Annapolis Guide 8.30.26 - Flipbook - Page 7
Annapolis Guide | Sunday, August 30, 2026 7
FREE TIME
ON THE STAGE
The best entertainment options
in Anne Arundel County
By Benjamin Rothstein
At a time when arts organizations
across the country are shuttering or cutting back on programming, many Anne
Arundel County performing arts organizations are thriving.
The region is home to several community theater companies. During warmer
months, several theater and dance
groups perform outdoors at historic venues. Options include the professional
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, an opera company, a summer chamber music
festival and opportunities to hear concerts at the U.S. Naval Academy and St.
John’s College. The county also has several classical music choices.
Here’s a sampling of what’s onstage
during the 2026-2027 performing arts
season:
Annapolis Opera has a mix of mainstage operas and concert experiences
for its 2026-2027 season. Up first at
Maryland Hall is “The Pirates of Penzance” on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Next, on
Jan. 15, is a mix of food and music with
“Pasta & Puccini,” followed by “The
Ugly Duckling” on Feb. 13 and “Rigoletto” on March 19 and 21. The 39th annual Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition takes place April 18 at Maryland
Hall, with free admission.
annapolisopera.org
Annapolis Symphony opens its season on the shores of the South River
with its annual Pops in the Park concerts, set for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 5 at Downs
Park and 5 p.m. Sept. 6 at Quiet Waters
Park. The monthly Signature Series
concerts begin Oct. 2 and continue until
early May 2027. Holiday Pops will take
place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Maryland
Hall and at 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at Severna
Park High School.
annapolissymphony.org
The Annapolis Summer Garden
Theatre offers outdoor musicals in a
setting unlike any other in the area,
with high-quality, non-equity productions of new and classic musicals.
“Young Frankenstein,” a musical based
on the Mel Brooks film, tells the story of
Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of
Victor Frankenstein, and runs through
Sept. 5 at 143 Compromise St., Annapolis. “Where The Stage Meets The Stars,”
a cabaret celebrating the theater’s 60th
Front row, left to right, Julia Eakes, Andrew Agner-Nichols; center row, Keila Mumphord, James Toler, Tori Farnsworth; back row, Lizzy
Grice, Kelly Mok. The Compass Rose Theater rehearses its upcoming production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” opening in
September. PAUL W. GILLESPIE/STAFF
anniversary, will run from Sept. 11 to 20.
summergarden.com
Ballet Theatre of Maryland is one
of the few professional dance companies based in the state. Most of its performances take place at Maryland Hall,
but the troupe also combines dance
with flowers and colonial architecture
at Ballet in the Garden on Sept. 21 at
Hammond Harwood House. The indoor
season opens Oct. 16 with “La Sylphide,”
a supernatural love story. The company’s performances continue with
“The Nutcracker” in November and December. A compilation called “Momentum: A Mixed Bill” is scheduled in February and “Coppélia” in April, at 801
Chase St., Annapolis.
balletmaryland.org
Bowie Community Theatre produces shows in the Bowie Playhouse, a
150-seat theater in wooded Whitemarsh
Park, off Route 3. Up next is the murder
mystery “And Then There Were None,”
running from Nov. 6 to 22. After that,
the troupe tackles “A Raisin In The
Sun,” from April 2 to 18. bctheatre.com
The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis will put on Disney’s “Frozen: The
Broadway Musical” from Oct. 3 to Nov.
15; “Peter Pan and Wendy” from Feb. 12
to 21; and “Honk! Jr.” from May 14 to 23.
It also offers camps, classes and workshops, at 1661 Bay Head Road.
childrenstheatreofannapolis.org
Chesapeake Arts Center hosts
classes, lectures, exhibits, recitals and
performances through the Maryland
Concert Series. Several performing arts
groups use its large auditorium and
black box theater, including Arts on
Stage, which, among other shows, will
present a theatrical adaptation of “The
Wizard of Oz” on Nov. 12 at 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park.
chesapeakearts.org
The Classic Theatre of Maryland
focuses on offering outdoor Shakespeare each summer at the Gresham Estate and Reynolds Tavern. The theater
puts on its popular cabaret shows twice
a month, featuring the Unified Jazz Ensemble as its house band and food from
area restaurants, at 1804 West St., Annapolis. classictheatremaryland.org
The Colonial Players cover a variety
