Fans of musical theater have a couple of options this weekend, but the question is: Do they go old-school, or for something a bit more modern?
Two new musicals are opening at community theaters in Prince George's County, one by one of the great writing combinations of the past century and one by someone who has been at the top of this generation for more than a decade.
The old school fans will probably head to Bowie to catch 2nd Star Productions' "Brigadoon," written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe. Lerner and Lowe are best known for "Paint Your Wagon," "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot."
"Brigadoon" was one of their early successes. It's the story of two American tourists who stumble into a strange Scottish town, which appears once every 100 years for only one day. The villagers then go to sleep and wake to see what the next 100 years is like. Most of them are happy, but to keep this arrangement going, no one must ever leave the village. When one of the American tourists falls in love with a village girl, complications ensue.
Performances take place at the Bowie Playhouse, 16500 Whitemarsh Park Drive, Bowie. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with the final performance a 3 p.m. matinee Dec. 5. Tickets are $20, $17 for seniors and students. Call 301-832-4819.
Most modern theater fans know Alan Menken's work, and may be ready to put him up there with Lerner and Lowe. The show that started his success is opening Friday at the Greenbelt Arts Center.
"Little Shop of Horrors" is the story of a young man who is in love with his co-worker, but can't get the girl that is, until he and their business (a plant nursery) become overnight successes. But the key to the success is a secret: The young man must feed an unusual R&B singing plant with his own blood.
The show continues through Nov. 28 at the Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway Road, Greenbelt. Call 301-441-8770. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and students.
If you haven't heard of 15-year-old Andy Poxon of Crofton, you have a chance to hear him at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Calvert House Inn, 6211 Baltimore Ave., Riverdale. There is a $7 cover charge. Call 301-864-5220.
Poxon has been making the rounds locally, but is starting to get more attention with his success singing the blues. More of his songs are available on his MySpace music page.