‘A Quick 5’ with Peggy McKowen, Artistic Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University by Susan Brall

 If you are a theatre-buff and want to plan a fun trip this month, you might want to head out to Shepherdstown, West Virginia for the Contemporary American Theater Festival this July. There…

‘A Quick 5’ with Jalice Ortiz-Corral, Director of ‘Variations on Courage’ presented by Rapid Lemon Productions by Susan Brall

Theater Review: ‘Winter’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

“Winter” is an original play by Mark Scharf and it is currently being presented at Laurel Mill Playhouse. The two-character play is Lori Bruun’s directorial debut of a full-length play…

Theatre Review: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Howard County Summer Theatre by Susan Brall

Howard County Summer Theatre’s productions are always something joyfully anticipated. This year proves to be no disappointment with their sparkling production of “Guys and Dolls.” From…

‘A Quick 5’ with Catrin Rowenna Davies, the Artistic Director of Young Victorian Theater Company and Director of This Summer’s ‘Ruddigore’ by Susan Brall

Beginning July 14, 2024, the Young Victorian Theatre Company will be performing “Ruddigore” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. J. Ernest Green will be the musical director and conducto…

Theatre Review: ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ presented by Chesapeake Shakespeare Company at Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park by Susan Brall

“The Merry Wives of Windsor” may not be one of Shakespeare’s classics comedies, but it is fit for a queen. Many scholars feel the Bard wrote this farce on the “suggestion” of Queen…

‘A Quick 5’ with Bradley Adam Stein, Actor in ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ presented by Iron Crow Theatre at Theatre Project by Susan Brall

Iron Crow Theatre’s production of “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,” is opening this Friday at Theatre Project. It is a show based on the true-life story of a 16-year-old British sch…

‘A Quick 5’ with C. Brian Williams, Founder and Executive Producer of Step Afrika! performing at Arena Stage by Susan Brall

The wonderful and world-renowned Step Afrika! will be performing their production, “The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence,” at Arena Stage’s Kreeger Theatre beginning on June 7,…

‘A Quick 5’ with Sherrod Brown, Actor in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour’ at The National Theatre by Susan Brall

If you have never seen “Jesus Christ Superstar,” you are in luck. The 50th Anniversary Tour will be opening this weekend at The National Theatre in Washington, D.C. for a short run. I ha…

Concert Review: ‘Broadway Hits’ presented by Columbia Pro Cantare by Susan Brall

On May 4, 2024 Columbia Pro Cantare took us on an entertaining musical trip down the Great White Way under the new leadership of conductor, Laura Lee Fischer. Appropriately, the night began …

‘A Quick 5’ with Brandon Patrick George, Flutist with Imani Winds, performing at Candlelight Concert Society by Susan Brall

Imani Winds has been playing for the world for over twenty-five years, and on Sunday, May 12, 2024 they will be gracing the stage for Candlelight Concert Society at the Smith Theatre at Howa…

‘A Quick 5’ with Ronald Joe Williams, Actor in ‘Unknown Soldier’ at Arena Stage by Susan Brall

On March 29, 2024 Arena Stage will be begin the run of the “heartfelt” musical, “Unknown Soldier,” co-written by Daniel Goldstein and the late Michael Friedman. It is directed by Tri…

Concert Review: Quatuor Van Kuijk String Quartet at Candlelight Concert Society by Susan Brall

This youthful foursome of extremely talented musicians appeared at the Smith Theatre at Howard Community College straight from their debut at Carnegie Hall. They made the strings of their in…

‘A Quick 5’ with Derrick D. Truby, Jr., Actor in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Ford’s Theatre by Susan Brall

“Little Shop of Horrors” was a small off-Broadway show that became American classic. It is reflective of the latter half of the 20th century with its weird monster, reminiscent of “The…

Theatre Review: ‘Dance Nation’ at Silver Spring Stage by Susan Brall

Now playing at Silver Spring Stage, “Dance Nation” by Clare Barron is a coming of age play about several young teenage girls and one boy who are students at a small-town dance studio. (I…

Theatre Review: ‘Noises Off!’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

Frank Rich, the New York Times drama critic for many years, wrote that Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off!” was the funniest play of his lifetime. I’m not sure I would go as far as Mr. Rich…

