31 theater shows to see in Baltimore in March

This month, there are as many theatrical productions in Baltimore as there are days. The 31 offerings include love stories about a beekeeper and cosmologist (“Constellations”), a computer programmer and the inventor of the mechanical computer (“Ada and the Engine”), and a man covered in blood who shows up at his former lover’s door in 1920 Mississippi (“Berta, Berta”).

March also offers an abundance of contemporary works, including staged readings and workshops of new works and some productions that sound like you need to see them to understand what they actually are (“Life Dance//Red Ballad” is described as “a cult gathering to celebrate and venerate a color.”)

If you have a show coming up in April or don’t see your March production included here or notice an inaccuracy or anything else (like offer me a Havanese puppy, etc.), email me at cassandra.mil@gmail.com. 

Last Chance (Closing March 1)
“Ada and the Engine,” presented by Charm City Classics Company, through March 1, at Old Major Bar, 900 S Carey St., info/tickets.
This contemporary play tells the story of the first computer programmer, Ada Byron Lovelace, who was the daughter of the notorious Lord Byron, and lover of the inventor of the first mechanical computer, Charles Babbage. It is performed in rotating repertory with “Hamlet.”

“The First Thing That Happens,” presented by Acme Corporation, through March 1, at The Voxel, 9 W. 25th St., info/tickets.
This new opera by Acme co-founder Lola B. Pierson and members of Horse Lords is constructed in front of the audience as it’s being performed, with language, visual elements, and sound operating interchangeably. Performances are pay-what-you-can. 

“Four Women: Catlett, Holiday, Richardson, Scott,” presented by ArtsCentric and Reginald F. Lewis Museum, March 1, at Reginald F. Lewis Museum, info/tickets.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum and ArtCentric partner for this production of “Four Women” inspired by Nina Simone’s song by the same name. Explore the lives of four amazing African American women through song and dance–Elizabeth Catlett, Billie Holiday, Gloria Richardson and Joyce J. Scott.  In conjunction with “Elizabeth Catlett: Artist as Activist” and a commemoration of Women’s History Month.

“Hamlet,” presented by Charm City Classics Company, through March 1, at Old Major Bar, 900 S Carey St., info/tickets.
Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy about a son avenging his father’s untimely death by the hands of his uncle is presented in 90 minutes and in rotating rep with “Ada and the Engine.”

“Purlie,” presented by Arena Players, through March 1, at Arena Players, 801 McCullogh St., info/tickets.
Set in Georgia during the Jim Crow era, this play follows dynamic traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson and his protégé Lutiebelle, who together are a force to be reckoned with in this musical.

“Richard & Jane & Dick & Sally,” presented by Baltimore Center Stage, through Mar. 1, info/tickets.
This world-premiere dramatic comedy by Noah Diaz is a co-production with The Sol Project and the Playwrights Realm that reimagines the characters from the iconic children’s books by William S. Gray and Zerna Sharp in a harsh future. 

“The Shadow Box,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, through Mar. 1, 817 St. Paul St., info/tickets.
This Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning drama occurs over 24 hours in three cottages on the grounds of a hospital, as three patients reach the end of their treatment. 

Musicals
“Wicked,” presented by Broadway Across America, through March 8, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets.
The popular musical that tells the story of the Land of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West and golden-hearted Elphaba, and features hits like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good,” returns to the Hippodrome for a rare extended run. 

“Hair,” presented by Artscentric, March 7-Apr. 5, at Artscentric, 2400 N. Howard St., info/tickets.
The 1970s musical is about a “tribe” of politically active, long-haired hippies of the “Age of Aquarius,” living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. 

“The Moment Was Now,” through March 8, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Theater, 811 Cathedral St., info/tickets.
The musical takes place in post-Civil War Baltimore in 1869 during a meeting convened by Frederick Douglass, with leaders of social movements discussing conflicts and possibilities through spoken word and music. 

“The Band’s Visit,” presented by Broadway Across America, March 17-22, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets.
A band of Egyptian musicians shows up lost at a café in an Israeli desert town and are taken in by locals in this 2018 Best Musical Tony Award winner.

“Matilda the Musical,” presented by Charm City Players, Mar. 14-29, at The March LeClerc Auditorium, Notre Dame Maryland University, 4701 N. Charles St., info/tickets.
The Tony Award-winning musical based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel features the precocious, psychokinetic-power-wielding Matilda. 

“Dogfight,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, Mar. 20-April 12, 817 St. Paul St., info/tickets.
This musical adaptation of the 1991 film tells the story of three young Marines, who, on the eve of their deployment to Southeast Asia in 1960, indulge in a night of debauchery. 

High School Musicals
“Little Women, the Musical,” presented by the Mercy High School Footlighters, March 19-22, 1300 E. Northern Parkway, info/tickets.
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 semi-autobiographical novel, the musical focuses on the four March sisters at home in Massachusetts. Mercy High School’s production features live musicians.

