Author Archives: Mike Spain
About Mike Spain
Mike Spain writes for the Examiner covering Blues Music around Washington, D.C. He also writes for the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where his writing has been published on Associated Content, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com. Mike lives in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to live music, skiing and fishing. The Who’s Tommy at Shenandoah University
I have seen the band in concert several times and I have seen the National Touring show of The Who’s Tommy. I knew Shenandoah University had a great reputation for dance, drama and music. However, I was not sure they could pull off this rock musical. I was corrected! Continue reading
Civilization (All You Can Eat) at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
My guest and I went hog-wild over the lunacy and ferociousness of Jason Grote’s Civilization (All You Can Eat), which is playing at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. It was thrilling watching Woolly company members and some of the DC area’s most talented actors – Daniel Escobar, Naomi Jacobson, Sarah Marshall, JaBen Early, Alice Gibson, Tia James, Sean Meehan, Casie Platt, and Jenna Sokolowski – on the stage. Continue reading
Three Bears at 1st Stage
Three Bears is a creative and entertaining twist on a classic fairy tale. Three bears, a janitor, and an animal control officer create a wild time on stage. The show could best be described as a funny musical geared for younger audiences while being slightly interactive. Continue reading
End Days at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Recently we have heard the end of the world is near from the current Mayan Calendar running out – to Harold Camping’s prediction of the Rapture last May. Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s latest zany and though-provoking production of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s End … Continue reading
Rooms: A Rock Romance at The Elden Street Players
The Elden Street Players’ Industrial Strength Theatre was packed for the opening night of Rooms: A Rock Romance. It was also the musical’s Washington area Community Theatre premiere. The show stars Kate Roehr as Monica P. Miller and Michael J. … Continue reading
Dead Man’s Mambo at Maryland Shakespeare Festival
Maryland Shakespeare Festival in conjunction with the OMBELLICO Mask Ensemble brought something different to the Frederick Cultural Center. Dead Man’s Mambo is billed part Commedia dell’Arte and part clown. The results are an interactive, comedic, entertaining time at the theatre complete with live music. Continue reading
Ryan Adams at The Music Center at Strathmore
Ryan Adams did not bring a band with him on his tour. Instead, he performed for two hours singing songs and playing acoustic guitar or the piano. The Music Center at Strathmore was the perfect venue with its wonderful intimate sound. Continue reading
Bryan Adams at The Music Center at Strathmore
The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, was a perfect place for Bryan Adams to stop on “The Bare Bones Tour.” Bryan Adams entertained the crowd with his vocals, acoustic guitars, harmonica and a little help from a talented pianist. Continue reading
Art at Montgomery Playhouse
Three talented actors demonstrate how fragile long-time friendships can be in the Montgomery Playhouse’s powerful, bitingly funny production of Yasmina Reza’s Art performed at the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The play begins with Serge, played by Joe Barry, purchasing a rather plain white painting for a shocking 200,000 euros. Serge’s friend Marc, portrayed by Steve Snapp, does not like the painting and Serge is offended. The third friend Yvan (Roger Stone) is thrown right in the middle of things. It’s not pretty. Continue reading
Darius the Dragon and Rap-Punzel at Encore Stage & Studio
Encore Stage & Studio’s motto is ‘theatre by kids, for kids of all ages’ and they got it right. Their production of Darius the Dragon and Rap-Punzel delighted a large crowd of kids and kids and their parents at the Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre. The actors received enthusiastic well-deserved applause and were mobbed for autographs after the performance. Continue reading
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Maryland Ensemble Theatre continues their season of edgy dark comedy. When Jeff Goode wrote The Eight: Reindeer Monologues and Maryland Ensemble Theatre decided to produce the show, they had no idea sex scandals would be exposed at Penn State and Syracuse University, and that the play would be so topical. Continue reading
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s The Fun Company
The Maryland Ensemble Theatre has turned their production of A Christmas Carol into a showpiece for their theatre. The production is made for a larger theatre – so they have taken the show on the road to the Carroll County Arts Center and The Weinberg Center. Continue reading
Hairspray at Signature Theatre
I just found the best holiday gift in town. Buy everyone you know tickets to Signature Theatre’s upbeat, joyful, laugh-filled, soul-stirring, and toe-tapping “Hairspray.” Continue reading
The Commedia Pinocchio at The Fun Company at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
If the purpose of The Fun Company at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre is to create fun on stage then they got it right in their production of The Commedia Pinocchio. The talented cast turns this production – geared for younger … Continue reading
