Tag Archives: John Cusumano

Upstage Artists presents The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical, Jul 25-Aug 3

Upstage Artists presents The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical, Jul 25-Aug 3

Upstage Artists presents:
The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical
By Wendy Woolf
Book and lyrics by Pat Lyderson
Directed By John Cusumano

Show Dates: July 25-27 and August 1-3, 2025

Location: Upstage Artists, performing at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville MD, 20705

Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist and create heroes and villains for the comic books he loves so much. As the janitor at Wonder Comics, he anxiously awaits the day that his boss, D.C. Wunderman, will see his drawings and give him the chance to have his superheroes come alive on the printed page. Stanley’s heroes come alive, all right — but not on the printed page! In an effort to revive his faltering company, Wunderman had ordered a set of magical pens guaranteed to bring to life any character drawn. When plans go awry and his staff of artists unwittingly create the dreaded super-villain Doctor Shock Clock, it is up to Stanley to save the day w ith his own superheroes — charismatic but egotistical Star Guy, speedy Triple Time, environmentally correct Blossom, and cranky little Wombat Woman! Stanley’s heroes battle Shock Clock and his henchmen, the Minutos, only to be saved in the end by the greatest superhero of them all — Eraser Man (aka Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz)!

Tickets: $11.50. For more information click here.

Auditions for The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical by Upstage Artists, May 17-18

Auditions for The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical by Upstage Artists, May 17-18

Upstage Artists announces auditions for:
The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist The Musical
By Wendy Woolf
Book and lyrics by Pat Lyderson
Directed By John Cusumano

This is our annual children’s show. All auditioners will be children.

Audition dates: May 17, 2025 at 10am, May 18, 2025 at 1pm

Performances: July 25-27 and August 1-3, 2025

Location: Laurel Mill Playhouse

Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz wants nothing more than to become a comic book artist and create heroes and villains for the comic books he loves so much. As the janitor at Wonder Comics, he anxiously awaits the day that his boss, D.C. Wunderman, will see his drawings and give him the chance to have his superheroes come alive on the printed page. Stanley’s heroes come alive, all right — but not on the printed page! In an effort to revive his faltering company, Wunderman had ordered a set of magical pens guaranteed to bring to life any character drawn. When plans go awry and his staff of artists unwittingly create the dreaded super-villain Doctor Shock Clock, it is up to Stanley to save the day w ith his own superheroes — charismatic but egotistical Star Guy, speedy Triple Time, environmentally correct Blossom, and cranky little Wombat Woman! Stanley’s heroes battle Shock Clock and his henchmen, the Minutos, only to be saved in the end by the greatest superhero of them all — Eraser Man (aka Stanley Leonardo Sappovitz)!

For more information and to fill in the form, click here.

Upstage Artists presents Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Apr 25-May 4

Upstage Artists presents Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Apr 25-May 4

Upstage Artists presents:
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
by Todd Kreidler
directed by John Cusumano

Show Dates: April 25-27 and May 2-4, 2025

Location: Upstage Artists, performing at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville MD, 20705

A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiance home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Blindsided by their daughter’s whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, Matt and Christina Drayton quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family — especially in 1967. But they’re surprised to find they aren’t the only ones with concerns about the match, and it’s not long before a multi-family clash of racial and generational difference sweeps across the Draytons’ idyllic San Francisco terrace. At the end of the day, will the love between young Joanna and John prevail? With humor and insight, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner begins a conversation sure to continue at dinner tables long after the curtain comes down.

Tickets: $11.50. For more information click here.

Auditions for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Upstage Artists, Mar 25 & 27

Auditions for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Upstage Artists, Mar 25 & 27

Upstage Artists announces auditions for:
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
by Todd Kreidler
directed by John Cusumano

Audition dates: March 25 & 27, 2025 at 7pm

Performances: April 25-27 and May 2-4, 2025

Location: Laurel Mill Playhouse

A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiance home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Blindsided by their daughter’s whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, Matt and Christina Drayton quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family — especially in 1967. But they’re surprised to find they aren’t the only ones with concerns about the match, and it’s not long before a multi-family clash of racial and generational difference sweeps across the Draytons’ idyllic San Francisco terrace. At the end of the day, will the love between young Joanna and John prevail? With humor and insight, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner begins a conversation sure to continue at dinner tables long after the curtain comes down.

For more information and to fill in the form, click here.

Upstage Artists presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Aug 16-25

Upstage Artists presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Aug 16-25

Upstage Artists presents:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
music by Tim Kelly
lyrics by Bill Francoeur
directed by John Cusumano

Show dates: August 16 – 25, 2024
August 16, 17, 23 & 24, 2024 at 7:30
August 18 & 25 at 2:00 pm

Location: Upstage Artists, performing at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville MD, 20705

All our old friends, plus a few new ones, are here in this classic, marvelous musical adaptation. We’ll meet the captivating Princess Snow White, the prince, the evil queen, and, of course, the seven mischievous dwarfs – Sarge, Gabby, Gloomy Gus, Ticklish, Spritely, Snore, and Slowpoke. There’s also a hilarious palace cat and an enchanted vixen — a fox, you could say! Following the traditional storyline, the fairy tale is brought to life with an eclectic score of toe-tapping tunes.

This is our family show with a cast made up primarily of children with a few adult roles.

Tickets: $11.50. For more information click here.