CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 12/05/2006

BROADWAYWORLD DISCOUNT:

• Spotlighters' Man of La Mancha: A 33% discount - $15.00 tickets for just $10.00!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.
• Spotlighters' A Tuna Christmas: A 33% discount - $15.00 tickets for just $10.00!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.
• See both shows on the same night (Friday or Saturday) and get tickets to both for just $20.00!

READER INPUT WANTED!  WHAT WAS THE BEST THEATRE OF 2006 IN BALTIMORE?

As the first year of Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com comes to a close, I am starting to prepare "Best of 2006" lists.  I would like to hear from all of you, about what you think I should include, and why.  Here's your chance, all of you who write to tell me how wrong I am!  Lists will include community theatre, resident/Equity and professional touring separately, with categories including actor, actress, supporting actor, actress, ensemble, director, sets, lights, costumes.  Email me at jameshowardbww@yahoo.com.  Deadline for submissions: December 20^th.

SAD NEWS: MARYLAND ARTS FESTIVAL IS NO MORE

Having just celebrated its 25^th anniversary this past summer, it is somewhat shocking and definitely sad to report that the Maryland Arts Festival at Towson University will no longer take place.  According to Sedonia Martin, publicist for the Arts Center at TU, an alternative program is being developed.  When those details become available I'll pass them along.  Until then, what a sad way to end 2006.

BEST BET OF THE WEEK (PLAY): The Faulkner Project: As I Lay Dying at UMBC

This marvelous piece of original theater is based on the Faulkner classic, and created by the cast and production staff.  Give your brain something interesting to chew on.  I haven't stopped thinking about it since I saw it last week!  Through December 9. Performance times vary at the campus theatre.  Go to www.umbc.edu/arts for full details. (Review posted 12/01/2006)

BEST BET OF THE WEEK (MUSICAL): It's a Wonderful Life at Toby's Baltimore

This original musical version of the Frank Capra classic will warm your holiday heart!  Faithful to the beloved film, the story has been enhanced by great songs and exciting dancing.  A nice chance to experience live theater with the whole family!  See below for details! (Review posted 12/05/2006)

BEGINNING THIS WEEK:

• CenterStage presents the Rodgers and Hart musical classic, The Boys from Syracuse.  Based on Shakespeare's hilarious Comedy of Errors and set during the age of vaudeville and burlesque, this musical runs through January 14^th.  The cast includes veterans of these Broadway shows: Mamma Mia!, Bombay Dreams, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, La Boehme, 1776, Cinderella and Damn Yankees.    Performances December 8 – 12 are "Pay Your Age Previews" where patrons 35 and younger pay just $1 for each year they've lived.  Tickets run from $10 - $65.  Students and senior citizens can receive a half price ticket with ID at the door, the same day they see the show.  An extensive article that includes more information and a performance schedule was posted yesterday on the Baltimore and DC pages. (To be reviewed 12/13/2006)
• The Fells Point Corner Theatre Challenged Ensemble presents The Six Jewels, which will take us, with song and dance on a journey to find the jewels within each of us, to make a better world. Also, their annual Holiday Bazaar will be held before and after performances of The Six Jewels, featuring gifts, baked goods, refreshments and auction opportunities to benefit our youth programs.  The FPCT Challenged Ensemble began in the summer of 1995 under the guidance of Barry Feinstein, creating original plays, which expressed the creative talents and aspirations of its members. This program provides creative opportunities to challenged individuals of all ages to be in the spotlight. Participants are involved in all aspects of theatre, complemented by all areas of learning, such as: speech, memory, and being fully expressive. The program reaches out to the community and offers our special members an opportunity to serve and to entertain as they tour schools, such as The Kennedy Krieger Institute, churches, agencies and other institutions with their original theatre and musical productions. Featured as well, are many talented and experienced Baltimore actors of all ages.  Performances are December 8 – 17, Fridays and Staurdays at 8PM, Saturdays at 3PM, and Sundays at 7PM.  Tickets are $15 and benefit the FPCT Youth Programs.  Call 410-276-7837 for more information.

CONTINUING THIS WEEK:

• The School for Scandal continues at Everyman Theatre.  You will laugh your head off at this hilarious comedy of manners.  Even the costumes and sets are funny!  Don't miss it!  Through December 17^th.  Go to www.everymantheatre.org for more information. (Review posted 11/14/2006.)
• Run of the Mill Theatre at the Theatre Project is in the midst of a South African play festival, and have performances of Statements After an Arrest by Athol Fugard this weekend, December 7 -9 at 8PM and December 10 at 3PM.  Sizwe Bansi is Dead, also by Fugard, returns December 21 – 23 at 8PM, December 24 at 3PM at the Theatre Project on Preston.  December 5 & 6 at 8PM, there will be a staged reading of Virgin Boy by Peter Krummeck.  For the full schedule and information go to www.theatreproject.org or call 410-752-8558.  Tickets are $16 general.  The entire festival continues through December 31^st.  More details next week!
• Spotlighters presents the American classic, Man of La Mancha, the musical version of Don Quixote.  This timeless show features the famous "Impossible Dream".  The show runs through December 24^th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM.  Go to www.spotlighters.org for more information. (Reviewed 11/28/2006.)  See above for BWW discounts!
• Spotlighters presents its annual Holiday Late Show.  This year, it is the comedy A Tuna Christmas.  It runs Fridays and Saturdays only at 10PM, through December 24.  Go to www.spotlighters.org for more information. (To be reviewed 12/08/2006.) See above for BWW discounts!
• Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore is presenting is award-winning original musical, It's a Wonderful Life, based on the classic holiday film.  The production stars Matthew Schleigh (Buddy, Ragtime) in the Jimmy Stewart role.  The production runs through January 14^th, with a varying performance schedule.  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for full details.  (Review posted 12/05/2006)
• Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia presents the holiday musical classic, Here's Love: The Miracle of 34^th Street Musical, through January 14^th, 2007.  With a score by Meredith Willson, of Music Man fame, this seasonal treat is sure to be the perfect way to celebrate the holidays!  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for information.  (Review to be posted: 12/08/2006)
• Towson University Department of Theatre will be presenting the Tony Award-winning musical Urinetown.  This modern classic is a blistering satire taking aim at corporate America and Les Miserables among other things.  They'll tell you "It's a Privilege to Pee" and it will likely be a privilege to see this funny, tuneful show at TU's Center for the Arts through December 9^th.  Tickets are only $10, general and $5 for students and seniors.  Call 410-704-2787 for times and reservations. (Review to be posted 12/06/2006)
• UMBC Theatre will be presenting As I Lay Dying: The Faulkner Project by Robert Allen, through December 9^th.  Performance times vary at the campus theatre.  Go to www.umbc.edu/arts for full details. (Review posted 12/01/2006)

 COMING SOON:

A two part interview with the stars of The Boys from Syracuse!

An interview with Toby's star Matthew Schleigh!

Local Theatre Christmas Gifts and New Year's Parties!

And the best of theatre for 2006 lists!

Thank you for reading!  James