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 Due to its outdated formatting and script, Wanted: Dead or Alive’s ratings have dropped to an all-time low, and with an attempt to gain new audiences,
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,
Come on down— don’t be strangers in their duck-yard of free-rangers! That’s right, folks! Children’s Playhouse of Maryland is welcoming you back to the theatre— live and in person! And they’re welcoming you back with their great big honkin’ production of Honk Jr.! Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans, and Choreography Emily Davis, this fun-loving barnyard musical teaches kids that it’s absolutely o-a-kay to be different and just how boring life would be if we all looked the same.
Seeing an interactive murder mystery can be a treat. With Do or Die Productions currently in residence at Hellas Restaurant and Lounge, it is often more than that. You arrive and are escorted to your table and given an option of entrees, beverages, and the option to order alcoholic drinks, as well. Our food came out very quickly and we were able to chat with the table next to us about theatre and other murder mystery groups we have seen.
The United States is packed with interesting and appealing theatres, all steeped in history and tradition.
Some are still in use, hosting everything from Shakespeare to Cats, whilst others have become part of folklore, locations with a rich historical background that continue to be revered today. It is fair to say that the range of theatres across the US caters for every taste in terms of shows, opulence and grandeur. One of the most historic only opened for a decade or so but has become something of a legend.
Men have called him mad. But the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence. What if you could discover for yourself? What if you could spend an evening in rapt attention and questionable company uncovering the enigma that is the master of the macabre? What if you could spend one evening in close company with Edgar Allan Poe as he drinks, gambles, flirts, and muses his way through his delirious mind?
It’s a surreal experience— being in a crowd of enthusiastic, energetic, theatre people after over a year of being isolated from that crazy, amazing, loving bunch of people who have so much to offer to the performing arts community in Frederick. But in minutes of being amid the Maryland Ensemble Theatre 24th season launch gala, it felt as if no time had passed at all, as if just last season this exact thing had happened.
In an overzealous, albeit admirable, attempt to commit to producing their previously announced season, The Baltimore Theatre Collective— one of Baltimore’s most recent live-theatre incarnations pre-Global-Covid-19-Pandemic— Artistic Director Tommy Malek alongside four talented area actors set their sights on delivering their production of Stephen Karam’s Speech and Debate. Directed by Tommy Malek and featuring Seth Fallon, Amanda Matousek, Pamela Northrup, and Max Wolf, this show is the mark of a true effort in the “keeping the faith” movement of theatres all across the world whose stages have been darkened by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
They’re being pulled in a new direction! Quite literally in
all senses imaginable too! Baltimore Theatre Collective, formerly known as The
Purple Light Theatre Company, has progressed into its next phase of life, now
under the auspices of Baltimore Theatre Collective. And just as their first
major cabaret was attempting to get underway, a snag in their original performance
venue pulled them right over to Genesis Arts, a dance studio in Columbia’s Red
Branch corridor.
Deadline Photo Credit- Deadline
Acclaimed director Aaron Sorkin’s is taking his
adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird on the road next year, starting
in August 2020 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
Washington.
It will eventually go coast to coast, bringing the classic tale of racial
prejudice in the deep south to theaters across the U.S. It’s
been hugely successful on Broadway and up until March 2019 it hadn’t played to
a single empty seat since opening
in December 2018.
Mamma Mia! Here they go again! My, my, just how much you’ve missed them! Mamma Mia! What a show again— my, my, how could you resist them? Well don’t resist too much longer as they’re just at the midway point of their six-week revival engagement of the sold-out stage production of Mamma Mia! at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. After sensational success last season, with a 13-week engagement that made getting tickets for Hamilton look easy,
He’s here— The Phantom of the Opera! He’s with us, it’s the show! He’s here! The Phantom of the Opera! Return to Baltimore’s Hippodrome Broadway Theatre after much too long an absence! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fantastical The Phantom of the Opera returns in a spectacular new production by Cameron Mackintosh and tickets are on sale today— July 26, 2019!
Matthew Murray Quentin Oliver Lee as ‘The Phantom’ and Eva Tavares as ‘Christine Daaé’ in The Phantom of The Opera.
Marry, sirs and madams and those of all genders, I shall
commit no false report; moreover, I will speak no untruths; secondly, I shall not
be a slanderer; sixth and lastly, I shall belay a jovial account; thirdly, I
shall verify only just things pertaining to this account; and to conclude, I
send ye my most polished praises to this Storytellers: A Theater Arts Academy’s
production of Much Ado About Nothing. Hopping houses,
King James: Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph’s Play to Star LeBron James
Few things are more riveting than a good old-fashioned sports story, and few athletes are more prominent than NBA superstar Lebron James. For Rajiv Joseph, then, it’s a simple act of putting two and two together: Joseph’s play, King James, is inspired by LeBron James’s life and career, which is set to premiere in 2020.
The time is now. The day is here. Les Miserables is on stage at Storytellers: A Theater Arts Academy!
Boldly tackling the iconic behemoth that is Les
Miserables, under the Direction of Terry Sweet Bouma, with Musical
Direction by Chris Pinder, this talented cast of young performers weaves a
story like no other with their spirited and emotionally intense retelling of
Cameron Macintosh’s Les Miserables.
Late Season Broadway & Tony Potential
The 2018 season on Broadway hasn’t come to an end just yet, and in fact there are some exciting openings and previews this month. However, with the date set for the 2019 Tony Awards, which will recognize achievements in the 2017-18 season, it’s not too early to talk about award potential, particularly for some of the more recent shows.
At this early stage,
Halloween. Ghosties and Ghoulies. Scarecrows and Skeletons. Pumpkins and Poe. Yup. Poe. We all know Poe…master of the macabre, father of the modern murder mystery…and ravens…and tell tale hearts…and black cats. Some of us love him. Some of us would be happy to hear him nevermore.
