Charm City Call Board - October 16 - 22

Welcome to Charm City Call Board for the week of October 16 - 22, keeping you up to date each week with all that is theater in Baltimore.  This week there is something for everyone!  A new discount for a trip to NYC!  New shows opening!  A new musical BEST BET!  News of a new touring show and a world premiere by the newest company to join the BWW family – Theatre Hopkins! 

If you have some news or an event you'd like added, please contact me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

Discounts and contest notices are listed first.  Show listings follow in this order: current productions and upcoming productions.  Audition notices, news bites, and book/CD recommendations are at the end.  

BROADWAYWORLD.BALTIMORE DISCOUNTS!

• Anna in the Tropics at Fells Point Corner Theatre – Get $17.00 General Admission Tickets for just $15.00 and Student/Senior Citizen Tickets for just $12.00!  Mention the BroadwayWorld Discount when making phone reservations or bring a print out of this article to the box office.
• Blood Wedding – Run of the Mill Theatre at the Theatre Project – All tickets $10.00 for BroadwayWorld readers.  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the box office to receive discount.  The show runs October 12 – 21 at the Theatre Project on Preston Street.  The Thursday October 18^th performance is part of Baltimore Free Fall.  THIS PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT!
• The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Spotlighters - $5.00 each ticket.  Go to www.spotlighters.org and click on "tickets".  Enter code BWW-TPM to get your discount.  You may also get this discount at the box office by bringing a copy of this article with you.  The show runs through November 4.  ADVISORY: Adult language and situations.
• Pumpkin Theatre is hosting a bus trip to NYC to see the Broadway production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS - THE MUSICAL on Sunday, November 18.  Tickets are $140.00 which includes show ticket, bus to and from NYC, and breakfast on the bus.  Call (410) 828-1814. MENTION BROADWAYWORLD.COM AND GET $10.00 OFF!!

CONTESTS!

Look for a new contest soon!

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK!

A five star system will be utilized in order to differentiate between the various levels of success: artistry and entertainment value.  This system is not directly numeric, however.  That is, a 4 rated show isn't necessarily twice as good as a 2 rated show; neither is a 4 rated show a "B" or an 80%.

◊◊◊◊◊ - The absolute best theatre has to offer!  Missing this should not be an option!
◊◊◊◊ - This is excellent theatre!  Do not miss this show!
◊◊◊ - This is a very good production.  Try to get to this one!
◊◊ - This is a fair production.
◊ - Save your money.

Be sure to contact the theatre directly for show times, dates and prices.  All shows subject to change.  

CURTAIN UP!  Opening this week!

The Baltimore Waltz presented by Single Carrot Theatre.

• ◊◊◊◊◊Hairspray at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.  Through 10/21.  2 hours, 30 minutes, including intermission.  Contains some mild language, and a frank discussion of racism.  Review to be posted 10/17.  www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or 410-547-SEAT.
• Wild Black-Eyed Susans at UMBC Theatre.  10/17-10/21.  www.umbc.edu
• The Baltimore Waltz Single Carrot Theatre at Sydonne's Event Hall on Howard Street.  10/17-11/4.  Review to be posted 10/27.  www.singlecarrot.com
• Picasso at the Lapine Agile  CCBC-Essex.  10/18-10/23.  www.ccbcmd.edu
• Antigone at Baltimore Shakespeare Festival.  10/19-11/11. Review to be posted 10/26.  www.baltimoreshakespeare.org

CURTAIN DOWN!  Closing this week!

The Diary of Anne Frank at Towson University and Blood Wedding at Run of the Mill Theater.

• ◊◊◊ The Diary of Anne Frank at Towson University.  Through 10/21.  2 hours, 15 minutes, including intermission.  Review posted 10/15.  www.towson.edu/centerforthearts/theatre or 410-704-2787.
• ◊◊◊◊ Blood Wedding Run of the Mill Theatre at The Theatre Project.  Through 10/21.  2 hours, 5 minutes, including intermission.  Review to be posted 10/17. www.runofthemilltheater.org .
• And Then There Were None at Laurel Mill Playhouse.  Through10/20.  www.laurelmillplayhouse.org or 301-617-9906
• ◊◊ The Pillowman at Mobtown Players.  Through 10/20.  Review posted 10/10.  2 hours, 45 minutes, plus intermission.  Graphic language, situations and violence. www.mobtownplayers.com or 410-467-3057
• ◊◊◊◊ Anna in the Tropics at Fells Point Corner Theatre.  Through 10/21.  2 hours, plus a 15 minute intermission.  Review posted 9/26.  Adult themes, sexuality and gun shots.   www.fpct.org or 410-276-7837
• ◊◊◊◊ Disney's High School Musical at Winters Lane Productions.  Q Theatre at CCBC-Catonsville. Through 10/21.  1 hour, 45 minutes, plus intermission.  Review posted 10/8.  www.winterslaneproductions.org or 410-563-9135 BEST BET 10/9!

