CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 04/11/2006

LOST IN THE STARS

Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway, at the Hippodrome for one night only, Friday, April 7th was a mixed bag, though you'd never know it from the warm reception the cast got from the roughly 800 patrons in attendance (many comp-ed). A veritable who's who of modern day Broadway celebs, this should have been a "don't miss" event for musical theatre lovers. In some ways it was. Two of Broadway's most celebrated divas appeared:Donna McKechnie , A Chorus Line's original Cassie, who proved she still has (some of) the moves as she sang and danced her way through her signature "Music and the Mirror," and did a very respectable "Some People" from Gypsy, and , Liz Callaway who performed her lovely "The Story Goes On" from Baby. (Though I am not sure it was quite the "stuff of Broadway legend" Mr. Berg announced it to be.) William Michals did a fantastic job with "I, Don Quixote" and "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha, and, />Danny Zolli of Jesus Christ Superstar fame did a fine Frankie Valli in "Sherry" from Jersey Boys. But the showstopper of the evening was Capathia Jenkins (soon to star in Martin Short's new show on Broadway) who delivered a spine-tingling "And I Am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. She was also a powerhouse in her half of "I'm a Woman", while her partner, Rita Harvey, late of Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom, fared less well. She also had some trouble in her shrill "Think of Me", but she needn't worry, her husband is none other than Neil Berg. Always a problem at such events, and here as well, is the incredible amount of misinformation given – Jersey Boys is the first hit jukebox musical? Tell that to the Mamma Mia folks. And then in direct contradiction to the last statement, Smokey Joe's Café was named a "hugely successful jukebox musical – the first of its kind, really." Well, it was a musical revue, and I think there was any number of those before SJC, not the least of which was Tony-winner Ain't Misbehavin'. Oh well, these are minor quibbles. I'm just glad that these kinds of showcase are touring so that we can see living legends, and not have to take a cruise to see them.

BELLY UP TO THE BAR, BOYS!

As part of its "Shakespeare in the Pub" series, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company offers an Acting Shakespeare Roundtable on Monday, April 24, 2006 in its offices at 1100 Wicomico Street, Suite 735 in the Pigtown section of Baltimore/>/>.  The "Pub" is free and open to the public and doors will open at 7:00 p.m. (complimentary food and beverage available) with the Roundtable beginning around 7:30 p.m.

The purpose of Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Pub Nights is to build opportunities for area artists and audience members to come together in informal settings to discuss topics related to Shakespeare and classical theater. The Acting Shakespeare Roundtable is a follow-up to last year's popular Directing Shakespeare Roundtable. Pub nights are held five to six times a year.

The Acting Shakespeare Roundtable will be a panel discussion on the topic of classical acting, especially of Shakespeare. The panel will consist of several professional actors in the Baltimore/Washington area who will share their experiences and stories. The discussion will include such questions as: Should classical acting differ from contemporary acting? If so, how? How does one prepare to perform Shakespeare, etc.? What works in classical acting, and what doesn't?

Dr. Nathan Thomas of Alvernia/> College/> in Reading/>, Pennsylvania/>/> and CSC Text Consultant will be the moderator/referee. Panelists who are planning to attend include:

· Isabelle Anderson , faculty Academy of Classical Acting, Shakespeare Theater of Washington, stage and film actress, theatre director

· John Astin , star of stage, film, and television, faculty Johns/> Hopkins/> University/>/>

· Toni Rae Brotons- Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival Veteran and Helen Hayes Nominee

· Teresa Castracane , Washington/> D.C./> actress, Academy/> of Classical Acting MFA/>/>

· Loren Dunn , Baltimore/> area actor, faculty Johns/> Hopkins/> University/>/>

· Ken Elston , faculty George/> Mason/> University/>/> and Maryland Institute College of Art, artistic director of the Gray Ghost Theatre Company

· Valerie Fenton , Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Artistic Associate

· Christopher Marino , Actor, Shakespeare Theater of Washington, faculty U.M.B.C.

