The Kennedy Center announces the Millennium Stage Schedule for May 2017

FREE daily performances on the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center! Check out what they have in store for May 2017!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 25, 2017

Free Daily Performances

featuring

John F. Kennedy Centennial Week D.C.

Partnership School programs

Tear a Root from the Earth

Farah Siraj

 
(WASHINGTON)—The Kennedy Center announced its May 2017 schedule of free daily performances on the Millennium Stage today. Included in this month is a weeklong celebration to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Center’s namesake, the late President John F. Kennedy—whose 100th birthday would have been May 29, 2017.  Special, simultaneous tango performances on both Millennium Stages by Company E, (In)Security, or Jack and Nikki Do the Cold War Tango (May 26), will represent President Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev’s preoccupation with each other in the early 1960s. In addition to being remembered for his role in United States/Soviet Union relations, President Kennedy’s passion and commitment to the performing arts continues to extend to local communities, including the Washington, D.C.-area. The D.C. Partnership Schools Initiative is aligned with the approach to arts education employed by District of Columbia Public Schools— experiencing the arts, learning in the arts, and learning through the arts. Each school participates in a strategic planning process to develop their own arts education vision, goals, and action plan, selecting Kennedy Center resources that align with the articulated vision, goals, and plan. The D.C. Partnership Schools will be presenting programs from May 15–May 19.
Other calendar highlights include a concert by Farah Siraj (May 1), who has performed for numerous members of international royalty and also represents Jordan annually on United Nations World Peace Day, as well as Tear a Root from the Earth (May 5), a new musical that unites American and Afghan folk music to tell the story of multiple generations of one family in Afghanistan.
Now celebrating its 20th season, the Millennium Stage is the only place in the U.S. to offer a free performance every day of the year that is streamed live on the web. A full schedule of Millennium Stage performances for the month of May 2017 is below. Unless otherwise noted, performances will take place in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer and no tickets are required. Performances are open to television and radio news coverage. Media crews must request access at least one full week prior to the performance date. 

