CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 11/28/2006

BROADWAYWORLD DISCOUNT:

• Spotlighters' Man of La Mancha: A 33% discount - $15.00 tickets for just $10.00!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.
• Spotlighters' Late Night Holiday Show: A Tuna Christmas: A 33% discount - $15.00 tickets for just $10.00!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.
• Spotlighters' Bonus: Buy tickets for Man of La Mancha and A Tuna Christmas for the same evening and see both shows for $20.00!  That's a 66% discount!  You must mention BroadwayWorld.com at the time of purchase either by phone or at the box office.

READER INPUT WANTED!  WHAT WAS THE BEST THEATRE OF 2006 IN BALTIMORE?

As the first year of Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com comes to a close, I am starting to prepare "Best of 2006" lists.  I would like to hear from all of you, about what you think I should include, and why.  Lists will include community theatre, resident/Equity and professional touring separately, with categories including actor, actress, supporting actor, actress, ensemble, director, sets, lights, costumes.  Email me at jameshowardbww@yahoo.com.  Deadline for submissions: December 20^th.

BEST BET OF THE WEEK: BROADWAY CD: A Chorus Line: The New Cast Recording

The recording of the smash hit Broadway revival of the great A Chorus Line is out, and a must for musical theatre enthusiasts.  It may not make you forget the original cast recording, but this one is beautiful to listen to.  The sound is amazing and the performances solid.  My particular favorites are " At the Ballet" and the fresh take on "Sing!"  The bonus track of "And…" is available (the first commercial recording of this song) by download only from the online subscription service rhapsody.com (NOT on iTunes).  There is a monthly fee, and the song itself costs 89 cents.  With or without the additional song, this is the most complete version of the score to date.

BEGINNING THIS WEEK:

• Towson University Department of Theatre will be presenting the Tony Award-winning musical Urinetown.  This modern classic is a blistering satire taking aim at corporate America, West Side Story and Les Miserables among other things.  They'll tell you "It's a Privilege to Pee" and it will likely be a privilege to see this funny, tuneful show at TU's Center for the Arts November 30^th – December 9^th.  Tickets are only $10, general and $5 for students and seniors.  Call 410-704-2787 for times and reservations.  (To be reviewed 12/01/2006)
• UMBC Theatre will be presenting As I Lay Dying: The Faulkner Project by Robert Allen, November 29 – December 9^th.  Performance times vary at the campus theatre.  Go to www.umbc.edu/arts for full details. (Review posted 12/01/2006)
• Spotlighters will be presenting its annual holiday late night show beginning this Friday, December 1st at 10 PM.  The show is A Tuna Christmas by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, and is part of their popular series of plays set in Tuna, Texas, the state's 3rd smallest town.  This holiday edition features a cavalcade of citizens working through holiday madness, including a hapless little theatre production of A Christmas Carol and a mysterious phantom who is runing the town's decoration.  Featuring a cast of 5 (Sandi Alexander, Gail Anderson, David E. Elvove, Drew Gaver and Alexis Holzer) in dozens of roles and directed by Fuzz Roark and Ed Zarkowski, this fast-paced comedy is sure to lighten your holiday mood!  The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 10PM.  Tickets are $15.00.  See above for BWW discount!  For more information, go to www.spotlighters.org. (To be reviewed 12/08/2006)

CONTINUING THIS WEEK:

• The School for Scandal continues at Everyman Theatre.  You will laugh your head off at this hilarious comedy of manners.  Even the costumes and sets are funny!  Don't miss it!  Through December 17^th.  Go to www.everymantheatre.org for more information. (Review posted 11/14/2006.)
• Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre has Dirty Rotten Scoundrels through December 3^rd.  The show features a brand new opening number not seen on Broadway, and Baltimore will be one of the last stops of the tour before it closes for "downsizing."  Performances are Tues – Sat at 8PM, Sat at 2, Sun at 1 and 6:30 PM.  (Review 12/02/2006)
• Run of the Mill Theatre at the Theatre Project is in the midst of a South African play festival, and have performances of Statements After an Arrest by Athol Fugard this weekend, November 30, December 1 &2 at 8PM, December 3 at 3PM.  The play continues December 7 -9 at 8PM and December 10 at 3PM.  Sizwe Bansi is Dead, also by Fugard returns December 21 – 23 at 8PM, December 24 at 3PM at the Theatre Project on Preston.  December 5 & 6 at 8PM, there will be a staged reading of Virgin Boy by Peter Krummeck.  For the full schedule and information go to www.theatreproject.org or call 410-752-8558.  Tickets are $16 general.  The entire festival continues through December 31^st.  More details next week!
• Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore is presenting is award-winning original musical, It's a Wonderful Life, based on the classic holiday film.  The production stars Matthew Schleigh (Buddy, Ragtime) in the Jimmy Stewart role.  The production runs through January 14^th, with a varying performance schedule.  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for full details.  (To be reviewed 12/02/2006)
• Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia presents the holiday musical classic, Here's Love: The Miracle of 34^th Street Musical, beginning November 23^rd through January 14^th, 2007.  With a score by Meredith Willson, of Music Man fame, this seasonal treat is sure to be the perfect way to celebrate the holidays!  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for information.  (To be reviewed 12/07/2006)
• Spotlighters presents the American classic, Man of La Mancha, the musical version of Don Quixote.  This timeless show features the famous "Impossible Dream".  The show begins November 24 – December 24^th, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 7PM.  Go to www.spotlighters.org for more information. (Reviewed 11/28/2006.)

COMING SOON:

• A two part interview with the stars of The Boys from Syracuse CenterStage!
• The return of unsung heroes and the monthly calendar!
• And the best of theatre for 2006 lists!

Thank you for reading!  James