Baltimore/Washington Backstage- September 12, 2006

"The Today Show" may have had the very first live Broadway audition on television last week.   Over 600 children from across the country sent in video tapes for the role of a "Who" in the "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". The six finalists auditioned for Jack O'Brien (production creator), director Matt August, and casting director, Bernie Telsey LIVE. Can you imagine how nervous these kids (who were between 11 and 13 years old) must have been. The winner was an adorable pig-tailed your girl from Pleasantville, NY, Briana  Gentelella. You can view this segment on the web site of "The Today Show". It's fun to watch.

 

 

 

Broadway must be gratified that one of its biggest fans has returned to the airwaves every day, Rosie O'Donnell.  She joined "The View" this past week and on last Friday's show said she only had one regret….she hadn't mentioned BROADWAY!! Well, she rectified it very quickly by plugging "The Wedding Singer" and gave everyone in the audience tickets to see this enjoyable musical.

 

 

 

Well, this week, Wednesday, September 13, the cast of "The Drowsy Chaperone" will perform. Tony winning stars Bob Martin and Beth Leavel will perform "As We Stumble Along". Georgia Engel will also discuss the show on the program. You can catch "The View" on WMAR2 in Baltimore at 11 a.m.  Do NOT miss this great opportunity.

 

 

 

Where else but on this site could you read about the cast of "Mamma Mia!" performing at the Hipp lounge to raise money for AIDS Action Baltimore and Broadway/Cares Equity Fights Aids.  Extra kudos for colleague James Howard for not only giving the Baltimore/Washington area knowledge of the event but actually attended the fund-raiser and reported on it. What a great story. Check it out.

 

 

 

Coming to the Hippodrome Theatre Sept. 19-Oct. 1 is  "The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Call 410-547-SEAT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had the pleasure of seeing two wonderful plays last week-end. First, the world premiere of "In the Mood" at the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts where it plays in the intimate Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab until Sept. 24.  Look for my review shortly. Call 301-924-3400.

 

 

 

The other was "Opus" at the Everyman. My review should be coming this week. "Opus" will be there until October 15. 410-752-2208.

 

 

 

The Arena Stage is presenting the hit musical "Cabaret" featuring the same two dynamic actors from "Damn Yankees", Brad Oscar and Meg Gillentine. This should be quite a production. Through Oct. 29. Go to www.arenastage.org.

If you live near Harford County…Hartford Community College's Chesapeake Theatre is presenting this Tony winning musical through Sept. 16. 410-836-4211.

 

 

 

Center Stage is presenting "The Three Sisters" beginning September 15 to October 29. 410-332-0033.

 

 

 

If you've never been to the Vagabond Theater in Baltimore's historic Fells Point, August Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" launches their 91^st season. It will play until Oct. 1. Call 410-563-9135.

 

 

 

The Fells Point Corner Theater is presenting "The Boys Next Door" through Oct. 8. Call 410-276-7837.

 

 

 

There's theater in Severn, MD? Yes there is!! The Pasadena Theatre Company is presenting "Fiddler on the Roof" through Sept. 24 at the Kerr Performance Arts Center. Visit www.pasadenatheatrecompany.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday 11/12 @ 4 p.m. go to Piratequeen.com/castcom for a sneek peek at the new Musical "Pirate Queen" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago. I noticed "Urinetown's" Jeff McCarthy is in the cast. Speaking of "Urinetown the Musical", you can catch it at Towson University from Nov. 30-Dec. 9. See www.towson.edu/centerforthearts or call 410-704-2787. 

 

 

 

For photo of  "Hairspray's" John Travolta see BWW World Robert Diamond's Broadway Pulse column on Friday, Sept. 8. It is amazing.

 

 

 

If you missed Tony winner Heather Headley ("Aida") at Baltimore's Stone Sole Picnic, you can see her at Washington's DAR Constitution Hall, Oct. 20. Appearing with Headley is Reuban Studdard. Call 410-547-SEAT.

 

 

 

Columbia's Rep Stage is presenting the funny Irish play "Stones in His Pockets" beginning September 22 to October 8. 410-772-4900.

 

 

 

Just a reminder of the Kennedy Center's 22^nd Annual Open House Arts Festival, Saturday, Sept. 16 from 12 – 7 p.m. Call 800-444-1324.

 

Finally, Baltimore lost a great theater booster with the passing of Nancy K. Roache, a trustee for Center Stage. I first met Nancy working the phones at the Radio Auction for Center Stage.  She was a delightful, hard-working individual who loved theater. Her funeral will be Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St.

 

For comments, cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

 

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.