Thirteen theatrical shows in January offer a range of eccentric offerings and classics. A Turkish shadow puppet interpretation of “Hamlet,” a pay-to-perform (if you’re up for it) run of “Who Shot Andy Warhol,” and a racially themed murder-mystery farce are only a few of the more avant-garde offering this month, while those who enjoy traditional theater stories can catch popular favorites like “The Wiz,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” This month also marks the launch of Single Carrot Theatre’s first production since leaving its permanent home for a roaming season that begins at Clifton Mansion. Another old estate, Carroll Mansion, is also hosting a show this month--”Simaetha: a Dreambaby Cabaret” inspired by the angry witch from Ancient Greek poet Theocritus’ “Idyll 2.”
Shows with Short Runs
“The Near Misses,” presented Jan. 3 and 4 at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets
This four-woman electropop band and experimental opera comprising an original song cycle based on true near-death stories includes dance and movement as well as sound collages from first-person survivor recordings.
“Simaetha: a Dreambaby Cabaret,” on Jan. 17 at Carroll Mansion, 800 E Lombard St., info/tickets
Simaetha, the angry witch in “Idyll 2” by the Ancient Greek poet Theocritus is the inspiration for this experimental “witch cabaret” written and performed by Jacob Budenz (a.k.a. Dreambaby) and features dance, poetry, storytelling, music, and ritual.
“The Forest of the Witch” and “Hamlet,” presented by Karagöz, Jan. 24-26, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets
The traditional shadow puppet theatre of Anatolia (modern day Turkey) presents interpretations of Shakespeare’s famous drama and “The Forest of the Witch,” a hero story of traditional Anatolian shadow plays.
Musicals
“The Wiz,” presented by ArtsCentric, through Jan. 12, at ArtsCentric, 2600 N. Howard St., info/tickets
Featuring an all-Black cast, the soul musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” reflects contemporary African-American culture with a Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy who travels through an urban dream version of New York City with sidekicks Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion to meet the mysterious Wiz.
“POP! Who Shot Andy Warhol,” presented by Stillpointe Theatre, Jan. 16-Feb.1, 1915 Maryland Avenue, info/tickets
For a fee, you can be a part of Stillpointe’s burlesque whodunit musical “Pop: Who Shot Andy Warhol,” which is a campy show where the starry Warhol cliche, including Edie Sedgwick and Gerard Malanga, sing and dance.
“Cats,” presented by Broadway Across America, Jan. 21-26, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets
See why “Cats” should never have been a movie: it’s better on stage, where the focus is on dancing and staging, not CGI whiskers.
Dramatic Plays
“Murder on the Orient Express,” presented by Everyman Theatre, through Jan. 11, at Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St., info/tickets
Agatha Christie’s mystery unravels on a train full of suspects, each with a motive and an alibi in this new adaptation of the classic by Ken Ludwig.
“Buried Child,” presented by Theatrical Mining Company, Jan. 17-Feb. 2, at Function Coworking Community, 4709 Harford Rd., info/tickets
Sam Shephard’s 1979 Obie Award-winning family drama explores the disillusionment with the American Dream and the idea of the nuclear family through the homecoming of Vince to an estranged father and alcoholic grandfather.
Comedic Plays
“The Foreigner,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, Jan. 3-12, at Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St., info/tickets
The comedy set in a fishing lodge in Georgia involves two Englishmen, one of whom takes on the guise of a foreigner who doesn’t speak English and to whom the lodge’s guests share their secrets and scandals.
“Love and Information,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, Jan. 10-Feb. 2, 251 S. Ann St., info/tickets
If you’re looking for a “meta” theater experience, check out this collection of vignettes that allows directors to edit and reshape the 57 scenes and more than 100 characters. FPCT’s description includes different “someones” who sneeze, won’t answer the door, hates irrational numbers, among other descriptions.
“Brighton Beach Memoirs,” presented by Vagabond Players, Jan. 10-Feb. 9, at Vagabond Players, 806 S. Broadway, info/tickets
Neil Simon’s classic comedy is set in depression-era Brooklyn where his young alter-ego, Eugene Jerome, navigates puberty and family angst.
“Be Here Now,” presented by Everyman Theatre, Jan. 21-Feb. 16, at Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St., info/tickets
After getting fired from teaching nihilism in New York, Bari moves back to her rural hometown, where recurring headaches give her bizarre experiences that eventually make her decide between a short, joyful life or a lifetime of depression in this comedic play.
“Safe Space,” presented by Single Carrot Theater, Jan. 31-Feb. 23, at Clifton Mansion, 2701 Saint Lo Drive, info/tickets
Single Carrot’s second show since leaving its permanent home is a farce from Elle magazine senior staff writer R. Eric Thomas that includes a cast of characters such as white nonprofit exec Helen, black locksmith Courtney, ghost of formerly enslaved Charlotte, and MAGA-loving Ryan.
