the— METstival? And it’ll be AGONY if you don’t get a ticket? A season ticket!? Or a ticket to any of their terrific five-mainstage, four-Fun-company— yeah it doesn’t really work after that because their Comedy Nights are sooooo expansive— at least five active teams plus the return/kickstart of some other fun endeavors— but you get the idea! Maryland Ensemble Theatre is kicking off their 29th season and there is so much in-store— you might even say they are not throwin’ away their shot!*

In fantastical Maryland Ensemble Theatre fashion,

Steven Todd Smith (lapped) as Hotspur and Maureen O'Neal (holding) as Lady Percy in a micro-scene from Henry IV Part 1 at the opening ceremony for the 8th annual Frederick Shakespeare Festival. 📷 Mandy Gunther

All O’ Frederick’s A Stage: And Unstrung Harpist, ESP, and Ardeo its Players

News June 30, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

‘Zounds, I will speak of it; and let my soul want mercy, if I do not join with them!

And speak on’t I shall. Borrowing some words in true wordsmith fashion, a call to attend! Attend thyselves upon this festival of merriment, this festival of drawn-daggers and teacups (every family has one) and knavery and bloody history and comedy and tragedy and all! Tis true— tis The Frederick Shakespeare Festival upon which I dote and dare speak (and will be waiting for two of the directors to flounce me round the ears for my bastardization of Shakespeare’s tongue,

While You Live Tell Truth and Shame The Devil: An Interview with Evan Crump and Aaron Angello {mostly} on Henry IV Pt1 (and also a lil Much Ado)

Interviews June 26, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

For let them be Diana’s foresters, gentlemen of the shade (and indoor air-conditioning!) minions of the moon! Said Falstaff, Act I Scene ii, more or less. In a TheatreBloom sit-down, we’re chit-chatting all around the moon minions— or at least with two of them— Evan Crump, Artistic Director of Unstrung Harpist and director of Henry IV Part I, and Aaron Angello, Co-Artistic Director of Ardeo Theatre Company and director of Much Ado About Nothing— AND they’re both acting in each other’s Shakespeare offerings in the 2026 Frederick Shakespeare Festival!

As You Like It a Summer Community Outreach Production at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews June 26, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

Trying to tell a story you can feel. How do you make the magic real? Love makes magic real. And is love bursting at every seam in Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Summer Community Outreach production of As You Like It. And this isn’t just any As You Like It, it’s the one adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolrey (music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, source material William Shakespeare.) And it has the love of Julie Herber and Karli Cole,

Fiddler on the Roof at HCST 📷 Neil Rubino

Fiddler on the Roof at Howard County Summer Theatre

Reviews June 23, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

A little bit of this… a little bit of that… And— only 94 actors!? That’s a new tradition for Howard County Summer Theatre! Marking their 50th annual production (founded in 1975 but there was a pandemic in there for a summer or two), HCST brings the iconic musical of tradition to the stage— for the 3rd time (1988, 2015, and now.) Directed by Tom Sankey with Vocal Direction by Miriam Kook, Choreography by Kassi Serafini,

Three Tall Women at WFB Productions

Reviews June 19, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

They say you can’t remember pain. Maybe you can’t remember pleasure either. What does it matter, it’s all glitter anyway, isn’t it? What day is it? I scarcely know myself. Thursday, I think. Likely Friday by the time this makes print. Likely Friday by the time this show opens. Truth or illusion, though that might be the wrong Albee. Have to keep these things delicately balanced, you know. If you’re looking for something theatrically impressive,

God of Carnage at Cockpit in Court

Reviews June 19, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

Are you eccentric enough to believe in the soothing power of culture? Theatre is meant to be culture. Dark comedies are meant to be funny. And Yasmina Reza’s darkish-comedy God of Carnage (as translated by Christopher Hampton) certainly has its moments in the upstairs cabaret theatre space of Cockpit in Court, the first of two non-musicals included in the 2026 summer season. Directed by Gabriel Lewin, this edgy dark deviance divulges into the territory of “what happens when adults behave like children and fail to act like th grown-ups that they’re pretending to be?”

I’ve seen shows in the cabaret theatre space of Cockpit in Court since 2012,

Xanadu at Cockpit in Court

Reviews June 19, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

A million lights are dancing— and there they are, a shooting star (ten of them, actually!) An everlasting world, lovely-in-blue…and they’re there with you! Must be—

Xanadu

ELO, ONJ, OMG, and all that jazz! It’s Venice… okay Venice Beach…well, Essex at CCBC but we’ll suspend our disbelief for this fun and whimsical bit of theatrical cotton candy. The iconic and camptastic screen-to-stage gem Xanadu is glittering its way onto Cockpit in Court’s main stage as the first of a five-show season (two upstairs,

The Divine Sister at Vagabond Players

Reviews June 5, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

All religion is a mania. And the maniacs are going to be coming after Charles Busch (the farce-loving playwright) for The Divine Sister. How do you solve a problem like Maria? Or a problem that you— ‘can’t face’? (Put that one in a British accent while you’re at it) well…take a hearty dose of holy high hilarity down at Vagabond Players to close out their 110th season. Whoever greenlit this one as the season closer has got a bone to pick with the big guy upstairs… or big girl?

Something Rotten! at Theatreworks Live

Reviews May 29, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s… a… musical! A Mus-i-cal! Theatreworks Live is doing an amazing musical! With song and dance and sweet romance and happy endings by happenstance! They’re giving you bright lights— stage fights— and a razzle-dazzle ensemble…oop! Nothing rhymes with ensemble! But it’s still… a… musical! Yes! A Musical! In fact, it’s Something Rotten! on their stage, that’s the musical! That’s right, they’re fancy! And they are bringing you moments of culture and art and a whole lot of talented young performers who just can’t wait to show you all of their singing,

Monica Tulia Ramirez (center on horse) as Inez Milholland and the company of Suffs 📷 Joan Marcus

Suffs at The Hippodrome

Reviews May 27, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

Lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go! The rallying cry of Suffs— women on the march! Women on the move! And these women will show you who they are as they march for justice, for freedom, for equality! And they’re bringing that march right through the heart of Charm City— to Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre! The First National Tour of Suffs plays a limited week-long engagement at The Hippodrome and it’s playing in one of the most crucial moments in history.

Emma at Everyman Theatre

Reviews May 26, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

You can’t control everything, Emma! But isn’t it fun to watch her try!? Yes! Yes it is! And far more than fun— it’s practically a divertissement of the most jubilant nature; it’s a rather uproarious, madcap enjoyment! Emma, the Jane Austen classic— as recently adapted by Kate Hamill for maximum rom-com tomfoolery— is situating itself onto the Everyman Theatre main stage as the final production of the 2025/2026 season. Directed by Laura Kepley,

American Vamp at Baltimore Rock Opera Society

Reviews May 25, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

Welcome to Plasma Corp.

What happens here stays here.

And rots.

Because the world is murder. People just see what they want to see. They don’t care. And BROS enthusiasts who come out to see this show are going to have a field day, a blast, a rockin’ good time— because they will see what they want to see in American Vamp. (Concept and Original Pitch by Hanna F.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Just Off Broadway

Reviews May 22, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

How now, summer spirit? Have you brought us hot ice and wondrous strange snow? Or a mess of Athenian lovers, a Faerie Brawl, and some Rude Mechanicals all dusted up in one moonlit spell? All of that, says you? Then you must be alluding to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Just Off Broadway! The first of the Bard’s ilk to tread the boards at JoB and it’s a sensational production under the keen and goodly direction of Mistress Kelly Williams Carlson,

(L to R) Gillian Shelly as Martha, Steven Todd Smith as Nick, Maureen O'Neal as Honey, and Aaron Angelo as George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Ardeo Theatre Company 📷Michael Mason Studios

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Ardeo Theatre Company

Reviews May 21, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

We all peel labels. The most innocuous, seemingly mundane line to not only land but stick indefinitely from a production that has arguably thousands of lines to choose from or resonate with. Edward Albee and Betty Brevity are not besties (spoiler: neither are she and I!) but there’s a reason his verbose textual structure has garnered him the success and accolades that it has through the decades of his works’ existence. But that one line— “we all peel labels” is the most brutally exacting descriptor for what’s happening in this current production of Who’s Afraid of Virigina Woolf?

Every Brilliant Thing at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews May 19, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

13. Being wholly in the moment with that one companion who just sees you no matter which you that you are in that moment, feeling loved, seen, and appreciated by that whole person and their whole being as you are being your whole self.

28. Face Glitter.

422. Home-grown Nasturtium blossoms

649. Not understanding how time can move so quickly and so slowly all at once and not at all.

Maya Keleher (center) as Alice Paul in the First National Tour of Suffs 📷 Joan Marcus

Finishing The Fight: An Interview with Maya Keleher on leading the charge in the First National Tour of Suffs

Interviews May 18, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

They’re merely soldiers in petty coats? Right? Think again, Mary Poppins, these are not your grandma’s suffragettes. I mean, technically, from a timestamp point they’re you’re grandma and maybe even your great-grandma’s suffragettes, but this is a whole new spin on the movement and after its critical success on Broadway, it’s currently touring its way across the nation as a part of the Broadway Across America series. What show? Suffs, of course!