“Les Miserables,” presented by Archbishop Curley High School Blackfriars’ Theatre, March 13-15, 3701 Sinclair Lane, info/tickets.
The epic Broadway musical set during the French Revolution features popular songs most musical theater nerds know by heart, like “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

Dramatic Plays
“The Meeting,” presented by Coppin Repertory Theatre, through March 7, at Coppin State University, The Theatre Lab, Grace Hill Jacobs Building, Lower Level, 2500 W. North Ave., info/tickets.
Set on Valentine’s Day 1965, at the height of the civil rights movement, this play imagines a conversation between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. A brief audience talk-back session will follow each performance.

“Henry V,” presented by Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, through March 8, at St. Mary’s Community Center, 3900 Roland Ave., info/tickets.
Shakespeare’s tragedy about one of England’s most well-known kings is also an exploration of the balance between patriotism and nationalism, according to BSF.

“Constellations,” presented by Vagabond Players, through March 22, 806 S Broadway, info/tickets.
This 2012 play by Nick Payne follows Roland, a beekeeper, and cosmologist Marianne through their romantic relationship.

“The Piano Lesson,” presented by Arena Players, March 13-29, 801 McCulloh St., info/tickets.
August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is set in 1936 and focuses on native son Boy Willie, who returns home and requests to sell his family’s heirloom piano to buy land.

“Close Your Eyes and Sleep,” presented by Truepenny Collective, March 20-April 4, at The Mercury Theater, 1823 N. Charles St., info/tickets.
This drama set in the near future follows a group of friends who navigate a society that uses hypnotherapy to help ease its constituents’ worries about a dismal reality.

“Berta, Berta,” presented by Everyman Theatre, Mar. 17-April 26, 315 W. Fayette St., info/tickets.
In 1920 Mississippi, Leroy returns, covered in blood, to his former lover, Berta, with the intention to make amends in this hit romantic play that premiered at the 2019 Contemporary American Theatre Festival. 

“Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains,” presented by Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St., March 3-April 12, info/tickets.
This world premiere production commissioned by Everyman Theatre is the third and final installment of Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ award-winning “Queens Girl” series. This play follows Jackie during the Vietnam War years to Vermont for college, where her friends include “WASPS,” black activists and theater people.

Comedies
“Fabulation or, the RE-Education of Undine,” presented by The Strand Theater, through March 8, 5426 Harford Road, info/tickets.
This social satire is about an ambitious African-American woman, Undine Barnes Calles, who, pregnant and alone, moves to her childhood home in the Brooklyn projects after her husband embezzles all of her money. 

“The Mineola Twins,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, through March 15, 251 S. Ann St., info/tickets.
This farce by Paula Vogel explores the women’s movement through almost identical twins, Myrna and Myra, who clash over virginity, Vietnam and family values through the Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan and Bush years. 

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” presented by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, March 4-29, 7 S. Calvert St., info/tickets.
Three actors reenact Shakespeare plays through creative interpretations like a cooking show version of “Titus Andronicus” and a rap song about “Othello” in this contemporary satirical show. 

“Cry It Out,” presented by Everyman Theatre, March 31-May 3, 315 W. Fayette St., info/tickets.
This comedy from writer Molly Smith Metzler (“Shameless,” “Orange is the New Black”) centers on new motherhood as Long Island neighbors and new mothers Jessie and Lina, each face different parenting decisions. 

Readings, Workshops, etc.
“Five Spoons,” presented by Happy Theater, Mar. 5-8, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
Described as a “uniquely interactive community building theater piece for adults and children,” the play combines five stories that focus on personal connection and compassion. 

Workshop: “Maidenhead,” presented by Charm City Classics, March 8, at Charm City Books, 782 Washington Blvd., info/tickets.
In this prequel to Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor,” Meg and Alice, two maids from Maidenhead, crash their carriage outside of Windsor, where they meet possible suitors.

Staged reading: “Making Waves,” presented by The Dramatists Guild, March 12, at The Strand Theater, 5426 Harford Road, info/tickets.
This Dramatists Guild Footlights reading features Rissa Miller’s play about women in the corporate workplace and institutional sexism, based on real life interviews and experiences from women in different age groups, of varied ethnic backgrounds, and from multiple regions.

Workshop: “Eastcheap: A Falstaff Story,” presented by Charm City Classics, Mar. 15, at Charm City Books, 782 Washington Blvd., info/tickets.
In this retelling of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV Part 1,” the King’s Court and the Boar’s Head Tavern become the Oval Office and the local strip club, with tabloid-fueling antics. 

Variety show: “Life Dance//Red Ballad: An evening of shared performances,” presented March 27-April 4, at Towson Center For the Arts, 7700 Osler Drive, Towson, info/tickets.
This original dance-theater performance is described as “a cult gathering to celebrate and venerate a color” through multimedia and a variety show format.