Articles Tagged With: CCBC Essex

Billy Elliot at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

News September 24, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther Leave a comment

What the hell is wrong with expressing yourself? For trying to be free— and lemme tell ya’— them wee bairns over at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland are pretty flippin’ special, oh yes they are! And they’re expressing themselves just fine with this really heartfelt production of Billy Elliot. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans and Choreography by Lauren Stuart, this dance-focused musical tells a story about learning to love yourself and being accepted for who you are,

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,

A Year With Frog and Toad at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 9, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

When is soon? Well, sometime between now and later, of course! But you’d better not wait until later— because the time is NOW! To get your tickets to see the delightfully heartfelt production of A Year With Frog and Toad (TYA-edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland. Directed by Liz Boyer Hunnicutt, with Musical Direction by Charlotte Evans, and Choreography by Lauren Stuart, this quaint and charming little musical details its namesake based on the illustrated children’s books by Arnold Lobel.

Who the heck knows what. Because captions go wrong all the time. 📷 Kelly Carlson

The Plæy That Goes Wr∅ng at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews January 25, 2026 Amanda N. Gunther

Mǝlɔoɯǝ ʇo ┴ɥǝ Ԁlɐʎ ┴ɥɐʇ פoǝs Mɹouƃ˙
Ah. Well. There you have it.

.gnorW seoG tahT yalP ehT ot emoclew ,dias I ?ew llahs ,niaga taht yrt s’teL

Good grief. Somebody call The Stage Manager!

You think all that text went wrong— you should see all the crazy things that happen on the set of Children’s Playhouse of Maryland’s Teh Plaaay That Goes wRoNg.

Meet Me In St. Louis at Scottfield Theatre Company

Reviews October 12, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

With my high-starched collar and my high-heel shoes— and a wig piled up on my head…

I went to lose two jolly hours at the theatre and I went and lost my heart instead!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Went the trolly! Ding! Ding! Ding! Went the bell! Zing! Zing! Zing! Went my heartstrings as in love with this little show I fell! Old-fashioned classical musicals don’t always do it for me, especially because they tend to err on the lengthier side of long.

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?

Hay Fever at Cockpit in Court

Reviews July 23, 2025 Leonard Taube

author: Leonard Taube

Feeling a little tickle in your throat of late? Perhaps your eyes are watering a bit too much, or else you find yourself prone to attacks of unending sneezing. Good chance you have a bit of hay fever acting up. Doctor’s orders? Purchase tickets to see Cockpit in Court’s (in residence at CCBC Essex, The Robert & Eleanor Romadka College Center Cabaret Theatre) production of Noel Coward’s 1924 comedy Hay Fever.

Bad Seed at Cockpit in Court

Reviews June 20, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Do you want to look into the bottom of your soul? How many of you would be okay with such a notion? What if you had no choice because you were a— Bad Seed? In a gripping drama, Cockpit in Court kicks off their 2025 summer season in the upstairs cabaret space with Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson (based on the novel by William March.) Directed by Todd Pearthree, this spooky little tale may not be an Agatha Christie mystery,

Damn Yankees at Cockpit In Court

Reviews June 17, 2025 Leonard Taube

author: Leonard Taube

Anyone ever get so angry with you that they’ve told you to “Go to the devil!”? Well, now you can (so-to-speak) and enjoy the trip as well! Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre (in residence at CCBC Essex) is currently putting on the 1955 musical comedy Damn Yankees. With a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, Damn Yankees is set during the 1950’s during a time when the New York Yankees dominated major league baseball.

Rent (school edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews May 5, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

We can’t control— our destiny— we should trust our soul— our only goal— is just to be— and in this case it should be just to be at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland for their final production of the 24th (2024/2025) mainstage season— a true seasons of love production— Rent (school edition.) One of— if not the— most evocative and powerful performance to cross the CPM stage this side of the pandemic, Rent (school edition) is giving genuine vibes,

The Wizard of Oz (Youth Edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland

Reviews March 11, 2025 Amanda N. Gunther

Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road? Follow the yellow brick road! Tra-la-la-la-la— follow the yellow brick road! And you too can be off to see The Wizard of Oz (youth edition) at Children’s Playhouse of Maryland this merry month of March. Appearing as the penultimate production in their 2024/2025 season, The Wizard of Oz (youth edition) will take you on a familiar journey down that yellow brick road as Dorothy,

Grand Horizons at Cockpit in Court

Reviews July 22, 2024 Leonard Taube

author: Leonard Taube

“I want a divorce”. So begins the play Grand Horizons which Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre is putting on in their upstairs In-The-Round space which opened tonight to rousing applause and enthusiastic reception. A relatively recent play written by American playwright, screenwriter, and actress Bess Wohl, Grand Horizons began previews on Broadway on December 23,2019 and opened on January 23, 2020. This play marked Wohl’s Broadway debut and was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award for Best Play.

