Comedy/drama pits hope vs. resignation
The work of playwright Tracy Letts is subversively complex. And with his latest work, Superior Donuts, now onstage at Studio Theatre, he proves himself stylistically adept, as well.All of us who thoroughly enjoyed his scathingly witty August: Osage County, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award (best play) winner that came to the Kennedy Center last year, might have thought we had a handle on... READ MORE
The stars shine in Olney’s delightful Annie
The sun may have set on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip when it appeared in newspapers for the final time last summer, but the spunky carrot-topped urchin still shines on stage at Olney Theatre.The ever-optimistic musical about Annie, her dog Sandy and her bald benefactor Daddy Warbucks is proving to be almost as popular here as it was when it premiered on Broadway in 1977... READ MORE
Holiday happenings to enjoy around town
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice, ‘tis the season to enjoy the festivities that come along this time of year. Here’s our annual round-up of selected holiday doings in the area.Nov. 26 to 28The annual three-day Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees is a wonderland of one-of-a-kind decorated trees, fairyland forests, gingerbread towns and toy... READ MORE
Artist explores geographic inspirations
Michael Economos has been a painting and drawing professor at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) for the past 46 years. Now 74, his own art is being spotlighted in a solo show, “The New York Years Versus the Maryland Years.”For 10 years, Economos commuted from New York City to Baltimore to teach at MICA. Then, in 1974, he moved to Maryland.The exhibition examines ... READ MORE
Elaine Stritch returns to Broadway at 85
Elaine Stritch wants to tell an embarrassing story. And when Elaine Stritch wants to tell a story, you listen.“I have no secrets,” the 85-year-old Broadway legend said by way of introduction. She is sitting at a makeup table getting her eyes done a few hours before a performance of A Little Night Music at New York City’s Walter Kerr Theatre.A few days ago, Stritch begins,... READ MORE
The magical double life of Rich Bloch
At age 7, Rich Bloch was hired to work as an apprentice in a New Jersey magic shop. Sixty years later, Bloch — a Washington labor arbitration attorney by day — continues to pursue the art of illusion with just as much enthusiasm as the little boy who stood transfixed watching the owner of the shop perform magic.“There was a magic shop on the corner of the street, and there ... READ MORE
Revival of The Wiz recalls original success
Thirty-six years after The Wiz hit the stage for its world premiere at Baltimore’s Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, the award-winning musical is back in Baltimore, this time at Center Stage. The Wiz brings the same sense of energy and good cheer that led it to an initial Broadway run of 1,672 performances, seven Tony Awards — including Best Musical— and five Drama Desk... READ MORE
One Book program brings readers together
There is something to be said for reading a book in fellowship with other readers. That’s one reason book clubs are so popular. Taking that premise one step further, three years ago the Maryland Humanities Council’s Maryland Center for the Book instituted One Maryland One Book, the state’s first — and thus far only — statewide community reading project. The... READ MORE
Cathy’ comic strip creator bids farewell
The comic strip “Cathy,” which has chronicled the life, frustrations and swim suit season meltdowns of its namesake for more than 30 years, is coming to an end. Cathy Guisewite, 59, the strip's creator, said that deciding to end the comic strip was "excruciating." The comic has won several awards, including a1992 National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award and an Emmy Award for... READ MORE
Studio play about theater mirrors real life
Do you need to be a theater “insider” to fully appreciate emerging playwright Annie Baker’s quirky but affecting comedy-with-serious-overtones play Circle Mirror Transformation? Studio Theatre is hop ing most audience members will be able to see something of themselves in this story. Winner of the 2010 Obie Award (off-Broadway) for Best New American Play, Circle Mirror... READ MORE