Full Chronological Schedule for May 2017

DATE TIME PERFORMANCE
Mon., May 1 6 p.m. Jordanian virtuoso vocalist Farah Siraj spreads a message of peace through writing and performing original compositions. Her art is influenced by Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, and pop with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish, and English.
Tue., May 2 6 p.m. The Janning Trumann Quartet focuses on the work of young German bandleader and trombonist Janning Trumann. His ensemble combines improvisation with composition to create their individual sound of contemporary jazz music.
Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Germany as part of the EU Month of Culture.
Wed., May 3 6 p.m. The Dearborn Community Chorus performs a variety of choral music including diverse styles from popular show tunes to classical standards, while offering its members an opportunity to have fun and enjoy each other’s companionship. Founded in 1963, the 75-plus member choir has encouraged and promoted the development of a vital cultural environment within the Dearborn area in Michigan while providing entertainment for the community throughout its long history.
Thu., May 4 6 p.m. Trombonist Matthew Hartnett has performed with Lauryn Hill, Bilal, Dave Chappelle’s Juke Joint, and many more. Tonight he brings his funky Gumbo All-Stars to Washington, D.C. Hailing from Houston, Texas, with roots in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he brings a genuine, heartfelt musical perspective with genre-defying compositions and southern-rooted influences.
Fri., May 5 6 p.m. Tear a Root from the Earth is a musical based on the book by John Blair, and tells the story of three generations of a rural Afghan family who encounter the ideologies and violent actions of outsiders. Tear a Root from the Earth is a collaboration between composers Johnny Walsh and world-renowned Afghan rabab virtuoso Qais Essar, arranged by and for celebrated Americana band Gramophonic.
Sat., May 6 6 p.m. Led by singer/songwriter Mavis “Swan” Poole and the powerful, yet melodic drummer Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, Soul Understated is a talented ensemble with a sound that spans genres. Their sound is influenced by EWF, Ella Fitzgerald, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, and even Hip Hop.
A special performance selected by Jason Moran. 
Sun., May 7 6 p.m. An award-winning and top-rated drum group from Shanghai, GuGu Drums offers a theatrical drum drama depicting historical and culturally significant drum compositions. Director Yang Xiaodong and his authentic ancient drum movements, as well as the actual ancient drums themselves, represent a powerful lineage—dating back to the times of the Emperors of Chinese dynasties—with a contemporary approach. The show features drum vignettes based on timeless Chinese proverbs, fables, and fairy tales.
Mon., May 8 6 p.m. A select group of music students from Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts perform jazz standards and original compositions created over the 2016–2017 school year under the tutelage of trumpeter, composer, and educator Terence Blanchard; Duke Ellington School Director of Jazz Davey Yarborough; and D.C. based alumni of the Center’s professional development program Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, Elijah Jamal Balbed, Shacara Rogers, and Integriti Reeves.  This is the culminating event of an eight-month Terence Blanchard All-In Kennedy Center residency, which included a performance by Blanchard’s E-Collective jazz group; the premiere of a family theater production of Bud, Not Buddywith original music by Blanchard; and the WNO presentation of Blanchard’s opera, Champion.
Tue., May 9 6 p.m. Making Movies is an American rock ‘n’ roll band that keeps its Latin roots front and center, entrancing audiences with their interweaving of Afro-Latino rhythms and psychedelic rock and roll riffs. Armed with their ambitious and politically charged new album, I Am Another You (released on May 26), the band punches out one high-energy song after another with theatrics and improvisation littered throughout.
Wed., May 10 6 p.m. Hear a diverse program of chamber works performed by outstanding graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Maryland School of Music. Selected by faculty from more than 35 chamber ensembles, these students represent in the school’s nationally recognized chamber music program.
Thu., May 11 6 p.m. Saxophonist Dr. Doug O’Connor and pianist Dr. Eunmi Ko present exciting 21st century chamber music, composed by Dr. Baljinder Sekhon and Paul Reller of the University of South Florida, and Dr. Ingrid Stölzel of the University of Kansas. The featured music is abundant with fresh grooves and evocative new sonorities that creatively combine the two instruments.
Fri., May 12 6 p.m. NSO Prelude: Violinist Joel Fuller, flutist Julianna Nickel, hornist James Nickel, and pianist Sophia Kim Cook play works by J.S. Bach, Melanie Bonis, and Eric Ewazen.
Sat., May 13 5 p.m. The largest youth poetry competition and festival in the D.C. area, Louder Than A Bomb—DMV promotes literacy, self-confidence, and public speaking for teenaged poets. The poetry slam is about sharing, listening, and connecting with other young people from a different part of town, country, or cultural heritage. The Grand Slam Finals on the Millennium Stage will culminate the three-week festival where one team will be crowned the 2017 LTAB DMV Champions.
Sun., May 14 6 p.m. The Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers of Ithaca, New York is a group of community singers named in honor of current Ithaca resident Dorothy Cotton, a civil rights pioneer who served as education director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Founded in 2010, the group is dedicated to the preservation of and education about the “Negro Spirituals.” Director Baruch Whitehead introduces the different songs with narration about their hidden meanings, history, or significance to enslaved Africans of the time.
Mon., May 15 6 p.m. The award-winning Woodrow Wilson High School Vocal Music Program, a Kennedy Center D.C. Partnership Initiative School, comes to the Millennium Stage. Join the school’s Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and The Wilson Singers as they perform a varied repertoire of music under the direction of Lori Williams.
Tue., May 16 6 p.m. The Columbia Heights Educational Campus (CHEC), a Kennedy Center D.C. Partnership Initiative School, is proud to present the Lincoln Middle School Band, CHEC Orchestra, CHEC Concert Band, and the CHEC Choir in an evening at the Millennium Stage. Performances will feature a wide variety of styles within each ensemble as well as several outstanding soloists.
Wed., May 17 6 p.m. School Without Walls, a Kennedy Center D.C. Partnership Initiative School, presents a musical evening featuring their Stage Band and Concert Choir. The band will present a variety of contemporary popular music while the choir will perform standard concert music.
Thu., May 18 6 p.m. Barnard Elementary School, a D.C. Partnership Initiative School, celebrates and showcases the contributions of Africans globally and African–Americans in the United States through the arts.
Fri., May 19 6 p.m. The Reston Chapter of Links, Inc. and Washington, D.C. Chapter of Society Inc—in collaboration with D.C. School and Community Initiatives—presents a performance showcase of talented Washington, D.C. and Virginia high school scholarship winners.
Sat., May 20 6 p.m. NSO Prelude: Violinist Nurit Bar-Josef, pianist Tony Nalker, bassist Charles Nilles, and percussionist Joseph Connell play Bolling’s Suite for Violin and Jazz Piano Trio.
Sun., May 21 6 p.m. Target Family Night: Everyday Oz is a family–friendly performance and demonstration that partners individuals with disabilities and professional performers for an engaging show. Equal parts zany and poetic, Everyday Oz includes active audience participation to reveal the many ways that we are smart, compassionate, brave, and creative…every day!
Presented in collaboration with Kennedy Center Sound Health.
Mon., May 22 6 p.m. The American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO) is a youth orchestra program that serves more than 400 students in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. AYPO’s Chamber Ensembles will play works by Mozart, Barber, Schubert, and others.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Tue., May 23 6 p.m. The Trombonists of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra come together to honor JFK with compositions that exemplify Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Wed., May 24 6 p.m. From his #1 country hits—ranging from folk, Americana, roots, and a few trips into the American Songbook—David Ball and his music embody JFK’s values of Courage, Freedom, Justice, Service, and Gratitude. Ball’s unique brand of southern storytelling will also include information about the Operation Troop Aid organization of which he is national spokesman.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Thu., May 25 6 p.m. VSA presents a diverse evening of musical talent featuring the VSA International Young Soloists. The VSA International Young Soloists Program recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities in their pursuit of a career.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Fri., May 26 6 p.m. (IN) SECURITY is a work of dance, music, film, narrative, and history which exploits a unique physical aspect of the Kennedy Center to present the story of the Kennedy/Khrushchev relationship as told, simultaneously, from both points of view. The work uses both Millennium Stages simultaneously. On one stage, the relationship is told from the American viewpoint—the Kennedy viewpoint. On the other, it is told from the Russian viewpoint—the Khrushchev viewpoint. The story told on the North Stage will be simulcast on the Millennium Stage South video screen and vice versa. In this way, history is also held true.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Sat., May 27
North Plaza
6 p.m. Former Chuck Berry bandmate, Daryl Davis, will honor the late, great progenitor of Rock ‘n’ Roll.  He may be gone, but his music lives on!
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Sun., May 28 6 p.m. Jazz pianist and composer George Burton will perform selections from his debut album, The Truth of What I Am > The Narcissist. For the album, Burton collaborated with Derrick Hodge to produce 10 original compositions that fuse traditional hard bop, avant-garde, post-bop, R&B, and other genres. Recognized for his inventive artistry as a pianist/composer, Burton’s sound is an experience that connects listeners in forging the frontier of improvised music. His genre-defying Quintet is revered for its haunting melodies and uninhibited groove.
This artist’s performance honors JFK and exemplifies Gratitude.
A special performance selected by Jason Moran.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Mon., May 29 6 p.m. In honor of John F. Kennedy’s birthday, the Navy Commodores will perform. The premier jazz ensemble presents the finest in America’s truly original music. A specialty unit of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., the group features 18 of the Navy’s top jazz and big band musicians. Under the leadership of Senior Chief Musician Philip M. Burlin, the Commodores combine the best of jazz and popular music. They continue to preserve the great heritage of jazz while also being an innovative force for the future.
In conjunction with the ticketed JFK Centennial Celebration taking place in the Opera House at 4 p.m.
Presented in collaboration with JFK Centennial Week.
Tue., May 30 6 p.m. Color Palette—comprised of Jay Nemeyer, Joshua Hunter, Matt Hartenau, Rogerio Naressi, and Maryjo Mattea— is an electro rock/synth pop band from Washington, D.C. Since their first release on June 1, 2015, Color Palette has garnered hundreds of press hits worldwide. Color Palette takes experiences like heartbreak and love, and together turns them into something mystical and inviting.
Part of a monthly local music series featuring D.C. musicians, created in partnership with D.C.–based podcast and website Hometown Sounds.
Wed., May 31 6 p.m. A singer and songwriter with a global perspective, Daby Touré brings a storyteller’s voice to the Millennium Stage. Born in Mauritania, Touré never fails to astound audiences with his ethereal voice, masterful guitar work, and catchy original songs. His singular vision reveals a complex, yet approachable sound—one that defies expectations and stereotypes of what it means to be an African artist today.

