'Triumph of Love' failure freed time for new writing, new horizons by J. Wynn Rousuck

"It's seldom that we can see a life-changing experience yawning in front of us," James Magruder wrote in the journal he kept on Triumph of Love, the 1997 Broadway musical for which he script…

For Fierstein, the mother of all roles by J. Wynn Rousuck

Actor thought he'd hung up his drag past, but the role of Edna Turnblad was too good to pass up

Role brings actress to a new stage by J. Wynn Rousuck

Tracy Turnblad and Marissa Jaret Winokur have a lot in common

A new part, a brush with fame by J. Wynn Rousuck

Aja Maria Johnson, 12, goes from Baltimore to Broadway Saturday as 'Hairspray's' new Inez

Baltimore's ambassador in 'Hairspray' by J. Wynn Rousuck

Carver graduate Eric Anthony brings his energy to Broadway show

A debut at home by J. Wynn Rousuck

School for the Arts grad in 'Hairspray'

'Hairspray' musical songwriters to take stage with Waters by J. Wynn Rousuck

Inaugural presentation in Up Close series

'Point' to open to familiar audience by J. Wynn Rousuck

The world premiere run of Warren Leight's No Foreigners Beyond This Point begins tonight at Center Stage. But several hundred people in the Baltimore area are already familiar with the new p…

Oh, the drama by Mary Carole McCauley

As charmingly neurotic Pikesville-born playwright Cherie Vogelstein prepares a new play for broadway, the pressure is on, and so is the procrastination.

Hope Quackenbush dies at 78 by Jacques Kelly

Mechanic director helped revive theater during 14-year tenure

Theater was focus of Quackenbush's life by J. Wynn Rousuck

Quackenbush put city on theater map

Holding power; plenty of bounce by J. Wynn Rousuck

Waters' 'Hairspray' curls their toes

A man of many stories and surprising talents by J. Wynn Rousuck

Murray Horwitz embraces comedy, music and life, without limits
Article about Horwitz and the creation of "Ain't Misbehavin'." The story includes some quotes from Andre De Shields.

Secrets and choices by J. Wynn Rousuck

Beauty, blood, brio - and more - on the stages of the Contemporary American Theater Festival in West Virginia.

Leads shine in weak 'West Side Story' by J. Wynn Rousuck

As Tony and Maria, the star-crossed lovers in this Romeo and Juliet update, Drew Niles and Natasha Harper are the best - and just about the only - reason to see this over-tired production.

City's space transformed by Scott Calvert

Hippodrome: The theater is being readied for its opening next month.

'The Miser' at Center Stage pays off by J. Wynn Rousuck

New translation of Moliere classic is often deliciously over the top

John Astin's acting class is a big draw by J. Wynn Rousuck

He has a hand in it all by J. Wynn Rousuck

Three productions offer Richard Maltby's work

Kennedy's 'Park' connects all the dots by J. Wynn Rousuck

Musical about Seurat links themes, acts, even centuries

Theater festival delivers new plays by Marissa Lowman

Annual event offers works from satirical to musical

'Hairspray' premiere tousles Broadway audience

Debut performance gives star-studded crowd a little taste of Bawlamer

Baltimore style hits Broadway in 'Hairspray'

With big hair, a rollicking spirit and a neat look, 'Hairspray' lands on Broadway ready to do the 'do.

'Night' smiles a little uneven by J. Wynn Rousuck

Blair Brown lights up Kennedy Center stage

Vilanch might be next Edna Turnblad by J. Wynn Rousuck

Commenting on the idea of Vilanch as Edna, filmmaker Waters said, "As far as I know, nothing's definite yet. I think it's a great idea. But right now, it's like being almost pregnant."

Problem of relating to people by J. Wynn Rousuck

At Monday's Up Close discussion at the Mechanic with Waters and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the latter mentioned that none other than Steven Spielberg has expressed interest in turning the Broadway hit into a motion picture.
Second item.

A career of unwavering passion and honesty by J. Wynn Rousuck

Jane Alexander circles back to D.C., the scene of her theatrical fame

Don't even think about calling him psychic by Mary Carole McCauley

Marc Salem reads thoughts for a living, but he denies having any unusual abilities

Baltimore Sun: 'Hairspray' gets ready for Broadway by J. Wynn Rousuck

Good morning, Baltimore
There's the flasher who lives next door
There's the bum on his barroom stool
They wish me luck on my way to school.
- From Hairspray's opening number, "Good Morning, Baltimore."

'Hairspray' to be focus of program on race relations by J. Wynn Rousuck

Lawyers and musical comedy might not seem to have much in common, but the University of Maryland School of Law is linking the two in a program that uses the Tony Award-winning musical Hairsp…

'Elizabeth' filled with complexities by J. Wynn Rousuck

Production ignores profound questions drama generates