Vince Eisenson News

In Shakespeare's late romance, CYMBELINE, playing through March 19 at Oliver's Carriage House in Columbia, the familiar becomes the strange.

As the Helen Hayes Awards ceremony on April 5th honors performances and productions from the past year, DC theatergoers will be hearing two gorgeous scores by Jason Robert Brown and Jeanine Tesori, and seeing a new opera about a boxer, a splashing pool on stage, Tyne Daley as diva Maria Callas, Maurice Hines tapping his way on the Lincoln Theatre stage, Mrs. Robinson seducing Benjamin, a red balloon thrilling young audiences, Harvey Fierstein wishing he was a rich man, tales and songs from a Scottish Jewish composer, a new children's show with lots of princesses, a little musical with the title in [ ], a triumphant mounting of a short-lived Broadway musical, and a wordless Kafka classic performed in Georgian style. The crocuses, cherry blossoms, and azaleas will be in full bloom, as the nation's capital will be awash in beautiful colors. It's the perfect time to visit and see some great shows in our DC area theatres.

Top Honors for the best of local regional theatre productions in 2007.

The Up and Comers and The Masters: 46 men, women, and a few youngsters who made their mark on the Baltimore theatre scene in 2007.

WHO: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company WHAT: William Shakespeare's Macbeth WHEN: November 30 - December 2 (No performances Thanksgiving weekend); Fri-Sat at 8PM, Sun at 3PM. HOW MUCH: $25 General; $15 Students/Seniors

Jam packed with new stuff this week! CSC goes to jail! New audition notice! TWO Best Bets! Plus news of Laurel Mill, McDaniel College, and Readers Write!

CSC Brings The Bard Behind Bars! Readers Write! Two Best Bets! CENTERSTAGE's New Play! New discounts! A New contest!

Currently appearing in rep in As You Like It and Henry V, these three newcomers to the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company talk about the Bard, the community and that thing we all love - theatre.

WHO: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company WHAT: William Shakespeare's HenryV WHEN: Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 5PM, through July 8: Sat 6/16, Sun 6/17, Fri 6/22, Sat 6/23*, Sun 7/1, Thurs 7/5, Fri 7/6. Saturday, June 23rd, As You Like It at 4PM, Henry V at 8PM. WHERE: Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park in Ellicott City. HOW MUCH: Adults $25, Seniors 65+ $22. Buy tickets to both, and they are just $40.00. Kids are FREE with paying adult. CONTACT: 410-313-8874 or www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com

WHO: Chesapeake Shakespeare Company WHAT: William Shakespeare's As You Like It WHEN: Friday and Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 5PM, through July 8: Sun. 6/10, Fri 6/15, Sat 6/23*, Sun 6/24, Fri 6/29, Sat 6/30, Sat 7/7, Sun 7/8. Saturday, June 23rd, As You Like It at 4PM, Henry V at 8PM. WHERE: Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park in Ellicott City. HOW MUCH: Adults $25, Seniors 65+ $22. Buy tickets to both, and they are just $40.00. Kids are FREE with paying adult. CONTACT: 410-313-8874 or www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents annual summer of outdoor Shakespeare in true repertory. This year, they are closing the prestigious Shakespeare in Washington Festival.