CHARM CITY STAGE DOOR – 08/08/2006

BEST BET OF THIS WEEK: Just Outside the Garden A BPF/MOBTOWN PRODUCTION

            Some very exciting theatre is happening at Mobtown Players this month!  Two wonderful plays by local playwrights, Mark Squirek and Kimberley Lynne are thought provoking, funny and highly entertaining.  Both plays take huge risks, which pay of nicely.  The first, SOD, looks at brotherly relations and the second, The Return of the Fifth Sister, looks at sisterly connections.  The result is a full evening of great theatre.  The show, directed by Ryan Whinnem and co-produced by the Baltimore Playwrights Festival runs through August 19^th.  See below for more information.  What a great way to support COMPLETELY local theatre!

(Review posted 08/07/2006 at Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com)

BEST BET OF NEXT WEEK: Footloose: The Musical AT TOBY’S BALTIMORE

            I had the opportunity to revisit this gem last weekend, and I am thrilled to report that the show is as terrific as ever.  It is as tight, and fresh as opening night.  The energy of the entire cast is infectious and thrilling.  The show runs through August 20^th only.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – Footloose: The Musical, at Toby’s Baltimore is the best local musical so far in 2006.  And Toby’s Baltimore itself is a great new venue that deserves our support.  It is in the newly renovated Best Western Hotel at the Baltimore Travel Plaza.  There is plenty of free, well-lit parking in an area exclusively for Toby’s patrons.  The buffet, catered by Best Western is delicious and has a large variety, including a salad bar and ice cream sundae bar.  Trust me, it is worth the drive.  Tell them BroadwayWorld.com sent you!

(Review of Footloose posted 06/20/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore.)

Spotlighters NEWS: A BPF PRODUCTION, 2 NEW ONE ACTS, and A PHOTO PARTY!

There are 3 big events coming to “Baltimore’s Busiest Little Theatre”!  First up will be Hope’s Arbor is a modern play, filled with the current technology that all young people use to stay connected, but are they really connected?  And, how do their parents fit into this new modern age?  The play seeks to look at the multi-tasking relationships of the modern-techno-family and the issues, expectations and solutions that often result.

            This is a play for every teenager and young adult, and for the parents who struggle to understand and deal with children growing up.  Don’t miss this new work by local award-winning playwright Rich Espey, and by director Jayme Kilburn in her Baltimore directorial debut.

            Rich Espey (playwright) is teacher, actor and writer fortunate enough to have had his plays produced all over the country. Hope’s Arbor marks a return to the world of Thwaite Academy, setting for the 2003 BPF first place award winner Fifty-Fifty. Rich proudly teaches Middle School Science at The Park School of Baltimore, which he feels is the best school in Baltimore and is, thankfully, the antithesis of Thwaite Academy. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.  For more info, go to www.richespey.net.

            Hope’s Arbor brings four Spotlighters debuts!  Courtney Krimmel, as Hope, makes her debut at Spotlighters. She is a senior at Carver High School.  Dina Epshteyn, as Caitelynne, is also debuting at Spotlighters.  Dina served as an Intern at Center Stage last year, and is a graduate of McGill University of Montreal, Canada.  Eric Berryman, as Chris, also makes his debut at Spotlighters.  Eric is a senior at Baltimore School of the Arts.  Allison Buckley, as Jean Fox Horrishall (Hope’s mother), is the fourth cast member making their debut with Hope’s Arbor.  Allison is Director of Corporate Outreach for the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

            The cast also includes: Madonna Refugia, as Sakio, Mark Scharf as Peter Horrishall (Hope’s father).  Mark is no stranger to Spotlighters as either actor or playwright, and is also the Chairman of the Baltimore Playwrights Festival.

Taking the helm is Jaymen Kilburn, and making her Baltimore directorial debut.  Jayme was a Company Manager Intern at CenterStage last year, and recently directed a short play at the Gallery Theatre in New York.  Jayme is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara.  Jayme has worked with the Spotlighters Theatre Young Actors Academy as a drama and acting coach, and assisted with the 2005 Academy production.

Ticket Info: Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office one hour prior to each performance.  Tickets may be placed on Will Call by phoning the theatre at 410-752-1225, or from the website:  www.Spotlighters.org.  Will Call Reservations are strongly recommended.  Cash and Credit Cards are accepted at the Box Office.  Tickets may be purchased on line at www.missiontix.com using a credit card.        

