All stories by Lynne Menefee on BroadwayStars

Monday, March 13, 2023

Cappies Review: ‘My Favorite Year’ at Albert Einstein High School by Lynne Menefee

Picture 1954 as your favorite year, a year of swing fashion, technological brilliance, and the legendary genre that is Rock ‘n’ Roll. But, in a matter of seconds, Hollywood star Alan Swa…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:25PM
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Theatre Review: ‘Do Not Go Gentle’ at Spotlighters Theatre by Lynne Menefee

The play “Do Not Go Gentle,” written in 1996 by Suzan Zeder, takes its title from the Dylan Thomas poem. “Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close o…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 04:51PM
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Cappies Review: ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ at Walt Whitman High School by Lynne Menefee

From Delta Nu to Harvard U, someone always wants to take advantage of the fashion-forward blonde. But what happens when she decides to take the stand? Find out with Walt Whitman’s spectacu…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:14PM
Thursday, February 23, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week (+1) by Lynne Menefee

Week of February 12, 2023 1. “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” at Fells Point Corner Theatre “Bizarre, dizzying, witty, tender, and spiritual…all the layered questions of morality, love, dea…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 11:17PM
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week (+1) by Lynne Menefee

Week of February 5, 2023 1. “Ghost/Writer” at Rep Stage “…breathtaking…the beauty of Act One and the compelling performances by Dane Figuero Edidi in both roles are not to be misse…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:15PM
Friday, February 17, 2023

‘A Quick 5’ with Actor Michael Sullivan in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at Cumberland Theatre by Lynne Menefee

Cumberland Theatre, Western Maryland’s only regional professional theatre, is currently presenting “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken Ludwig from the novel by Agatha Christ…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 02:55PM
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week (+1) by Lynne Menefee

Week of January 29, 2023 1. “Peter and the Starcatcher” at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis “This tight, well-timed production is constantly surprising, from the unexpected opening n…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:21PM
Monday, February 6, 2023

Theatre Review: ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at The Kennedy Center by Lynne Menefee

The Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage series has produced another pearl with their current production of “Sunset Boulevard.” Based on the 1950 film starring Gloria Swanson and Wil…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:48PM
Saturday, February 4, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week (plus one!) by Lynne Menefee

Week of January 22, 2023 1. “High School Coven” at Strand Theater Company “…energized by the acting, the witty character interplay, and the effects…highly engaging direction…” …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:18PM
Friday, January 27, 2023

News: Arena Players Receives Federal Funding to Revitalize Theater by Lynne Menefee

  From Arena Players’ Facebook page:   “Hello Family!   Every now and then … we ALL get it just right! If you haven’t done so already, Please take a moment to say CONGRATULATIONS …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:34PM

News: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present Adam Sandler with the 24th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by Lynne Menefee

Prize Will Be Awarded at the Kennedy Center at a Gala Performance on March 19, 2023. (WASHINGTON)—The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 24th Mark Twain Prize …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 04:34PM
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week by Lynne Menefee

Week of January 15, 2023 1. “Ride the Cyclone” at Arena Stage “Wacky and wonderful…a side-splitting, hilarious original musical…unmissable…packed with earworm songs and vivid cas…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 03:41PM
Saturday, January 21, 2023

Top 5 Shows of the Week by Lynne Menefee

Week of January 8, 2023 1. “Two Jews Walk Into a War…” at Theater J “It is a joy to watch these two actors…one is left with a sense of having been both entertained and also educate…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 12:03PM
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

News: Mosaic Launches Inaugural Catalyst New Play Festival by Lynne Menefee

  Festival is anchored by Max and Willy’s Last Laugh, featuring Grammy, Tony, and Emmy-recognized talent, and includes new works by Dane Figueroa Edidi, Annalisa Dias The inaugural Cataly…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 06:23PM
Sunday, November 27, 2022

‘A Quick 5’ with Sheldon Epps, Acclaimed Director, Artistic Director, and Senior Artistic Advisor at Ford’s Theatre, Publishes Memoir by Lynne Menefee

“Sheldon Epps has directed major productions on and off Broadway, in London, and at many theatres across America. In addition, he has had an active television career helming some of the cl…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:21PM
Thursday, October 20, 2022

‘A Quick 5’ with Actor Jacqueline E. G. Youm in August Wilson’s ‘King Hedley II’ at Dominion Stage by Lynne Menefee

