Baltimore/Washington Backstage - March 6, 2009

Broadway veterans John Lithgow and Patti LuPone made cameo appearances on NBC's "30 Rock" last night.

Now that "Ugly Betty" is filming in New York, look for more Broadway actors to be surprise guests. I noticed a brief cameo by Cheyenne Jackson this week. And speaking of "Ugly Betty", the basis of a recent story line where Mead Publications was completely wiped out by a conniving Englishman sounds like it could have been based on Lynn Nottage's Fabulation or, The Re-education of Undine which closes at Center Stage this week-end.

I only just recently made it to N. Calvert Street to see the play and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  A wonderful cast and a great playwright combine for an enjoyable evening of theater.

What an interesting film this could make.

Starring as Undine is Natalie Venetia Belcon.  Many of you who saw the original cast of the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q will remember her playing Gary Coleman. I also saw her at Lincoln Center in the terrific Ahrens-Flaherty musical The Glorious Ones (now out on CD).

It was great to see Lizan Mitchell (Broadway's Having Our Say) back on stage. She recently gave a terrific performance at the Everyman Theatre's Gem of the Ocean but I found it curious that this was left out of credits in the program.

Next up at Center Stage is 'Tis Pity She's a Whore by John Ford. This 17^th century revenge tragedy runs March 11 to April 5. For tickets, 410-332-0033.

A reminder...BBC America will be airing the television show "Any Dream Will Do", a reality competition show to cast the lead actor for the current London revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It premieres March 29 at 8 p.m.

While we look forward to the announcement of next season at the Hippodrome (which so far includes In the Heights and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein), the Kennedy Center will be presenting August: Osage County, last year's Tony Award winning play, and the Sydney Theatre Company's A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Liv Ullmann with Cate Blanchett as Stella. Frankenstein will also play the Kennedy Center as well as the Disney blockbuster Mary Poppins. There will also by a new play commissioned from Terrence McNally, Golden Age which will run concurrently with two other popular McNally plays, Master Class and The Lisbon Traviata.

McNally also is responsible for the book of  Ragtime The Musical which runs April 18- May 10 at the Eisenhower Theater. 202-416-8400 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

If you live on the Eastern Shore, there is a bus trip to see Ragtime leaving Rehoboth beach at 9 a.m. on April 18 sponsored by Clear Space Productions. Contact David Button at dbutton@ClearSpaceProductions.org.

Coming next to the Everyman is Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard from March 18-April 26. Pay-What-You Can Night is March 17 at 7:30 p.m. 410-752-2208

From March 12 through April 4, The Heritage-O'Neill Theatre Company (formerly the The Heritage Theatre Company) will be presenting Eugene O'Neill's The Long Voyage Home beginning March 12 to April 4. There will also be Irish and Celtic theme music. 301-770-9080 or visit www.theheritagetheatre.org.

Cats is being performed by the Children's Playhouse of Maryland March 7-22 at the J Building Lecture Hall at CCBC Essex. Congratulations to CPOM for taking First Place for "Outstanding Performance" at the National Junior Theatre Festival 2009 in Atlanta. They performed a segment of Seussical: The Musical. Congratulations!!! For tickets, 443-840-ARTS.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella is being presented March 5-7 at Loch Raven High School. What a great way to introduce young people to the magic of theater at low prices: $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. 410-887-3525.

Getting good reviews is Spring Awakening (the play the musical is based on) at the Mobtown Theater which runs until March 14. The production was conceived by the late Terry Long who chose a translation by Jonathan Franzen. Long's close friend Matt Bowerman (Theatre Chair at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology) has taken over the reigns and has incorporated Long's set design, costume design, and sound design. 41-467-3057 or visit www.mobtownplayers.com.

For a delicious comedy, head to the Olney Theatre for Mark Twain's Is He Dead which ends this Sunday, March 8.  301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org.

Also ending this week-end is The Spotlighters production of Caryl Churchill's Cloud Nine through March 8. Don't forget, coming next is the Stephen Sondheim masterpiece musical The Tale of Sweeney Todd which runs March 20 to April 19. 410-752-1225.

The Spotlighters has also announced the 2009 Young Actors' Academy, a five week summer theater training program for actors between 13-17, June 22 to July 23. For more information, contact Fuzz Roark, Executive Director at fuzz@spotlighters.org.

This joint is jumping...that is the Metro Stage in Alexandria  presenting a new musical Cool Papa's Party until March 15 with choreography by Maurice Hines. For tickets, call 800-494-8497.

Speaking of Metro Stage, Rooms, a rock romance which played at this lovely theater last year is heading Off-Broadway beginning Feb. 27 at the New World Stages/Stage 2 (340 West 50^th Street with opening night, Monday, March 16. Read my review elsewhere on this site. For tickets call 212-239-6200. Also visit www.roomsmusical.com.

But do I have a deal for you. The first 888 people to text themselves a coupon which is available at www.8coupons.com can redeem them at the box office and see the show for $8 (normally $69.50). These special tickets are good until March 29 so hurry.

The Arena Stage in their Crystal City space is Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance through March 15. This has been getting rave reviews. 202-488-3300

The Arena Stage's annual benefit this year is called Arena Stage in Oz. Other performers include Brad Oscar, E. Faye Butler, Marva Hicks, Natasha Yvette Williams, and Diego Pietro.  The show's emcee will be The Honorable William T. Newman, Jr. and also participating will be Representative Jess Jackson, Jr. and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. For ticket information, call 202-554-9066 ext. 266.

Four Broadway stars will sing along with the National Symphony Orchestra Pops March 12-14 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Presenting "Jerry Herman's Broadway" will be Melissa Errico, Debbie Gravitte, Hugh Panaro, and Ron Raines. 202-467-4600.

Ending this week at The Shakespeare Library is The Winter's Tale till March 8. Visit www.folger.edu.

Annapolis' Bay Theatre Company has The Gin Game  through March 28. 410-268-1333 or visit www.baytheatre.org.

The Single Carrot  has Killer Joe through March 15. 443-844-9253.

Ending this week-end is the Dundalk Community Theatre presentation of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes. 443-840-2787.

Final chance to see the Signature Theatre's The Little Dog Laughed in the 110 seat The Ark Theatre. 703-573-7328 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

Auditions:

On Golden Pond at the Spotlighters March 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. (performances May 1-May 31). For more information, 410-752-1225 or visit www.spotlighters.org.

Cyrano de Bergerac is being presented by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company this summer and has for 40 roles to cast. They are looking especially for male intern actors aged 16-22. Contact Tami Moon at moon@chesapeakeshakespeare.com for an application.

Signature Theatre Musical Theater Institute Overtures for late teens and up from June 21 to July 3. Auditions: March 7. For appointment, 571-527-1854 or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.