Cockpit

In addition to being a famous writer and radio personality in the 1930s, Alexander Woollcott had a reputation as an insult artist extraordinaire. This last trait is the one that inspired Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman to write their now-classic 1939 comedy, "The Man Who Came to Dinner," which is receiving a charming production at Cockpit in Court's Upstairs Cabaret theater.Charming? A play about boorish, egotistical Woollcott is charming? Well, yes. In the script, Sheridan Whiteside -- as the Woollcott character is called -- is eventually revealed to have a sentimental side.

The rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" is more about the nature of fame than religion, and when it comes to glitz and glam, Cockpit in Court has pulled out all the stops in a production commemorating the 20th anniversary of both the show and the theater.The cast of more than 50 has to be one of the largest in Cockpit's history, and there's nothing subtle about the visual effects director F. Scott Black has created on stage.When Pontius Pilate sings of an ominous dream, he stands in a trapdoor with red light and stage smoke seeping up around him. And though there is a certain amount of gratifying shock value to seeing Judas suspended from a noose near the end of the show, it is more than a mite excessive to use a similar effect -- and probably the same harness and wire -- in the scene when Jesus literally ascends heavenward off the cross.

Before there was Bewitched or Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, there was Bell, Book and Candle, an enchanting romantic comedy by John Van Druten about a modern-day witch who falls under the spell of an ordinary mortal. At Cockpit in Court's cabaret theater, director Vince Kimball has tossed in a host of updated references to everything from reality TV shows to e-mail and cell phones. The references blend in beautifully - an indication, perhaps, of the immense pleasure it would be to cast an evil spell on any of the above.

A Coast Guard C-130 transport plane had a rough landing at Baltimore-Washington International Airport last night after being diverted there because of smoke in the cockpit, authorities said.None of the 48 passengers and crew was injured.The airplane's right front main landing gear locked during the 6 p.m. landing, causing the tires to deflate, according to BWI spokeswoman Karen Black.The C-130 was on its way to Biloxi, Miss., from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., when the crew noticed smoke in the cockpit.

Every time I fly on a passenger jet, I dream of being in the cockpit. In reality, I just want to be in control so I won't feel so helpless if things go poorly. Wilco Publishing puts you in control, all right, with "767 Pilot in Command" ($40), a PC flight simulator with a twist: You learn how to deal with the kinds of in-flight emergencies that sometimes crash jumbo jets. Released as an add-on to Microsoft's "Flight Simulator 2000," Pilot in Command lets you experience an engine fire, depressurization, wind shear and several other emergencies while flying the 767-300.

The legendary village of Brigadoon is said to emerge from the Scottish mist only once every 100 years, but for the next six days you can catch an enticing glimpse of it at Essex Community College's Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre.Lerner and Loewe's first hit musical, "Brigadoon" features some of their loveliest songs, including "Almost Like Being in Love," "Come to Me, Bend to Me" and "The Heather on the Hill." And, under the baton of Edward M. Shipley, the voices and orchestral players in Cockpit's production do a bonnie job with these lilting melodies.

Cockpit in Court has dubbed its 20th anniversary season "the possible dream" -- a reworked reference to the best known song from its opening musical, "The Man of La Mancha." However, due to uneven casting, the dream remains merely possible, instead of fully realized.Ironically, the performer who sings "The Impossible Dream" is chiefly responsible for keeping this production's dream from coming true. For even though lead actor Gilbert Polt rallies when it comes time to sing this big number, he is neither sufficiently compelling nor charismatic in the dual roles of Don Quixote and Cervantes.

Cockpit in Court Theatre will stage a benefit performance of "The Fantasticks" Tuesday night at 8 in the Essex Community College Theatre to help defray the expenses of a trip to China.The resident theater group at ECC is appearing at the Shanghai International Workers Festival Oct. 20-28, where it will give two performances of "The Fantasticks." The money raised at the benefit will go toward the $12,000 air-fare bill for the 10-member company. All other expenses will be covered by the Chinese government.

'As You Like It'When: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Through June 16.Where: Cockpit in Court, Essex Community College.Tickets: $7.Call: 522-1269.**"As You Like It" is one of Shakespeare's most pastoral romantic comedies. So you might describe Cockpit in Court's 1960s-style, al fresco rendition as flower-power Shakespeare. And the concept almost works.Director Carol Mason transports the initial court scenes to an office setting. Evil Duke Frederick is a Donald Trump-style ruthless boss, slickly played by Bill Chappelle.

Cockpit in Court -- the summer theater in residence at the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County -- opens its 30th-anniversary season tomorrow with a revival of 1776, Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's musical about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Todd Starkey directs a cast headed by Dave Shannon as Benjamin Franklin, and husband and wife John and Deborah Desmone as John and Abigail Adams. Here's the rest of the Cockpit season: Tom Sawyer (July 11-21, Recital Hall, Humanities and Arts Building)