While August is traditionally slow, Baltimore companies this year have as many options as busier months on the theater calendar. If you’re not satiated by political Twitter following the Democratic primary debates, head to the theater for a dystopian interpretation of the future of America in Rapid Lemon Productions’ “Crusade,” or to a fictional Baltimore bar during the 2016 presidential elections in “Properties! A Political Play.”
To be included in monthly Baltimore theater features, email writer Cassandra Miller at cassandra.mil@gmail.com with show information.
Non-Traditional Theater
“Fluid Movement: The Water Ballet 20th Anniversary Show,” presented by Fluid Movement, through Aug. 4, at Patterson Park Pool and Druid Park Pool, info/tickets.
The summertime water ballet company celebrates its 20th anniversary with a variety show combining on-deck scenes, collaborative choreography and inventive costumes to create a spectacle with Baltimore public pools as the stage.
“Project P.S.,” presented by Submersive Productions, Aug. 16-25, at the Peale Center, 225 Holliday St., info/tickets.
The immersive theater company presents another segment in its “Institute of Visionary History and the Archives of the Deep Now” series exploring “procedures and extractions of metaphysical kurayami with a biomechatronic sculptor to examine the hypothesis that one can obtain enlightenment” in this 45-60-minute multi-sensory piece.
“Love Letters to Black Women,” presented by the Kuumba Ensemble Heritage House Community Theater, Aug. 31, at New Covenant Worship Center, 700 Wildwood Parkway, info/tickets.
An all-male cast reflects on romance, regrets and relationship realignment through dramatic scenes and choreographed musical numbers.
Musical Theater
“Voices of Carmen,” presented by Dance and Bmore, through Aug. 2, at Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St., info/tickets.
The adaptation of the opera “Carmen” includes new pop, hip-hop and R&B songs, set in a contemporary high school.
“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” presented by Cockpit in Court, through Aug. 4, at CCBC Essex’s Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center, 7201 Rossville Blvd., Rosedale, info/tickets.
The comedy pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of socialites and bootleggers, all set to the classic songs of George and Ira Gershwin, including “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.”
“Cry-Baby, the Musical,” presented by STAR Ltd, through Aug. 4, at Thomas Rice Auditorium, 55 Wade Ave., Catonsville, info/tickets.
The musical inspired by John Waters’ movie of the same name follows social outcasts Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker and his pal Dupree as they navigate the squares and police officers.
Various Youtheatre Productions, presented by Arena Players, Aug. 1-8, at Arena Players, 801 McCulloh St., info/tickets.
Arena Players’ summer youth program culminates with three junior productions. The “little people” group presents “Dorothy in Wonderland,” from Aug. 2-3; the “intermediate” group presents “Lion King Jr.” from Aug. 1-3; and the main “Youtheatre” group presents “Once on This Island” from Aug. 7-8.
“Emma,” presented by Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, Aug. 2-11, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8212 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, info/tickets.
Based on Jane Austen’s novel, this modern musical featuring music by The Supremes and Katy Perry follows high school senior Emma as she tries to find the perfect boyfriend for shy sophomore Harriet by the end of the school year.
“Little Shop of Horrors,” presented by ArtsCentric, through Aug. 17, at Motor House, 120 W. North Ave., info/tickets.
The campy musical based on 1960s cult horror films features nerdy Seymour, a florist’s clerk, who buys and nourishes a Venus fly trap-like plant that develops a soulful R&B voice and an unquenchable thirst for human flesh.
Comedies
“Puffs,” presented by Artistic Synergy of Baltimore, through Aug. 24, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8212 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, info/tickets.
The cult off-Broadway show “Puffs” (aka “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic!”) parodies Harry Potter and follows the adventures of three young magical kids as they traverse the difficulties of life in a school of magic.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor,” presented by Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, through Aug. 18, at The Great Hall Theater at St. Mary’s Community Center, 3900 Roland Ave., info/tickets.
The story goes that Queen Elizabeth I was so enamored with the character of Falstaff that she demanded to see a play about sweet Jack in love. Shakespeare delivered as only he could, with one of his most free-wheeling and manic comedies. Rolling into Windsor flat broke, Falstaff decides he’ll woo two wealthy women. Instead, he becomes the butt of every joke they can imagine.
“Brain Sucking Aliens from Beyond the Moon,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, through Aug. 4, at Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St., info/tickets.
The totally improvised show pays homage to campy sci-fi B-movies based on the premise of a 1950s American town being invaded by the titular brain-sucking aliens.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” presented by The Bard’s Wagon Players, through Aug. 4, at Catonsville Community Park, 501 N. Rolling Road, Catonsville, info/tickets.
In one of Shakespeare’s most-performed and popular comedies, a foursome of young lovers and a theater troupe mix and mingle with magical forest folk and get caught in a war of wills between the fairy king and queen.
Dramas
“The Unexpected Guest,” presented by Cockpit in Court, through Aug. 4, at CCBC Essex’s Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center, 7201 Rossville Blvd., Rosedale, info/tickets.
The Agatha Christie murder mystery begins when a stranger seeks refuge in a nearby house only to find a man shot dead and his wife standing over him with a smoking gun.
“The Yellow Wallpaper,” presented by Welcome Homesick, through Aug. 3 at The Peale Center, 225 Holliday St., info/tickets.
The psychological drama is an original adaptation based on an 1892 novella that looks at one woman’s experience with postpartum psychosis.
“Love Letters,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, Aug. 2-11, at 817 St. Paul St., info/tickets.
Each performance features a different real-life Baltimore-area theater couple taking on the roles of Andrew and Melissa, who fall in love via postcard and letter correspondence over several decades in this Pulitzer Prize-finalist play.
“The Way Out,” presented by Quarry Theatre, Aug. 23-31, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
This original piece explores what can be learned from those who have been affected by suicide and the cultural, biological, historic and stigmatic impacts surrounding it.
Political Plays
“Properties! A Political Play,” Aug. 1-4, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
Writer and punk rocker Damon Norko presents his take on the current state of American affairs and how people negotiate the political landmines of everyday life. The play is set in 2016 in a fictional Baltimore bar called The Drunken Donkey, which is going through a change of ownership and name to become The Elevated Elephant.
“Crusade,” presented by Rapid Lemon Productions, Aug. 9-18, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
The third show of Rapid Lemon Productions’ season is a collaboration with the Baltimore Playwrights Festival and a world premiere set in the future, when the federal government has been taken over by Christian fundamentalists, instigating a civil war.
“A Perfect Arrangement,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, Aug. 30-Sept. 22, at Fells Point Corner Theatre, 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.
