Stephen Rich News

The Board of Directors of Baltimore Center Stage and Kwame Kwei-Armah jointly announced today that Kwei-Armah will leave his position as artistic director at the end of his contract on June 30, 2018.

???????The Utah Shakespeare Festival announced today the hiring of Frank Mack, a veteran of theatre companies across the United States, as its new executive producer, replacing the recently retired R. Scott Phillips. Mack will join the Utah Shakespeare Festival on September 1.

Magic Theatre's 50th anniversary gala fundraiser was held on Friday, April 7, at the Minnesota Street Project and celebrated 50 years of artistic trailblazing by honoring the theatre's previous Artistic Directors (including founder John Lion and successors Harvey Seifter, Larry Eilenberg, Mame Hunt, Chris Smith and current Artistic Director Loretta Greco). Scroll down for photos!

It's a bit of a risky proposition to take on a classic story that is a huge part of most people's childhoods. Do you try to change it up? Do you try to keep it true to the movie or book? How do you capture the wonder that a child would feel seeing it for the first time?  I don't know exactly how one does that, but Theatre by the Sea certainly managed it handily with their new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.  Even a story as well-known as The Wizard of Oz seemed fresh and new but still perfectly timeless.  Fantastic performances, amazing vocal talents and elaborate sets and special effects take this world of imagination and bring it right to life.

A third theatre space and a new education center are in the works for one of the country's most respected regional theatres.

As a year-long renovation begins at Center Stage's downtown Baltimore home in January, the company starts a temporarily residency at Towson University with a contemporary production of Shakespeare's popular comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, presented by an all-female cast led by award-winning director Wendy C. Goldberg, from tonight, Jan. 15 to Feb. 14.

As a year-long renovation begins at Center Stage's downtown Baltimore home in January, the company starts a temporarily residency at Towson University with a contemporary production of Shakespeare's popular comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, presented by an all-female cast led by award-winning director Wendy C. Goldberg, from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14.

Westport Country Playhouse announces that effective June 30, 2016, Michael Ross will step down as managing director. 

?Center Stage, Baltimore's premier regional theater, today announced that Michael Ross, its managing director from 2002 to 2008, will return on July 1, 2016 to join the theater's leadership team with Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

Philadelphia Young Playwrights (PYP) announced today that, after 15 years as its Executive Producing Director, Glen Knapp is choosing to leave the organization to pursue new career opportunities in education and in the foundation world.

Center Stage announces that after a five-month national search, Beth Hauptle has joined the theater as its new Director of Marketing and Communications. Hauptle comes to Center Stage with more than 30 years' experience marketing for non-profit arts organizations, most recently as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Studio Theatre in Washington, DC.

Center Stage announces the cast and creative team of Pride and Prejudice, the first show of its 2015/16 Season. The play begins performances Sept. 11, with opening night set for Sept. 18.

The World Premiere production of Marley, a new musical with music and lyrics by Bob Marley, and written and directed by Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, became the highest grossing single ticket show and the highest attended show in the 52-year history of Baltimore's Center Stage.

Center Stage announces its adventurous 2015-16 Season, which includes collaborations with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and a two-show temporary residency at Towson University.

?Center Stage announces the cast and crew for It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, with performances tonight, Nov. 18 to Dec. 21.

?Center Stage announces the cast and crew for It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, with performances Nov. 18 to Dec. 21.

The lobby of Center Stage will be transformed into the Royal Court of Vienna for an immersive preshow experience during the production run of Amadeus, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 12.

Amadeus, the first show in Center Stage's 2014/15 Season, helmed by Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, begins previews tonight, Sept. 10 and runs until Oct. 12.

Center Stage, the State Theater of Maryland, announced today that it will produce the world premiere of Marley, the first original musical based on both the life and music of cultural icon Bob Marley. With a book and direction by Center Stage artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah, Marley will run from May 6 to June 14, 2015 to close Center Stage's 2014/15 season.

Rehearsals begin Tuesday for Amadeus, the first show in Center Stage's 2014/15 Season. Helmed by Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, the production begins previews Sept. 10 and runs until Oct. 12.