Baltimore/Washington Backstage – December 22, 2006

By: Dec. 23, 2006
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
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Baltimore/Washington Backstage – December 22, 2006
A weekly column on Baltimore/Washington theater and Broadway
Sunday morning, Dec. 24, NBC's "Week-End Today" will feature the Off-Broadway hit "12 Strings" between 8-9 a.m.
"A Chorus Line" makes an appearance on "Good Morning America", Monday,
Dec. 25. ( I hope this was taped.)
The Kennedy Center Honors will be shown on Dec. 26 on CBS and you will see a tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the honorees. CBS' "Early Show" had a nice segment on Webber on Dec. 21.
"The View" featured Kristin Chenowith singing from her latestBroadway show, "The Apple Tree". I was able to catch the show during previews, even got a chance to meet and talk with the New York Times theater critic, Ben Brantley. I highly recommend it. Chenowith is dynamite performing in three one-acts, and she'll surely garner another Tony nomination.
Rosie O'Donnell's "Broadway Kids" performed on "The View" Friday morning, Dec. 22. They were terrific. O'Donnell's foundation provides theater education to New York City students. Check out the web site for more information. Log onto www.Rosiesbroadwaykids.org.
On MPT's "Artworks This Week", the great Melba Moore was interviewed about her upcoming role in "Chicago" coming to Baltimore's Hippodrome Jan. 2-7. She plays the role of "Mama Morton".You may recall Moore was in the original Broadway cast of "Hair" in 1967 and won the Tony award for "Purlie" in 1970. Hard to believe she's 61. You can catch a repeat of the interview Monday morning, Dec. 25 at 5:30 a.m.
For tickets to "Chicago", 410-547-SEAT.
Just heard "Aida's" engagement at the Lyric Opera House was cancelled due to poor tickets sales. Is there a trend here ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" cancelled one of its two weeks during Thanksgiving?) But, good news…you can still see "Aida" thanks to the Cockpit in Court Summer Theater in Essex this summer. Also look for Jason Robert Brown's terrific "Songs for a New World", the musical "High Society" and Larry Shue's brilliant comedy "The Foreigner". Auditions will be in March. Go to www.ccbcmd.edu/cockpit for further information.
They've got "Magic to do…just for YOU". The Olney Theatre Center's successful "Cinderella" has been extended till January 7. All kids tickets are HALF PRICE!!! What a deal. A great treat for the whole family. 301-924-4485.
Speaking of "Cinderella", you may recall the 1997 television version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters and Victor Garber. Playing the Prince was Paolo Montalban. This version included "Falling In Love With Love" which was taken from Rodgers and Hart's 1938 Broadway musical, "Boys From Syracuse", which by an incredible coincidence is now playing at Center Stage with Paolo Montalban!! I recently attended a student matinee of "Syracuse" and Montalban almost caused a riot after the show during a Q. and A. with the students who "swooned" over him. I'll have more about this in a separate column.
Well, you can take your children to see Paolo and the rest of the amazing Center Stage cast and see this burlesque-style musical on Thursday night, Dec. 28 for $8 a ticket which INCLUDES dinner and a pre-show talk beginning at 6:30 p.m. But you better act fast. There were only 40 tickets left for this terrific promotion entitled "Kickin' With the 'Rents (as of Friday). Call 410-332-0033.
More good news. Don't have plans for New Year's Eve? Join me and many of my friends for the 7:30 p.m. performance of "Boys from Syracuse". Following the show, stay for a cabaret performance by the talented cast and then free champagne and dessert? And you get ALL this for the same regular priced ticket? Who thinks up this stuff??? A musical, followed by a one hour performance with Broadway performers, free dessert and champagne?Act quickly to take advantage of this offer.By the way….Broadwaymusicals have jumped ticket prices during the holidays from $110 to $126 per ticket.So don't spread the word about this. Even if you've seen the show…come on by for the cabaret. But make reservations first. You know the number. Oh…"Boys" continues until January 14!
More "Sweeney Todd" casting. Alan Rickman has been pegged to play Judge Turpin in the film.
The rave reviews keep coming in for Annapolis' Bay Theatre Company production of "A Man of No Importance". This heralded musical by the great team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens with a book by Terrence McNally continues till January 13. 410-268-1333.
Had a great week spent at Washington's Arena Stage. First saw "She Loves Me" by the same composers of "The Apple Tree" and "Fiddler on the Roof", Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.Sorry to say this wonderful production must end New Year's Eve…so here's ANOTHER suggestion to celebrate the end of 2006 in DC.And on Dec. 28, there will be a post-show conversation with actors from the show. And if you're between 5 and 25, there are a limited amount of $10 tickets available for each performance until 5:25 p.m. Call 202-488-3300 for tickets or more information.
And, just opened is the one of the funniest plays ever written, "Noises Off". What a delight this is. You have until Jan. 28 to see this hilarious production. Each ticket comes with a guarantee that you will laugh until it hurts!!! Enjoy yourselves. Legendary Robert Prosky leads a stellar cast. Sardines anyone?
Other suggestions for this holiday week…"Light in the Piazza" at the Kennedy Center till January 7, "The Beaux Stategem" at the Shakespeare Theatre Company through Dec. 31, "A Raisin in the Sun" ends Jan. 7 at the African Continuum, "Santaland Diaries" at the Rep Stage in Columbia until January 7, and "Long Christmas Ride Home" at the Studio until Dec. 31, and Baltimore's Run of the Mill has their "South African Play Festival" through Dec. 31.
Be on the lookout for "Stomp" at the Warner Theater Jan. 2-14, Neil LaBute's "This is How It Goes" at the Studio Jan. 3 to Feb. 11 and the the long-anticipated opening of "The Signature Theatre's new home in Arlington, VA and their production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods" which plays January 12-Feb. 25.
Remember the week-end of January 13 and 14!!! Signature is presenting their "Open House" with tours and free performances both days. There will be plenty of FREE 45 minute long concerts. Two not to be missed will feature the amazing Emily Skinner on Saturday afternoon Jan. 13 and the star of "Taboo" Euan Morton on Sunday, January 14, plus a free open rehearsal of "Into the Woods" and MUCH more. Head to www.signature-theatre.org for an unforgettable week-end of free events or call 703-820-9771.
My final recommendation. For those who remember the remarkable Rasta Thomas in "Movin' Out", he will be playing the leading role in the American Ballet Theatre's production of "Othello" at the Kennedy Center on January 13 at 1:30 p.m. This production which runs with alternating casts Jan. 11-14 features choreography by Lar Lubovitch and music by Elliot Goldenthal. Call 202-467-4600.
Wishing all my readers a Happy Holiday!!!


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