The CATF returns to Shepherdstown

The Contemporary American Theater Festival returns to Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia for their 23rd season starting July 5th and running through July 28th. This season the festival features five plays and three of them are World Premieres.

The first play is A Discourse on The Wonders of the Invisible World is a World Premiere by Liz Duffy Adams. Set in New England in 1702, this play features the Puritans and an appearance by the Devil himself. Kent Nicholson directs the play that features Broadway actors Cassie Beck, Rod Brogan, and Joey Collins. The cast is rounded out by Becky Byers, Susannah Hoffman and Gerardo Rodriguez.

Here is an invite to the 2010 CATF by the founder Ed Herendeen, the promo still fits for 2013...

Ed directs John Kern's  Modern Terrorism, Or They Who Want to Kill Us and 
How We Learn to Love Them. Below is a sneak peak from an earlier production...

Jane Martin's H2O is another World Premiere, this one is directed by Jon Jory. The play takes place in a brand new 90-seat intimate setting theatre at Shepherd University and stars Dianne Mair and  Alex Podulke.

Ed Herendeen also directs noted playwright Sam Shepard's latest play Heartless. Cassie Beck and Susannah Hoffman are in this cast. They will be joined by Broadway actor Michael Cullen, Kathleen Butler 

and film, television, stage star Robyn Cohen.

Here is a promo for an other production of Heartless

Scott and Hem in the Garden of Allah is another World Premiere and this one will be truely special as it is directed by the playwright Mark St. Germain. The play features a Broadway cast of Rod Brogan, Joey Collins, and Angela Pierce. It sounds like a play that a theatre lover would hate to miss!

Here is my review of last year's festival.

Tickets, showtimes and more information can be found at the Festival's website. Take the short drive from Baltimore and Washington to West Virginia's Oldest Town beautifully located on the Potomac River.

CATF: Contemporary American Theater Festival

Finally my review of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) is published. I would have liked them to be done individually, but others had other ideas. Sometimes that is the life of as writer. I'm glad I was able to cover it! I am glad West Virginia gets a chance to present a top notch theater event.

Two world premieres, a show that opened last year on London's West End, and five plays written by award winning playwrights. The festival featured great sets. Great cast, including Broadway vets, a Tony Award winning Actress.

If you are a theater lover it is definitely worth the trip from Washington or Baltimore. Might even be worth a road trip from farther destinations! You can read my review here.

Here is an interview with Johnna Adams whose play Gidion's Knot is World Premiered at the Festival...

Adding something a little different then just my review and opinions.

Well I hope you enjoy and I will be back with another blog!

Darrell Scott

I love covering music. I was able to see Darrell Scott at the Shepherdstown Opera House and I have to admit I was excited to see this show.

First, I would like to thank Darrell Scott for coming to Shepherdstown in West Virginia. A drive of only a few miles for me is much nicer than a drive to Washington, Baltimore or more. The crowd appreciated it too.The Shepherdstown Opera House has been lining up some pretty cool shows recently I hope they find success and this continues.

Photo by Rodney Bursiel from Darrell Scott's website and press kit.

I enjoyed watching Darrell twice this year in the Band of Joy with Robert Plant. I saw him in Washington and at Wanee. I was able to see his musical talents displayed there. I wanted to hear more from him and then when I researched him I found out about his legendary songwriting. Then when i was able to see him do his own stuff he added new twists. It was a great experience and you can read my review here.

Z to A: Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown is a town I same to be hanging out in more. Sure it is a small college town.However, it also has a bit of night life, restaurants and pubs. Some more appealing to yuppies or boomers with money. I don't really venture to them, I prefer the hidden gems.

In the Fall, Shepherd usually fields a highly ranked division 2 football team. It's not the NFL or the BCS, however it is competitive, entertaining football at an affordable price. The University also attracts various cultural events as well.

Usually, I spend a Saturday watching movies with my daughter at the Opera House. After the movies we walk the town, pet every dog, and maybe grab lunch at a local eatery. I even spent Valentine's Day in the town dinner and a movie.

ARNOLD SMITH MUSICAL BENEFIT Sunday in Shepherdstown

Another big, local benefit show this weekend. The Arnold Smith Musical Benefit is Sunday, January 23 at the Clarion Hotel in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Doors open at 6:30 music starts at 7. Fpur bands are scheduled with a $10 cover. The concert benefits a local musician Arnold Smith who had major health problems and no insurance. He is unable to work and his expenses are growing.  The local music scene got together and are putting on a show to raise money for his expenses. You can read more about it here.