author: Mike Zellhofer
I have a friend who told me, “I start every day looking for heaven on earth; and when I find it, that is for what I am grateful.” Yesterday I found my heaven on earth at Govans Presbyterian Church, where the Woodbrook Players put on a fabulous performance of Godspell. This was the revised 2012 version, and the latest in the bevy of Godspells.
author: Bill Kamberger
Stephen Sondheim called this show “a musical thriller,” and he was dead right. The plot, which depicts an understandable attempt at revenge that spirals into indiscriminate serial killing, provides many thrills and even more chills, but the music is the most thrilling of all. It frequently gives a listener chills in the most beautiful sense, even when it is sending a shiver up the spine as well. Several famous concert presentations of the score have proven that it can thrill even with minimal staging,
author: Jake Schwartz
In theatre, there is a saying – “the show must go on.” And for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory at Stand Up For… Theatre, that became their reality. Nearly losing it all before the curtain even rose, the Fire Marshalls shut down the production from happening. Facing a challenge that would’ve melted even Willy Wonka’s resolve, Stand Up For… Theatre didn’t back down; and they are here for one weekend only!
You pop that gum one more time— wait…that’s a different musical. Sorry- too much sugar for a second there. Wonkavision is right on time with another in-depth look at a parent-kid duo— this time it’s The Beauregarde Family!
Thank you for giving us a few of your rehearsal minutes, let’s get the ball rolling with who you are and who you’re playing, shall we?
Gage Wright: My name is Gage Wright and I play Eugene Beauregarde.
“We have so much time and so little to do!” said no theatre company ever. Strike that. Reverse it! And the time is here! The irony that Roald Dahl’s Charlie & The Chocolate Factory showcases what happens when the baddies get what’s comin’ to ‘em is lost on NOBODY here. (#IYKYK) And when the universe hands you a Golden Ticket (you can get yours at the door this weekend!) you take it and run straight to the DOODLEHatch for Stand Up For…Theatre’s Charlie &
Forget about the foxtrot— throw away the waltz! Take away the two-step and all that other schmaltz! Are you ready for what’s been going on in Phoenix? It’s a doozy…makes ya’ woozy…it’s the new phenomenon— well…not that new…but the first production of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein this side of Charm City since 2022 (SLCT in Rising Sun!) And it’s all the rave and roar right in this reviewer’s backyard— Third Wall Productions and their zany,
Fill the moat to overflowing and raise the goblet high! Third Wall Productions is giving a ball— wait…no…no that’s not right. They’re building a wall— around the swamp? No…wait a minute…which fairytale-ever-after is this one? (*double checks the program*) Aah! Yes! Once Upon a Mattress! The original swamp-princess and a silly good time with campy good characters, up-tempo music, and a living pea! Directed by Kristen Cooley, with Musical Direction by Will Zellhofer,
To go or not to go? That is the question! Technically it’s ‘be’ or ‘not be’ but with Shakespeare being hundreds of years of dead, I’m sure he’ll grant us this liberal creative license…especially considering what the world at large is doing to his canon from a musical standpoint! I won’t extoll and wax poetic like Polonius, earning me an eyeroll from Laertes and Ophelia, no I shall to the point as brevity is the soul of wit.
Right and wrong don’t matter in the woods… only feelings. And the feeling is that Woodbrook Players has some talented vocalists appearing in their current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods. Directed by Ron Oaks with Musical Direction by Bryan Alston, this iconic fairytale-gone-wrong musical brings all of your favorite storybook characters together to unravel their stories amid the darkness of the woods. Sondheim is a bear at the best of times (not featured in this particular woodsy setting,
Third Wall Productions, you know I love you. Did you see I waved? I believe in you and your show so tell me that I’m saved! If you’re ready to rock and roll along with the best of them, Third Wall Productions is bringing you that iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar and it’s the most solid production that they’ve had so far! (In their new home at Chestnut Grove Presbyterian.) Directed by Mike Zellhofer,
A farm-boy from Telico. A waitress from Rowena. Gun-sling, song-singing, they’ll make you feel alive.
But only if you’ve got your tickets to see the at Just Off Broadway’s Bonnie & Clyde.
‘Cause ain’t nuthin’ rhyme with ‘Clyde & Bonnie!’
Serving as the Baltimore area premiere of the historical-gangster musical, Bonnie & Clyde offers a wicked alternative to the dozen or so production of Sweeney Todd happening in and around the area this autumn season.
It’s a science fiction— whoa-ooh-ooh double feature— well… maybe just a singular two-act musical feature? It must be spooky season because Stand Up For… Theatre has got The Rocky Horror Show bouncing all over its stages! Directed by Ed Higgins with Musical Direction by William Zellhofer & Andy Kay Wojciehowski, and Choreography by Lilou Altman, this bawdy cult classic has all the iconic, recognizable numbers and some of your favorite Halloween characters to make your evening wild.