All performers and programs are subject to change without notice.
ABOUT THE KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM STAGE
The Kennedy Center is the only U.S. institution that presents a free performance 365 days a year. Created in 1997 and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, the Millennium Stage features a broad spectrum of performing arts each day at 6 p.m. Brought to the public by Target Stores and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, the Millennium Stage helps fulfill the Center’s mission of making the performing arts accessible to everyone. In the past 19 years, more than 3 million visitors have enjoyed more than 7,000 groups. Through intentionally identifying artistic partners regionally, nationally, and internationally, performances reflect the breadth and depth of culture in society, exploring styles including jazz, ballet, storytelling, popular music, Hip Hop, contemporary dance, opera, choral music, tap dance, theater, chamber music, symphonic music, puppetry, stand-up comedy, and cabaret. Of the many performers that have appeared on the Millennium Stage, approximately 25,000 have been Washington-area artists and more than 6,000 have been international performing artists representing more than 50 countries. The Millennium Stage has also hosted artists representing all 50 states, and has presented more than 15,000 artists in their Kennedy Center debuts. Since 1999, each night’s performance has been broadcast live over the internet, and more than 4,430 of these performances have been digitally archived on the Kennedy Center’s website, kennedy-center.org.
Need a Lift?
The free Kennedy Center Shuttle, the Center’s link to Metro’s Foggy Bottom/George Washington University Metro station (blue/orange/silver lines), departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m. to midnight, Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturdays; noon to midnight, Sundays; and 4:00 p.m. to midnight on Federal holidays. Free parking is not available when attending free events.
FUNDING CREDITS
The Millennium Stage is brought to you by Target and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
The Millennium Stage was created and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs to make the performing arts accessible to everyone in fulfillment of the Kennedy Center’s mission to its community and the nation.
Additional funding for the Millennium Stage is provided by Bernstein Family Foundation, The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc., The Meredith Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A.J. Stolwijk, U.S. Department of Education, and the Millennium Stage Endowment Fund.
The Millennium Stage Endowment Fund was made possible by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, Fannie Mae Foundation, the Kimsey Endowment, Gilbert† and Jaylee† Mead, Mortgage Bankers Association of America and other anonymous gifts to secure the future of the Millennium Stage.
Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by
David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.
Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
For more information on the Millennium Stage, please visit the Millennium Stage event page or Millennium Stage Facebook page.

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Everyman Theatre Blends Global Perspectives, Women’s Voices, and Truth-in-Storytelling for Transfixing, Entertaining 2017/18 Season


Everyman Theatre announces their 2017/18 Season and it’s filled with pieces by award winning authors as well as local folks, as well! Looks like an exciting season!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2017
 
