Tag Archives: Bowie Maryland

Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came To America at the Bowie CPA, Mar 24

Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came To America at the Bowie CPA, Mar 15

Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came to America
by Anna Mwalagho

Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7pm

Location: Bowie Center for the Performing Arts.

Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came to America is a riveting one-woman theatrical experience by Anna Mwalagho — actress, singer, poet, storyteller, and cultural truth-teller. Through an unforgettable blend of comedy, storytelling, poetry, prose, music, and lived anecdotes, Mwalagho invites audiences into her deeply personal journey of identity, migration, and belonging.

The play traces the winding road of challenges and triumphs faced by an African woman navigating life in America — where race, culture, and self-definition collide in unexpected ways. With wit, vulnerability, and fearless honesty, Mwalagho explores a truth many overlook: migration is not new; it is the story of humanity itself. Yet each journey carries its own cost, courage, and transformation.

By turns hilarious, poignant, and thought-provoking, the performance disarms with laughter before confronting audiences with questions that linger long after the curtain falls. As the final words echo — “At some point, we have all been immigrants, searching for a place called home in a foreign land” — the play leaves viewers both challenged and healed.

A labor of love and a lifelong dream, Never Thought I Was Black Till I Came to America celebrates African identity, honors common humanity, and dares to tell the stories too often left unheard. Written and performed by Anna Mwalagho, and edited and debut directed by Mkawasi Mcharo Hall, this bold and unapologetic work is more than a performance — it is a movement.

Tickets: $32. Click here.

Women Playing Hamlet by the Bowie Community Theatre at the Bowie Playhouse, Mar 6-29

Women Playing Hamlet by the Bowie Community Theatre at the Bowie Playhouse, Mar 6-29

The Bowie Community Theatre at the Bowie Playhouse presents:
Women Playing Hamlet
by William Missouri Downs

Performance Dates: March 6 – 29, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM, Sunday matinees at 2PM

Location: Bowie Community Theatre at the Bowie Playhouse

Struggling TV soap actress Jessica is offered a role she’s not sure she wants – Hamlet. As she copes with the insane idea (and the occasional threatening text from Sir Patrick Stewart), she encounters a wide-ranging ensemble of challenging characters – including an abusive acting coach, a bratty hacker niece, a cougar mom, a worldwise bartender, a sexist creep professor and a Shakespearean gravedigger – all played by women. Jessica’s journey to find herself in the role is a humorous and insightful exploration of gender, identity, and the challenges of acting.

Tickets: $25/Adults, $20/Seniors/Students, click here.

Auditions for Shrek the Musical by 2nd Star Productions, Feb 3 & 5

Auditions for Shrek the Musical by 2nd Star Productions, Feb 3 & 5

2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse announces auditions for:
Shrek the Musical
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig
Directed by Sami Peterson-Ferrell
Produced by Ashley Killam & Lauren Riley Sayles
Choreographed by Rosslyn Burrs
Music Directed by Willie Hadnot, Jr.

Audition dates: February 3 & 5, 2026

Performances: May 29 – June 27, 2026

Location: Laurel Mill Playhouse

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

For more information, click here.

The Color Purple: A Fundraising Experience, at the Bowie CPA, Feb 1

The Color Purple: A Fundraising Experience, at the Bowie CPA, Feb 1

CenterStage Arts Alliance presents:
“The Color Purple” A Fundraising Experience
Director: Sherion Cosby
Choreographer: Shawn Cosby
Music Director: Juliet Lowery

Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3:00pm

Location: Bowie Center for the Performing Arts.

ONE NIGHT ONLY – Experience The Color Purple with BCPA and CSAA! A powerful fundraising event supporting community, arts, and impact. Help Us Reach Our $25,000 Goal and Transform Lives Through the Power of the Arts

Come join us for a mesmerizing performance of THE COLOR PURPLE at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts! Get ready to be swept away by the powerful story, incredible music, and talented cast. This in-person event promises to be a night to remember. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!

An inspiring story of hope and resilience, The Color Purple follows Celie, a young woman in the American South, as she overcomes hardship, finds her voice, and discovers the power of love and sisterhood. With a soul-stirring score of gospel, blues, and jazz, this Tony Award-winning musical is a celebration of triumph over adversity and the beauty of the human spirit.

Tickets: $45. Click here.

The Spitfire Grill by 2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse, Jan 23-Feb 8

The Spitfire Grill by 2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse, Jan 23-Feb 8

2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse presents:
The Spitfire Grill
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Directed by Karen Fleming
Produced By Crista Drysdale & Otega Okurume
Music Directed by Valerie A. Higgs

January 23 – February 8, 2026
Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm; closing Saturday at 2pm

2nd Star Productions at the Bowie Playhouse

Based on the hit film and featuring a gorgeous, folk-inspired score, THE SPITFIRE GRILL is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption and perseverance. Ex-convict Percy Talbott moves to Gilead, Wisconsin, a tiny town that has seen better days and isn’t looking to help a stranger. What she finds will help both town and outsider find their way to renewal.

Tickets for shows at Bowie Playhouse are $30.00 for General Admission, $27.00 for seniors (60 and over), military and full time students, and $19 for Children 11 and under. Buy tickets here.