 

Disney's High School Musical at Winters Lane (CCBC - Catonsville) and Anna in the Tropics at Fells Point Corner Theatre.

NOW PLAYING!  Shows that are currently running.

A Shayna Maidel at Rep Stage and Dreamgirls at Toby's Baltimore.

• ◊◊◊◊◊ A Shayna Maidel at RepStage.  Through 11/4. Review posted 10/9.  2 hours 30 minutes, including intermission.  www.repstage.org or 410-772-4900 BEST BET 10/9!
• ◊◊◊◊ The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Spotlighters. Through 11/4.  2 hours, including intermission.  Adult language, sexuality, gun shots, magic marker sniffing, and really bad hair.  Review posted 10/16. BEST BET 10/16!
• Tom, Dick and Harry at Timonium Dinner Theatre.  Through 11/4.  www.timoniumdinnertheatre.com or 410-560-1113
• ◊◊◊◊◊◊ Titanic: The Musical at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia.  Through 11/11.  2 hours, 30 minutes, plus intermission.  Review posted 9/10.  www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or 1-800-88-TOBYS.  BEST BET 9/11!
• ◊◊◊◊ Dreamgirls at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore.  Through 11/18. 2 hours, 20 minutes, plus intermission.  Adult language and situations.  Review posted 9/19.  www.tobysdinnertheatre.com or 1-866-99TOBYS.  BEST BET 9/18!
• ◊◊◊ Menopause: The Musical at M&T Pavilion at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.  Closes 11/4.  Tickets currently on sale through November 4, .  90 minutes, no intermission.  Adult language, content and sexual themes.  Review posted 7/20. www.france-merrickpac.com or 410-547-SEAT

Titanic: The Musical at Toby's Columbia and The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Spotlighters.

COMING SOON!  Shows opening soon!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Dundalk Community Theatre (CCBC - Dundalk).

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Dundalk Community Theatre.  10/26-11/4.  Review to be posted 10/28.  www.ccbcmd.edu
• The Last 5 Years at Vagabond Players.  10/26-11/25.  Review to be posted 10/29.  www.vagabondplayers.com or 410-563-9135.
• Hearts at CENTERSTAGE.  10/26-12/2.  Review to be posted 11/1.  www.centerstage.org or 410-332-0033.

AUDITIONS!

HOLIDAY SHOW!

WHEN:  Monday 10/22, 7-10pm

WHO & WHAT: Single Carrot Theatre will be casting a handful of roles for the holiday themed production La Muneca by Aldo Pantoja.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Actors: all ages and types encouraged to audition
  Dancers: Looking for strong improv skills with a foundation in modern, jazz and ballet
  Singers: Experience or interest in a Capella or barber shop quartet style.

GET IN TOUCH: If you would like to audition, please send a brief email to singlecarrotmedia@gmail.com and we will tell you what to prepare and give you directions.

 

STAGED READING!

WHAT: SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre is presenting a staged reading of Carol Lynn Pearson's new play -- Facing East.  A short - but dynamic play about hidden lies in a family - the painful outcomes.  Directed by FUZZ Roark.

PERFORMANCE DATE: Staged Reading to be presented - Thursday - Oct 25 (8pm) at University of Baltimore, Performing Arts Theatre

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR: Seeking two men, age 25-30 (one Caucasian, and one any race) to portray Andrew and Marcus.

 REHEARSALS: There will be one table reading evening and one blocking evening as rehearsals.

INFORMATION: If interested or questions, please contact FUZZ at Fuzz@spotlighters.org or 410-752-1225 (x7)

 

BACKSTAGE BABBLE!  News, Best Bets, etc.

BEST BET: THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL!

Now that fall is in full swing, and we settle into school/work schedules, but the winter holidays are still a bit off in the distance, we all need a little fun – a reminder of the carefree days of summer.  Well, Spotlighters has just the cure for the fall blahs, and it is nothing but trailer trashy fun from start to finish – The Maryland Premiere of The Great American Trailer Park Musical!  No, you aren't reading it wrong!  Join the ladies of Armadillo Acres, home of Florida's must outrageous trailer park, and the men who love them.  With songs titled "Road Kill" and "Flushed Down the Pipes", you'll laugh until your thong breaks and your fake eyelashes fall off.  It plays weekends through November 4 at Spotlighters.  See above for information and a terrific BROADWAYWORLD discount!  This much fun at a Wal-mart price – how can you beat that?  (Review will post later this afternoon!)

NATIONAL PLAYERS BRING ALASKAN ADVENTURE TO MCDANIEL!

The touring theatre company, National Players, present Call of the Wild at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 in McDaniel College's WMC Alumni Hall.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 410-857-2448.

"Call of the Wild," a musical adaptation of Jack London's Alaskan adventure novels "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," explores thehumanity in every creature and the idea of unconditional love. In the musical, written by Jon Lipsky, man and dog challenge the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Far North only to discover that, while it is hard to go into The Wild, it is even harder to come back.