Lineup Delivers Thought-Provoking Combination of Story and Character
Baltimore, MD – Following up on a successful year accentuated by record-breaking subscribership and trailblazing new work, Everyman Theatre announces the six-play lineup for its 2017/18 Season, celebrating actor-driven storytelling through a lens of global diversity and stories inspired by true-life events.
The season includes acclaimed works from four women playwrights, including the poignant, lauded Intimate Apparel, from two-time Pulitzer winner Lynn Nottage, Lauren Gunderson’s ruckus revisionist comedy, The Revolutionists, set during the Reign of Terror, only the second production of The Book of Joseph, the locally-inspired new play by Karen Hartman, and a co-production of Julia Cho’s deliciously touching drama Aubergine, in association with Olney Theatre Center.
Everyman will also stage two revivals next season, including Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, Long Day’s Journey Into Night and, as previously announced, the gripping, Tony Award-winning drama M. Butterfly, by David Henry Hwang.
“Several overlapping themes organically emerged during the course of designing our newest season,” said Founding Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi. “From uplifting personal and collective legacies to unexpected truths hidden and discovered, Everyman Theatre’s 27th season gives voice to characters and experiences that are not ordinarily heard. Audiences can expect acting and storytelling of the highest caliber, along with a satisfying, stimulating mix of genres, tones and points of view. These are six amazing works designed to illuminate, startle, and surprise—come early, often, and with friends!”
“Whether it’s bold new work that inspires you, the incredible talent of our Resident Company of actors, or our mantra, ‘great stories, well told,’ Everyman’s newest season delivers on the core strengths that we—and our audiences—hold most dear,” said Managing Director Jonathan K. Waller. “Creating opportunities, experiences, and dialogues around great theatre is why we are here, and, through our mainstage, education and community engagement programs, we are delighted to provide so many ways for audiences to join along.”
Everyman Theatre 2017/18 Season:
M. Butterfly
By David Henry Hwang
Directed by Vincent M. Lancisi
September 6 – October 8, 2017
East meets west. Fact meets fiction. Illusion meets reality. When a powerful French diplomat becomes enchanted with a divine Peking opera star, little can quell the thirst of their intoxicating desire—but this diva is hiding more than her true identity. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, David Henry Hwang’s torrid and timeless Tony Award-winning M. Butterfly brings hide-and-seek to the stage in a gripping fable that proves the allure of fantasy and the power of obsession are a recipe for betrayal.
Intimate Apparel
By Lynn Nottage
October 18 – November 19, 2017
Wearing her heart on her sleeve while sewing intimates for her clientele, Esther is the talented African American seamstress in turn-of-the-century New York who has built a savings for herself making beautiful undergarments—while earnestly daydreaming of new beginnings, romantic possibilities, and the lingering affection she shares with a Jewish fabric merchant. But when an egregious deception cuts short heartfelt desires, can class, culture and circumstance outmatch the strength of human spirit? Inspired by a true story, Intimate Apparel is a heart-rending contemporary work in the style of an enduring classic—from the first female playwright to win two Pulitzers.
The Revolutionists
By Lauren Gunderson
December 6, 2017 – January 7, 2018
East Coast Premiere
Greetings from the French Revolution—where heads will roll. When you put former queen Marie Antoinette, assassin Charlotte Corday, playwright Olympe de Gouges, and Caribbean spy Marianne Angelle in a room together, literally ANYTHING can happen—especially big laughs! France’s fight for equality and freedom propels itself to modern times with this bold, brave and blisteringly funny new work about feminism, legacy and standing up for one’s beliefs. Who runs the world? The jury’s still out, but these girls sure as hell changed it.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
By Eugene O’Neill
Directed by Donald Hicken
January 31 – March 4, 2018
What begins as an ordinary summer day at the Connecticut home of the Tyrone family morphs into a night filled with foggy, drink-laced demons where long-buried secrets are revealed – and once exposed cannot be ignored. A long-revered showcase for tour-de-force performances, Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece (published posthumously) lays bare what we all know to be true: the ardor of familial love cannot always protect you. Long Day’s Journey Into Night is an autobiographical insight into its late, legendary playwright – and a compassionately brutal look at one family’s struggle to fight for and love itself.
Aubergine
By Julia Cho
Directed by Vincent M. Lancisi
Produced in association with Olney Theatre Center
March 14 – April 15, 2018
Mid-Atlantic Premiere
When words fail, a home-cooked meal transcends differences in this touching story of intergenerational connectedness, forgiveness and the sweetest spice of life: love. As a Korean family struggles to relate across emotional and cultural divides, it’s the ingredients they share in common that lead to understanding. A perceptive and lyrical exploration of the act of cooking as a form of expression,Aubergine is a mouthwatering meditation on the beauty of life where hope is no mere ingredient—it’s the main course.
The Book of Joseph
By Karen Hartman – Based on the life of Joseph A. Hollander and his family
Directed by Noah Himmelstein
May 9 – June 10, 2018
East Coast Premiere
Like so many great mysteries, it all began in an attic with a dusty old suitcase… The discovery of a stash of letters stamped with Swastikas opens clues to an untold family history spanning multiple generations in The Book of Joseph—the gripping true story of resilience and truth-tracking determination spanning Baltimore and beyond. Richard Hollander’s book, Every Day Lasts a Year: A Jewish Family’s Correspondence from Poland, is brought to the stage in this mesmerizing new adaptation that restores a family’s uncharted legacy—celebrated by revelation and remembrance.
Tickets:
Subscriptions ($90-305) are now available for the 2017/18 season. Current subscribers must renew their subscriptions by June 18, 2017 in order to retain selected seats. New subscription orders will be accepted starting July 1, 2017. Single tickets go on sale August 1, 2017.
As part of Everyman’s ongoing commitment for making theatre affordable and accessible to a wide audience, new for the 2017/18 season is an expansion of the popular “Check Us Out” subscription package (available exclusively to new subscribers) which includes either Tuesday evening or firstSunday evening performances for all shows, for $100 or less.
Find more information, pricing and buy tickets online (www.everymantheatre.org), by phone(410.752.2208), or at the Everyman Theatre Box Office (315 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201).
About Everyman Theatre:
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatre strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences and community through theatre of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre.
MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
Vincent M. Lancisi is the Founding Artistic Director of Everyman Theatre; Jonathan K. Waller is the Managing Director. For information about Everyman Theatre, visit www.everymantheatre.org.

Baltimore Center Stage Announces 2017/18 Mainstage Season


Baltimore Center Stage recently had it’s grand re-opening and it looks like their back with GUSTO! Check out the 2017/18 Season for the Mainstage! Hope to see you out at some of the shows!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore—April 19, 2017. Baltimore Center Stage is pleased to announce its 2017/18 Mainstage Season, which includes productions that focus on faith, love, family, the state of the nation, revolution, and a to-be-announced world premiere play with music. This marks the theater’s first full season back in its newly renovated home on Calvert Street.
“Art at its best, for me, is a metaphor on the human condition, and that is what we think about as we choose our plays,” said Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah. “I’m thrilled to present our spectacular next season line up for our Mainstage series. And I’m excited to say we’ll announce our full list of programming soon, including Third Space and Mobile Unit productions. From our renovated building, which is intended to make everyone who enters feel welcome, to our diverse season of plays, we’re continuing our mission of access for all.”
 