August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” will be performed by Dominion Stage starting October 21, 2002. It is being directed by Rikki Howie and produced by Christine Farrell. The executive pro…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:12AM
Monday, October 17, 2022

‘A Quick 5’ with Max Johnson and Jake Stibbe starring in Iron Crow Theatre’s ‘Mankind’ by Lynne Menefee

    Iron Crow Theatre is excited to be currently presenting its first production since the pandemic at Theatre Project and is directed by Ann Turiano. (You can read our review here.) “Wo…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 06:14PM
Thursday, October 13, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Kennedy Center by Lynne Menefee

Sadly for theater lovers, “Guys and Dolls,” one of the most iconic and “perfect” American musicals, is only at the Kennedy Center for a short run and is nearly sold out (see below). …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 05:00PM
Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Dance Review: ‘Les Sylphides and Other Works’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland by Lynne Menefee

  Artistic director Nicole Kelsch took a risk in presenting both the beloved 1909 Russian classic, “Les Sylphides,” and the thoroughly modern romp, “Hijinks and Lullabies,” on the s…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:19PM
Thursday, September 15, 2022

Theatre Review: The Mysterious Joy of ‘Host & Guest’ Returns to Synetic Theatre by Lynne Menefee

With apologies to T.S. Eliot, Synetic Theater opened its 20th season with a big bang— actually two bangs—and closed “Host & Guest” to an even bigger bang. Throughout the 90-minu…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 10:15AM
Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Top 5 Shows of the Week by Lynne Menefee

Week of July 17, 2022 1. “A Midsummer NIght’s Dream” at Folger Theatre (at the National Building Museum) “With a script that has been edited down almost ruthlessly, a cast that is bo…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:31PM
Friday, July 22, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘Do it Now!’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre by Lynne Menefee

William Donald Schaefer’s signature phrase “Do it Now!” is the appropriately-titled, new musical based on his time as the four-term mayor of Baltimore City. It’s not surprising that …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 04:31PM
Friday, July 15, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘SIX The Musical” at the The National Theatre in DC by Lynne Menefee

  Most British school children recite the rhyme a few times a year to remember the date of each of Henry VIII’s wives: “Divorced, Beheaded, Died: Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.” Since …

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 04:23PM
Thursday, July 14, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at the Young Victorian Theatre Company by Lynne Menefee

At long last, Young Victorian Theatre Company (YVTC) can celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary (though two years late due to the pandemic) and is back in its original home on the Gilman School c…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 08:55PM

Top 5 Shows of the Week by Lynne Menefee

  Week of June 26, 2022 1. “The Music Man” at Olney Theatre Center “…a thunderous success. Don’t miss this most amazing production. It’s a summertime must and perfect for all ag…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:37AM

Top 5 Shows of the Week by Lynne Menefee

Week of June 19, 2022 1. “Fires in the Mirror” at Theater J “LaVoy is so effective at embodying each character that there were times when I had to remind myself that every monologue wa…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:03AM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022

News: Synetic Theatre’s 2022-2023 Season, Stranger in a Strange Land by Lynne Menefee

“Synetic is thrilled to share the 2022–2023 season, which explores ‘otherness’ and our relationships to those who are different. When I first came to this country as a refugee, I did…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:14PM
Wednesday, June 22, 2022

News: Best Medicine Rep Theater Company Announces Ambitious Sixth Season by Lynne Menefee

Five Comedies Selected for Production in Final Year at Lakeforest Mall Best Medicine Rep, Gaithersburg’s professional theater company, is proud to announce the plays selected for its sixth…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:29PM
Sunday, June 19, 2022

News: Kennedy Center Celebrates the 30th Millionth Global Guest of ‘Jersey Boys’ by Lynne Menefee

(WASHINGTON)—The Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, celebrated a major milestone at the John F. Kennedy…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 06:43PM
Friday, June 17, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘Hairspray’ at the Hippodrome by Lynne Menefee

Hey, hons! The musical “Hairspray,” based on John Water’s 1988 film, has come home to “Bawlmer” and is currently playing at the Hippodrome. The movie was Waters’ first mainstream…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 07:10PM
Thursday, June 9, 2022

Theatre Review: ‘Crying at Television’ at Everyman Theatre by Lynne Menefee

Baltimore’s native son and Park School alum, R. Eric Thomas, is having a banner year so far with three world-premiere plays over the last few months in Philadelphia and two in his hometown…

SOURCE: mdtheatreguide.com at 01:20PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards