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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.

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,

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The St. Gabriel Miracle Players

News May 15, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

In the end, there’s quite a prize if you can see with more than your eyes. And you’ll have to bring more than just your peepers along for the ride if you truly want to experience Charlie & The Chocolate Factory at St. Gabriel’s Miracle Players. You’ll need to bring your— IMAGINATION! Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, this newer musical theatre adaptation has more grizzly outcomes for the children as they traverse their way through Wonka’s chocolate factory and The Miracle Players are doing the best they can to bring you wonder,

Shakespeare Bites with Theatre Students of Brooklyn Park Middle School (Apex Arts)

To Play Or Not To Play: An Evening of Performance with Apex Arts

News May 15, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

Shakespeare is a thief. Theatres are haunted. Live theatre is best served with comedy. This year’s spring showcase for the Theatre Students of Brooklyn Park Middle School (Apex Arts program) has a bubbly mixed-bag of topics presented in two parts— the sixth graders performing Live Theatre and the seventh and eighth graders performing Shakespeare Bites, both written by CJ Crowe, a teaching artist working with theatre students as a part of the Apex Arts program.

Remember The Ladies at Hood College & Arts@FCC

News April 17, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

“I desire that you would remember the ladies…” ~Abigail Adams, March 31st 1776 in a letter to John.
And sure, Abigail Adams is easy enough— she’s one of just two female roles in 1776 the musical. But what about Sybil Ludington? The 16-yo female Paul Revere, and maybe she gets more of a notice because she had a male-counterpart to be compared to, but I bet most of you coming out to this wonderfully new devised piece called Remember The Ladies (written and directed by Suzanne Beal) won’t recognize most of the other names dropped into the piece,

Bus Buddies at Endangered Species Theatre Project

News April 14, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

You ever ridden a bus? Taken it just because it was there? Or maybe you’re one of those regulars who depends upon the bus route for your day-to-day operations? Maybe you get to know the people on the bus as a part of your community, they become like your family, and are woven into your story as much as your daily cup of coffee? That’s the notion or at least the essence that playwright Nancy Luse is aiming for with her new work Bus Buddies,

Rapunzel (A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairytale) at Stand Up For…Theatre

News March 25, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

So you think you know Rapunzel, huh? Fairytale about the princess trapped in the tower with the really long hair and the prince and the witch? Betcha didn’t know she had two other village girls trapped up there with her. Or that the evil witch had a good twin. Sounds like Fractured Fairytles gone goofy, right? Sort of! And it’s got music! It’s Stand Up For…Theatre and their production of Rapunzel (A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairytale) and while calling it ‘rock-n-roll’ may be a bit of a stretch,

Peter Rabbit and the Secret Garden Gate at MET Fun Company

News February 24, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

This is passing extraordinary! This lovely, whimsical adventure— Peter Rabbit and the Secret Garden Gate, which is now appearing in the Stage II space at Maryland Ensemble Theatre as a MET Fun Company production! Charmingly devised and Directed by Shea-Mikal Green, a cast of four performers tumble around in the world of Beatrix Potter, most notably with the Peter Rabbit character and it’s delightful; a remarkably felicitous escape into the nostalgic world of childhood,

Macbeth at Endangered Species Theatre Project 📷 Sam White

Something Wicked This Way Comes: Macbeth bloodies Frederick at Endangered Species Theatre Project

News January 9, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

By the pricking of my thumb… a wicked new year does this way come!

Not exactly what Shakespeare had in mind, but the dude had a lot going on with thumbs. I mean biting them started a whole street brawl in that other bloody tragedy, so why shouldn’t pricking them bring about the end of days? Seems par for the course with the country’s current climate. What better way to welcome the new year than with a production of the bloody and iconic,

The Grinch Tea: A Holiday Hoorayness Experience at Street Lamp Community Theatre

News December 11, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

‘Twas the night before opening and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a—

Whoops. Not that one. Lemme try again.

Marley was dead to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his—

Oh. Oh… not that one either? (Whew!) Let’s see…uh—

All I want for Christmas is a Red-Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun— no way, kid, you’ll shoot your—

Still no!?

A Christmas Carol at The Colonial Players of Annapolis: A Holiday Tradition

News December 8, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

In the 10,000 or so productions of A Christmas Carol that I’ve seen over my ~15 years a reviewer, I have never seen one (and I’ve even seen the Richard Wade-Richard Gessner adaptation at Colonial Players a time or two before…) that had such a strikingly profound moment— a momentary minutia that hit with such heartfelt intent that I both gasped and wept in utter shock. But let’s back it up in true Dickensian style.

