Revisiting Wilder’s enduring Our Town
Billed as “America’s Oldest Continuously Performing Little Theatre,” the Vagabond Players in Fells Point is celebrating its 100th season by reviving plays “that were particularly successful in the past,” so sayeth their press release.One of these past glories is playwright Thornton Wilder’s thick slice of Americana, Our Town, which was previously produced ... READ MORE
Alexandria capitalizes on new PBS series
“Blood is not gray or blue. It’s all one color,” says Dr. Jed Foster in “Mercy Street” — the upcoming PBS Civil War medical drama set in 1862 in the war-torn border town of Alexandria, Va.The lives and cultures of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict intertwine as they confront war’s agonies, injuries and deaths in a former hotel... READ MORE
Lunafest — a short feast of films for women
A film fest that’s fun, enlightening and benefits a good cause? That’s Lunafest, a morning full of short movies by, for, and about women. It’s billed for Saturday, Jan. 30 at Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.It’s even affordable. Tickets for $15 include a petit dejuener of coffee and pastries at 9 a.m., with show time at 9:30. It’s hosted by Soroptimist... READ MORE
Theater critic’s preview for the new year
With discretionary spending on theater tickets sometimes challenging for patrons to manage, some area companies have played it safe in recent years. They have been offering productions they know will fill seats, rather than experimenting with new plays and musicals.But with the economy on the upswing, 2016 offers the opportunity to move away a bit from the tried-and-true favorites that have ... READ MORE
Song troupe keeps a song in their heart
For the ShowTime Singers, almost anything goes — from Broadway to the Beatles, from a cappella to rock ‘n roll, from Streisand to Sinatra to “Stars and Stripes Forever.”“We’re not into rap yet,” said Catherine Johnson, musical director of the 50 or so mixed voices that belong to area residents who make up the vocal group. “We mostly sing... READ MORE
Filmmaker explores best ways to stay young
Mention a “perpetual motion machine,” and one conjures up visions of a Rube Goldberg-like device of glittering gears and whirling wheels.Turns out this mythical device is neither a myth nor a device at all, but a stylish sprite who describes herself with the following chain of adjectives: “blonde, left-handed, first generation Polish/Belorussian, only child,... READ MORE
Ed Sullivan tribute coming to the Annenberg
It was a fun finale to the weekend, gathering around the TV set Sunday nights at 8, gazing at the tiny screen at some of the greatest talent in the world. Who wouldn’t miss the Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)?Standing in front of a plain curtain, his deadpan demeanor unaltered by the wonders of his entertainment triumphs, Ed Sullivan announced his great “shooo.” Short of... READ MORE
Gloria Steinem, on her life ‘on the road’
Yes, she’s a driving force behind the women’s movement that transformed the lives of millions. But Gloria Steinem doesn’t, er, drive.As in, doesn’t even have a license.Steinem devotes a chapter to this interesting fact in her entertaining new memoir, My Life on the Road, a chronicle of her itinerant life.Though she has a wonderfully lived-in Manhattan home,... READ MORE
Tour historic homes, farm and a church
Three mid-19th century homes, a more-than-100-year-old working farm, and a church that helped unify the budding African-American community at the turn of the 20th century are the historic properties that will be featured Dec. 13 during the Howard County Historical Society’s yearly Holiday House Tour.The properties are located in western Howard County around the Glenwood, Woodbine and ... READ MORE
Exhibit explores Paul Simon’s life, music
If you’re a Paul Simon fan (and honestly, who isn’t?) you’re in for a treat at the Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM). It’s the first stop on a nationwide tour of “Paul Simon: Words and Music” — an exhibition first mounted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in October 2014 to mark the 50th year of Simon’s career. The exhibit will be on view in Baltimore through Jan. ... READ MORE
