Baltimore Backstage - March 24, 2006

I start this week's column giving prominent attention to the various colleges and universities who present excellent theater, do not get the press they deserve, provide the community with affordable theater that is entertaining and who would love and deserve your support. It's also a great way to see theater that is certainly affordable as well as entertaining.

Morgan State University is presenting an ambitious production of the Tony winning "Ragtime, The Musical". There is a Thursday morning student matinee on March 30 at 11:30 a.m. followed by performances Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 @ 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 3, April 2.  A cast of fifty includes the Morgan State Choir, Theatre Morgan, the Visual Arts Program, Towson University, Dumbarton Middle School, the Park School, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and the wonderful Morgan State University Band. 

Admission is $20, $15 for non-MSU students and seniors, $10 for MSU students, faculty and staff.  So head to the Murphy Fine Arts Center (Gilliam Concert Hall) on the campus.

For tickets, call 443-885-1522 or Ticketmaster 410-547-SEAT.

Loyola College's McManus Theatre presents Paula Vogel's acclaimed play, "How I Learned to Drive" from March 31-April 9. Center Stage did a great production of this many years ago. David Morse (the villain in the Bruce Willis film 16 Blocks) played the lead in the original off-Broadway production. Call 410-617-5024 or www.loyola.edu.

The Johns Hopkins University Homewood Arts Program is presenting the Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" April 7-16. Call 410-516-4695 or www.arts;programs.jhu.edu.

The Johns Hopkins University Theatre is presenting Athol Fugard's "Master Harold & the Boys April 14-23. Call 410-516-7159.

Goucher College Dunnock Theatre has "Blood Wedding" March 31-April 7. 410-337-6512.

Catonsville Theatre Company does the musical "I Do! I Do!" April 7-15. 410-455-4400.

Anne Arundel Community College will be doing "The Emperor's New Clothes April 14-23.  Call 410-777-2457.

Villa Julie College presents the Noel Coward classic "Blithe Spirit" March 30-April 8. Call 410-602-7163.

Towson University is presenting "The Adding Machine" at their Studio Theatre, Center for the Arts from May 4 – May 12. Call 410-704-2787. There will be a gala opening at their newly renovated Centre for the Arts, April 22 from 7-Midnight. Call 410-704-4983.

The much awaited August Wilson play "Radio Golf" is in previews this week-end.

Next Thursday night, March 30, Center Stage has its Young Professionals night. You get a Pre-show party, free food and prizes, Happy Hour prices and music by guitarist Courtenay Moon. Party begins at 6:30 p.m. Show is at 8 p.m. And you get ALL this for $5 above the cost of admission. Tickets range from $15 to $45. What a deal!!!

On Friday night,  March 31, is the "Meet the Actors" performance where following the performance you get an opportunity to question the cast about the play, their backgrounds, and anything else you like. Rocky Carroll (you may recall him from the television show "Chicago Hope" with Mandy Patinkin) will lead a stellar cast.

Call 410-332-0033. "Radio Golf" opens officially Wednesday night and will continue till April 30. This will be a hot ticket.  Catch MPT's "Artworks This Week" on Wednesday night, March 29 at 7:30 for an interview with the director, Kenny Leon.

 Last Monday night I attended the "First Look Center Stage" reading of "1001" by Jason Grote and directed by Gavin Witt. This is a series of three new works which allows you to discuss the play afterwards (many times with the playwright). There was a packed house of 70 in the 6^th Floor rehearsal space with plenty of wine, soft drinks, chips and cheese. And it's only $5.  I was surprised to see the star of the Center Stage production of "Once on This Island" Trisha Jeffrey in the cast. She was terrific playing two roles. The entire cast was superb. Other Center Stage vets were Whalen J. Laurence and Marcus Kyd. The Everyman Theatre was represented with Robert Michael McClure ("Proof"). Tonya Beckman Ross and Karl Kipplola rounded out the ensemble. Following the reading there was a long discussion with the playwright. The audience gave him much praise with very little criticism which I was totally surprised at. Politics, especially the Palestinian/Israeli situation, plays a prominent part in the play but there were few questions concerning this hot topic. It was revealed a theater in Denver will be presenting "1001" next year…not an easy task.

Monday night, March 27, I suggest you make your reservations for "Killing Women" by Marisa Wegrzyn and directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman at the next "First Look Center Stage". What is this about you ask?  "To do. Pick up dry cleaning. Meet Abby for coffee. Bump off Johnny Duke. Speak at career day. There are some jobs better suited for women; killing happens to be one of them." Doors open at 7, reading at 8. Call 410-332-0033 or www.centerstage.org.

Continuing this week-end at the Everyman, the shortest play you'll ever see, "A Number". I recommend this two person play about cloning. The sixty minutes flies by.

It continues until April 23. Call 410-752-2208 or www.everymantheatre.org.  MPT's "Artworks This Week" has a wonderful interview of the entire cast which you can see Saturday morning, March 25 at 9 a.m.

Spotlighters continues with "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train" till April 8. Call 410-752-1225.

Columbia's Rep Stage is presenting "Hamlet" which opens tonight and continues till April 9. Call 410-772-4900.

Fells Point Corner Theater is presenting "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" through April 16. Call 410-276-7837.

The Vagabonds has a double bill of Christopher Durang comedies till April 2.

Call 410-563-9135.

Washington's Arena Stage's "The Rainmaker" continues through April 8 and "Lady Day at the Emerson Bar and Grill" runs March 31-June 4. Call 202-488-3300.

Opening next week-end at the Olney Theatre Center is the musical "Anything Goes". You'll have until April 30 for this. And the bargain of the week…kids are HALF-PRICE. Call 301-924-3400.

If you enjoyed Jason Robert Brown's "Last Five Years" at the Everyman last year, the Prince Theater in Chesterstown, MD is doing his "Songs for a New World" March 30-April 2. Tickets are $20, seniors and students are $15. Call 410-810-2060 or www.princtheatre.org. I hear this is a beautiful old restored theater. Great excuse for a ride to the Eastern Shore.

Kudos to J. Wynn Rousuck for promoting Baltimorean's Jeff Cohen's off-Broadway premiere of "Men of Clay" at the Abingdon Theater.  On Saturday, April 1, you can attend the play, enjoy a comfortable round-trip bus ride from Baltimore and attend a post-show reception for only $85. Call 212-868-4444 for this package or any other performance.

 There was an advertising supplement in Thursday's Sun titled "2006 Spring Arts Preview". I found it strange that the Hippodrome pushed its next year's season without a mention about their next two upcoming productions of "Little Women" and "Golda's Balcony".

 The Today show had an interest segment Thursday morning about what it is like to audition for a Broadway show.  You were able to get a sneak peak at the audition process for the musical "Altar Boyz" (coming to the HIPP next season). The problem is that "Altar Boyz" is an "off" Broadway show!

 Speaking of off-Broadway, pick up this week's "Time" magazine for a wonderful review of the musical "Lord of the Rings". Yes, THAT "Lord of the Rings".  It features music by the composer of Bombay Dreams, A.R. Rahman and a Finish group Varttina.  It can't make it to Broadway legally for 18 months after it plays Toronto. According to "Time", "…the "Ring" fellowship has staged a definitive megamusical, nearly 350 miles north of Times Square. For now, Broadway is off-Toronto."

 One of the biggest hits of this Broadway season is "Pajama Game". This revival with Harry Connick, Jr. is sold out.  But you will have an opportunity to get a glimpse on this Sunday's edition of "Breakfast with the Arts" on the A&E network from 8-10 a.m. Michael McKean, director and chorographer, Kathleen Marshall, and the "Steam Heat" dancers will be featured.

 The new University of Baltimore Student Center boasts a wonderful 200 seat concert hall. You can get a sneak preview this Sunday, March 26, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. for a jazz concert featuring Tom Williams and Paul Hannah and it's only $5.Last Sunday I heard pianist Darius Scott and the Resolution Trio (he plays at Sascha's). It's a wonderful venue and will be a great asset to the area.  Head to the 5^th floor at  21 West Mount Royal Ave.(at Maryland Ave.). Call 410-837-4053.

For any comments or suggestions, please email me at cgshubow@braodwayworld.com.