With the high profile openings of The Producers and Phantom of the Opera at Toby's, the controversial Take Me Out at Fells Point Corner Theatre, and the classic The Matchmaker at CENTERSTAGE, Baltimore theatre is in full swing already this fall! Just think! Between now and the end of November, area theatergoers will have their pick of at least 10 musicals and 20 plays, and they really run the gamut from the familiar to the re-imagined to the brand new. There truly is something for everyone this fall! So SUPPORT LOCAL THEATRE - GO SEE A SHOW!
What follows is by no means a complete list of every show opening in the area. Shows are listed in order of their opening. Be sure to contact these theatres for full details and reservations!
September 2008
Well, we are two-thirds through the month already, and we started off with a bang! We have already had the local premiere of The Producers at Toby's Columbia, a revival of Wilder's The Matchmaker, forerunner to Hello, Dolly! This week, we have the opening of the Tony winning play, Take Me Out, another Baltimore Premiere, and a brand new mounting of an original version of Phantom of the Opera at Toby's Baltimore location. The rest of the month will be busy with the opening of the poignant Elegies at Spots and the 5th (can you believe it!!??) season opener at the Hippodrome - Legally Blonde: The Musical!
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Play) Vagabond Players - Through 09.28
- The Producers (Musical) Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia - Through 11.23
- The Matchmaker (Play) CENTERSTAGE - Through 10.12
- Phantom of the Opera (Original Musical) Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore - Through 11.15
- Take Me Out (Play) Fells Point Corner Theatre - 09.19 - 10.19
On Take Me Out, Terry J. Long, director: "I didn't actually pick the play, the play found me. FPCT decided to do the show and asked if I would direct; I re-read the script and accepted the challenge. And what a challenge it has been - the large cast size and to cast a show that has very specific needs! The thing that made me want to do this show is its heart. The playwright took a very scared American icon, the game of baseball, and blew it wide open. It deals with so many taboos, but never crossing into a preachy play. The play tackles so much but with pathos, humor and heart."
FPCT has issued this parental warning: Take Me Out contains adult language, situations and full frontal male nudity. Not recommended for children.
- Elegies (Play with Music) Spotlighters - 09.25 - 10.05
- You Can't Take It with You (Play) Laurel Mill Playhouse - 09.26 - 10.19
- The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Play) Signature Theatre - 09.23 - 11.16
- Legally Blonde: The Musical (Musical) Hippodrome - 09.30 - 10.12
October 2008
Fall gets into full swing outside, but inside local theatres things are heating up with the busiest theatre month of the year. Talk about variety! Classic play revivals - The Crucible, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Shakespeare completely re-envisioned in a production where the audience will literally follow the action of Macbeth. Modern plays brought to life: Arcadia, Intelligence and The Shape of Things. And a pair of Baltimore premieres guaranteed to make you laugh and think - Food for Fish and Hats! The Musical. And speaking of musicals, a local revival of the Broadway classic, A Chorus Line, and the spectacular family musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast! Truly, there is something for everyone, from professional to local companies and exciting college productions.
