CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 05/09/2006

FAME (I'M GONNA LIVE FOREVER)

Well, I am happy to report that the Cappies of Baltimore Awards Gala, held this past Sunday at the Hippodrome was an affair to remember. I was struck by two things: first, what a shame it is that the news channels and papers and other media outlets focus on all things negative when it comes to teenagers and education – I was witness to several hundred teenagers converged in one place, tensions high, happiness level even higher, along with their teachers and parents, with not a single incident, outburst or other conflagration, and second, anyone who thinks the future is bleak for live theatre need look no further than the Baltimore area – the talent pool is deep, the passion is palpable, and the energy invigorating and inspiring.

The night was hosted by producer Carole Lehan (who also happens to be the director of The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Glenelg Country School) and the "voice of the Terps, Johnny Holliday, and it went by nearly seamlessly. The evening was bookended by the Cappie Singer and Dancers doing an Oscar-style opening celebrating high school theatre with new lyrics to favorite showtunes, and a closing of "You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray. Throughout the evening, numbers from the nominated plays and musicals were presented, with backup from the Cappies Orchestra, under the direction of Brant Challacombe. The orchestra, singers and dancers were culled from the participating schools, and to a person exhibited professional quality and attitude. And would that all awards shows featured such short, yet meaning full acceptance speeches! Best of all, it is very apparent that these students have a genuine respect for each other, regardless of school affiliation. Partisan applause was given each time a school's nominee was announced, but regardless of the winner, the applause and cheering were heartfelt and full each and every time. They lend believability to the saying, "It is an honor just to be nominated." I think they really meant it. And, while it is true that everyone participating in high school theatre is a winner, below are the recipients of the 2006 Cappies:

Critics Awards: 9-10^th Grade Critic: Lauren Simenauer, Centennial; 11^th Grade Critic: Jessica Goldstein, Wilde Lake; 12^th Grade Critic: Evan Sanderson, Atholton; Critic Team: Glenelg Country.

Technical: Make-up: Lauryn Fantano, River Hill, The Wizard of Oz; Costumes: Gwen Weaver, Caitlin Littlefield, Daniella Furey, Danielle McFall, Glenelg Country, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Sets: Sarah Splaine, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Sound: Tyler Baldwin, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Lighting: Brendan Powers, Alex Smith, Loyola Blakefield, Jesus Christ Superstar; Stage Crew: Mike Allen, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Props & Effects: John Duff, Ben Winter, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees

Musical Technical: Choreography: Emma Murphy, Glenelg, The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Orchestra: The Mt. Hebron Orchestra, Damn Yankees

Cameo Performance: Cameo Actress: Jessica Tsaoi, Wilde Lake, Grease; Cameo Actor: Chris Adams, Centennial, Guys and Dolls

Plays: Comic Actress in a Play: Ayma Rouhani, Hammond, The Curious Savage; Comic Actor in a Play: Bruce Wilson, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Ensemble in a Play: The Guests, Hammond, The Curious Savage; Featured Actress in a Play: Lindsay Alford, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Featured Actor in a Play: Michael Cyrana, Long Reach, The Importance of Being Earnest; Lead Actress in a Play: Elana Williams, Hammond, The Curious Savage; Lead Actor in a Play: Roderick Howard II, Catonsville, Flowers for Algernon; Best Play: The Importance of Being Earnest, Long Reach

Musicals: Female Dancer: Kassi Mattera, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Male Dancer: John Duff, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Comic Actress in a Musical: Elaine Feinstein, Centennial, Guys and Dolls; Comic Actor in a Musical: David Pilkenton, Loyola Blakefield, Jesus Christ Superstar; Female Vocalist: Katherine Crowe, Hereford, The Pirates of Penzance; Male Vocalist: Kevin Muth, Loyola Blakefield, Jesus Christ Superstar; Ensemble in a Musical: The Washington Senators, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Featured Actress in a Musical: MaryLee Adams, Wilde Lake, Grease; Featured Actor in a Musical: PatricK Gilbert, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Lead Actress in a Musical: Laura Tschirgi, Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Lead Actor in a Musical: Alex Fast, River Hill, The Wizard of Oz; Song: "Heart", Mt. Hebron, Damn Yankees; Best Musical: Damn Yankees, Mt. Hebron

Congratulations all!

