Cassandra Miller writes about theater for Baltimore Fishbowl. Regionally, she has written about the arts for Baltimore magazine, Bmore Art, City Paper, DC Metro Theater Arts, The Bad Oracle, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, and The Washington Post, where she was the Entertainment Editor of Express. She can be reached at cassandra.mil@gmail.com.
Right, Glinda (Allison Bailey) sings the song “Popular” to Elphaba (Talia Suskauer) in the 2020 Broadway tour of the musical “Wicked.” Photo courtesy of Broadway.org.
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.”)
Stillpointe Theatre presents “POP! Who Shot Andy Warhol?” Image via Facebook.
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.
“Murder on the Orient Express” is playing at Everyman Theatre through January 11.
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.”
This month, Baltimore theater companies are presenting a variety of contemporary adaptations, including Christmas favorites, biblical stories, a Greek tragedy, “The Wizard of Oz” and even a wordless acrobatic interpretation of the 1954 epic film “The Seven Samurai.” No doubt, Baltimore’s theater practitioners are a creative bunch. This month is also the first full musical production (“The Wiz”) by the excellent ArtsCentric in its new space at 2600 Howard St., and the first show by brand-new theater company Charm City Classics Co. (“The Santaland Diaries,” based on the David Sedaris book). Read on to see what stories–old and new–are available for your end-of-year enjoyment.
From left to right, Jason B. McIntosh, Dawn Ursula and Jamil A. C. Mangan in “Radio Golf” at Everyman Theatre. Credit: Teresa Castracane Photography.
November theater offers something for every taste, and we’re thankful for the bounty of stories on Baltimore stages right now. A theme of shows up this month are epic journeys, whether it’s Don Quixote’s quest for love in classic musical “Man of La Mancha” or pilot Amelia’s pursuit of afterlife peace in world premiere play “Here We Area.” Creativity is another big theme this month, with a queer cabaret interpreting the written word through song and dance (“Cliterature”), a Shakespeare Rap Battle by Fools and Madmen and Baltimore Rock Opera Society doing something kooky with space, wrestling and beer.
Familiar stories find their way to song-and-dance numbers in several musicals, and still other theater companies are presenting thought-provoking dramas and light-hearted comedies. Artists are offering a buffet of delectable choices for live entertainment. Read on to fill your plate with performances.
Derrick Davis and Eva Tavares in “Phantom of the Opera.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Baltimore theater offerings this month includes a handful of horror stories, world premieres and popular musicals, such as a rare extended run of “Phantom of the Opera” at the Hippodrome. The weekend of Oct. 11-13 is the last and only chance to see four intriguing productions, including Deer in the Spotlight’s annual production of “Evil Dead: The Musical.” Eleven more shows open this month in the city, including originals, classic plays and more.
To be included in monthly Baltimore theater features, email writer Cassandra Miller at cassandra.mil@gmail.com with show information.
Stephanie Ybarra hasn't just picked up the reins at the state theater of Maryland. Like a modern-day arts admin horse-whisperer, she's retraining staff, audiences and greater Baltimore about what it means to be a producer of civically resonant stories and a true conversation starter.
Last month, when 197 Republican lawmakers--including President Trump--were in town for the 2019 House Republican Member Conference, Ybarra sent a formal email inviting them to Baltimore Center Stage's season-opening show, "Miss You Like Hell," a musical about an undocumented Mexican mother and her U.S.-born daughter. The theater even sent a truck with the invitation on its side to drive around Harbor East, where the conference was being held. When not a single lawmaker responded, the theater gave away the seats, all of which had a reserved sign with each lawmaker's name, to the community.
In her first curated season, Ybarra has booked a slate of contemporary shows that speak to her socio-political interests rather than pandering to a safe formula of classics with name recognition and maybe a contemporary play here or there. She is part of a new wave of younger, engaged theater leaders, and happens to be the first female Latinx artistic director of a major regional theater.
She's created new staff positions like "director of artistic partnerships and innovation" and "director of learning and social accountability," along with a company-wide anti-racism initiative. She has jumped head first into being a part of the Baltimore community in her first full year in the city after being at the Public Theater in New York for years.
"I'm all in on Baltimore… The last year has been full of personal and professional highlights for me, not the least of which have been exploring Baltimore's unique personality," she says via text (because she's ultra-accessible, too). "I'm most excited by the opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. There are already so many possibilities ahead, and I'm just getting started."
“12 Angry Jurors” runs at Vagabond Players from Sept. 6-29. Photo by Bruce F. Press Photography, via Vagabond Players/Facebook.
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.
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.
Carol Burnett headlines the Lyric Opera House on July 23. Image via Ticketmaster.
July features a variety pack of theatrical performances in Baltimore: magic shows, a water ballet, lots of musicals, Shakespeare and Carol Burnett. While summer is usually a slow time for theater companies that take a break in July and August, Baltimore is still pulsing with one-off and experimental performances.
To be included in monthly Baltimore theater features, email writer Cassandra Miller at cassandra.mil@gmail.com with show information.