The Little Mermaid at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

News September 25, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Down here all the fish is happy! As aft ‘cross the stage they roll! They bringin’ you lotsa joy here— having fun in this show and that’s their goal— such wonderful things surround them— right there on the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland floor! They’re talented an havin’ a blast there! What more is your looking for? Are you ready to go under the sea with CPM’s season-opener for their 2025/2026 season— Disney’s The Little Mermaid?

The company of Ceilidh in rehearsal at the M&T Bank Exchange performance space 📷 Amanda Gunther

The Magic of Ceilidh Arriving at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Exchange

News August 22, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Companion.

Not exactly the first thing that pops to mind when you see the word Ceilidh in print. For most of us, we’re scratching our heads wondering what in the world it is and how in the world you pronounce it. Unless you speak Gaelic, then you know. And in ancient Gaelic, the word means ‘companion.’ Known more readily now as ‘…a traditional Scottish social gathering involving dancing, music, and storytelling…’ Ceilidh is now a new musical (for those wondering,

Six (Teen Edition) at Storytellers Theater Arts

News July 20, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Welcome to the show— to the coronation!

Who will take the crown? Be the pop sensation?

Only one way to find out which of the half-dozen wives of Henry VIII will emerge victorious in this showdown of ‘which wife had it worst’ and that’s to attend Storytellers Theater Arts’ production of Six (Teen Edition.) Running through July 26th 2025, this high-octane, Broadway sensation has been brought to the young-artists arena,

Beetlejuice Jr. at Cockpit in Court’s Court Jesters

News July 14, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

If you don’t take a chance then you don’t have a chance because you didn’t take it! Sound advice, especially when it comes to taking a chance on Cockpit in Court’s Court Jesters’ production of Beetlejuice Jr. It’s a show about death! As explicitly explained in the second number of the performance and it’s a hilarious wild ride featuring that iconic black-and-white-striped clad ghoulish guy from the Netherworld— beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. BEETLEJUICE!!* Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Amanda Poxon,

Storyline at Apex Arts Spring Showcase

News May 17, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

The past, present, and future walked into a bar. It was tense. The sixth grade creative-writing students/acting students of Anne Arundel County Public School’s Apex Arts program might find that amusing. Just like I found their production of CJ Crowe’s Storyline to be amusing. It was certainly chuckle-worthy and well-acted, which is saying something for young students who are just starting off their arts-journey in middle school! Presented as a part of their spring showcase,

Company at Players On Air

News January 30, 2025 Leonard Taube

author: Leonard Taube

Somebody hold me too close. Somebody hurt me too deep. Somebody sit in my chair and ruin my sleep and make me aware of being alive. That’s the plea of protagonist Bobby in Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company (book by George Furth) which is being produced by community theatre group Players On Air and gracing the stage of the Coppermine Pantherplex in Hampstead, MD. Originally produced in 1970 Company was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won six.

Jimi Kinstle as Charles Dickens in A One-Man Christmas Carol at The Carroll Arts Center

A Christmas Carol at Carroll Arts Center Starring Jimi Kinstle as Charles Dickens

News December 5, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

The originator. The fabricator. The one and only…Charles Dickens. While he’s no Gonzo, (because everybody loves a furry, blue Charles Dickens this time of year) Jimi Kinstle certainly makes quite the impression as the legendary author, out pitching his wares— and by wares we mean his stories, and by story we mean the popular story associated with Dickens at Christmas time…

“Marley was dead to begin with.” The second most-recognized line in the Dickensian classic,

Spotlight on Street Lamp Productions: 10th Season Announcement

News September 7, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Nice work, if you can get it and if you’ve got, flaunt it and all that jazz? Musical theatre— it’s that labor of love, that essence of existence for so many— and at the end of the day, it’s no small feat to have a small, grassroots theatre organization make it to its tenth anniversary season! Street Lamp Productions— the main operating umbrella for Street Lamp Community Theatre, Street Lamp Performing Arts Academy, and Street Lamp Arts Academy Teen Pre Professional Group— has a whole bunch of exciting and thrilling news to announce for their tenth anniversary season!

CLUE COMES TO BALTIMORE’S HIPPODROME THEATRE

News April 18, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Whodunnit!? Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center that’s who!! They’ve got CLUE coming the first full week in May! And you won’t want to miss your chance to see this comic thriller in action!

????Evan Zimmerman

“Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Don’t miss Clue on Tour at the Hippodrome Theatre May 7-12. Get tickets to the ultimate whodunnit inspired by the classic Hasbro board game.

