Baltimore/Washington Backstage - October 29, 2006

 

 

Probably few of you knew or even watched "The View" last week to catch a "view" of the new Twyla Tharp musical "The Times They Are a Changin".  The cast performed Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone". To my mind (and many New York reviewers) it was laughable. Tharp used gymnastic balls (like a rolling stone…get it?) and it was plainly goofy. Couldn't believe my eyes AND ears. Rosie O'Donnell gave it a big plug, saying how great it was. I wonder if she was saying this tongue in cheek.

 

 

 

Big BOO to ABC News which promoted that Friday night's "20/20" would feature a segment of the much anticipated "Mary Poppins". They even had a segment on their web site. Sadly, it did not make the telecast. Hopefully, next Friday night, you can look for it.

 

 

 

Thank you to A&E network's "Breakfast with the Arts" for an interesting sneak peak at the filming of the musical "Hairspray" in Toronto which stars John Travolta. Craig Zadan commented that Travolta has always believed "The best roles in musicals are female roles".  And now…he's snagged one!!

 

 

 

Opening this Thursday on Broadway is the musical "Grey Gardens". Playwrights Horizon produced this off-Broadway based on a documentary about Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, Edie, eccentric kin of Jacqueline Onassis. Well, Sunday night, TCM is presenting the 1975 documentary at 8 p.m. Don't miss it.

 

 

 

Readers of this space may recall my LOVE of the BBC America presentation of Viva Blackpool (which won a Peabody Award) which features song and dance numbers to contemporary music. Saturday night, BBC America presented a two hour sequel to the mini-series…hopefully, this will be replayed. But…the interesting news is that Tony Award winner Hugh Jackman will be a co-producer of the "American" version for CBS-TV. It's possible Jackman will guest star in the pilot. The CBS version concerns Ripley Holden, who according to the Hollywood Reporter, is a "low-end casino owner whose dream is to cash in and open a five-star-mega resort on the Las Vegas Strip."

 

 

 

One of the joys of writing this column is letting theater-goers know of the many opportunities for free theater and "Pay-What-You-Can"  (PWYC) performances.

 

 

 

Tuesday evening, Everyman Theatre has its PWYC presentation of Sheridan's 18^th century comedy "The School for Scandal" which runs through Dec. 17. 410-752-2208.

 

 

 

Great news from the Everyman…the sold-out "The Cone Sister" is returning. Vivienne Shub recounts the legendary Etta Cone after the death of her dynamic sister Dr. Claribel Cone in a play written by Shub's sister, Naomi Greenberg Slovin. DO NOT MISS THIS!! There are limited performances on January 28,29,30 and February 4, 5 and 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

More Everyman news. "Cabaret: The Music of Broadway" opens Nov. 12.12-14 and Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. featuring the music of Gershwin, Kander & Ebb, Cole Porter, and more.

 

 

 

The Washington Shakespeare Company has its PWYC performance of "Equus" on Monday night, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. I saw this 1975 Tony Award winning play on Broadway and still recall it. The story involves a psychiatrist confronting why a troubled stable boy who blinded six horses. Tickets for this performance go on sale at the box office at 7 p.m. The show runs through Nov. 26 at the Clark Street Playhouse in Arlington, VA. 703-418-4808.

 

 

 

The Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company has the American premiere of "Martha, Josie, and the Chinese Elvis", a comic look at a collection of English misfits. It has two PWYC performances on Nov. 6 and 7. The show continues till Dec. 10. 202-393-3939.

 

 

 

Now, FREE theater!!!!

 

 

 

Columbia's Rep Stage is participating in the "Free Night of Theatre" promotion with the League of Washington Theatres, and will set aside 36 FREE tickets for the Nov. 4, 2:30 performance of the Tony-nominated musical "Tintypes" for patrons who have NEVER attended Rep Stage before. These tickets are ONLY available on-line through the League at www.lowt.org. For tickets 410-772-4900.

 

 

 

Rep Stage features a terrific cast Kate Briante (Toby's "Footloose"), Evan Casey (Signature's "Urinetown"), Felicia Curry (recipient of two Helen Hayes nominations for "Aida" and "Godspell"), Gary Hiel ("Jacques Brel") and long-time Baltimore actress, Shannon Wollman (Maryland Arts Festival's "Evita").

 

 

 

Saw a "preview" performance of Center Stage's "Death and the Maiden". I recall the Broadway  production which starred Richard Dreyfuss, Gene Hackman, and Glen Close.

 

Well, this production directed by Lillian Groag got a standing ovation. Baltimore, get ready for this stirring, controversial, and topical play. The cast of Stephen Rowe, Mhari Sandoval, and Triney Sandoval give extraordinary performances. This Friday night, I suggest (if you can make it) the "Meet the Actors" performance where you will the chance to hear from these wonderful actors. Show runs till Nov. 26. 410-332-0033. I also recommend J.Wynn Rousuck's excellent article on playwright Ariel Dorman in today's Sunday Baltimore Sun.

 

for comments: cgshubow@broadwayworld.com