CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 09/26/2006

NEW AT BROADWAYWORLD.COM-BALTIMORE

New Site feature – A monthly calendar, Charm City Theatre – September 2006! (Soon to be Charm City Theatre - October 2006!) It is updated frequently, with show information, critics' choice and discount offers for BroadwayWorld readers.

DISCOUNTS FOR READERS OF BALTIMORE.BROADWAYWORLD.COM

• FELLS POINT CORNER THEATRE:  The Boys Next Door: $15.00 tickets for just $12.00!!! (20% OFF!!!)
• TOBY'S DINNER THEATRE OF BALTIMORE: Ragtime: Buy One, Get One Free Champagne Brunch this Sunday, October 1st!
• MOBTOWN PLAYERS: Baltimore Premiere of The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?: Buy One, Get One Free Thursday, October 5th!

Mention BroadwayWorld.com when buying tickets for any of the above to receive these very special discounts.

BEST BET OF THE WEEK: STONES IN HIS POCKETS AT REPSTAGE

Featuring local favorites Michael Stebbins and Bruce Nelson, playing several characters each, this funny, touching and ultimately thought-provoking play runs at RepStage through October 8th. See below for more details. (Review should post later today!)

SPELLING BEE CONTEST WINNERS AND ANSWERS!

Congratulations to William Statham of Virginia Beach, VA, Victor Cheung of Arlington, VA, Ruth Edmonds of Annapolis, MD and William Kamberger of Towson, MD! All four winners had all ten answers right AND spelled correctly. Only 6 out of nearly 100 entries had everything right and spelled correctly.

Ms. Edmonds and Mr. Kamberger attended the show last Tuesday evening, and oddly enough, BOTH of them had guests selected to participate in the Bee! Ms. Edmonds writes, "Thank you so much for the opportunity to see such an amazing show. I went with my 22 year old son, Matt, and we both agreed that the show was awesome! I have somewhat of a biased opinion because my son was selected as one of the volunteers to participate in the show. He was actually on stage and competing in the spelling bee for almost one hour. He had a different perspective then I did, but the outcome was the same. We thought it was very entertaining, wonderful vocals, and a truly unique experience. I loved the "flash backs" that were created. It gave you more of a personal feeling on each character, and presented to the audience in such unique way. My son was up close and personal with the actors, and he couldn't say enough about their talent. He commented about how difficult it would be to work with 4 volunteers each show and how they made it look effortless." Mr. Kamberger says, "Thank you so much for the tickets to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Hippodrome. The show was well performed and a lot of fun. Though the seats were in the second-to-last row of the orchestra on the far right, I could see and hear perfectly. [A friend] went with me and ended up with an even better seat -- onstage! Yes, he volunteered and was chosen to be one of the guest spellers, and he managed to survive two rounds before being knocked out with "kinnikinnick" (or "kinnikinnic," as my dictionary says is also acceptable). About a dozen different people recognized him as we were leaving and deservedly complimented him on his performance. He was also considerate enough to give away the "juice box" he received as a consolation prize to a young girl on the street outside the theater."