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!

US premiere of Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur's performance of Acupunk

Acupunk at The Kennedy Center

News February 23, 2024 Erin Tarpley

On a chilly winter’s evening, a gathering took place at the Kennedy Center’s Reach Plaza this week. Bathed in darkness (but luckily not bathed in rain), the audience gathered with rapt attention focused on the two giant figures set off to the side of the Plaza grounds. But as the showtime began, these two 18-foot puppets sprang to life in movement, sound, smoke, and light to present the US premiere of Théâtre de la Dame de Coeur’s performance of Acupunk.

Pat McPartlin (left) as Santa Claus, with Talis Tighe (center) as Mac Adamia, and Josh Handal (far right) as Felix Navi-Dodd in 'Murder on 34th Street' ????ANG Pix

Murder On 34th Street at Do or Die Productions

News December 13, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

They’ve lived to kill another day! After a tumultuously ubiquitous 30th Anniversary Season, Do Or Die Productions has landed steadily in their Monday Night Mystery venue— Perry’s Restaurant of Odenton— and is thrilling and killing just in time for Christmas! Making its world-premiere, new script Murder on 34th Street, written and directed by the company’s founder, CJ Crowe, is— as the tag-line promises— a killer show with a dinner to die for!

The Prom at STAR Ltd. Apples & Bees Casts

News August 4, 2023 Amanda N. Gunther

You can predict what the reviews will say before the next notice arrives!

These YA-kids over are STAR Ltd. are nightly changing lives! It’s such an important show to be producing right now that literally every theatre and their mother is doing it. Including STAR Ltd. (And they’ve got the ‘Apples’ and ‘Bees’ cast and this reviewer saw them both!) and their YA summer production, in partnership with the Chesapeake Arts Center. It’s the show of 2023 (every year gets one,

Kerri Heineman as Mrs. Claus in A Christmas Story. ????Jason Q Standish

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Local Actress Makes Off-Off-Broadway Debut!

News December 9, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Local Actress Makes Off-Off-Broadway Debut!

Look out, Hollywood! Move over, Tinseltown! Because Kerri Heineman is making her Off-Off-Broadway debut this weekend! As a featured ensemble member in Tidewater Players’ A Christmas Story, Miss Heineman will be playing not one, not two, but three different characters for her stage debut!

Playing a dashing devil during a daring dream sequence, a towns-person, and the most important ensemble role of all- Mrs.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Pasadena Theatre Company. ????Kathleen Swain

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Pasadena Theatre Company

News December 1, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot…

But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville— did not!

Now Pasadena Theatre Company loves Christmas— the whole Christmas season

And everyone knows why— they have so many different reasons!

They’ve got the memory of Chuck Dick, the spirited glue of PTC

They’ve got friends, family, and loved ones— just like you and like me!

A Little Princess at St. Gabriel’s Miracle Players

News November 8, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Let’s play a game of pretend. We’ll pretend it’s London, England in 1904 at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies… where only the most prestigious of young girls are sent to learn schooling and etiquette. Having fun playing along yet? That’s exactly what the almost all-female cast of A Little Princess is doing at St. Gabriel’s Miracle Players this November. Adapted from the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, in special production arrangement with The Dramatist Publishing Company of Woodstock,

Erin Tarpley (left) as Ann White, Amanda Gunther (center) as Dana Friendly, and Morgan Czosnowski (right) as Tawney Tepper in Death Warmed Over. ????CharlieB

Death Warmed Over at Do Or Die Productions

News August 16, 2022 S. Wu

Death Warmed Over, Do or Die Production’s interactive murder mystery for the month, was captivating and hilarious to watch. The scenario for the night brought audience members into the filming of a livestream for the true crime reenactment television show Wanted: Dead or Alive. Due to its outdated formatting and script, Wanted: Dead or Alive’s ratings have dropped to an all-time low, and with an attempt to gain new audiences,

The Rude Mechanicals at Artistic Synergy of Baltimore

News July 28, 2022 Amanda N. Gunther

Move over, Tom Stoppard (and also Disney-Marvel-verse). You no longer hold the market on “origin backstory/alternate POV” when it comes to Shakespeare. That’s right, there’s a new— okay, not new, per say— but there’s another option when it comes to doing weird stuff with Shakespeare that isn’t Shakespeare but still is totally Shakespeare. And Artistic Synergy of Baltimore’s children’s performance group has got it. The Rude Mechanicals, by Ed Graczyk, is now appearing on the ASoB stage,