Baltimore/Washington Backstage - September 29, 2006

"The Late Show" with David Letterman has two-time Tony-winner Nathan Lane appearing, Friday night, September 27 on CBS at 11:30 p.m..  Lane stars on Broadway in the revival of Simon Gray's "Butley" which previews Oct. 5 and opens on Oct. 25. Nicholas Martin directs.

As has been reported in this place previously, there are many Broadway performers on network television this fall.  One show I've really enjoyed has been "Class". I knew one character looked very familiar. And thanks to one of my favorite theater writers, Playbill's Andrew Gans, discovered that Jesse Tyler Ferguson was in the original cast of "Spelling Bee". Also in "Class", is Heather Goldenhersh who I remember in the original cast of "Doubt". And for those who saw the first "Joseph" at the Lyric many, many, years ago, you will recall Sam Harris's memorable performance playing the lead. You can catch Harris in this sitcom as well and he's wonderful. Just learned that CBS is replaying the first two epidoes on Saturday night, Sept. 30 from 8- 9 p.m. I recommend it.

The new drama "Standoff" on Fox has Center Stage veteran, Kali Rocha. You may recall her playing the leading role in "Romeo and Juliet".

 

One of the more anticipated Broadway musicals  is "Grey Gardens" which will feature Tony winner Christine Ebersole and Tony nominee Mary Louise Wilson. Previews begin Oct. 3 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Both Ebersole and Wilson will be featured on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on Oct 29 at 8 p.m. when the 1975 documentary "Grey Gardens" will be presented. The story involves the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier.

 

One of my favorite actors Tyler Maynard will give a solo performance in New York on Oct. 9 at the Splash Bar as part of the Curtain Call series at the dance club. I saw Maynard in "Mamma Mia", and his incredible performance in "Alter Boyz". He will next be seen in "Mary Poppins".  Splash Bar is located at 50 W. 17^th St.  This should be terrific.

Great to have MPT's "Artworks This Week" back plugging local theater. This wonderful 30 minute program airs Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m., Saturday morning at 9, and Monday morning at 5:30. 5:30???? Yes, 5:30. This could very well be the ONLY regular program in the Baltimore/Washington area spotlighting local theater.

You can catch a nice interview with two cast members of the cast of "Spelling Bee" appearing at the Hippodrome (until Sunday, Oct. 1). Alan Greene and Katie Boren are featured in a nice six minute segment which also gives you a hint of what "Spelling Bee" looks like on stage. They explain who and why they tried to localize the play to each venue they play. They are both terrific. Hartford is their next stop.

 

Noticed that the only other tepid review on "Bee" (besides mine)  appears in the latest edition of Patuxent Publication's "Lifetimes" section by Mike Giuliano who called it entertaining but slight. (www.lifetimesmd.com). For tickets to the "Bee", 410-547-SEAT.

 

The Hipp has no theater until "Twelve Angry Men" arrives Oct. 24-Nov. 5. Would you like a chance to win free tickets? Email HippodromeContest@baltsun.com. Starring in this production is Richard Thomas and George Wendt.

 

I also recommend a great column in the Sept. 28^th Sun by J.Wynn Rousuck who gives a detailed explanation of all the problems the show endured on the press opening night. (www.baltimoresun.com).

 

The Oct. 4 edition of "Artworks This Week" will feature Center Stage Artistic Director discussing Chekov's "Three Sisters" which continues on Calvert Street through October 29.  For tickets, call 410-332-0033.

Speaking of Center Stage, happy to report the return of Backstage at Center Stage, now renamed, "Backstage@Centerstage XL Open House Street Festival" on Saturday, October 7, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 700 N. Calvert St.

This is a great way to see the behind the scenes of how a theater works. There will be two outdoor stages, roving street performers, caricatures, face painting, self-guided tours of the theater, stage combat and make-up workshops and the MOST fun: a props and costumes tag sale (great for Halloween costumes).  

This is a terrific event for ALL ages but especially to introduce young people to the MAGIC of theater.  RSVP to 410-332-0033 or email backstage@centerstage.org to be automatically entered for a free prize. This is all part of Free Fall Baltimore which includes FREE music, art, theater, museums, films, dance, and workshops. Visit www.FREEFALLBALTIMORE.com or call 1-877-BALTIMORE.

Speaking of Center Stage, you may recall the "The Voysey Inheritance" by Harley Granville-Baker. Well, it's headed to NY. The Atlantic Theatre Company will mount a new David Mamet adaptation beginning Nov. 15 to January 7, 2007. But the Mint Theatre Company is doing a reading of the original (as it did in 1999) with original cast member (and Center Stage veteran) George Morfogen. Tickets are only $25. 212-315-0231.

 

More FREE theater will be presented by the Baltimore Theatre Alliance at the Baltimore Book Festival running Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday Oct. 1 in the heart of Mt. Vernon, surrounding the Washington Monument on N. Charles St.  Besides the plethora of book signings and lectures, the BTA is presenting staged readings from the Baltimore Playwrights Festival, presentations by the Heritage Theatre Artists Consortium, Fells Point Corner Theatre, Toby's Dinner Theatre, Liberty Showcase Theatre, Theatre Hopkins, Spotlighters, Winters Lane Productions and Run of the Mill Theatre. You can find the schedule in this week's City Paper.

 

More FREE theater….but in Washington. Check out www.lowt.org as of Sunday,Oct. 1 where the League of Washington Theatres' Web site (does Baltimore have such a league?) where you can reserve seats of D.C. first Free Night of Theater. More than 20 area theaters have pledged 1,800 free tickets for Thursday night, Oct. 19. Washington is one of 11 cities and five states taking part in the event organized by the Theater Communications Group to cultivate new audiences. What a fabulous idea.

 

Happy to report a new locus in DC for inexpensive theater tickets. GoldstarEvents.com just opened in June and has offered inexpensive tickets to Arena Stage, Theater Alliance and the Round House Theatre. It's free to register and I hear they don't junk up your email box. They just send you a weekly events round-up. Let me know if you find it successful. Wish Baltimore could finally join the rest of the world and offer a half-price ticket booth or a similar web site. Is anybody listening?

 

Where can you see some terrific theater on the high school level? Towson's Carver Center for the Arts and Technology. They are presenting a concert version of Jason Robert Brown's "Songs for a New World" Wednesday, October 4 through Friday, October 6 @ 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. For information, 410-887-2775.

Which is the only local theater to be recommended this week-end by XM Satellite Radio's "Broadway and Beyond"? The Olney Theater Center's production of "The Foreigner" which boasts a producer who has three Tony Awards. Directing "The Foreigner" is Steward F. Lanewho has produced "Thoroughly Modern Millie", "The Will Rogers Follies" and "La Cage Aux Follies". He even has his own website, mrbroadway.com. This funny play will run at the Olney until Oct. 22. 301-924-3400.

Continuing at the Everyman, the critically acclaimed "Opus". I loved this play. I just noticed that the CD I purchased of the Julliard String Quartet not only includes Opus 131 by Beethoven (featured in the play) but it also has Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" (also known as the String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor. And guess what play is next at Center Stage…yes..."Death and the Maiden"!!! What a coincidence, aye?

For comments, cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.