Mr. Statham and Mr. Cheung attended the show at the press opening, which included some "extra entertainment." Mr. Cheung writes: "I-N-C-O-N-C-E-I-V-A-B-L-E~ despite having previously resided in Baltimore for some four odd years, I had never even been to the Hippodrome before last night. And to top that off, I knew very little of what The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was about (save for a few tidbits from my lovely guest, Joyce). I entered the night unbound by preconceptions, and I paid for it painfully...That is to say, my cheeks were sore from all the smiling and all the laughter I had to endure for the two hours of quirks, charm, hilarity, and downright "Pandemonium" of the great score. The show had an unwavering balance of comedy and heart that would be hard to find in most any form entertainment; from Mitch's tender-loving-care to Barfée's magic foot (without a doubt my favorite parts of the entire show!), it was the unexpected, continued surprises that got to me best. I would hate to potentially spoil anything for those still awaiting their show times, as I know my own [lack of]exposure to the show just made it all the better. But truly, it was a night to R-E-M-E-M-B-E-R!" And Mr. Statham, apparently a critic in the making, writes," Imagine it - The Hippodrome Theater in the heart of Baltimore. You sit down with a guest for an unexpected evening of entertaining musical theatre. The crowd begins to come to a hush as a woman in a blue-green business suit begins to mingle with the audience, welcoming them to this event that is about to take place. Suddenly, a spot light hits her and it becomes very apparent what kind of evening you are in for when she begins to lead the entire audience of the Hippodrome in a chant for the "Putnam Valley Piranhas". "What is going on?" you may wonder. Welcome to "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," the amazing new musical by musical theatre composer William Finn. "The Bee" pits six contestants (along with four select audience members chosen at each individual performance) to participate in a spelling bee with words, that just upon hearing, baffle even the most intellectual. From Marcy Park, an Asian-American girl who attends Catholic school and yearns to simply be normal to William Barfee who insists on spelling out every word that he is given with his foot on the floor and suffers from numerous allergies. As is the case with the start of every show, whether on Broadway, on tour, or even in regional and community theatre, there are always occasional "hang-ups" technically and "Spelling Bee" was no exception. Within the first half-hour of the show, Sarah Stiles (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre), walked offstage a couple of times and fell ill during the performance. Jennifer Simard (Rona Lisa Peretti) handled the situation with ease, and even more importantly, with comedic genius, by initiating the "Putnam Valley Piranhas" chant with the crowd to smooth over the situation (which was later found out to cover up the issues with the sound board before the show even started). Moments later, in true theatre fashion as any understudy would, Dana Steingold went on as Logainne. Ms. Peretti stated that one of the spellers had fallen ill and that her twin sister would take her place. "Well, I guess they aren't 'identical' twin sisters?" In comes Dana Steingold as Logainne, completely in character, at which time the audience erupted in applause. Despite the occasional sound issues, and the misfortune of Sarah's falling ill during the show, "Spelling Bee" is a theatrical event not to be missed. The irreverence that William Finn has for words, lyrics, and song combined with Rachel Sheinkin's most-amazing book, make for the most enjoyable evening one has seen in theatre in years. From the hysterical "I'm Not That Smart" in which Leaf Coneybear proves his intelligence despite his behavioral insufficiencies to the memorable, incredibly stirring ballad, the "I Love You" song in which Olive Ostrovsky strives to connect to her mother in India, "Spelling Bee" is a must-see theatrical experience, not to be missed." I'm glad each of you had such a great time! Thanks again to the folks at the Hippodrome for the complimentary tickets.

NATIONAL TOUR OF SPELLING BEE PREMIERES IN BALTIMORE

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hot Broadway ticket, and Baltimore makes theatre history again when it hosts the premiere of the First National Tour of this crazy audience participation musical. Not since Hairspray's tour premiere at the Mechanic Theatre a few seasons ago has Baltimore had this honor. The show runs September 19 – October 1, Tuesday-Saturday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and Sundays at 1PM and 6:30PM. Prices vary. Contact the Hippodrome Theatre for more information (or watch the hilarious ads now playing on TV)! See monthly calendar. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com-Baltimore on 09/20/2006.)

CENTERSTAGE TO PRESENT THE THREE SISTERS

CenterStage, the State Theatre of Maryland opens is 2006-2007 season with Anton Chekhov's classic, The Three Sisters. The drama will play through October 29 at the Head Theatre at the CenterStage complex on St. Paul. Irene Lewis directs. Show times vary, but performances run Tues - Sun. Tickets range from $10 to $60. Purchase tickets at www.centerstage.org or 410.332.0033. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld - Baltimore 09/27/2006.)

REPSTAGE OPENS 2006-2007 SEASON WITH STONES IN HIS POCKETS

Rep Stage, the professional theatre in residence at Howard Community College, will open its 2006-07 season with Marie Jones' Irish comedy Stones in His Pockets, through October 8, 2006 in the college's Smith Theatre. This two-man comedy won London's Olivier Award for Best Play in 2001 and enjoyed long runs in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States. An American movie company filming an Irish epic in their County Kerry village hires two local villagers, Charlie and Jake, as extras. Playing a cross-section of 15 characters that inhabit the film industry as well as the town, actors Bruce Nelson and Michael Stebbins experience whiffs of glamour and moments of heartbreak in a fast paced satire on Hollywood's romantic remake of rural Ireland and the universal dreams we all have for fame. Lee Mikeska Gardner who formerly directed Three Tall Women at Rep Stage will direct this production.

