Rep Stage

Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women" is tough and brilliant, and its method is completely original. But it can be -- and is, at Columbia's Rep Stage -- a bit slow out of the gate: In an elegant, cautiously tasteful bedroom, three tall women talk about things.Most of the talking is done by A, a wealthy 92-year-old (or is she really 91, as she claims?) who is so self-absorbed that she talks mostly about herself. C talks about A, too. C is a businesslike 26-year-old from the office that manages A's affairs.

Nestled in the heart of Columbia, Rep Stage sits like a hidden jewel.In its six years as a professional theater company, Rep Stage -- Howard Community College's theater company in-residence -- has seen its reputation flourish and its regional fan base grow.Rep Stage productions are unlike what some theatergoers have come to expect of community theater: no sagging backdrops, overly melodramatic performances by amateur actors or kitschy revivals of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.Instead, a ticket to a Rep Stage show buys a couple of hours of risky, energetic, modern professional theater.

On my first two jaunts westward to sample Columbia's theater scene, I've watched lethal French aristocrats destroy each other with hyperactive sexual malice ("Dangerous Liaisons"), and a tortured Spanish priest named Ambrosio commit double murder while under Satan's spell. (Or was he?)It seemed the Howard County performing arts community didn't walk on the lighter side.But after taking in Rep Stage's current production of Alan Ayckbourn's "Dreams From a Summer House," I know Howard County actors can do whimsy with the best of them.

Crises of faith seem to be all the rage on area stages these days. In addition to Heather McDonald's "An Almost Holy Picture," which opened last night at Center Stage, Rep Stage of Columbia will present the area premiere of Romulus Linney's "Ambrosio" for four weekends beginning tomorrow.Loosely adapted from a 1797 novel called "The Monk," as well as from the history of the Spanish Inquisition, the play focuses on a charismatic 16th-century monk who is tempted to break his vow of celibacy.

Rep Stage, the professional theater-in-residence at Howard Community College, has announced details of its 1999-2000 season.Rep Stage's opening play, Brian Friel's "Translations," will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10.Kasi Campbell, one of the troupe's mainstays and a Helen Hayes Award nominee, will direct this Irish drama about the suppression of the Gaelic language in Ireland by British authorities in 1833."It's a wonderful play about people, communication and the loss of a native culture," says Valerie Costantini, a Howard Community College professor who founded Rep Stage in 1993.

One of the many virtues of Irish writer Brian Friel's plays is that they encourage terrific ensemble acting.All 10 performers in Friel's "Translations" have rich roles to play, and a skilled cast -- like the one appearing at Columbia's Rep Stage -- can make you feel as if you're watching a true community. When you meet them, you feel as if these downtrodden characters have been together forever, then you watch them being forever blown apart in Friel's fictional Ballybeg.Actually, the Irish name is "BaileBeag," and it's worth noting.

If you're the sort who likes to leave the theater saying "Aah!," Romulus Linney's play "Ambrosio" might give you pause.After taking in Rep Stage's expertly rendered version of Linney's tale of a 16th-century Spanish priest whose descent into evil is fueled by madness -- or perhaps by the devil himself -- my overwhelming response was"Huh?"I like ambiguity as much as the next person, but this is a play so fraught with indeterminacy that resolution in any form is out of the question.Fra Ambrosio is a diligent, articulate, charismatic priest whose sermons at Cordoba's cathedral on the eve of the Spanish Inquisition are wowing the faithful.

It was tense at the Smith Theater this week in the final days of preparation for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."The technical crew for the co-production of the Tennessee Williams play by Howard County's Rep Stage and Baltimore's Everyman Theater was on edge. The cast and production crew were focused and introspective.But no worry lines crinkled the 8-year-old face of third-grader Zachary J. Brown.In fact, he was taking his world stage premier -- as Gooper's son, Buster -- rather lightly. The experience was, in a word, "neat."

Despite a growing reputation among the theater-literate in Washington, Rep Stage remains largely unknown among Baltimore theatergoers -- and that's a good thing, at least for Howard County residents. It leaves more tickets available for locals to see "Neville's Island," Rep Stage's latest production."Neville's Island," by British playwright Tim Firth, is a self-mocking comedy with a soul of darkness.Tickets are, deservedly, selling out fast, thanks to word-of-mouth about the fine performances, fabulous set and overall excellence of the production.

A visit to Howard County Community College's Rep Stage for a rehearsal proves staging a musical is a workout.Mark Aldrich, romantic lead, perches on a chair next to the piano and croons his wistful ballad. His voice soars and sighs as the music director coaches him, extending the pure dulcet notes to balance softly in the air.After the final tones drift away, he clasps an ice pack to his knee and hobbles offstage.Rep Stage is presenting "Man With a Load of Mischief" -- the second musical in its five-year existence at the Theatre Outback at Howard County Community College in Columbia.

