Baltimore/Washington Backstage June 7, 2006

First, an apology...due to technical difficulties (no internet), my June 2 column could not be posted.

But, what a week this is for Broadway theater lovers. In anticipation of the CBS televised Tony Awards on Sunday night, June 11 (8-11 p.m.), it seems every network is promoting musical theater.

For example, Thursday morning, I cannot recall ever a morning like this on network television:

On NBC's "Today" show will be the cast of "The Wedding Singer", CBS' "The Early Show" will showcase "The Color Purple" and on "Regis and Kelly" will be Tony nominees Beth Leavel and Bob Martin singing "As We Stumble Along" from "The Drowsy Chaperone"! A special thanks to the "Regis" staff. Monday they had the cast of "Sweeney Todd" (minus Patti LuPone) and Tony nominee Michael Cerveris did the beautiful ballad "Pretty Women", on Tuesday, June 6, LaChanze did a number from "A Color Purple", today Joyce Chittick, David Eggers and Vince Pesce performed "Steam Heat" from "The Pajama Game", and on Friday, June 9, the winner of a Special Tony Award, Sarah Jones, will do an excerpt from her one-woman show, "Bridge and Tunnel" (which has just been extended to August 6).

And on Sunday morning, June 11, there will be a special segment regarding the Tony Awards on A&E's "Breakfast with the Arts" from 8-10 a.m.

CBS also just had an interesting twist to "American Idol" with their "My Broadway Debut" in which Broadway casting director, Bernie Telsey, chose ten college musical theater students to perform numbers from various Broadway shows. The winners were announced Monday morning and they were Brianna Horne of Wagner College and Andrew Arrington from the University of Michigan. The two did a duet from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and actually had walk-on roles last night in the show. A report on this will also be on the "Early Show" between now and Friday.

Brianna remarkably is only 18 years old and performed last Friday with a song from "Avenue Q".

Andrew just complete his junior year and on last Thursday did a song from "Hairspray". You should be able to see a video of their performances if you log onto www.cbsnews.com.

For those who were unable to see Katie Couric's final day (May 31) on "The Today Show", you missed an incredible performance from  Idina Menzel and country-western singer Trisha Yearwood singing "For Good" from "Wicked". They did this together at Lincoln Center in November at a benefit called "Broadway Meets Country". "The Jersey Boys" also participated in Katie's good-bye singing a special song with lyrics from "Hairspray's" Marc Shaiman. "The Jersey Boys" were also on the Saturday, June 3 edition of NBC's "Week-End Today" and "Regis" on May 25. They seem to be everywhere!! Curious as of yet, no plans for CBS' "Sunday Morning" or their "60 Minutes" programs to promote the Tony Awards.

Enough of Broadway.

Two closings this week-end. Center Stage's wonderful "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" ends its run on Sunday, June 11. There will be a post-show discussion after the 7 p.m. Thursday performance with members of the artistic staff sponsored by McDaniel College. If you have not seen it, do not miss it. 410-332-0033.

Also, check out the Sun's Mary Carole McCauley's interesting profile of Michael Ross, the Manager Director of Center Stage, in the Sunday, June 4 edition.

Arena Stage's entertaining "On the Verge or the Geography of Yearning" ends June 11.

I really enjoyed this production. 202-488-3300. I was quite surprised when I saw it on a Saturday matinee, the theater was half-empty. Hard to say good-bye to their terrific "Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill which ended June 4. I saw this two shows in one day...my kind of a double-header!!

The Everyman continues with "Candida". This a "Shaw Light". Everyone will enjoy this.

So help celebrate his 150^th Birthday. Till June 25. 410-752-2208.

You have until June 18^th to see "Elephant Man" at the Olney Theatre Centre. ALL tickets are $10. 301-924-3400.

The Signature has extended "Assassins". But act quickly. 800-955-5566. Most shows are sold-out.

Bethesda's Round House Theater had opening night for it's new musical production of "A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage" based on a Mark Twain short story. Look for my review of this fun musical shortly. But here's a hint...DO NOT MISS THIS!!!!! I mean it!!!! 240-644-1100.

Finally, Aids Action Baltimore, Inc. presents "Dancing for Life", the area's first ever dance performance benefit for HIV/AIDS, Saturday, June 10 at Center Stage. Call 410-837-2437. Tickets range from $50- $100.

For comments, cgshubow@Broadwayworld.com.

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