Disney's "Little Mermaid" by Charm City Players

I was so excited to see "Little Mermaid" with my 8-year old.  Loved how they had so many cardboard cutouts in the lobby and that the cast was milling around beforehand and at intermission.  This was definitely a good one.

Here's my review:

The Little Mermaid

"Mulan Jr" by Court Jester's Young People's Theatre at CCBC Essex

This was definitely one of the more enjoyable shows I've seen.  Who doesn't love Disney?  Who doesn't love a story about a girl who risks everything to save her family (girl power!)?  The professionalism of the kids performing was amazing (as always), and we all loved the songs.  My 5-year old basically had some of the songs on repeat for the rest of the week.

Here's my review:

Mulan Jr.

"Spamalot" at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre

I've heard so much about Monty Python that I had to check out "Spamalot" with my friend, Jen.  Now I know why I've never watched it before.  It just so wasn't my thing.  It was definitely a tough one to endure.  I found myself groaning instead of laughing.  Shows how everyone has different opinions because the audience seemed to really enjoy it.

Here's my review:

Spamalot

"The Gazebo" at Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre

I brought my English major friend to this one.  I really haven't seen many plays.  This one was ok, but really, musicals are just much more entertaining.  There's dancing and singing... you have to be incredibly multi-talented.

This was an interesting space, with tables where you sit with strangers.  I'm kind of introverted so wasn't keen on sitting with people I didn't know, but they were friendly enough.

Here's my review:

The Gazebo

"Julius Caesar" at Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

Not sure how I got myself into this one.  I'm not going to lie; I don't get Shakespeare.  I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that, but I have found that other people just don't get Shakespeare either.  But when the theatre guide scheduler called and said they needed someone, how could I say no?  After all, in my head I was thinking 'I didn't get Shakespeare in high school, but as a forty-something, surely I'll understand it."  Ummm... I thought wrong.

I thought the show would be "Twelfth Night" so I rented the movie (via Amazon Prime) and watched part of it... and was surprised that it wasn't THAT bad.  Stupid me.  I ended up at opening night of "Julius Caesar," not "Twelfth Night," and I hadn't done research on that one (although I did watch the BBC miniseries afterwards to try to understand the plot better).

This one was not an enjoyable experience.  We couldn't find the place.  We were outside on our folding chairs (thankfully, we had the foresight to bring them!)  It was buggy and warm.  The sounds of nature were so loud you couldn't hear the actors.  There was no scenery, and the costumes were strange for a play set in ancient Rome.

I brought my English major friend with me, and she didn't get it either.  I think with a full bottle of wine (Italian, of course), maybe it would have been better?

Here's my review:

Julius Caesar

"Heathers" at Red Branch Theatre (Columbia)

I remember "Heathers" as being something like an '80s version of "Mean Girls."  Ummm...  I was wrong.  I made the HUGE mistake of taking my 11-year old to see the show (which I thought I had researched beforehand to make sure it was ok for younger audiences).  It was the most inappropriate show I have ever seen.  It seemed like there was so much swearing and so many sexual innuendos.  At one point, JD and Veronica are in bed; at another point, two guys are trying to make Veronica do things she just doesn't want to do.  And that doesn't even consider that the whole plot is about (gasp) killing people.  I wanted to crawl under my chair.  I wanted to take my daughter out of there immediately.  I was so mad at myself.

Obviously, it was tough to enjoy the show when I was completely mortified.  The songs were great -- many were memorable -- but we couldn't even listen to them since they had so much cursing and sex stuff (to the nth degree).  UGGH.

Here's my review:

Heathers

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" by September Song at Carroll Arts Center

I couldn't see "Joseph" without thinking of my bat mitzvah (almost 30 years ago -- yikes!).  I still remembered "go, go, go Joseph" and the song which listed all the colors of Joseph's amazing coat.  So glad I could share the experience with my 11-year old.

Here's my review:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat