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May 10, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

5 News Notes

Green Room Gang to Perform at Church Hill Theatre

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: 46 Talented young performers perform Seussical Kids and Anastasia Youth Edition on July 18-20th!

The Church Hill Theatre is set to come alive with vibrant performances as the Green Room Gang presents their annual summer productions. From July 18 to July 20, local young talents will captivate audiences with two beloved musicals: Seussical KIDS and Anastasia, the Musical, Youth Edition.

For over twenty-five years, the Green Room Gang has nurtured the artistic abilities of youth, fostering skills in acting, singing, and dancing to produce fully staged musicals. Seussical KIDS, adapted from the works of Dr. Seuss, and Anastasia, the Musical, Youth Edition, inspired by the popular motion picture and play, promise delightful entertainment for all ages.

Grace Sutherland directs the elementary school-aged performers in Seussical KIDS, while Courtney Adams directs the middle and high school students in Anastasia Youth Edition. Supporting them are assistant directors, Josh Hansen, Maya McGrory, and Riley Sutherland, who contribute significantly to instruction, rehearsal and tech. The production team includes Carmen Grasso for set construction, Tina and Erma Johnson for costumes, and Kat Melton for lighting. Krista Roark serves as a consultant choreographer with Natalie Stinchcomb and Kay Urrutia as high school apprentices. Steve Atkinson captures the moments as the photographer, while Ginger Ellis and Becca Van Aken act as producers and mentors. Sylvia Maloney serves as the CHT Education Chair.

This community-driven program sees many parents and volunteers contributing their time and efforts to create costumes, sets, and props, underscoring the collaborative spirit behind this cherished annual tradition.

Performance Schedule:

  • Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 PM
  • Friday, July 19 at 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 20 at 2:00 PM

Ticket Information: Tickets are priced at $12 for adults and $5 for students. Due to the popularity of this event, limited tickets are available. For more information, contact Church Hill Theatre at (410) 556-6003 or check out www.churchhilltheatre.org.

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Church Hill Theatre: New Board and New Season Announced

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Ginger Ellis: Volunteer of the Year

Church Hill Theatre reported a highly successful year at its annual membership meeting on June 18.  Staff, board members, actors, and audience fans enjoyed socializing before a short business meeting. Departing board members, Robert Bryan, Colleen Minahan, and Jennifer Moore, were thanked for their service. New members, Charles Michael Moore, Dianne Shelton and Becca Van Aken, were elected to three-year terms. CHT’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Ginger Ellis for her outstanding work supporting programs for young actors.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Church Hill Theatre 2025 season. Audiences can look forward to comedy, adventure, mystery, and soaring music as old favorites and fresh new plays begin in January and end in December. Along the way, CHT also will offer a number of one-night “book-ins” including jazz, cabaret, pop songs, a medium, a youth production, and stand-up comedy. The website: churchhilltheatre.org and the CHT Facebook page will have regular updates, scheduling information and opportunities for volunteer activities at the theatre.

The main stage productions will be:

January 10-12 The Belle of Amherst, by William Luce

March 14-30 The Philadelphia Story, by Philip Barry

June 6-22 The Bridges of Madison County (a musical), by Marsha Norman and Jason Robert Brown

September 12-28 Murder on the Orient Express, by Agatha Christie, adapted for stage by Ken Ludwig

November7-23 Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage

December 19-21 A Christmas Carol

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My Fair Lady Opens June 7 at Church Hill Theatre

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Eliza Doolittle, center, (Reanna Sherman), a flower girl in Covent Garden, sings Wouldn’t It Be Loverly with the Cockney Quartet: first row, Cecil (Oric Geist), and Jamie (Mark Wiening) along with second row, Harry (JW Ruth) and Bart (Robin Wood) in Church Hill Theatre’s production of My Fair Lady, opening on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Church Hill Theatre’s splendid revival of My Fair Lady opens on June 7 for a three-week run. Consistently rated one of the very best musicals of all time, My Fair Lady has gorgeous music, clever dialogue, and an unlikely love story. It ran for a then-record 2,717 performances on Broadway.

Director Sylvia Maloney puts her own spin on the Lerner & Loewe classic, itself based on George Bernard Shaw’s novel Pygmalion.  The story matches the upper class linguist Henry Higgins against Eliza Doolittle, an ambitious Cockney flower seller. With elocution lessons, will he be able to pass her off as “a duchess at an embassy ball?”  Will she be able to teach him basic human decency?  Spoiler: both Eliza and Henry eventually bring out the best in each other.

The plot is compelling—but the music is downright addictive.  Just try to read these song titles aloud without singing, or at least humming.  “With A Little Bit of Luck,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.”  This production has talented newcomers in the lead roles as well as a strong supporting cast and a live orchestra.

My Fair Lady opens on Friday, June 7 and will run through Sunday, June 23, with performances at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays.  Last year’s spring musical was sold out, so make your reservations early for CHT’s biggest production of the year.  Tickets are available online atwww.churchhilltheatre.org or by phone at (410) 556-6003.

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My Fair Lady Coming to Church Hill Theatre

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Mark your calendars and reserve your tickets now! Church Hill Theatre’s much awaited revival of My Fair Lady will open on June 7.  Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, Lerner & Loewe’s glorious musical has thrilled audiences since its Broadway opening in 1956.  Director Sylvia Maloney has gathered a stellar cast, with talented newcomers, experienced veterans, and a live orchestra to recreate Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from a Cockney flower girl to an elegant woman. With a new lighting system, a completely renovated stage, and more comfortable seating, CHT will pull out all the stops to make this production a memorable event.

Many of us recall the iconic performances of Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison in the original Broadway cast. More of us are familiar with “ear worm” melodies like “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “On the Street Where You Live,” or “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” All of us who see this revival will cherish the memory of a moving and improbable love story.

Eliza Doolittle, the Covent Garden flower girl, is played by CHT newcomer, Reanna Sherman. Henry Higgins, the linguist who discovers and mentors her, is Sevan Topjian, also making his CHT debut. Eddie Vance will portray Colonel Pickering, another linguist and Higgins’ friend.

Eliza’s irrepressible father, Alfred P. Doolittle, will be played by Herb Ziegler.  JW Ruth and Mark Wiening bring flair to the roles of Harry and Jamie, his disreputable drinking pals. Mrs. Pearce, Higgins’ housekeeper, played by Heather Joyce-Byers, tries her best to keep order.

Once Eliza’s elocution improves, she is introduced to society figures such as Henry’s mother, played by Debra McGuire, and family friends Mrs. Eynsford-Hill and her son Freddy, portrayed by Juanita Wieczoreck and Noah Thompson. At a “graduation” ball, Eliza convinces everyone, including Higgins’ rival Zoltan Karpathy (Ian Stotts) that she is actually a Hungarian princess.

Ensemble players portray Cockney characters, servants, and the attendees at the Ascot Races and the Embassy Ball. They are Stephanie Chambers, Jeff Daly, Ben Daly, Oric Geist, Jim Johnson, Jean Leverage, Howard Mesick, Heather Robuck, Riley Rosati, Siroon Topjian, Van Topjian, Helen Willard, and Robin Wood. Musical Director Erin Bradley, who will conduct the live orchestra, and piano accompanist Grace Wheatley have been working with the cast from the beginning of rehearsals.

My Fair Lady opens on Friday, June 7 and will run through Sunday, June 23, with performances at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays.  Tickets are available online at churchhilltheatre.org or by phone at (410) 556-6003.

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“Charley’s Aunt” Opens Church Hill Theatre 2024 Season

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Charley’s Aunt, by Brandon Thomas, one of the world’s all-time funniest and most successful plays, is the perfect introduction to Church Hill Theatre’s 2024 season. Directed by Charles Michael Moore, Charley’s Aunt will run from March 8 to 24, with a new evening starting time at 7:30 pm.

Who knew that class, gender, sexism and patriarchy were such burning (and hilarious) issues that Charley’s Aunt would smash attendance records when it opened at London’s Theatre Royal in 1892? Almost a century-and-a half later, the issues are just as relevant—and the comedy is just as fresh. We all know the title but few of us have seen the play. This superlative revival makes us wonder where Charley’s aunt has been all those intervening years.

Charley, Jack, and Babbs are well-born Oxford University students struggling to conduct a robust social life on limited allowances. In love with way-too-well-chaperoned Amy and Kitty, Jack and Charley concoct a romantic luncheon to be supervised by Charley’s aunt visiting from Brazil. But nothing goes as planned. When the aunt is delayed, the boys’ friend Babbs is convinced to impersonate the elderly, and very wealthy, Donna Lucia. Then, the planning gets really twisted. While Jack’s father and the girls’ guardian (both suffering financial woes) woo the supposed aunt, the real Donna Lucia arrives, with a young woman companion. The young men’s college scout, or manservant, contrives even more complications. But, of course, by the end of the play, true love triumphs and characters (and audiences) leave in good spirits.