2017/18 Season
 
The Christians
By Lucas Hnath
Directed by Hana S. Sharif
Sept. 7–Oct. 8, 2017
Does absolute tolerance require tolerance of the intolerant? Can a divided head find a way to lead? When the stakes are eternity, what happens if your pastor is wrong? These are the questions that arise in a present-day American megachurch in The Christians, a new play about the seemingly insurmountable distance that exists when people of the same religion hold different beliefs. Stunning in its theatricality, this production will feature multiple choirs from area churches. Prescient in its investigation of the commercialization of religion, this play spotlights the sensitive and challenging obstacles of all successful organizations.
 
Shakespeare in Love
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Directed by Blake Robison
Oct. 19–Nov. 26, 2017
“Shall I compare thee to a something something… mummers play?” And so begins one of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets, and this charming story of love, inspiration, muses, and art, based on the Oscar-winning film. This smart and poignant tale offers a smattering of allusions that will delight anyone familiar with the Bard—or simply the English language. This story is as crowd-pleasing as mistaken identities, a shipwreck, and love triumphant, and is set in a time when a Londoner could still utter the words: “Shakespeare? Never heard of him.” A great play for the entire family.
 
Lookingglass Alice
Adapted by David Catlin from the works of Lewis Carroll
Directed by Jeremy B. Cohen
Nov. 30–Dec. 31, 2017
Fall down the rabbit hole with Alice and a cast of characters as wild as whimsy and wicked as royalty. If you’re curiouser about the other side, David Catlin’s adapted tale will send you into a tailspin of queens and pawns, riddles and mind games, madness and tea parties. Our holiday season offering is perfect for the entire family, and children of all ages will delight in this wonderful world. Families can come together to build a theatergoing tradition and enjoy the spectacular realm created from author Lewis Carroll’s legendary imagination. Join us down the rabbit hole.
 
Skeleton Crew
By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Nicole A. Watson
Feb. 1-Mar. 11, 2018
Part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival
From the playwright of Detroit ’67, Skeleton Crew (the third play in Dominique Morisseau’s acclaimed Detroit trilogy) tells the story of four workers at the last exporting auto plant in Detroit struggling to survive as their way of life disappears. Set around 2008, this play vividly portrays the modern struggle in a changing America, and reveals the real people on the factory line. This skeleton crew—the bare minimum number of staff needed to function—is made up of people who keep the vital operations of the plant running in the face of obstacles, rumors, and, eventually, the confirmation of their worst fears. Loyalties are tested and boundaries are crossed as this vibrant team of loyal and proud workers navigate an uncertain future.
 
George Orwell’s Animal Farm
Adapted by Ian Woolridge
Directed by May Adrales
Mar. 1–Apr. 1, 2018
One day on Manor Farm, shortly before his death, an old boar named Major told the other animals about his dream. United by the realization that all animals have a common enemy—man—the animals revolted against the tyranny of forced work. They fought and gained their freedom and established a system of thought, Animalism, based on the wise words of the Major. All animals are comrades. All animals are equal. But as months and years pass, the exalted words of the Major become distorted, and the citizens of Animal Farm come to see that some animals are more equal than others.
 
To Be Announced
Written and directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah
May 10–June 17, 2018
Baltimore Center Stage is finalizing details on a major new project that will be an extraordinary finale to the 2017/18 Season. Like Marley, this play by Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah is still being finalized and is not quite ready to be announced with the rest of the season.
For more information, or to purchase a 2017/18 Season Membership, please call the Box Office at 410.332.0033 or visit centerstage.org.
Baltimore Center Stage is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business and Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the MSAC is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences. Baltimore Center Stage’s 2017/18 Season is made possible by The Shubert Foundation and the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
 About Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore Center Stage is a professional, nonprofit institution committed to entertaining, engaging and enriching audiences through bold, innovative and thought-provoking classical and contemporary theater.
Named the State Theater of Maryland in 1978, Baltimore Center Stage has steadily grown as a leader in the national regional theater scene. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE and Managing Director Michael Ross, Baltimore Center Stage is committed to creating and presenting a diverse array of world premieres and exhilarating interpretations of established works.
Baltimore Center Stage believes in access for all—creating a welcoming environment for everyone who enters its theater doors and, at the same time, striving to meet audiences where they are. In addition to its Mainstage, Off Center and Family Series productions in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, Baltimore Center Stage ignites conversations among a global audience through digital initiatives, which explore how technology and the arts intersect. The theater also nurtures the next generation of artists and theater-goers through the Young Playwrights Festival, Student Matinee Series and many other educational programs for students, families and professionals.

Baltimore Center Stage Announces Honorees for 31st Annual Young Playwrights Festival

It’s always a good thing to get the younger generations involved in the arts and Baltimore Center Stage is doing just that and no only for onstage performers, but for those with behind the scenes and production aspirations, as well! Congratulations to all the participants!