Poe and Halloween – they just seem to go together. Poe’s legacy has become a tribute to madness, moodiness and morosity. We forget the rapier wit,
I have unclasp’d to thee the book even of my secret soul. Where lies my text? In Storytellers: A Theater Arts Academy’s bosom! In what chapter of their bosom? To answer by the method, in their current production of Twelfth Night. Directed by Terry Sweet Bouma with Assistant Directors Alyssa Bouma and Alex Foley, this true comedy of errors and mistaken identities is a fine showcase of youth digesting and transforming Shakespeare.
They are not throwing away their shot! Maryland Ensemble Theatre may not be producing Hamilton for their 2018/2019 season (though they are raffling off a pair of tickets to see the highly sought-after show through August 4, 2018— click here to not throw away your shot!) but they are certainly bringing a fantastical new line-up to their stage for the coming season. With three regional premieres and a little something for everybody from classics to new and edgy,
Start the car, I know a whoopee spot where the leather is cold and the dancers are hot! It’s just a leather bar where these burlesquers are— and all— THAT jaaaaaazzzzz…..hatcha! Whoopee! Skadoo…and all that jazz! That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, Bunns of Steele is bringing you the finest burlesquers in Baltimore as they come together to present that sinfully stellar musical Chicago. Directed by Tommy Gunn and Produced by Bunny Vicious with Choreography by Tapitha Kix,
Let it Be: A Celebration of the Music of the Beatles is coming to Washington, DC. On April 14, 2018, the acclaimed concert that wowed Broadway and London’s West End is going to be staged in the nation’s capital at the historic National Theater.
First staged in 2012 under the direction and musical supervision of John Maher, whose credits include directing Thriller Live (a Michael Jackson tribute concert),
Start the car— I know a whoopee spot! Where the gin is cold and the piano’s hot! Well, not exactly. The gin might be cold…but they sure ain’t got no piano. But what they do got is the head of The Irish Mafia, Kieran Padgett Jr., and the head of The Italian Mafia, Fabrizio Santorini, settling down into Maggie’s House…for a peace negotiation. Only it ain’t Miss Maggie’s House no more because she done left it to Charity.
Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze! Welcome, Christmas, come this way! Fa who foraze! Dah who doraze! Welcome Christmas, Christmas day! It’s Pasadena Theatre Company’s turn to trim up the tree with Christmas stuff, like bingle bells and whofoo fluff! Their trimming up the town with their production of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Directed by Chuck Dick with Musical Direction by Lindsey Miller, this time-honored animated Christmas classic from 1966,
Bah! Humbug! It’s that time of year when every theatre company goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on their lips and a production of A Christmas Carol on their stage! Even The Memorial Players of Bolton Hill have fallen into step with the holiday tradition and are mounting the Dickensian classic this season, but don’t be fooled! They aren’t presenting any old Christmas Carol, they’re adding deep thoughts, spooky edges, and a true reformation that really makes strong parallels to the world we live in today ring true,
Tis the season to be— producing A Christmas Carol, most certainly. Thanksgiving weekend is fair game for theatres to start turning out their productions of Dickens’ most time-honored, cherished, and stageable tale. Running through December 10, 2017 as a co-production with Arts on the Green, The Kensington Arts Theatre’s 2nd Stage is putting up their very own A Christmas Carol, featuring young actors and adult actors alike! Adapted for the stage by Laura Victor and Directed by Jordan Clifford,
The haunting may be over, at least Halloween has passed us by. Another year, another spooktacular evening of trick-or-treating, costumes, and all the spooky outings you can handle. But for those who aren’t quite ready to let go of the chilling holiday spirit, for all you ghoulish guys and gals who aren’t ready to dive headlong into the green-and-red sing-a-long of Christmas, Fluid Movement has a treat for you! Why Baltimore’s unique performance art company is stirring up a spooktacular event to help preserve the spirit of Halloween all year through!
Tis the season to be inclined toward mischief and mayhem. Even if Halloween itself be over, and November freshly fallen upon us, who among us is really ready for that other holiday— the one with the elves and the singing and the snow? Settle back into the autumnal enchantments of a Baltimore classic, Poe’s Last Stanza, a yearly running and returning tradition produced by Do or Die Productions and hosted at their resident venue,
Children are a blessing if you know where they are. Nothing’s so distressing though as when they keep you guessing so— be sure to get your ticket, and travel very far…all the way out to The Gaithersburg Arts Barn to see the first show of Kensington Arts Theatre’s “KAT SECOND STAGE” season— Into the Woods Jr. Directed by Fred Zirm with Musical Direction by Arielle Bayer, this abridged Sondheim production, which exclusively features the first half of the original full-length musical (minus a few racy and raunchy bits to make it appropriate for younger audiences— though it should be clear that the foot-maiming of Cinderella’s Step Sisters is still an active part of the performance),
How’d you do, I—
See you’ve met my— faithful area Burlesque Troupe, Bunns of Steele.
And they’re just a—
Little hyped up because
It’s that time of year when
Everyone starts to squeal!
Don’t get strung out! You’ve got your chance
To see a thrilling thing, but it won’t last!
So get your—
Tickets quick!
And enjoy the show—
The Rocky Horror Burlesque Dinner &
ONE CHANCE MORE! Another show- another opportunity- to see Cameron Mackintosh’s critically acclaimed production of…
LES MISÉRABLES
The musical phenomenon that has swept the globe returns to The National Theatre in Washington D.C. for a limited engagement starting on December 20, 2017 and playing through January 7, 2018.
TICKETS WILL MOVE QUICKLY! Don’t miss your chance to purchase them!
TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 22,