The Oxford undergrads are Jack Chesney (Dominic Delcoco), Charley Wykeham (James Fordi), and Lord Fancourt Babberley (Ian Stotts). Jack’s dashing father, Colonel Sir Francis Chesney, is played by Patrick Pearce. Eddie Vance plays Brassett, the devious college scout. Amy Spettigue (Izzie Squire Southworth) and Kitty Verdun (Noelle Wheeler) are hounded by their guardian Stephen Spettigue (Gil Rambaugh). The mysterious, but not old and ugly, Donna Lucia D’Alvadorez is portrayed by Minnie Maloney. Her lovely young friend, Eli Delahay, is played by Brianna Johnson.

Charleys AuntDirector Charles Michael Moore, who recently appeared in CHT’s Harvey, is ably assisted by his producer, Bonnie Hill, and stage manager, Jean Messick. Others on the production team include Doug Kaufmann, Earl Lewin, Cassi Pinder, Connie Fallon, Tina Johnson, Wendy Wiseman, and Carmelo Grasso.

Charley’s Aunt opens March 8 and runs until March 24, with performances at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Ample free parking is available at the nearby town lot. Tickets are available by calling the CHT office at 410-556-6003 Monday through Friday between 11:00 and 4:30, or on the CHT website: churchhilltheatre.org.

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Church Hill Theatre Offering Basic Acting Skills for Students (B.A.S.S.)

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Church Hill Theatre is pleased to offer students a chance to bask in the glow of the footlights in a series of Saturday workshops. Basic Acting Skills for Students is an expanded program formerly called Basic Acting Skills for Kid (BASK) and allows 2nd – 10th graders to use games and exercises to learn about improvisation, character development, and scene preparation. The students’ exploration of poetry, scene, storytelling, and movement concludes with a performance for family and friends, scheduled for March 9

In 2024, the program will include two class levels: students in grades 2 -5, and students in grades 6-10. The program will be taught by Becca Van Aken, program founder and experienced theater and public-school teacher and currently Assistant Principal of Centreville Elementary School. According to Ms. Van Aken, “Creating a second level allows the program to offer age-appropriate materials to each group.  Having two classes allows for differentiation to meet our young actors’ needs.”

Classes will be held on Saturdays beginning February 10, running through March 9.  The BASS Jr class (2nd to 5th graders) will run from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.  The BASS Sr. class (6th to 10th graders) will run from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

The cost of the class is $110. CHT Members receive a 10% discount on the cost of the class. Partial scholarships are also available. For more information or to register for the class interested parents can go to the Church Hill Theare website: www.churchhilltheatre.org/education, or call the theater office at (410) 556-6003 between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Registration for BASS closes January 26, 2024

The mission of the CHT youth education program is to offer exposure, experiences, and performance opportunities to the youth of the community.

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My Fair Lady Auditions at Church Hill Theatre

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Church Hill Theatre proudly announces auditions for the time-honored musical My Fair Lady will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 21 at 3 P.M, followed by more auditions on Tuesday and Thursday, January 23 and 25 at 6 P.M.

This favorite Lerner and Lowe masterpiece is being directed by Sylvia Maloney, with Erin Bradley as Music Director, and Cavin Moore as Choreographer. Production dates are weekends beginning June 7, 2024, through June 23, 2024

My Fair Lady is based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, and opened on Broadway in March of 1956, featuring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison in the leading roles. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, so that she may pass as a lady. Despite his cynical nature and difficulty understanding women, Higgins grows attached to her.

The production has seven principal roles available, men and women, ages 20s through 60s, along with six supporting roles, but the most interesting roles are in the acting, singing, and dancing ensemble who have the opportunity to play four different characters within the show. The ensemble men’s and women’s ages range from teens to adults in their 70s. For the vocal audition, please prepare a song, similar in genre to the music of My Fair Lady, but not from the show. Please bring two copies of the sheet music. Auditioners should be prepared to read from the script and to learn a brief dance routine.  Technicians are also needed and are encouraged to attend auditions.  Character descriptions with vocal ranges and age information can be found on the Church Hill Theatre website, at www. churchhilltheatre.org. For additional information, call Sylvia Maloney at 410-778-3783 or email: [email protected].

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RhythmXpress Dance Showcase at Church Hill Theatre

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RhythmXpress will perform its choreographic magic in a “A Night at the Movies” on Monday, December 18 at 7 pm. The one night only program will include solo, partner and group choreography set to a variety of favorite movie theme-songs.