THE GRAND TOUR

The 2006 winners of the Touring Broadway Awards were announced today, and most of them have a Baltimore connection. Last season's Les Miserables won Best Long-Running Musical. Next season's Wicked won 3: Best Musical, Best Production Design and Best Musical Score. And this season's Hairspray won Best Direction, and opening tonight at the Hippodrome is the winner of Best Play, Golda's Balcony.

MAMA(LEH) I'M A BIG GIRL NOW

At this Friday's performance of MAMALEH! at Spotlighters, Mitchell Uscher , playwright of the piece will be in attendance. Following that performance will be a lite fare reception, along with a chance to chat with the writer, cast and creative team of the show. See below for more information.

Opening tonight, through May 21^st, at the Hippodrome, will be Valerie Harper (TV's "Rhoda", The Tale of the Allergist's Wife) in Golda's Balcony. This award-winning, long-running one-woman Broadway show is sure to have the crowd on its feet. The show runs Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM and Sundays at 1PM and 6:30PM. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com - Baltimore on 05/09/2006.)

Either show would be a great Mother's Day gift.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

Several local actors, including RepStage's Karl Miller, recently in Hamlet, and James Flanagan, recently of Everyman's The Cripple of Inishmaan, are making off-Broadway debuts in columbinus, a play they originally performed at the Round House Theatre in Washington, DC. The play deals with the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. This production is being presented at New York Theatre Workshop. For information and tickets go to www.nytw.org.

COMING SOON

They say that behind every great man is a great woman—but what if she's not yours? Candida , George Bernard Shaw's witty comedy of love, desire, marriage, and morality opens at Everyman Theatre on May 16^th. Candida runs May 16^th through June 25^th, offering performances Tuesday through Sunday . For tickets call the Everyman Theatre Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.

Everyman is offering the following programs in coordination with this production:

Pay-What-You-Can Discounts

Pay-What-You-Can tickets are available for the first preview performance on a first come first served basis: Tuesday, May 16^th. Discounted tickets are available for other preview performances: May 17^th, and 18^th and can be purchased in person at the Everyman Theatre Box Office, 1727 N Charles Street Call 410.752.2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org for details.

Post-show Discussion: June 22^nd, 8pm

A post-show Talk Back with the play's actors and designers will be held Thursday, June 22^nd. For tickets call the Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org

Opening Night Friday, May 19^th, 2006 at 8pm

Mingle with the cast, crew, and staff at a lively post-show cast reception. For tickets, call 410.752.2208 or visit online at www.everymantheatre.org. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/19/2006.)

Fells Point Corner Theatre is preparing the Baltimore premiere of Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday in the Park with George for a May 12^th opening, with performances running Friday and Saturday at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM through June 11^th. Tickets are $17.00. For more information, call 410-276-7837. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/12/2006.)

CONTINUING

CenterStage's production of Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage, directed by David Schweizer continues previews through a press opening on Wednesday, May 10^th. Performances will continue through June 11^th. Go to www.centerstage.org for tickets and more information. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/10/2006.)

Spotlighters Theatre continues its run of Mamaleh!, through May 21, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM. Ticket Info: Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office one hour prior to each performance. Tickets may be placed on Will Call by phoning the theatre at 410-752-1225, or from the website: www.spotlighters.org. Will Call Reservations are strongly recommended. Cash and Credit Cards are accepted at the Box Office. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.missiontix.com using a credit card. Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for Seniors, Students, and Baltimore Theatre Alliance members. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 05/01/2006)

Robert Harling's laughter-through-tears modern classic, Steel Magnolias, continues at Vagabond Players in Fells Point through May 21^st. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. Tickets are $15.00 and reservations may be made by calling 410-563-9135. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore 04/30/2006).

This week: Fame, The Grand Tour, Hairspray and Bright Lights, Big City.  I'd like to dedicate this week's column to my mom, who never missed a single performance I was ever involved in, and to my grandmother, who made sure all the ballgames were balanced with trips to the theatre.  I'll miss you both this Mother's Day.  Thanks for reading!  James

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.