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Naoko Maeshiba, dancing on the edge of theatre

May 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dancer/Choreographer/Director Naoko Maeshiba, at least to me, was one of Baltimore’s hidden artistic treasures until I had the chance to see  in 2009. Her journey began in Japan, where she was born and trained, before she headed to Hawaii, DC, and, ultimately, Charm City, where she is now in the Department of Theatre Arts at Towson University. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baltimore Backstage

Tracie Bennett Sings Judy Garland

May 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Songs from End of the Rainbow and other Garland classics

This isn’t exactly a cast recording of a show’s score, but it may be of interest in the days before the Tony Awards are announced on June 10. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Theatre Shelf

Three zombie Sisters at Bell Foundry in Baltimore this weekend

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The ACME theatre, which I’ve done a brief piece on, will be going up with a new version of the Three Sisters this weekend. But don’t expect mustached colonels in late 19th century Russian military attire. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baltimore Backstage

Chesapeake Shakespeare expands to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

May 17, 2012 By 1 Comment

On May 7th, the Baltimore theatre world received some good news:  the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, currently located in Howard County, announced its purchase of the downtown Mercantile Safe Depost and Trust Building, a classically designed brownstone built in 1885. What was born as a bank, and transfomed as an afterhours spot for Baltimore party people, is now going to be a 250-300 seat theatre with three levels of seating. The theatre is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Baltimore, Baltimore Backstage Tagged With:

The impact of funding cuts on DC theaters

May 16, 2012 By 3 Comments

It’s been an exciting few weeks for us. For the second time in four years, a DC metro company has been honored with the coveted Regional Theater Tony Award, this time going to The Shakespeare Theatre Company, which in my opinion was long overdue. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Consider This

Newsies – Original Broadway Cast Recording

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Alan Menken is on something of a roller coaster ride. He has just pulled off that exceedingly rare feat of having three musicals with his scores playing on Broadway at the same time and, what is more, all three were nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Theatre Shelf

Lonely, I’m Not

May 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Second Stage Theatre has brought New York a charming light soufflé of a play to remind us that spring is here and that balmy spring weather is just around the corner. [Read more...]

Filed Under: NY Theatre Buzz

The many faces of Baltimore actor Bruce R. Nelson

May 10, 2012 By 1 Comment

If you’ve watched professional theatre in Baltimore, you’ve probably seen Bruce R. Nelson. But it may have taken you a little while to realize it. When I walked into the Boehmian Café in Baltimore’s Northern Arts district, I thought I’d missed him. But he was there, in the shadows, complete with a graying beard, which he’d grown for his upcoming role as Kohlenkov, the eccentric Russian  in Everyman’s upcoming Kaufman and Hart comedy, You Can’t Take it With You. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Baltimore Backstage

Bonnie & Clyde – Original Broadway Cast Recording

May 8, 2012 By 2 Comments

In defense of Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn

OK – Now you can be the judge. I think Frank Wildhorn and Don Black wrote a great score for Bonnie & Clyde. Some of the most influential critics don’t. Listen and make up your own mind. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Theatre Shelf

Nice Work If You Can Get It

May 7, 2012 By 2 Comments

They might have called this show A LITTLE BITTA THIS, A LITTLE BITTA THAT. I don’t know the way in which it was formed, but there is a vague connection to Oh, Kay! a hit from 1926 when everybody was very young and George Gershwin a little bit in love with Kay Swift who was married to a man named Jimmy, so he used their names for his hero and heroine. The lyrics to Oh, Kay! came from his brother Ira and the book from the prolific Brit librettists Guy Bolton and P.G.Wodehouse. [Read more...]

Filed Under: New York City, NY Theatre Buzz
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