September means new beginnings for the theater world, with many companies launching new seasons. This month offers a fresh start for several local groups, including Baltimore’s two professional theaters, Everyman and Baltimore Center Stage, who open their 2019/20 seasons with “Proof” and “Miss You Like Hell,” respectively.
Find 15 additional options for seeing live theater, including a couple of staged readings by local playwrights.
To be included in monthly Baltimore theater features, email writer Cassandra Miller at cassandra.mil@gmail.com with show information.
Contemporary Comedies
“A Perfect Arrangement,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, through Sept. 22, 251 S. Ann St., info/tickets.
Inspired by the beginnings of the gay rights movement, the comedy is about two closeted gay U.S. State Department employees tasked with identifying “sexual deviants” within their ranks. Bob and Norma have married each other’s romantic partners as a cover.
“Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties,” presented by Iron Crow Theatre, Sept. 6-15, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. info/tickets.
The LGBTQ-focused play follows five different women named Betty as they collide at the intersection of anger, sex and theater in this Shakespearean dark comedy by Jen Silverman.
Contemporary Dramas
“Proof,” presented by Everyman Theatre, Sept. 3-Oct. 6, at Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St., info/tickets.
Catherine discovers a revolutionary mathematical proof in one of her late father’s notebooks, and must face new questions from her past in this Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning modern classic.
“Twelve Angry Jurors,” presented by Vagabond Players, Sept. 6-29, by Vagabond Players, 806 S. Broadway, info/tickets.
Arguments grow heated in this drama, based on the Emmy Award-winning television movie by Reginald Rose, as a dozen jurors gather to determine whether an accused murderer will live or die.
“Bright Half Life,” presented by the Strand Theater, Sept. 13-29, at the Strand Theater, 5426 Harford Rd., info/tickets.
This two-person play is a love story that spans decades in an instant, and the infinite moments that make a life together.
“Sweat,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, Sept. 13-Oct. 6, at Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St., info/tickets.
Lynn Nottage’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama set in a faltering factory town in Pennsylvania explores economic insecurity through a group of blue-collar workers and friends.
“Mr. Wolf,” presented by Single Carrot Theater, Sept. 13-Oct. 13, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3009 Greenmount Ave., info/tickets.
When 15-year-old Theresa is returned to her parents after being abducted as a toddler, her family must reconcile the child they lost with the young woman they’ve found in Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph’s drama.
“Best of Enemies,” co-presented by Coppin State University and McDaniel College, Sept. 18-Oct. 5, at various locations, info/tickets.
The play tells the true story of the relationship between C.P. Ellis, a Grand Cyclops of the KKK, and Ann Atwater, an African-American civil rights activist, during the 1971 desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina.
New Works (Many by Local Playwrights)
“Facets,” presented by Limitless Exposure Talent, Sept. 14, at The Waxter Center for Senior Citizens, 1000 Cathedral St., info/tickets.
This original play features seven short stories about love in the context of two doctors treating patients with relationship issues.
“By Sea,” presented by Cohesion Theatre Company, Sept. 14-15, at St. Mary’s Great Hall, 3900 Roland Ave., info/tickets.
This staged reading is part of Cohesion’s 2019 Playwright Fellowship. Medieval ship captain Amanda grapples with her teenage daughter and feelings for her first mate in this brand-new play by local playwright Laura Fuentes.
“Carte Blanche Cabaret,” presented by OnTheRoad Theater, Sept. 14 and 21, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave., info/tickets.
The cabaret will include everything from spoken-word pieces and comedy to dancing and live music.
“Double Trouble,” presented by Mark and Sabrina, Sept. 17, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
Veteran Maryland Renaissance Festival performers Mark and Sabrina present comedic songs and bits as “Diz & Izzy Aster, Vaudeville’s Late Bloomers.”
“Where Our Dead Are Buried,” presented by Cohesion Theatre Company, Sept. 21-22, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1900 St. Paul St., info/tickets.
This staged reading is part of Cohesion’s 2019 Playwright Fellowship. The play by local playwright Kat Kaplan incorporates elements of poetry and folktale to express how a family in rural West Virginia contends with a visit from the queer prodigal son and the buried trauma his presence unearths.
Musicals
“Miss You Like Hell,” presented by Baltimore Center Stage, Sept. 12-Oct. 13, 700 N. Calvert St., info/tickets.
This mother-daughter musical about escaping and belonging, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who wrote the book for the Tony Award-winning “In the Heights,” follows Olivia and her mother on their cross-country road trip.
“Cool Jack Jam,” presented by Arena Players, Sept. 13-Oct. 6, at Arena Players, 801 McCulloh St., info/tickets.
The country’s oldest continuously operating African-American theater company, Arena Players, presents a new musical inspired by black male singing groups like New Edition and Boyz II Men.
“Butterfly,” presented by the IN Series, Sept. 28-29, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
Puccini’s classic opera “Madame Butterfly,” about a geisha and a U.S. naval officer, is given a stripped-down new version sung in Italian with English subtitles.
“Xanadu The Musical,” presented by Broadway Across America, Sept. 29, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets.
Based on the 1980 cult film, the musical follows Greek muse Kira as she travels from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, circa 1980, on a quest to inspire scrappy artist-on the-rise Sonny to create the first roller disco.
