Category Archives: Comedy

The Methuen Drama Books of Suffrage Plays at Venus Theatre, Mar 16-Apr 9

The Methuen Drama Books of Suffrage Plays at Venus Theatre, Mar 16-Apr 9

SELECTIONS FROM: The Methuen Drama Books of Suffrage Plays
Edited by Naomi Paxton

By Cicely Hamilton, Christopher St. John, Beatrice Harraden, Evelyn Glover, H. V. Esmond, Mrs. Holloway Phibbs, H. M. Paull, and George Middleton

March 16 – April 9, 2017
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

Location: Venus Theatre.

Suffrage plays are Edwardian comedies created to entertain women as the picketed and protested for the right to vote at the other turn of the century. Quick, witty, and entertaining, these plays were often inspired from real events. American women went to England where they learned the tactics of the Suffrage women. This included such activities as ballooning over Parliament and ripping the greens of the golf course with the words, “No Vote. No Golf” among many many other things. For the Americans having gathered every detail of Congressmen and Senators right down to the names of the pets, children, wives, and favorite foods and vacationing spots, to no avail after decades of kind attempts, this new approach would prove both controversial and effective. Erased from history for a century, Venus brings these plays back to life to celebrate the strong shoulders of women on which we all stand today. “There were over 400 female playwrights in Britain between the years 1900 and 1920, a period which witnessed enormous political and social change.”

Tickets are $40 or $20 for Friend of Venus. Buy tickets here.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Laurel Mill Playhouse, Feb 17-Mar 12

Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Laurel Mill Playhouse, Feb 17-Mar 12

Laughter on the 23rd Floor
by Neil Simon
Directed by John D’Amato
Produced by Maureen Rogers

Friday February 17, 2017 through Sunday March 12, 2017
Sunday matinee performances on March 5 & 12, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

Location: Laurel Mill Playhouse

Inspired by Neil Simon’s early career experience as a junior writer for Your Show of Shows, the play focuses on Sid Caesar-like Max Prince, the star of a weekly comedy-variety show circa 1953, and his staff, including Simon’s alter-ego Lucas Brinkman, who maintains a running commentary on the writing, fighting, and wacky antics which take place in the writer’s room.

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French. Performances run weekends from Friday February 17, 2017 through Sunday March 12, 2017 with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission. Admission for students (12 and under), active duty military and seniors (65 and over) is $15. Tickets can be purchased here. For further information, please call 301-617-9906 and press 2, or contact Maureen Rogers at maureencrogers@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

Peter and the Starcatcher by 2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse, Feb 10-25

Peter and the Starcatcher by 2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse, Feb 10-25

Peter and the Starcatcher
February 10 – 25, 2017
Book by Rick Elice
Music by Wayne Barker
Directed by Mary Wakefield
Produced by Nathan Bowen
Assistant Directed by John Dickson Wakefield

2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse

​2nd Star is excited to present the area premiere of this 2012 Tony-winning play. This 2012 Tony-winning play is a wildly imaginative adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels, telling how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.

The Importance of Being Earnest at Clarice Smith, Feb 10-18

The Importance of Being Earnest at Clarice Smith, Feb 10-18

The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Amber McGinnis Jackson
February 10-18, 2017

Fri, Feb 10, 2017. 7:30PM
Sat, Feb 11, 2017. 2:00PM
Sat, Feb 11, 2017. 7:30PM
Sun, Feb 12, 2017. 2:00PM
Wed, Feb 15, 2017. 7:30PM
Thu, Feb 16, 2017. 7:30PM
Fri, Feb 17, 2017. 7:30PM
Sat, Feb 18, 2017. 2:00PM

Venue: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Kogod Theatre, general admission.

Cecily and Gwendolyn know that the only really safe name for a suitable suitor is Earnest. But Algy and Jack, the two blundering suitors who set out to woo them, don’t let a little detail like that stand in their way. The main thing standing in their way is the formidable Lady Bracknell, who is intent on ensuring everything is properly buttoned up. Alas, the game of Victorian-era courting goes hilariously awry in this beloved classic comedy of manners.

Tickets: General Public $25, Student/Youth $10, NextLEVEL $20. Buy tickets here.

Tags: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park Maryland, The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde, Amber McGinnis Jackson

A Visit from Scarface at the Greenbelt Arts Center, Jan 20-Feb 11

A Visit from Scarface at the Greenbelt Arts Center, Jan 20-Feb 11

A Visit from Scarface
By V. Cate and Duke Ernsberger
Directed by Keith Brown

January 20 – February 11, 2017
January 20, 21, 27, 28, February 3, 4, 10, 11 at 8PM
January 29 and February 5 at 2PM

Location: Greenbelt Arts Center

It’s 1932, and the famous Hollywood writer Ben Hecht has just finished his screenplay for a movie produced by Howard Hughes called SCARFACE, loosely based on the real life story of Al Capone. Hecht’s agent shows up at his Hollywood apartment to get the script, but it’s missing! Capone has sent a couple of his associates to have a little “talk” about the script with Ben. The action and dialog flies faster than bullets as Hecht tries to get the script back while dodging the gangsters, his agent, a blond starlet, a woman form the movie censor board, a drunk neighbor, and the house detective.

Ticket prices: $22 General Admission, $20 Students/Seniors/Military, $12 Youth (12 and under with adult). Buy tickets here.