RhythmXpress Dance Team:
Back: Chris Dooley, Thomas Rickloff, Olivia AugustMiddle: Alicia Gouge, Claire Blumberg, Robert WallopFront: Abby Gibbons, Coach Jackie Moreland Not Pictured: Michelle Andrade

RhythmXpress, LLC provides competitive and leadership opportunities for dancers with various intellectual disabilities. Coached by Jacki Moreland, founder of Beyond the Ballroom, RhythmXpress was featured recently at the 2023 Global Down Syndrome Gala in Washington DC. The company has provided support and entertainment for numerous charitable organizations, including GiGi’s Playhouse and the Special Olympics Maryland Polar Bear Plunge. Dancers will include two International Special Olympic DanceSport champions, Chris Dooley and Robert Wallop. Robert is also the reigning 2023 USA Dance ProAm champion in Bronze American Smooth and Rhythm. Other dancers are Michelle Andrade, Olivia August, Claire Blumberg, Abby Gibbons, Alicia Gogue, and Thomas Rickloff.

Church Hill Theatre is delighted to host this special event in its historic Art Deco theater at 103 Walnut Street in Church Hill, Maryland. RhythmXpress will entertain audiences of all ages. Tickets are $15 cash only and can be purchased at the door. The dancers are excited to showcase their talents and look forward to sharing this fun evening with you!

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Church Hill Theatre is Giving A Ball

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In 1983, three couples in Queen Anne’s County formed the Friends for Church Hill Preservation. Those couples comprised Howard and Mary Wood, Howard and Jan Burns, and John and Sue Gutting.  Their purpose was to preserve the Church Hill Theatre from demolition. They began a fundraising campaign that succeeded in saving the theater and starting a renovation that allowed it to re-open the following year.

40 years later, Church Hill Theatre is having a party to celebrate their success. It’s being called, The Saved from the Wrecking Ball Ball., and will be held in the theater on October 27, 2023 at 7:30.  Everyone is invited to join us.

This ball is being planned as a laid-back evening of fun with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a DJ playing a mix of new and old dance music, and a smattering of Church Hill Theatre history.  A slide show of old and new photos will play on stage and memorabilia will be on display around the room.  There will be a champagne toast during the evening to recognize those who made saving the theater possible. Anyone with stories, photos, or documents from that period are urged to contact the theater office at (410) 556-6003.  We want to include all of the memories we can find.

The cost of the ball is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.churchhilltheatre.org. More information can be found on the website or by calling the theater office Monday through Friday between 11:00 and 4:00.

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Church Hill Theatre’s “God of Carnage” Selects Cast to Open November 3

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Next  up at Church Hill Theatre in November is a powerful modern drama that takes a playground argument into the oh-so-civilized world of adults. While sticks and stones can break your bones, words certainly can be just as hurtful. After two young boys begin an argument with fists, their parents meet to sort things out over a friendly drink. Frequently hilarious, often disturbing and always thought-provoking, God of Carnage is not a sit-com.

Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage peels off the sophisticated veneer of her characters and CHT director Michael Whitehill has assembled a cast worthy of this Olivier and Tony award winning play.  Eastern Shore audiences rarely experience cutting-edge contemporary drama, especially in such a polished production.  God of Carnage will open November 3 and run for three weekends.

Annette and Alan are young, privileged and certain that their education and social status will, as usual, smooth things over.  Annette, a wealth-manager, is played by Brianna Johnson, a versatile young actor who recently played both the ditzy Myrtle Mae in Harvey as well as Honey in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?  J.W. Ruth is totally believable as Alan, her lawyer husband with a serious cell-phone addiction. Ruth is best known locally for his comic parts, as in Psycho Beach Party or Sense and Sensibility, but is well-cast in this more serious role.

Michael and Veronica are older, equally prosperous if not equally posh, and anxious to settle their boy’s problem.  Michael is a self-employed wholesaler with a sick mother and Veronica is a lefty intellectual writing a book about refugees in Darfur. Christopher Wallace (remember him as the mad barber in Sweeney Todd?) nails Michael’s mental and physical toughness. Veronica is played by Christine Kinlock, an emotionally intelligent actor recently seen at CHT in Other Desert Cities, who has done everything from Shakespeare to drawing room comedy.

God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, opens November 3 and runs weekends at Church Hill Theatre until November 19, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are already available on line at churchhilltheatre.org or through the office at 410-556-6003.

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