From Baltimore Center Stage:
Baltimore—April 17, 2017. Baltimore Center Stage is pleased to announce the honorees for the 31st Annual Young Playwrights Festival, a yearly competition that invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Maryland to submit original writing. The winning playwrights will be honored with workshops and in-school performances. A selection of plays will be staged at the Annual Young Playwrights Festival, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at Baltimore Center Stage, 700 North Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202.
“The Young Playwrights Festival gets students fired up about writing and builds their confidence,” said Baltimore Center Stage Education Director Michael Wiggins. “This year’s submissions run the gamut from wonderfully absurd comedy, to heartbreaking tragedy, and everything in between. We are delighted to produce performances in the honored students’ schools and to host the festival once again in our newly renovated home on Calvert Street.”
This year’s honorees include students in schools from across the state of Maryland, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County and Montgomery County.
 The Young Playwrights Festival on May 1 will include an awards ceremony and staged readings of plays by Alia Zerhouni, Zoe San Luis, Adriyona Reese, Joshua Salazar Alvarado, Zeke Hickman, Ruth Dawit, Jaya Connor, Dominick Anderson, Kate Jacob, Brian Jaegar, Eva Hauf, Seydou Tounkara, Julianna Gross and Miguel Fernandez. The event is free and open to the public; however, a $5 donation is suggested. Please call the Baltimore Center Stage Box Office at 410.332.0033 to reserve tickets.
Honorees receiving in-school readings of their work include Sophie Marano, Dean Gedansky, Antonio Erdas, Gabriela Rivera, Hannah Ezell, Rory Cahill, Patrick Karaska, Hannah Ellison, Khloe Quill and Jason Fontelieu.
The Young Playwrights Festival is made possible through the generous support of Baltimore Center Stage’s many community partners, including T. Rowe Price Foundation, Hearst Foundation, Transamerica, BGE, McCormick, The Kennedy Center VSA and Classic Catering.
 
2017 Young Playwrights Festival Honorees
Staged Honorees
The Little Kiwi by Alia Zahra Colón Zerhouni (Grade 2, Bryn Mawr School, Howard County)
It’s never easy to move to a new place, especially if you’re a Little Kiwi. With grouchy neighbors and funny new smells, nothing feels like home. But with a little courage, and a lot of love, Little Kiwi might just find a way to fit in.
In the Village by Zoe San Luis, Zeke Hickman, Adriyona Reese, and Joshua Salazar Alvarado (Grade 4, Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, Baltimore City)
In a small, quiet village, the people fear their invading neighbors, the Raiders. In the meantime, their greedy King hatches a plan that seems certain to endanger the people. With only each other to rely on, the villagers band together to protect their homes, their families and their lives.
When Pigs Fly by Jaya Connor, Dominick Anderson, Eva Hauf, Brian Jaegar, Kate Jacob, Seydou Tounkara (Grade 6, Chevy Chase Elementary School, Montgomery County)
Four-year-old Josiah has one dream in his young life: to ride a pig. His spoiled sister also dreams of a pig, that she can turn into a pigskin coat. When she takes Josiah to a pig race, he realizes that his dream can only come true at the expense of his sister’s. Along the way, they both learn lessons from two zany competitors in the race, down-on-their-luck drifters with dreams of their own.
Broke by Ruth Dawit (Grade 7, City Neighbors Public Charter School, Baltimore City)
Carter and May feel lost and alone after the death of their father. Maureen, their mother, struggles to care for her kids or herself, numbing her pain with alcohol. Although everything seems broken, each of them dreams of feeling loved and accepted; and with courage and hope, maybe this shattered family can begin to put the pieces back together again.
Pasta Night by Miguel Fernandez (Grade 12, Centennial High School, Howard County)
After a rough day, at the end of a tough week, Noah wants to treat his young wife Emily to a special Pasta Night. But there is more lurking behind this simple meal than either of them realizes, or lets on; and as we watch their day unfold in reverse, we realize how much each moment can be filled with all the little moments that precede, and follow, it—and sometimes what is unspoken says more than words.
Maya by Julianna Gross (Grade 10, Sherwood High School, Montgomery County)
Jimmy dreads coming to class, where every day he gets bullied by Biff and Billy. Only Maya, his bold and mischievous classmate, comforts Jimmy, telling tales of her adventures and encouraging him with her poetry. With her help, Jimmy might just stand up to the bullies and be as brave as Maya.
In-School Honorees
Digital Escape by Dean Gedansky (Grade 5, Roland Park Elementary Middle School, Baltimore County)
In a futuristic world where virtual realities have merged with real life, Max lives immersed in technology. It all seems more fun than ever, until Max’s friends start to go missing. Will he discover where they’ve gone before it’s too late?
The Bad Llamas by Sophie Marano (Grade 5, St. Paul’s School for Girls, Baltimore City)
At the Bad Llama School, everyone is excited about the 50-millionth-anniversary party of Headmaster Chris. Everyone, that is, but Bob the Llama, who’s waited millions of years to be headmaster. With the help of his llama friend Larry, Bob plots to expose the Headmaster and finally assume his rightful place as head of school.
The Coolest Glasses by Antonio Erdas (Grade 5, Roland Park Elementary Middle School, Baltimore County)
Mr. Avocado dreams of being cooler and cooler. So when the newest, coolest sunglasses are advertised in the paper at army headquarters, he plots to steal them. But just when he thinks his plan will work, Mr. Avocado gets a bigsurprise.
Did You Hear? by Patrick Karaska (Grade 7, City Neighbors Public Charter School, Baltimore City)
Trevor Wolf is having a bad day, and he’s not sure why. After all, Trevor hates all the evil in the world, and tries to live a kindly life: greeting his neighborhood barista, helping a lost elderly woman, and comforting his sad bank teller. So why don’t things seem to be going right for Trevor? It only gets worse when he finds out that there’s a man on the run for murder….
Half-Animals: Animal Spirit by Rory Cahill (Grade 7, The Auburn School, Baltimore County)
In a parallel universe, on a planet very similar to our own, children will, on rare occasions, fuse with their animal soulmates to become half-human, half-animal. But the tenuous balance of peace and harmony is threatened by the power-hungry General Ursus, who is jealous of the ability to morph from human to animal and back again. Seven extraordinary children from all over the world band together to save nature and civilization from the General’s hateful regime.
Back to Reality by Gabriela Rivera (Grade 7, Sisters Academy, Baltimore County)
It’s the year 3094, and President Carl has brainwashed all of the citizens of Lavania to forget what freedom and equality are. Maya and her friends—sick of only being allowed to work as babysitters and cleaners because they are girls—do a bit of snooping as they clean President Carl’s office. When they stumble upon artifacts from the past, they team up with other determined allies to bring the country back to reality.
The Real Housewives of Colonial America by Hannah Ezell (Grade 8, Harford Day School, Harford County)
In a comic fusion of reality television and colonial America, Martha—”the only relatively normal person here”—does all she can to provide for her family in the challenging conditions of the American colonies. It is hard enough to put food on the table as a single parent while her husband is off fighting the British; Martha also has to contend with rich, devious housewives hungry for power and deliriously shallow.
Present in Absentia by Hannah Ellison (Grade 9, The SEED School of Maryland, Baltimore City)
In the 50 years since they said “I do,” James and Ethel have built a life together filled with love and contentment. In this haunting and poetic story of the inevitable grief we all face, we see that even in their absence, our loved ones never completely leave us.
The Devil in the Library by Khloe Quill (Grade 12, Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Frederick County)
A small town in the 1940s American South has a big secret. Young Charlotte the librarian finds her suspicions growing when an apartment complex in an African-American neighborhood burns to the ground. Race, power, and violence converge with small-town relationships and politics as the secrets hidden within the library’s walls come to light.
Worker B by Jason Fontelieu (Grade 12, Dulaney High School, Baltimore County)
Brianna works hard as the assistant to a high profile and highly demanding, but highly secretive, boss. While Brianna keeps busy day and night, she’s hiding her dreams of being a singer and trying to navigate her secret crush on a close friend. All of these secrets finally to come to a head, with a rousing song and dance number sure to get everybody up and grooving.
About Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore Center Stage is a professional, nonprofit institution committed to entertaining, engaging and enriching audiences through bold, innovative and thought-provoking classical and contemporary theater.
Named the State Theater of Maryland in 1978, Baltimore Center Stage has steadily grown as a leader in the national regional theater scene. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE and Managing Director Michael Ross, Baltimore Center Stage is committed to creating and presenting a diverse array of world premieres and exhilarating interpretations of established works.
Baltimore Center Stage believes in access for all—creating a welcoming environment for everyone who enters its theater doors and, at the same time, striving to meet audiences where they are. In addition to its Mainstage, Off Center and Family Series productions in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, Baltimore Center Stage ignites conversations among a global audience through digital initiatives, which explore how technology and the arts intersect. The theater also nurtures the next generation of artists and theater-goers through the Young Playwrights Festival, Student Matinee Series and many other educational programs for students, families and professionals.

