Charm City Stage Door – 02/14/2006

I'M NOT THAT GIRL

Last week, I ran an article about the young lady who understudied Amy Adams in Joseph at the Hippodrome.  Well, less than an hour after it posted, I got an answer from the young lady herself! Seems her friend reads the column, and emailed it to her. Anyway, her name is Lisa Christine. Remember that name! As gracious as she was on the street, Lisa was thrilled to be covered on BroadwayWorld.com, and shared with me that two of my favorite performers in the show, Ken Nelson and Matthew LaBanca (remember those names, too!) have great senses of humor and both are extremely committed and professional in their work. It shows on the stage, gentlemen. So, what happened with Amy? Apparently, she has a bad case of bronchitis – bad enough that Lisa had to go on again for her at their next stop, Providence, Rhode Island. Let's hope the whole cast stayed safe and warm during this weekend's snowstorm up there. And Lisa, come back to Baltimore any time!

KIDS

I also got a very sweet email from Margie, the parent of one of the great kids in the choir of Joseph. She asked that I print a correction, and here it is. Those talented kids are part of The Children's Playhouse of Maryland Choir. CPM is a theatre company dedicated to youth performers from age 3 to 18. Under the direction of Diane Trowbridge-Smith and musical direction of Jerry Smith, the company is currently in residence at the Essex Campus of the Community Colleges of Baltimore County.

OPENING DOORS

Lots of great emails this week – keep them coming. Here's one I thought I'd share. CT from Timonium writes: I recently attended a show at the Hippodrome in Baltimore and had a great time, but I have a question. We got there a little early, and the doors were all locked. We could see people in there, but no one would let us in! Later, when they finally did let us in, they wouldn't let us into our seats! Why is that?

Well, CT that's a really good question – one I'm sure gets asked all of the time. First, the lobby is not open to the public until one hour prior to curtain. The people you saw inside were probably staff, ushers or show folk getting everything ready for the performance you were about to see. There is a lot to be done before the public sets foot in the doors. The cleaning staff is doing a final check of the bathrooms, lobby areas and theatre. The ushers are getting a briefing on policies specific to that show. The managers are getting Playbills at each door. The bartenders are setting up the bars, and the show merchandise people are setting up shop. That one hour policy is clearly labeled on the doors at each entrance to the theatre as well. If you get there a bit early, you can always wait in the Box Office Lobby (located at the corner of Baltimore and Eutaw Streets), or you might go across the street for a bite at Maggie Moore's, venture up a block to historic Lexington Market, or grab a quick latte at Starbucks, also across the street. A note about that, though - no outside food or drink is permitted in the Hippodrome, so finish it up before you go back. Now, to answer the other part of your question: the doors to the house (the theatre itself) open approximately 30 minutes prior to curtain, but that call does not come from Hippodrome staff. That call is solely that of the production that is currently using the facility. You see, in laymen's terms, the show rents the space. As the tenant then, it is their call as to when they let visitors into "their space." What is going on there before you go in is this: They are doing microphone, sound and light checks, and may be rehearsing understudies or fixing a set piece or simply setting props, none of which they want the public at large to see. I hope that answers your question, CT!

HAPPINESS

Last week, my good buddy Charles Shubow stated what he hoped would be a part of the 2006 -2007 season at the Hippodrome. Well, what would make me happy? Like Charles, I'd like to see Wicked (before it gets much older), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Spamalot. I'd also like to see 3 shows recently announced as going on tour: The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (this could be our last chance to see this living legend outside the Big Apple) and The Light in the Piazza (last year's biggest Tony winner). It would be really great to see these modern gems while they are new. Getting first crack at these might re-establish Baltimore as a first-tier touring city, instead of the ugly stepchild of DC. (Not to mention the fact that the belief that "if it plays in DC, it won't have an audience here" is hogwash. If it is good, people will come, and not everyone likes the commute into DC.) As far as plays go, I've read of only 3 touring this upcoming season – Doubt (PLEASE GET THIS), Steel Magnolias (been here already, and the movie is better), and On Golden Pond, with Baltimore favorite Richard Chamberlain (alas, the Lyric got that one). So a 7 show season of my hopefuls is possible. What don't I want to see? Please, please, please, no more Andrew Lloyd Webber. In two years we've had 5 of his shows. And no more creaky revivals of ancient shows that don't even attempt to update. I guess we'll see on Thursday, when the lineup is revealed.

THE STORY GOES ON

Here's what is continuing at Baltimore area theaters this week:

 

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's The Imaginary Invalid plays its final weekend through February 19^th. The family-friendly activities that got snowed out last week will be held this Sunday. Tickets are available at www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com or 866-811-4111, and information is available by calling 410-752-3994.

 

Everyman Theatre's The Cripple of Inishmaan continues at

1727 North Charles Street

in Baltimore. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 410-752-2208 or at www.everymantheatre.org. A Talk Back with the cast is scheduled for after the Thursday, February 23^rd performance, and an audio described performance will be held on Saturday, February 25^th at 8PM.

 

Shadow Block Production's Johnny Guitar: The Musical begins performances this Thursday, with Opening Night tickets bargain priced at $10.00. Show times this weekend are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM. Friday and Saturday's shows are $15.00. The theatre is located at The Drama Learning Center,

9130 Red Branch Road

in Columbia, MD. For tickets and information, call 410-997-9352.

 

Spotlighters goes into its second weekend of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, with performances Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 2PM. This Saturday's performance is their annual spring gala. Tickets are $45.00, and include the show, a silent auction and a reception with the cast and crew. This Sunday's performance will be audio described for the visually impaired. Patrons who need this service are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain. For tickets and more information call 410-752-1225 or go online at www.spotlighters.org/boxoffice.htm.

 

TowsonUniversity presents transgendered author, playwright and performance artist Kate Bornstein, in 2 performance pieces. The first, Gender Outlaw, will be performed on Thursday, February 16^th at 8PM; the second, Queer and Pleasant Danger, will be performed on Friday, February 17^th at 8PM. Both pieces will be presented at the TowsonUniversityCenter for the Arts New Studio Theatre. Tickets are $10/$5 for students with ID. More information: 410-704-2787.

 

For those of you who keep track, today's titles are from (in order): Wicked, Bye, Bye Birdie, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion, and Baby. Thanks for reading! James

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