Madonna adoption request rejected On Friday, a judge rejected Madonna's request to adopt a second child from Malawi and said it would set a dangerous precedent to bend rules requiring that prospective parents live there for some period. Madonna's lawyer, Alan Chinula, said he has "filed notice for appeal in the Supreme Court of Appeal." The country's child welfare minister had come out Thursday in support of the pop superstar's application to adopt a 3-year-old. But in a lengthy ruling Friday, Judge Esme Chombo sided with critics who have said exceptions should not be made for the star, who has set up a major development project for the impoverished African country.

The Virgin Mary as a fiery women's libber? Joseph as an insecure, self-doubting man? The angel Gabriel as an inexperienced, error-prone teenage boy? William Gibson's quirky, colorful and spectacular take on the Christmas story - The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod the Nut & the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree - is at Rep Stage through Jan. 4. The compendious title recalls the names given to Christmas pantomimes in Victorian England, such as Harlequin and the Old Man of the Sea, the Emperor, the Ogre, the Good Fairy, and the Princess.

Rep Stage will celebrate its Sweet 16 on Saturday night with a party and a salute to its "mom" - founder Valerie Lash. The theater company, in residence at Howard Community College, is throwing its first gala event, called REPartee, in the newly renovated Smith Theatre on the college's Columbia campus. "We are saluting Valerie for all of her work over the years for education and entertainment in the community," said Michael Stebbins, producing artistic director of the theater. The 8 p.m. show in Smith Theatre, hosted by Stebbins and Rep Stage regular Bruce Nelson, will feature musical entertainment and guests.

As it starts its 16th year, Rep Stage is like many teenagers: trying some new things, working to establish its identity and hoping to attract more attention. In its new season, which begins next month, the professional theater company in residence at Howard Community College will offer a world premiere and two regional premieres among its six productions. It also plans to take a new approach to its holiday show, return to the freshly renovated Smith Theatre for two productions and throw its first gala fundraiser.

The lowdown -- Naomi Wallace's play In the Heart of America, an anti-war story about love and the politics of conflict, makes its regional debut Wednesday at Rep Stage and runs through June 29. The work, a reaction to the Gulf War, explores how the politics of war affect individuals. Characters include two young American officers in Kuwait, a Palestinian-American with identity issues, a Vietnamese girl who witnessed atrocities perpetrated by Americans in her land and a U.S. officer who changes the girl's life.

Story of `Ida' The lowdown -- After creating another version of herself, Ida develops a conflict over her true identity in Ida. Adapted from the novel by Gertrude Stein, Rep Stage's production features Wendy Salkind blending performance and narration to tell Ida's story. If you go -- Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and April 6-8. Rep Stage is at 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. Tickets are $12. Call 410-772-4900 or go to www.repstage.org. `Women's Art' The lowdown -- Head to the World Trade Center to check out the Women's Art: Women's Vision exhibit, which wraps up this weekend.

Gardner selected for Rep Stage job Rep Stage, the professional theater in residence at Howard Community College, has announced the hiring of Lee Mikeska Gardner as managing director. Gardner has been interim managing director since July. He previously held the position of grants writer and consultant from January to July last year. Before he came to the Rep Stage, Gardner spent six years as managing/producing director with the Washington Shakespeare Theatre Company, six years with Shenandoah Playwrights Retreat as associate artistic director and resident director and 12 years with the Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company as assistant to the artistic director, artistic associate, and founder and director of the Theatre School at the Wooly Mammoth.

INSIDE TODAY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING TODAY'S SUN COLUMNISTS The legacy of Elmer Dize During his long tenure as a football and wrestling coach, the late Elmer Dize instilled class and sportsmanship in generations of local high school athletes. Maryland baltimoresun.com/kane Homemade ketchup Forget the bottled stuff - making your own ketchup takes time, but the reward is worth the work. Taste baltimoresun.com/kasper OTHER VOICES Cowherd on Delaware tolls -- Today Zurawick on "Pushing Daisies" -- Today Hancock on Bob Lawless -- Business Maese on Michael Phelps -- Sports 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY Rappers perform -- Rappers Common and Q-Tip perform tonight at 8 at Sonar Lounge, 407 E. Saratoga St. Tickets are $34 and are available by calling 410-547-SEAT or going to ticketmaster.

Like other delicate, pretty things, Mrs. Farnsworth seems as though she might shatter at a rough touch. In the production currently running at Rep Stage, the title character is portrayed by actress Helen Hedman, who has slender, seemingly fragile limbs and a pale little face stretched taut over high cheekbones. If you go Mrs. Farnsworth runs at the Rep Stage, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, through Sept. 23. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Arc recognizes Howard Bank Howard Bank, a locally owned and managed bank in Howard County, has been awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Arc of Maryland for its support of the Arc's Adopt A House initiative, a program to improve living conditions for those served by the organization's residential services program. The bank adopted its first house last year, renovating and refurbishing a residence in Elkridge; this year, the bank renovated a townhouse in Owen Brown. Bank volunteers painted, made repairs, did landscaping and redecorated the houses, purchasing items for the homes and supplies for renovations.