· Chris Niebling , Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Artistic Associate and regional fight choreographer

· Jen Plants , Director of Hood College Theatre and Baltimore/>/> Shakespeare Festival Artistic Associate

· Christina Schlegel , Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Associate Director

· Timothy Shaw , founder, Virginia Shakespeare Theater and associate director Maryland Renaissance Festival,

If you plan to attend, please send an RSVP to info@chesapeakeshakespeare.com. To learn more about CSC, get directions, and find out more about the Shakespeare in the Pub series, visit www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com . For more information, call 410.752.3994.

This sounds like a definite add to my to-do list! Support local theatre, and support the classics! Give CSC a call today, and tell them you read it here at BroadwayWorld.com!

WILKOMMEN

Welcome to my fellow critics and writers for theatre at Baltimore/>/>'s newest (and FREE!) news paper, The Examiner. It says a lot about the paper when the first 2 issues feature bits about theatre reviews on the FRONT PAGE, and color photos with the reviews farther back in the pages! Congratulations and best of luck!

CURTAIN UP, LIGHT THE LIGHTS!

The following productions continue this week:

August Wilson's Radio Golf will be presented at The Pearlstone Theater at CENTERSTAGE through April 30, 2006. Performance times are Tuesday through Saturday: 8 pm, Sunday: 7:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday Matinee: 2 pm , with a Wednesday Matinee: April 12^th at 1 pm. Tickets are $10–$65, with Student & Senior Discounts (half-price on the day of show). Discounts are available for groups of 15+. Contact Group Sales at 410.986.4008 or groups@centerstage.org. Call 410.332.0033 for tickets and information. Or E-mail: info@centerstage.org or visit the website at centerstage.org . CenterStage is also offering the following programs in conjunction with the show: Thursday, April 13th at 6PM, a free community discussion entitled "Radio Golf & urban Redevelopment: Renewal or Repression?". Reservations required: call 410.332.0033. Also, M & T Bank sponsors the Kickin' It with the 'Rents on Wednesday, April 12th. Baltimore/>/> families enjoy an evening at the theatre, including pre-show activities and dinner for only $8 a person. I highly recommend this! (See Article on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/> 03/05/2006 & Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/> 03/30/2006.)

Caryl Churchill's most recent play, A Number, continues at Everyman Theatre. The show runs through April 23^rd, with performances Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM. Tickets range from $28 (Sat.Eve.), $22 (Thurs/Fri/Sun. Mat.), $20 (Wed.Eve.) and $18 (Sat. Mat.). Wednesday Evenings and Saturday matinees also feature a $1.00 discount for Seniors and Students. Call the Box Office at 410-752-2208 or go online at www.everymantheatre.org for information and tickets by credit card. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/> 03/20/2006 & an Interview with co-star Kyle Prue and his wife, actress Megan Anderson on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/> 04/06/2006.)

Charles Busch's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife continues performances this Friday, its final weekend through April 16^th, at The Fells Point Corner Theatre. Directed by Richard Dean Stover, this comedy features Brandon Cater, Maribeth Eckenrode, Dave Gamble, Margery Germain and Susan Porter. Tickets are $14, $12 for students and seniors. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. More information and reservations can be made by calling 410-276-7837. (Review on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore/>/> 03/26/2006.)

GODSPEED, TITANIC POSEIDON

Spotlighters Theatre announces open auditions for its production of the musical-spoof, POSEIDON: An Upside Down Musical . The show promises high camp and hilarity. Auditions are TONIGHT at 7PM at the Spotlighters Theatre located on St. Paul Street in Baltimore/>/>.

No appointment is necessary. Auditioners should prepare a short comedic monologue and an up tempo song. Performances of the show run June 2 – July 1, Friday & Saturday at 8PM, Sundays at 2. For more information call 410-752-1225 or go online at www.spotlighters.org.

This week : The Usher Chronicles continues to appear each Monday – Theatre Etiquette Rules 10-6 appeared yesterday, and 5-1 will be up next Monday. And please feel free to write to me on that topic. Even if we disagree, if what you have to say is printable, I'll run it! Look for information about Spotlighters' new show, Mamelah! Also, tonight, I'll be seeing Little Women: The Musical at the Hippodrome, and my review will be posted tomorrow. And I promise that contest I mentioned last week will be coming soon!

In this edition: Lost in the Stars, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Cabaret, Gypsy, and Titanic. Thanks for reading! James