Show times are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm with an additional Thursday 7:30pm show on October 5. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 410-772-4900 or online at www.repstage.org. Ticket prices are Thursday $12, Fridays $22, Saturday matinees $16, Saturday evenings $24, Sunday matinees $20 and Sunday evenings $18. Tickets for high school and college students are $12 any performance. Special group rates are available for groups of 6 or more. There is a free opening night reception with the cast and production team following the Friday, September 22 performance, and a post-show discussion following the Friday, September 29 performance. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com-Baltimore on 09/26/2006.)

MOBTOWN PLAYERS OPENS SEASON WITH AREA PREMIERE OF ALBEE'S THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA

The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?, written by Edward Albee and directed by Alex Willis, will play at Mobtown Players' Hampden venue, September 29 through October 21, 2006. The 2002 Tony Award-winner for Best New Play tells the story of one man's outrageous love affair and its devastating effects on his family. The play also won the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards. Mobtown's production will be the Baltimore premiere. See monthly calendar for ticket information. (To be reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com-Baltimore on 09/29/2006.) MOBTOWN PLAYERS OFFERS THIS DISCOUNT: Baltimore Premiere of The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?: Buy One, Get One Free Thursday, October 5th!

EVERYMAN THEATRE'S SMASH HIT OPUS

Violist turned playwright Michael Hollinger's latest play, Opus, captures the richness and power of great music while it explores the individual artist's contribution to the collaborative process. With only a few days left to rehearse Beethoven's Opus 131, a renowned string quartet struggles to prepare for their highest profile performance ever. Their rehearsal room turns pressure cooker as passions rise, personalities clash, and the players are forced to confront the ephemeral nature of their life's work. Everyman Theatre's production of Opus provides the Baltimore/DC premiere of the play, running through October 15, 2006. Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company with a resident ensemble of artists from the Baltimore/DC area dedicated to presenting high quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org. See the September Charm City Theatre calendar for contact information. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld - Baltimore on 09/12/2006.)

FELLS POINT CORNER THEATRE REVIVES THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

Fells Point Corner Theatre, as part of their 20th anniversary, presents a revival from their 3rd season. The Boys Next Door, by Tom Griffin. The play is about four mentally handicapped men who live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly "burned out" young social worker. Richard Dean Stover directs a cast that includes John Pruitt, Josh Waters, John Hurley, Russell Wooldridge, Mike Robinson, Sarah Zietlow, and Dave Gamble. The show runs through October 7, 2006, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Call 410-276-7837 for reservations. Tickets are $15, Seniors/Students $12. Mention "BroadwayWorld.com" at the box office or when you make phone reservations and get your tickets for only $12.00 each - that's 20% off! (Reviewed 09/18/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore.)

RAGTIME AT TOBY'S BALTIMORE

Baltimore's newest theatre, Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, is presenting Baltimore's newest must-see event. Ragtime: The Musical is a sweeping saga about America coming of Age at the turn of the last century. Featuring several standout performances, Broadway caliber singing, dancing and musicianship, this is a show not to be missed! Plus it includes a full course dinner buffet! Sweet deal! See below for ticket info or go to the monthly calendar. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld - Baltimore on 09/12/2006.) See related article for BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE OFFER FOR THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST!!!

KISS ME, KATE AT TOBY'S COLUMBIA

Toby's Columbia has Kiss Me, Kate. This lavish musical based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew will delight classic musical lovers! Featuring an amazing ensemble, the dance numbers include the classic "Too Darn Hot". Times and prices vary. For more information about this classic crowd-pleaser, call 1-800-88TOBYS or go online at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com. See the September Charm City Theatre calendar for contact information. (Reviewed on BroadwayWorld.com – Baltimore on 09/18/2006)

JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE PLAYS VAGABONDS

The late, great August Wilson's play Joe Turner's Come and Gone opens the 91st season of theatre at the Vagabond Players in Fells Point. The play, which represents the 1910's in Wilson's 20th Century cycle, runs through October 1st. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. The theatre is located at 806 S. Broadway and tickets are $15, $13 for seniors and students. Call 410-563-9135 for reservations. If you see this show, please send me your review to post in the CCSD column! 

 Remember:

• Support local theatre!
• When you see a local show, please tell the box office and theatre staff that you read about them here on Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com. It helps them to know that we are a valuable source of information to local theatre goers. And the more they know you are reading us, the more times they'll offer exclusive discounts and ticket giveaways.
• Comments, suggestions and items to include in Charm City Stage Door should be sent to me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com. Thanks for reading! James

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