PRESS RELEASE: Los Otros Premiere Brings New Musical to Everyman Theatre from Tony Award Nominated Creative Team

everyman-theatre-logo
Newly Commissioned Reworking Explores Cross-Cultural Connections
Baltimore, MD – Everyman Theatre presents the Baltimore/DC Premiere of Los Otros, a timely new reworking of the musical from Tony Award nominees Michael John LaChiusa (music) and Ellen Fitzhugh (book and lyrics). Los Otros is currently in rehearsal and runs from March 22 through April 23, 2017.
Following its 2012 debut at the Mark Taper Forum, this compelling new reimagining is the result of an Everyman-commissioned workshop this past fall in New York City. Infused with compassionate, cross-cultural understanding, Los Otros bursts to life with an immersive set design, a vibrant score and two affecting lead performances – nearly entirely sung – from Broadway vets Judy McLane (Mamma Mia!) and Philip Hernandez (Kiss of the Spider Woman), backed by a live on-stage instrumental ensemble.
Through a series of beautiful and intimate vignettes, two Californians, Lillian and Carlos, reflect on profound moments from the past in which their individual experiences (as a white woman and Hispanic man) are linked by a collective sense of “otherness.” Juxtaposing such familiar human tensions as past/present, memory/mysticism and cultural/sexual identity, director Noah Himmelstein and musical director Jon Kalbfleisch command a production that is at once quietly perceptive and startlingly relevant in the context of today’s real-world social climate. Inspiring, energetic and emotionally charged, this semi-autobiographical work captures a universal story of interconnectedness, love, risk and revelation through the lens of two people’s lives.
“Ellen and Michael John are two of the most extraordinary thinkers in musical storytelling,” said Himmelstein. “The imaginative structure and near-cinematic breadth of Los Otros has inspired a visual design that echoes the experience of both characters, physically transforming as their stories unfold.”
“Commissioning this new version of Los Otros speaks to Everyman Theatre’s ardent belief in supporting important new work,” said Founding Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi. “Los Otros represents a profound investment in Ellen and Michael John’s creation, and the culmination of an intensive, ongoing collaboration between two great artists and this institution.”
los-otros-logoLos Otros is the first production directed by Noah Himmelstein under his new title of Associate Artistic Director at Everyman Theatre. A native of Baltimore, Noah previously directed the critically acclaimed production of An Inspector Calls during Everyman’s 2015/16 season. Mr. Himmelstein’s recent credits also include directing Andrew Lippa’s I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk at the Strathmore Center with Kristin Chenoweth, in addition to earlier incarnations of the work at Lincoln Center and in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He also recently directed Jonathan Tolins’ play The Forgotten Woman at Bay Street Theatre, Bleeding Love at the Fredericia Theatre in Denmark and the premiere of Michael Korie’s opera Positions 1956 in Washington, DCHe is a former assistant director to James Lapine and Bartlett Sher and a graduate of Emerson College.
Composer Michael John LaChiusa’s career includes multiple Tony Award nominations. His many scores include The Wild Party, Marie Christine, Hello Again, Giant, First Lady Suite, First Daughter Suite and See What I Wanna See. Lyricist and book writer Ellen Fitzhugh is the lyricist behind Grind on Broadway, several off-Broadway musicals, including Paper Moon, Herringbone, and Don Juan DeMarco and Paradise Found in London
Judy McLane (Lillian), whose Broadway credits include Kiss of the Spider WomanAspects of Love and Chess, co-stars as Lillian in Los Otros, her first Everyman Theatre production. After starring as Tanya in Mamma Mia! for nearly eight years, Ms. McLane stepped into the lead in the long-running ABBA tuner as Donna Sheridan in 2012, a role she played until the show’s run on Broadway ended in 2015. She received critical acclaim for her performance as Vienna in Johnny Guitar off-Broadway (Drama Desk Nomination and a Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance in the Theater). Most recently, she starred as Diana in Next to Normal at the Pioneer Theater.
Philip Hernandez (Carlos), who first appeared on Broadway in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, co-stars as Carlos in Los Otros, his Everyman Theatre debut. He is the only man in Broadway history to play both Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. Mr. Hernandez played opposite Marc Anthony and Ruben Blades in the original Broadway cast of Paul Simon’s The Capeman. His career goes beyond Broadway, having sung with symphony orchestras throughout the U.S. and recorded a Latin jazz album with a big band.
McLane and Hernandez have previously appeared together in Kiss of the Spider Woman on Broadway and in Man of LaMancha at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Tickets for Los Otros are now on sale online (www.everymantheatre.org), by phone (410.752.2208), or at the Everyman Theatre Box Office (315 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201). Two-play subscription packages are also available, and include the upcoming Resident Company production of Noises Off (May 17 through June 18, 2017).

