Photo courtesy of Janet Olsen. Stephen Deininger poses with the cast of "Company," a play considered by many to have inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. "Company" runs weekends through June 21 at the Laurel Mill Playhouse.

Published on: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

2nd Star Productions

Bowie Playhouse at White Marsh Park

6314 Crain Highway, Bowie,

301-809-307

www.2ndstarproductions.com

"The Secret Garden," June 4 through June 27.

Directed by Jane B. Wingard, this enchanting classic of children's literature is a brilliant musical by a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright. Orphaned in India, an 11-year-old girl returns to Yorkshire to live with an embittered, reclusive uncle and his invalid son. The estate includes a magic locked garden. Flashbacks, dream sequences, a strolling chorus of ghosts, and some of the most beautiful music ever written for Broadway dramatize “The Secret Garden's” compelling tale of regeneration. This Tony Award winner is a treasure for children and adults.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Additional performances on Thursday, June 17 and June 24 at 8 p.m.

Chesapeake Choral Arts Society

PO Box 476

Port Tobacco

Carol Charnock, president

301-642-0594 or 301-934-5447

www.chesapeakechoral.com

"Chesapeake Choral Arts Society Spring Concert," will be presented on June 13 at 3:30 pm at the La Plata United Methodist Church, 3 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata (near the intersection of Rts. 6 and 301). Tickets will be $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. A reception will follow the concert.

Tickets may be purchased from CCAS members and will also be available at the door.

The concert will feature Randall Thompson's "Frostiana: Seven Country Songs," words by Robert Frost, and John Rutter's "Requiem." 

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland

University of Maryland, College Park.

For more information, call 301-405-7794 or visit www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

National Orchestral Institute and Festival, June 3-26.

The month of June is a classical music lover's delight at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center as the National Orchestral Institute & Festival offers a rich array of orchestral and chamber music performances.

Now in its 23rd year, this renowned summer program of the UM School of Music brings nearly 100 aspiring orchestral musicians between the ages of 18 and 28 to CSPAC to work with three internationally known conductors and a distinguished faculty of professionals from major ensembles.

Public events run June 3-26, and will include three full orchestral concerts, a NOI faculty chamber music recital, an afternoon marathon of chamber music and the second New Lights concert, in which select players from NOI 2009 return to perform works by leading American composers. 

Additionally, three open rehearsals of the NOI Philharmonic are offered free of charge. Throughout four weeks of intensive music-making, players participate in rehearsals, performances, mock auditions, sectionals, master classes and seminars designed to prepare them for successful careers in professional orchestras.

The 2010 resident conductors include Daniel Hege, music director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra; Miguel Harth-Bedoya, music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; and Asher Fisch, recently appointed principal guest conductor of the Seattle Opera.

Ticketed performances include NOI Chamber Orchestra, June 5 at 8 p.m.; NOI Philharmonic I, June 12 at 8 p.m. (Daniel Hege conducting); NOI Philharmonic II, June 19 at 8 p.m. (Asher Fisch conducting) and NOI Philharmonic III, June 26 at 8 p.m. (Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducting).

Tickets are $25 for the general public and $9 for full-time students with I.D. State employees may receive additional discounts through the Maryland Citizens for the Arts StepUp program. Tickets can be

 purchased at www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu or by calling (301) 405-ARTS (2787).

Greenbelt Arts Center

123 Centerway, Greenbelt

301-441-8770 or visit www.greenbeltartscenter.org.

"Moon Over Buffalo," through May 29.

The hilarious comedy centers on two fading repertory stars in 1950's Buffalo. Not only have they lost their last chance at leads in a Frank Capra film, but their agent loves her, he is involved with the company ingénue and he battles with his deaf mother-in-law.

Add to the mix their newly engaged daughter, her timid fiancé and her former lover. Since the company cannot decide if they're playing “Private Lives” or “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the plot is filled with misunderstandings.

This play is about misplaced affections and missing persons.

Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees: May 16, at 2 p.m. May 23, at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 general admission, and $12 for seniors and students.

Laurel Mill Playhouse

508 Main St., Laurel

www.laurelmillplayhouse.org.

Contact Maureen Rogers at maureencrogers@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

"Company," through June 13.

The clashing sounds and pulsing rhythms of New York City underscore this landmark "concept" show, considered by many to have inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. "Company" follows our anti-hero bachelor Robert as he makes his way through a series of encounters with April (the stewardess), Kathy (the girl who's going to marry someone else), Marta (the "peculiar" one), as well as with his married friends.

On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state. In vignette after hilarious vignette, we are introduced to "those good and crazy people," his married friends, as Robert weighs the pros and cons of married life. In the end, he realizes being alone is "alone, not alive."

Performances run weekends May 21 through June 13, with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission; and $13 for students (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). For reservations, call 301-617-9906 and press 2.

The United States Air Force Band Chamber Players Series

Robert V. Setera Amphitheater, Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie. This free concert is offered as a public service; tickets are not required. For information, call The United States Air Force Band's Concert Line at 202-767-5658 or visit www.usafband.af.mil.

"The United States Air Force Band - Airmen of Note," Sunday, June 6, at 7 p.m.

Prince George's Arts Council

301-277-1402

http://www.princegeorgesartscouncil.org/

Father's Day concert, Sunday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie. Free parking available. Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, blankets, family and friends!