February is FULL of theater and live performances in Baltimore city and its suburbs, with at least 36 shows up this month, previewed below. Standouts are a plethora of female-centric comedies that use humor to touch on topics like terminal illness, fat-shaming, destitution and self-discovery. Shakespeare gets modern twists in a few productions, and opportunities to see opera abound, including two world-premieres. Dinner or appetizers are paired with theater at a few performances, and there are musicals for every interest, including an extended run of “Wicked” at the Hippodrome. Enjoy the riches of Baltimore’s theater community!
If you have a show coming up in March to include in next month’s roundup, email me at cassandra.mil@gmail.com.
Comedic Shows with Female Leads
“Be Here Now,” presented by Everyman Theatre, through-Feb. 16, at 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.
“Ada and the Engine,” presented by Charm City Classics Company, Feb. 20-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.”
“Fabulation or, the RE-Education of Undine,” presented by The Strand Theater, Feb. 21-March 8, at 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, Feb. 21-March 15, at 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.
“I Will Eat You Alive,” presented by Interrobang Theatre, Feb. 27-29, at Towson University Center for the Arts, The Dreyer MFA Lab, 7700 Osler Drive, Towson, info/tickets.
Written and directed by Interrobang co-founder Katie Hileman, this one-hour play, which includes singing and dancing by a three-person cast, examines diet culture, representation and what it’s like to be a fat woman in today’s society. Tickets are free, but reservations are encouraged.
“A Woman Alone,” presented by Tictocmind Studios, Feb. 29, at Function, 4709 Harford Road, info/tickets.
This Baltimore premiere described by its creators as “witty, bloody funny, intimate, explosive” focuses on a married woman who after recently discovering herself, is locked in her house, then forges a friendship with a neighbor through a window.
Improv and Social Satire
“Love and Information,” presented by Fells Point Corner Theatre, through Feb. 2, at 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 57 scenes and more than 100 characters. FPCT’s description includes different “someones” who sneeze, won’t answer the door and hate irrational numbers, among other descriptions.
“Brighton Beach Memoirs,” presented by Vagabond Players, through Feb. 9, at 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.
“Qween Armando,” presented by Baltimore Improv Group, Feb. 1-22, at 1727 N. Charles St., info/tickets.
“Qween Armando” brings together members of the Baltimore Improv Group and local drag artists for a free, weekly comedy show in February. While the performances are free, reservations are encouraged.
“The Perfect Date,” presented by B’Fly Productions, Feb. 14-15, at Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road, info/tickets.
Chandler is planning to propose to Traci, but things don’t go according to plan when Traci brings up some of her life experiences that throw Chandler for a loop.
“Safe Space,” presented by Single Carrot Theater, through 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. The cast includes characters such as white nonprofit exec Helen, black locksmith Courtney, the ghost of formerly enslaved Charlotte and MAGA-loving Ryan.
“Richard and Jane and Dick and Sally,” presented by Baltimore Center Stage, Feb. 6-March 1, at 700 N. Calvert St., 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.
Dinner (and Hors D’oeuvres) Theater
“The Channeling of Ms. Sybby Grant,” presented by WombWork Productions, Inc. and the Nu World Art Ensemble, Feb. 9, at Mary The Virgin Episcopal Church, 3121 Walbrook Ave., info/tickets.
After researching and archiving the life of enslaved cook Sybby Grant, whose letter is enshrined in the Walters Art Museum, WombWork Productions presents its Charm City Fringe Festival award-winning play focused on Grant and slavery abolition in America. The event also includes a pre-show dinner.
“Footloose,” presented by the Suburban Players, Feb. 14-23, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 Cub Hill Road, info/tickets.
Ren moves from Chicago to a small farming town and dances up a storm with local teenagers through musical numbers like “Let’s Hear it for the Boy,” “Almost Paradise” and, of course, “Footloose.” Tickets include a pre-show meal by organizers who claim their dinner theater “is rivaled by no other.”
“JOB Cabaret,” presented by Just Off Broadway, Feb. 29, at Church of the Epiphany, 4301 Raspe Ave., info/tickets.
Just Off Broadway regulars will perform Broadway favorites at the cabaret performance, whose ticket includes appetizers, desserts and drinks.
Opera, Ballet and Immersive Theater
“Romeo and Juliet,” presented by The National Ballet of Odessa, Feb. 8, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets.
This full-scale production by The National Ballet of Odessa is set to the music of Sergey Prokofiev and based on William Shakespeare’s tragic romance. The cast features 55 of Ukraine’s ballet stars.
“The First Thing That Happens,” presented by Acme Corporation, Feb. 13-March 1, at The Voxel, 9 W. 25th St., info/tickets.
This new opera by Acme co-founder Lola B. Pierson and three members of the band Horse Lords (Andrew Bernstein, Max Eilbacher and Owen Gardner) is constructed in front of the audience as it’s being performed. Performances are pay-what-you-can.
