A Review of the 2011 Theater Season for Baltimore/Washington

I have written nearly 50 reviews over the year, and my finAl Verdict is that 2011 has to be one of the best years of theater for the Baltimore/Washington area that I can remember.

And now for 2011 Baltimore/Washington theater seaon in recap:

January belonged to the Signature Theatre's wonderful Sunset Blvd. What a treat.

February will be remembered for the Shakespeare Theatre Company's brilliant presentation of the Scottish National Theatre's Black Watch. This was followed by Ireland's Druid Theatre's     presentation of The Cripple of Inishmaan at the Kennedy Center. What a cast.

March featured the moving Center Stage production of Snow Falling on Cedars.

April had Stick Fly at the Everyman Theatre. I correctly predicted this wonderful play would head to Broadway.

The Arena Stage's production of Ruined highlighted the month of May. What a superb and moving presentation.

June had Amadeus at the Roundhouse Theatre which featured a great cast. Eric Schaeffer's Follies at the Kennedy Center is now on Broadway as I predicted.

July's highlight was the Wooley Mammoth's wonderful Clybourne Park.

The Arena Stage's Oklahoma was the great hit in August. What an incredible production and superb choreography.

Also at the Arena Stage in September was the terrific Trouble in Mind featuring E. Faye Butler and directed by Irene Lewis who said good-bye to so many years at Center Stage.

October was filled with hits.  First there was Fela at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. It was during intermission at Fela that STC Artistic Director  Michael Kahn urged me to see The Heir Apparent (thankfully).  Everyman's Raisin in the Sun was also a huge hit.  Also in October, the "new and improved" Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center drew standing ovations. The Ford's Theatre featured a moving production of Jason Robert Brown's Parade with Euan Morton.

In November, the Everyman Theatre once again had a hit with Private Lives.

Finally, in December, the highlights were the Signature Theatre's Hairspray and the tour of Billy Elliot at the Kennedy Center.

Here's to another big year in 2012!

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Originally from Boston, Charles' first college show was "Barefoot in the Park," he played the role of the telephone repairman. Next came "How to Succeed..." in which he played in the ensemble and then Chairman of the Board. He appeared in "Fiddler on the Roof" at the White Marsh Dinner Theatre as Lazar Wolf. Charles' daughter Britt played one of Tevye's younger daughters. Britt later completed a five year stint in Broadway's "Mamma Mia!" as the Sophie understudy. Charles conducts theatre trips to Broadway shows as the "Shubow Shuttle."

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