Theater was once a luxury that only the affluent could enjoy. But over Maryland's history, live theater crossed the class system to become a popular means of entertainment for both the rich and poor. As the popularity of the stage grew in the Old Line State, so did its repertoire of acting talent and availability of theater houses. Today, vacationers can attend many historic theater houses in Maryland as well as newer establishments, taking in everything from comedic performances to Shakespearean dramas.
Theater History
While many early colonists couldn't afford the theater, it became a popular cultural avenue for both the poor and more affluent members of Maryland's society beginning in the 1750s. The works of William Shakespeare were particularly well-received in Maryland's colonies. During this era, most of Maryland's theater productions could be found in big cities like Baltimore and Annapolis, the state's cultural hub, as well as places like Upper Marlboro and Chestertown. During the American Revolution, theater lost some of its flair in Maryland, only to return to its former glory by 1780. Baltimore then replaced Annapolis as Maryland's cultural capital. Opened in 1793, the Holiday Street Theater in Baltimore was one of the first large theaters to open in the country.
Throughout the state's history, Maryland's live theater community has made major contributions to its culture. But one member of the state's theater community played a darker role in American history. John Wilkes Booth, a successful stage actor, became infamous for assassinating President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
In 1838, Booth was born into a family of theatrical performers in Bel Air, Maryland. His father was a noted British Shakespearean actor, his mother a stage actress, and two of his brothers were also well-known actors. Educated in the classics, particularly in the works of Shakespeare, Booth attended the Bel Air Academy, where he was only a mediocre student. Following in the family legacy, Booth became a prominent American actor in the 19th century. With his ink-black hair and athletic build, J.B. Wilkes, as he was known in the theater community, was said to be the "handsomest man in America" by reviewers. His performances were intense and physical, and fellow actresses even recounted how he sometimes cut himself with his own sword.
As President Lincoln was a theater aficionado with a particular taste for Shakespeare, he and Booth crossed paths on numerous occasions. He even attended one of Booth's performances at the Ford's Theater in Washington, sitting in the same presidential box where, ironically, he would later be assassinated. Before shooting Lincoln, he played notable roles in several productions, including Shakespeare's Richard III as the Earl of Richmond and in The Marble Heart as Raphael, one of his performances which Lincoln attended.
Theater Houses
Maryland's theater offerings abound throughout the state, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy live performances of all kinds.
The Center Stage Theater is Baltimore's largest professional theater. Built in 1963, the theater was established as a regional playhouse, but quickly gained popularity as one of the leading professional theater companies in the U.S. The theater's first location burned down due to an arson fire in 1974, and out the tragedy came a new beginning for the theater. Center Stage moved into an abandoned Jesuit College, and has since become the city's leading professional theater, welcoming more than 100,000 people each season. There are two performing arts spaces at the Center Stage Theater: the largest is Pearlstone, seating 541, and the smaller is Head Theater. The theater features a six-play season, and past and present performances at the theater house include A Little Night Music, Arsenic and Old Lace, Hearts, and many more.
Maryland's Cumberland Theatre is acclaimed as the only professional theater in the western region of the state. The not-for-profit theater presents a variety of performances including comedies, musicals, and dramas. Scheduled performances at the theater include Cinderella and Ten Little Indians. Also located in Cumberland, the New Embassy Theatre was built in 1931 as an Art Deco movie house and is now a center for the allied arts. Visitors can enjoy a number of performing arts options here, including live community theater.
Located in Ellicott City, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company boasts energetic, entertaining, and exciting performances of Shakespearean and other classic plays. Past productions of the company include Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer's Night Dream, and many more works by the historic bard.
Offering a variety of performing arts, the Avalon Theatre is known as the "Showplace of the Eastern Shore." Built in 1921, the building was a spectacle of its time with leaded glass doors at every entrance, an 18-foot dome adorned with 148 dazzling lights, and a ballroom on the second floor. However, when it was purchased by the Schine Theatre Chain in 1934, it was completely redesigned and turned into a movie house. The ballroom was closed, and the building was refitted with an Art Deco motif that's still the theme of the theater today.
Noted as one of the leading resident theater companies in Baltimore, the Everyman Theatre has earned awards for several of its productions, including nine Greater Baltimore Theater Awards. This intimate Equity theater provides quality live performances at an affordable price. The expanding theater plans to move to to the historic Town Theater in 2009.
Built in 1915, the Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown was partially destroyed in a 1974 fire. It reopened in 1978, featuring amazing acoustics and a gorgeous ambiance. The Maryland Theatre presents comedians, children's theater, and stage shows, among other acts. Other theater houses and venues in Maryland include the Hippodrome Theatre and Royal Theatre in Baltimore, the Olney Theatre, Rep Stage (the only professional theater in Howard County), the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, and the Black Box Theatre in Indian Head.
Theater is enjoyed by people from all walks of life, and it's become an important addition to the Old Line State's culture. Vacationers who'd like a little drama on their trip can find performances almost anywhere in Maryland.
