Baltimore/Washington Backstage - September 28, 2007

Both the Studio Theatre in Washington and Center Stage in Baltimore are having behind the scenes tours on Saturday Sept. 30. What a great opportunity to go behind the scenes and see what goes on to bring the magic of theater to life. For more information, contact each theater. For the Studio call 202-332-3300 and at Center Stage call 410-332-0033.

Now at the Studio is My Children, My Africa. This marvelous play I've seen at the Everyman Theatre . If you have never seen it…don't miss it. It runs until Oct. 14.

At Center Stage is the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace also playing until Oct. 14.

This week-end, the Baltimore Book Festival is taking place around the corner from Center Stage. So if you have the time you can attend "Backstage at Center Stage" and then head to Book Festival which thanks to the Baltimore Theater Alliance presents all sorts of  free theater this week-end.

On Saturday, at 2 p.m. Theatre Hopkins presents selections from Nickel and Dimed andMistress of Riversdale.

At 4 p.m. one of the most anticipated shows coming this season is Trailer Park the Musical. Get a sneek preview and see musical selections from the Spotlighters' production.

On Sunday afternoon, there will be events from 12-5 p.m.

Stephen Sondheim's  Merrily We Roll Along continues at the Signature Theatre in Shirlington, VA. See my review on this site.

Opening this week at the Signature Oct. 2 through Dec. 2 is The World Begins. Call 703-573-SEAT or visit www.signature-theatre.org.

"Fences" continues at the Vagabond Players in Fells Point till Sept. 30. And coming Oct. 26, Jason Robert Brown's incredible "The Last Five Years".  If you missed it at the sold-out Everyman Theatre, here your chance to grab a ticket now.  This is the Vagabond's 92^nd season!! Call 410-563-9135.

Ending this week-end is  33 Variations" at the Arena Stage. The weekly magazine "The Week" featured this World Premiere by Moises Kaufman in its' September 21st edition

Lisa Kron's Tony winning play Well" continues until Oct. 14.  Call 202-488-3300.

Coming to Strathmore Hall Oct. 5 for ONE NIGHT ONLY Patti LuPone's Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda conceived and directed by Scott Wittman. Tickets are $32-$82.

Also at Strathmore…Would you like to see a concert preview of the new musical The Women of Brewster Place which is coming shortly to the Arena Stage? Well, you can on October 12 starting at 8 p.m. The full-blown show begins at Arena Stage October 19-December 9. Artistic Director Molly Smith will be the narrator. All tickets are $25. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

You may recall composer Jason Robert Brown performed at Strathmore last year. Well, I've heard his Tony-winning musical  Parade is getting rave reviews in London. It is playing at the Donmar Warehouse.  Songs have been cut such as "Big News", "People of Alabama", and "Letter to the Governor".  New songs have been added. "Variety" has called it "not a revival but a reinvigoration". Could a return to Broadway be in the offering? I hope so.

"Of Mice and Men" has opened at the Olney Theatre Center playing through Oct. 28. Call 301-924-3400.

Do not miss Sight Unseen at the Everyman which continues for only one more week.

See my review on this site. Call410-752-2208.

The Pillowman. Have you heard about this Tony-winning play? Well, luckily the Mobtown Theater has it until Oct. 20 Not for the squeamish. 410-467-3057.

Do I have a deal for you. This Sunday afternoon at the Shakespeare Theatre Co, is a Pay-What-You-Can Performance for The Taming of the Shrew. It continues until Nov 18. Call 202-467-4600.

Here's another PWYC. The Rep Stage in Columbia has A Shayna Maidel preview performances on Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 3 and 4). 410-772-4900. It plays until Nov. 4.

The Fells Point Corner Theatre has Anna in the Tropics which continues until Oct. 21. Call 410-276-7837.

I Do! I Do is being presented in Annapolis at the Bay Theatre through November 10. Call 410-268-1333 or visit www.baytheatre.org.

The Round House continues with A Lesson Before Dying playing until Oct. 14.

Disney's  High School Musical is coming to Winters Lane Productions Oct. 5-21. Call 410-780-6369.

Local college productions:

 Howard University has Day of Absence (I remember Tim Vasen directed this at Center Stage) through. Oct. 13. 202-806-7700;

Towson University has All in the Timing through Saturday, 410-704-2787;

The University of Mary Washington has the Tony-winning Proof through Oct. 7. 540-654-1124.

I just purchased the music from the Tony-winning play The Coast of Utopia and it is terrific. What a great momento  You will enjoy the Mark Bennett music even if you haven't seen the show.

So you want to be an actor in New York? Head to ActorfestNY.com. There will be open casting calls with NBC, Telemundo and Hughes Moss Casting, an Exhibit Hall, Networking Café, etc. Just added are two casting calls from ages 8-17 and 18-24. More details at www.ActorfestNY.com.

The Pumpkin Theatre has auditions on Sunday afternoon, September 30 from 1-4p.m.

Needed young actors 8-18 for the musical 101 Dalmations, adults for the musical Alice in Wonderland and for the play The Princess Adventures. Call 410-828-1814.

Did you know MTV will be televising Broadway's Legally Blonde? It has been postponed from Sept. 29 to mid-October. For details, visit www.mtv.com.

For comments, additions or corrections contact me at cgshubow@broadwayworld.com