The music by Bill Barclay is a blend of music hall, honky-tonk, and folk styles.

For years, McDaniel College has served as a stop for the Players, America's longest-running classical touring company. The group travels state-to-state for audiences across the country, from inner-city schools to rural America.

Players' productions stick to strict traditions of touring theater: Company members double and triple in roles and technical assignments like lighting, sound, and costumes.

NEW TO THE BWW FAMILY!: THEATRE HOPKINS OFFERS AREA PREMIERE OF NICKEL AND DIMED!  

For the first time, Theatre Hopkins will be the guest of Mobtown Players, presenting the area premiere of Nickel and Dimed opening Friday, Nov. 2.

 Adapted by Joan Holden from Barbara Ehrenreich's book of the same name, the drama Nickel and Dimed chronicles Ehrenreich's effort to explore the lives of Americans surviving on minimum wage income by joining their ranks. Led by Mandy Dalton as author Barbara Ehrenreich, the cast also includes Gail Anderson, Ameerah al-Mateen, Joey Hellman, Jennifer Johnson and Tawanna Kane.

The production will run three weekends through Sunday, Nov. 18, at Mobtown's theater located at 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., off Union Avenue in Hampden. Curtain time for Friday and Saturday performances is 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. Student rush tickets for $5 are available at curtain time for all performances, if space allows. For reservations or information, contact Theatre Hopkins at (410) 516-7159, or by e-mail to thehop@jhu.edu.

 

FROM LAST WEEK'S BABBLE!

SPOTLIGHTERS OFFERS MUSIC READING FOR THE ACTOR!

October 13 through October 27, 2007
Three Saturdays from 10am to Noon devoted to providing the singing actor the skills and techniques needed to be able to read basic musical lines, understand timing and tempo, and note intervals and relative pitch. Some time will be devoted to "acting" the song and developing characters within a musical selection. Taught by Michael Tan. You may register at www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?retail=spot . The cost of the 6 hr workshop is $65.
SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre: 817 Saint Paul Street

See below for other classes being offered.

BALTIMORE PLAYWRIGHTS GROUP TO DISCUSS ANNA IN THE TROPICS!

The Baltimore Playwrights Group will hold its next Fifth Tuesday play discussion on Tuesday, October 30 at Fell's Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann Street. They will be discussing Nilo Cruz' Pulitzer Prize winning play Anna in the Tropics.  Admission: a dessert or non-alcoholic beverage to share. Please read the play in advance and/or see the current production at FPCT. (www.fpct.org). Come ready to discuss what makes Anna in the Tropics a 21st century Pulitzer winner.

Note:  This is event is designed for anyone interested in playwrighting specifically.

BROADWAY LEGEND SPONSORS CABARET SERIES AT THE KENNEDY CENTER!

Musical theatre actress, Barbara Cook (The Music Man, She Loves Me) has leant her name and considerable talents to a new series at the Kennedy Center, Barbara Cook's Spotlight.  This truly legendary woman continues to dazzle theatre lovers nationwide with her Broadway concerts and her magnificent soprano voice.  She, herself, will start off the series with her famed interpretations of the Broadway songbook, October 19 and 20.

Three time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn will be up next at the Terrace Theatre at the Kennedy Center on October 26^th, singing the songs of Laura Nyro.  This will be a true treat for local theatergoers, as Ms. Kuhn was just announced to assume the role of Fantine in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables.  Audiences familiar with the original Broadway cast of the show will remember she originated the role of Cosette, Fantine's daughter.  Judy was Tony nominated for that role, as well as the revival of She Loves Me and the legendary (if flop) musical Chess.  She also appeared on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Rags, as well as Passion at the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration.

Later in the season, the Spotlight Series will feature Lillias White (Tony Winner for The Life) on November 16, Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner (Side Show, the Kennedy Center production of Company) on April 11 and Brent Barrett (Kiss Me, Kate, Chicago, Grand Hotel: The Musical) on June 28.

For tickets and information, call 202-467-4600 or go to www.kennedy-center.org.

SCHOOL'S BACK!  LOCAL THEATER OFFERS ACTING CLASSES!

This is a six week program from October 13 through November 17, 2007. Actors will spend 4 hours each Saturday working on developing and expanding their skills and talents. A workshop in which each actor is challenged to stretch their entire instrument physically, mentally, and emotionally through scene study. Come have that breakthrough in your work you're dreaming about.

The instructor will be Alexander D. Carney, a local area actor, director, and teacher. His teaching is a synthesis of the work of Meisner, Strasberg, as well as Grotowski and Shakespeare & Company. Alex believes that each individual actor has a unique "method" and that his job as a teacher is to help the actor-in-training to discover that method. Alex directed the critically acclaimed Angels in America: Perestroika at SPOTLIGHTERS in August 2007.

See the Spotlighters website for an application and deadline information.  www.spotlighters.org.