“Passion at the Pendry,” presented by Maryland Opera, Feb. 14-16, at Sagamore Pendry, 1715 Thames St., info/tickets.
Maryland Opera will perform highlights from French Grand Opera in the Sagamore Pendry’s grand ballroom.
“The Champion,” presented by Peabody Chamber Opera, Feb. 14-16, at Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Auditorium, 10 Art Museum Drive, info/tickets.
Béla Pintér directs the world premiere English version of his Hungarian opera “The Champion,” which uses the music of Puccini and mines tabloids to present a scandalous story of the governor of the fictional state of Wynoma, whose tumultuous love life reaches a head on Election Day.
“See Also (or ‘In the Stacks: Part 10’),” presented by Submersive Productions and Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries, Feb. 18-20, at the Peabody Library, 17 E. Mt. Vernon Place, info/tickets.
Baltimore’s immersive theater company presents a choose-your-own adventure with visual art, soundscapes, historical women and non-binary characters, and work by contemporary female composer Briay Conditt in the Peabody Library as part of the In the Stacks series.
“Le Cabaret de Carmen,” presented by The In Series, Feb. 21-23, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
George Bizet’s opera is interpreted as a tango-cabaret experience. As audiences sit at tables with performers, a tango-ensemble performs the story of the famous femme-fatale.
Musicals
“POP! Who Shot Andy Warhol,” presented by Stillpointe Theatre, through Feb.1, at 1915 Maryland Ave., 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 and other Factory members, including Edie Sedgwick and Gerard Malanga, sing and dance.
“The Rocky Horror Show,” presented by Iron Crow Theatre, Feb. 7-16, at Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., info/tickets.
Iron Crow presents a “Rocky Horror Show” with a Valentine’s Day twist (including a midnight Valentine’s Day show) on the beloved cult musical about squares Brad and Janet and their host Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
“‘Chocolate-covered’ Rocky Horror Picture Show,” presented Feb. 16 at Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place, info/tickets.
A predominantly black cast will act out the film while it plays on-screen behind them in a “blaxploitation version of ‘Rocky Horror,’” artist Earl O. Melvin told The Baltimore Sun, adding, “Our version comes off a little more sexual, a little raunchier.”
“Legally Blonde,” presented by Third Wall Productions, Feb. 14-23, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 108 Providence Road, Towson, info/tickets.
The 2007 musical based on the 2001 film based on the 2001 book tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl-turned Harvard Law School student, through song and dance.
“Purlie,” presented by Arena Players, Feb. 14-March 1, at Arena Players, 801 McCullogh St., info/tickets.
Set in Georgia during the era of Jim Crow laws, dynamic traveling preacher Purlie Victorious Judson and his protégé Lutiebelle together are a force to be reckoned with in this musical.
“Wicked,” presented by Broadway Across America, Feb. 12-March 8, at Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., info/tickets.
The popular musical tells the story of the Land of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West and features hits like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good.”
Dramatic Plays
“Buried Child,” presented by Theatrical Mining Company, through Feb. 2, at Function Coworking Community, 4709 Harford Road, 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. The play centers on Vince, who comes home to an estranged father and alcoholic grandfather.
“Give Me Moonlight,” presented by Rapid Lemon Productions, Feb. 7-16, at Motor House, 120 W. North Ave., info/tickets.
Rapid Lemon Productions opens its 2020 season with Ariel Mitchell’s drama described as “a surreal journey through the lonely places of 20th century America” about “sorrow that is so deep that it can barely be felt let alone acknowledged in the bright light of day.”
“We Are Proud,” presented by ArtsCentric, Feb. 7-16, at 2600 N. Howard St., info/tickets.
In Jackie Sibblies Drury’s satirical play, six black and white American actors attempt to make their own play about the imperial German genocide of the Herero people of South West Africa around the turn of the 20th century.
“The Shadow Box,” presented by Spotlighters Theatre, Feb. 7-March 1, at 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 with three patients who have reached the end of their treatment.
“The Piano Lesson,” presented by Morgan State University, Feb. 21-29, at the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive, 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.
Shakespeare Shows
“As You Like It,” presented by Open Space Arts, Feb. 7-16, at 110 Sudbrook Lane, Pikesville, info/tickets.
Open Space Arts’ production of Shakespeare’s pastoral mistaken identity comedy is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood.
“Measure for Measure,” presented by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Feb. 7-23, at 7 S. Calvert St., info/tickets.
CSC sets Shakespeare’s tragicomedy in modern times, when a novice nun faces an offensive quid pro quo offer from the sheriff in order to save her brother from imprisonment.
“Hamlet,” presented by Charm City Classics Company, Feb. 20-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.”
“Henry V,” presented by Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Feb. 14-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.