Cats at Cockpit in Court

Reviews July 20, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Turn your face toward Cockpit in Court…let your memory lead you…open up enter in (to the F. Scott Black Theatre inside the Robert & Eleanor Romadka College Center) you will find there…the meaning of what happiness is… and a new show…will begin. If it was mystical the first time, magical the second, it will certainly be memorable, magnificent— truly Jellicle— the third as Bambi Johnson (who has become synonymous with Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Grizabella

Interviews July 19, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Glamourous. Or fallen from Grace? Memory…

With only one cat remaining, I think it’s pretty clear who you’re playing, but just in case people haven’t been following along, tell us who you are and who you are playing!

Lisa Pastella: I am Lisa Pastella and I play Grizabella.

Tell us all about Grizabella.

Lisa: I feel like I am Grizabella, where coming back into theatre after five years…after Covid…after Covid and of course having the baby…I am surrounded by lots of younger people that are incredibly talented.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Victoria

Interviews July 18, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

All hail the queen? We’ve got royalty cats in this show? Sure! Why not? Jellicle Cats are a great many things…not the least of which are kings and queens!

Thank you so much for giving us some of your time. Why don’t you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats.

Ryann Reich: My name is Ryann Reich and I play Victoria.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Asparagus

Interviews July 17, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

A Jellicle Cat is a theatre cat! And a theatre cat in more ways than one!

Thank you for joining us again, Sam. Pleasure to have you back! Why don’t you remind the readers out there who you are and tell us who you’re playing this time with Cats?

Sam Ranocchia: I’m still Sam Ranocchia but this time I’m playing Gus, the Theatre Cat!

And remind me— and everybody else— who you played last time at Tidewater.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Jennyanydots

Interviews July 17, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Winding down with just a few more cats to go, one might almost say that the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the Jellicle Ball is done…but not before this cat has her say!

Thanks for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats!

Laura May: I’m Laura May and I play Jennyanydots.

Tell me all about Jennyanydots!

Laura: Well I haven’t quite found her all the way yet.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Old Deuteronomy

Interviews July 16, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Father of the clowder, leader of the tribe, revered and exalted, he now hath arrived! Make for…

Thank you for joining us today, tell us who you are and I think given the lead-in to this interview we all know who you play, but please do tell us anyhow.

Ryan Garbee: I’m Ryan Garbee and I am in fact playing Old Deuteronomy.

Tell us all about Old Deuteronomy.

Ryan: He is the leader of the clowder.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Rum Tum Tugger

Interviews July 16, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Curious Beast! The RTT— which has TWO T’s, which rhyme with P and that stand for…Cat? (The ‘p’ is silent in cat? There’s nothing more TROUBLE than a cat, let’s be honest.)

Thank you for joining us! Can you tell us who you are and who you play?

Adam Goldsmith: I’m Adam Goldsmith and I’m Rum Tum Tugger.

Ooh. So you’re Rum Tum. Got it. Tell me all about him!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Bustopher Jones

Interviews July 15, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Different types who wear a day coat— pants with stripes and cutaway coat— perfect fits— or is it cats in spats? Man Mel Brooks is gonna come for me. What show is this again?

Hello, Wayne! Welcome back to the Jellicle Ball! Remind us who you are and what you’re doing here?

Wayne Ivusich: I’m still Wayne Ivusich. And I’m playing Bustopher Jones again— I like to call him Bustopher Version Two.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Munkustrap

Interviews July 15, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Meow! Meow! Meow! Hear them? They’re all meowin’ ‘cause he’s the leader of the pack! MEOW! Well…the leader of the pack when the actual leader isn’t hanging around— you get the picture.

Thank you for joining us! Tell us who you are and who you play!

Jared Shiver: I’m Jared Shiver and I play Munkustrap.

Tell me a little bit about Munkustrap.

Jared: Munkustrap is the second cat in command.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Tiggalily

Interviews July 14, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats are Made-Up Cats. And not just that kind of made-up! It’s a whole beauty palette coming at you from this Jellicle Cat!