Event Listings

Pay-What-You-Can Performance
March 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM
March 21, 2017 at 7:30 PM
TNT: Theatre Night for Teens
March 21, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Students in grades 9-12 can enjoy dinner by Two Boots Pizza, an artist meet-and-greet, the play, and post-show discussion and dessert. Tickets: $10 each.
Salon Series: Women’s Voices: The Language Archive
March 27, 2017 (Cocktails at 6:00 PM; Performance at 7:00 PM)
A reading of Julia Cho’s The Language Archive, a heartfelt comedy exploring the power of words and the capacity of language to fail or save us. Tickets: $15 each ($5 for students).
Taste of Everyman: California Bounty
April 6, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Mix and mingle with other theatre lovers during a pre-show social, this month featuring California wines paired with hors d’oeuvres by The French Kitchen. Tickets: $60 each for show and event.
World of the Play
April 8, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Take part in an in-depth panel discussion on the themes and topics of the show, hosted by Marc Steiner (WEAA’s The Marc Steiner Show). Tickets: $5 each (free for subscribers).
Cast Conversations
April 13, 2017 at 9:30 PM
Talk about the play with the members of the cast after the show. Free.
About Everyman Theatre
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatre strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences and community through theatre of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre.
Los Otros is executive produced by Susan W. Flanigan. Additional support is provided by Producers’ Circle donors: Beth Goldsmith, Gina & Dan Hirschhorn, George Roche, Shen Family Foundation, The Stockman Family Foundation, and Lawrence Yumkas & Miriam Fisher. The 16/17 Season is generously sponsored by LifeBridge Health and Neil & Ellen Meltzer. Everyman Theatre’s Pay-What-You-Can nights are supported by Dr. E. Lee & Bea Robbins. Everyman Theatre is proud to have The Baltimore Sun Media Group and WYPR Season Media Sponsors. MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the Maryland State Arts Council is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.
Vincent M. Lancisi is the Founding Artistic Director of Everyman Theatre; Jonathan K. Waller is the Managing Director. For information about Everyman Theatre, visit www.everymantheatre.org or call 410.752.2208.

Theatre News! Stillpointe Theatre Expands to Include Mercury Theatre in Station North!

From Stillpointe Theatre for immediate release:

Last year, Stillpointe Theatre opened the doors on their new performance space in Station North, located at 1825 N. Charles Street, in the heart of Baltimore’s Art and Entertainment District. Within the past year, the company members of Sillpointe Theatre have strived to create fresh, exciting, accessible theatre for their Baltimore audiences.

As of October 1st, Stillpointe will not expand to include it’s neighboring building, the Mercury Theatre, located at 1823 N. Charles Street. The former sight of the Strand Theatre, and most recently, Baltimore Improv Group, will house productions for the 2017 season, and also be available for rental to local arts groups.

It is the hope of the Stillpointe Theatre Artistic Council to use the current space as a gallery/cabaret space that can be used for smaller performances, rehearsals, and private events, while the newly acquired space will be used primarily as a performance space, with new dressing rooms, storage, and office space also featured in the plans. Artistic Director, Ryan Haase, also spoke of the desire to install a double door in the wall separating the two spaces to create a more professional and streamlined flow for audience members and performers alike.

Performances for the 2017 season are being solidified, and any and all rental inquires may be made by contacting stillpoineti@gmail.com. The Stillpointe Theater is an ADA-accessible building, and does not discriminate in race, class, color, sex, or orientation when renting their facilities.

Check out the original article with photos HERE!