(To be reviewed 08/19/2006 – Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com)

Spotlighters will present a special event - two one act plays directed, produced and starring all local talent.  The plays are: Date with a Stranger by Cherie Vogelstein and The Cagebirds by David Campton, with direction by new directors, Ian Bonds and Kelly Cavanaugh, respectively. Date with a Stranger chronicles the chance encounter between two young New Yorkers, who proceed to carry out a long, dynamic relationship in the span of fifteen minutes, all within the confines of the very coffee shop where they meet. The Cagebirds is about seven "birds" who have been locked away by "The Mistress" to be kept as pets. Each "bird" who has lived contently with this concept knows only their individual world and the world of The Mistress. Later, The Mistress adds "The Wild One" to the cage, who pushes the other birds to revolt and break free, turning their world upside down.  Performances are Thursdays at 8PM, August 17 and 24, and Sundays at 2PM, August 20 and 27.  Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors, students and BTA members.

(To be reviewed 08/20/2006 – Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com)

Finally, Spotlighters offers a trip down memory lane: PICTURE DAY at SPOTLIGHTERS!

Anyone that has ever been involved with any production is invited!  SPOTLIGHTERS Theatre has been part of the Baltimore Theatre Community for over 44 years, and in that time many actors have walked on this 13x13 foot stage. Many directors have given life to the script and filled actors and audiences with awe.  And many costume, set and lighting designer has created works of art to make the story come to life! 

            And many photos have been taken --- seriously!  We have between 2 and 3 filing cabinet drawers filled with production photos from our illustrious history!  Unfortunately, many of the photos are not marked as to which show, or date --- and very few have any of the actors identified. 

            Our summer Interns have been working feverishly to put the shows into order and to preserve them in binders.  We currently have seven 3 inch ring binders filled with photos.  And enough photos for another 3 binders.

            On Saturday, August 19th from 9am until 4pm SPOTLIGHTERS will be hosting a PICTURE DAY!  Stop by the theatre and take a stroll down memory lane!  Help us identify the production and who is in the photo!  Duplicate photos will be available for purchase.   

TOBY’S DINNER THEATRE FOR THE SUMMER  

Local theatre icon Toby Orenstein has great summer fare in two locations – her original Toby’s of Columbia and now the terrific new Toby’s of Baltimore.  And that great fare takes place at both the dinner table (sumptuous buffets are featured at both locations) and on the stage!  At the fabulous new Toby’s in Baltimore (located at the newly renovated Best Western at the Baltimore Travel Plaza) the terrific Footloose: The Musical continues its successful run August 20th.  Time is running out for this don’t-miss production, which features two of Baltimore’s most thrilling new performers, Kurt Boehm as Ren and Becca Vourvoulas as Ariel.  For more information, and to make reservations (you REALLY should) call 1-866-99TOBYS or go online at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

(Review of Footloose posted 06/20/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore.)

An interview with Mr. Boehm and Ms. Vourvoulas posted on 07/14/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore.   

            Toby’s Columbia recently opened its summer show, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Musical, which will run through September 3, 2006.  For more information about this rock n’ roll event, call 1-800-88TOBYS or go online at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

(Review posted 07/10/2006 on BroadwayWorld – Baltimore)  

 

NOW PLAYING AT /> BALTIMORE PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL   The 25th Annual/>

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival is in the midst of it 25th year of bringing new, exciting works to the stage.  Through August 19^th , The Mobtown Players at Meadow Mill present Just Outside the Garden, a pair of one acts by Mark Squirek and Kimberley Lynn and directed by Ryan Whinnem.  Shows are Thurs – Sat at 8PM, Sun at 3PM.  Go to www.mobtownplayers.com or call 410.467.3057 for more information.  Beginning August 11^th through the 27^th, Spotlighters Theatre presents Hope’s Arbor by Rich Espey, directed by Jayme Kilburn.  Shows are Fri – Sat at 8PM, Sun at 7PM.  Go to www.Spotlighters.org or call 410.752.1225 for more information.  And finally, beginning August 10^th through 27^th, Fells Point Corner Theatre presents Split by Ira Gamerman, directed by Ian Bellnap.  Shows are Thurs – Sat at 8PM, Sun at 7PM.  Call 410.655.4826 or email mirdrama@yahoo.com for more information.

 

Remember:

• Support local theatre! When you see a local show, please tell the box office and theatre staff that you read about them here on Baltimore.BroadwayWorld.com.  It helps them to know that we are a valuable source of information to local theatre goers.  And the more they know you are reading us, the more times they'll offer exclusive discounts and ticket giveaways.
• Comments, suggestions and items to include in Charm City Stage Door should be sent to me at jameshoward@broadwayworld.com.

 

There won’t be a new column next Tuesday; I’ll be on vacation.  Thanks for reading!  James