‘A Quick 5’ with Actor Wilson J. Heredia in Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ at Authentic Community Theatre (ACT) by Susan Brall

On March 22 and 23, 2024, Authentic Community Theatre (ACT) will be presenting a production of Green Day’s “ground-breaking” musical, “American Idiot” at The Maryland Theatre. This…

Concert Review: Natalie Clein, Cello and Qing Jiang, Piano at Candlelight Concert Society by Susan Brall

After a two-day postponement due to weather, Candlelight Concert Society treated us to the moving music of British cellist, Natalie Clein, with amazing piano accompaniment by Qing Jiang, on …

‘A Quick 5’ with Jasmine Joy, Actor in ‘Tempestuous Elements’ at Arena Stage by Susan Brall

Arena Stage is currently presenting the play, “Tempestuous Elements,” written by Kia Corthron and directed by Psalmayene 24. It deals with Anna Julia Cooper, an educator who fought for h…

Theatre Review: ‘Miss Evers’ Boys’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

Stories about racism in America abound in literature and drama. “Till,” the story of Emmet Till, tells of the lynching of a young black boy whose only crime may have been looking at a Wh…

‘A Quick 5’ with Ellington Nichols in ‘Butterfly’ by Ballet 5:8 at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts by Susan Brall

 I urge you not to miss Ballet 5:8’s important production of “Butterfly” on March 16, 2024. Julianna Rubio Slager’s piece is a “unforgettable and moving” experience” that tell…

Theatre Review: ‘Lend Me A Soprano’ at Olney Theatre Center by Susan Brall

 Ken Ludwig may well be the consummate writer of farce in the modern theatre. His plays include “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Baskerville,” “Twentieth Century,” and “Lend Me a Tenor,�…

‘A Quick 5’ with Jaylen Henderson, Actor in ‘Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea’ presented by Sisters Freehold at The Peale by Susan Brall

Beginning on February 16, 2024, Sisters Freehold will be presenting “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” at The Peale. It is written by Nathan Alan Davis and directed by Makeima Elise Freeland…

‘A Quick 5’ with Cellist Natalie Clein, presented by Candlelight Concert Society by Susan Brall

On February 17, 2024 the Candlelight Concert Society will feature the world renown British cellist, Natalie Clein. Along with Ms. Clein, the pianist for that evening will be the seasoned vet…

‘A Quick 5’ with Heather Plank, Actor, ‘POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive’ at the City of Fairfax by Susan Brall

Starting February 2, 2024, the City of Fairfax Theatre Company will be performing “POTUS” by Selina Fillinger. It is directed by Jack Lockrem and produced by Amanda Herman Snellings and …

‘A Quick 5’ with Actor Julia Nicole Hunter, Grace Farrell in ‘Annie’ at the National Theatre by Susan Brall

Broadway at the National will be presenting the classic musical “Annie” opening on January 23, 2023. The seven-time, Tony Award-winning (including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and …

Theatre Review: ‘12 Angry Jurors’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Susan Brall

The play, “12 Angry Jurors,” was first produced as “Twelve Angry Men” written by Reginald Rose. It had a strange path going from a television play in 1954 and then to the stage. The …

Concert Review: ‘A Chill in the Air: A Winter Concert’ presented by The Columbia Orchestra by Susan Brall

The Columbia Orchestra is now in search of a permanent director and conductor. In this search, they are showcasing many fine talents for their concerts. For their holiday performance, Joseph…

Concert Review: ‘Handel’s Messiah’ by Columbia Pro Cantare by Susan Brall

‘Tis the season and, for many in Howard County, the holidays begin with Pro Cantare’s concert of Handel’s “Messiah.” There is nothing more traditional than standing for the “Hall…

Theatre Review: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at Olney Theatre Center by Susan Brall

When “Fiddler on the Roof” opened on Broadway in September of 1964, no one could have imagined the universal appeal and endurance the show would have. There have been thousands of produc…

Theatre Review: ‘R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots)’ presented by the USNA Masqueraders by Susan Brall

“R.U.R.” was written by the Czech writer, Karl Čapek, in 1920 when the world was still reeling from World War I and the Russian Revolution. Large companies aided by assembly lines, elec…