Thank you so much for spontaneously agreeing to be a part of this series. Becky Flickinger has surprised us both with deciding that this was happening— right now* —as you, she, and Bambi were walking back from the theatre, previewing what the space was going to look like! So we’re both going to be doing a little impromptu improvisation!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Cassandra

Interviews July 14, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Could it be? Another— *gasp* CAT!? (Well you didn’t think we’d suddenly switched to Dogs: The Musical, did you?)

Thank you for giving us some of your time today! Could you tell us who you are and who you play?

Alyssa Bell: Sure! My name is Alyssa Bell and I play Cassandra.

Tell us a little bit about Cassandra?

Alyssa: Cassandra is an Egyptian cat.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Jemima

Interviews July 13, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats are…ducks and pancake syrup!? Wait a minute…

Thank you so much for sitting with us today! Could you tell us who you are and who you play in this production of Cats?

Meagan Jenkins: I’m Meagan Jenkins and I play Jemima.

Tell me about Jemima!

Meagan: Well, my lore or the show’s lore?

Either or! Or both! Whatever makes you happy!

Bambi Johnson (standing center) directing a rehearsal of Cats at Cockpit in Court

Local Limelight: Director & Choreographer Bambi Johnson on Jellicles, Theatre, and All That Jazz

Interviews July 13, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

I’ve been a reviewing critic for nearly 15 years. And there’s no irony lost on me that on the day my personal publication, TheatreBloom, turns 10 years old, Cats at Cockpit in Court will be closing its three-week run, concluding the main-stage 2024 season for that company. The “Local Limelight” was a series of interviews that was cooked up during the pandemic, when everyone was wondering if we’d ever get to “theatre” again (like it was a true verb.) And it’s designed to shine a spotlight on someone in the community who gets up to great things,

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Exotica

Interviews July 13, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Jellicle Cats are dancing cats…Jellicle Cats are returning Cats…once a combo cat now…

Welcome back! And thank you for giving us some of your time! Tell us who you are, who you were before, and who you are once more? This is getting complicated!

Katelynn O’Connor: I’m Katelynn O’Connor, that is still the same. But last time I was a combination of Victoria and Jemima and this time I’m playing Exotica!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Alonzo

Interviews July 12, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Meow? I’ll bet you a pound of catnip we’re about to meet another cat. I win. Don’t worry, it won’t go very far with my six at home, but hey, catnip is catnip. Maybe they’ll finally tell me their super secretive names. In the meantime, you go meet this amazing cat.

Thank you for joining us! Please tell us who you are and who you play in Cats.

Aaron Knight: I’m Aaron Knight.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Admetus

Interviews July 12, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

A fancier, sensible cat. T.S. Eliot might have even named this one in that one poem about naming the cats! Are you ready to meet another Jellicle Tom? No, there are no cats called Tom.

Thank you for joining us! Could you tell us who you are and who you play here at Cats?

Michael Shipman: I am Michael Shipman and I play Admetus.

Tell me a little bit about Admetus.

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Mungojerrie

Interviews July 11, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Riffraff. Streetcat. I don’t buy that! Man, I’ve been spending too much time on the Disney channel. But announcing in this corner, the talking-weight-champion of the Cats interview series, weighing in at 9 minutes and 24 seconds… a record previously held by Rob Tucker in the 2022 production of Cats (8 minutes and 9 seconds though while holding the role of Quaxo/Rumpus Cat…not Mungojerrie, which he did play in the 2016 production of Bambi’s Cats…anyone need a graph-chart yet?) We are pleased to present MUNGOJERRIE!

RETURN TO THE JELLICLE BALL: MEETING THE NEWEST 2024 ADDITIONS TO THE CLOWDER OF COCKPIT IN COURT’S CATS: Rumpleteazer

Interviews July 11, 2024 Amanda N. Gunther

Which one is which? Is it Mungojerrie? Or Rumpleteazer? Rumpleteazer? Or Mungojerrie? (Well, we’ve learned that if you’ve ever or are currently playing Mungojerrie you have the potential to have had…or hold…the longest ‘talking cat’ record… IYKYK) So this must be…

Thank you for joining us! Why don’t you tell us who you are and which one of the frick-n-frack twins you happen to be playing?

Veronica Lane: I’m Veronica Lane and I play Rumpleteazer!