Best Shows To See This Fall On A Budget In Baltimore
Magooby's Joke House
9603 Deerco Road
Timonium, Md. 21093
(410) 252-2727
www.magoobys.com
Boasting plenty of free parking, a menu full of munchies and a great view from every seat in the house, Magooby's Joke House (just don't call it a comedy club) attracts big names, from Tracy Morgan and Darrell Hammond of "Saturday Night Live" to Marc Unger and Baltimore's own Mickey Cucchiella. You're guaranteed to have a laugh-out-loud evening with the musical Wali Collins, who has toured across the country from New York to Los Angeles, on Aug. 8 through 10. Ben Creed, with 30 years of experience in the business, will appear at Magooby's on Aug. 15 through 17. Coming soon, a separate bar will open so you can meet up with friends to enjoy drinks before and after the shows.
Flicks From the Hill
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, Md. 21230
(410) 244-1900
www.avam.org
The best things in life are free, and the yearly Flicks From the Hill offers you a slew of favorite films. Bring a blanket, picnic and friends to Federal Hill behind the American Visionary Art Museum. At this unusual amphitheater with a 30-foot-wide screen, you can watch "Finding Forrester" (2000) on Aug. 15 under the giant golden hand. The 2013 season finishes off with "The NeverEnding Story" (1984) on Aug. 22. In case of rain, the films will be viewed inside the museum's Jim Rouse Visionary Center.
Baltimore Shakespeare Factory
Johns Hopkins Evergreen Museum and Library
4545 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21210
(410) 921-9455
www.theshakespearefactory.com
Celebrate the warmer weather while you can. The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory's "Season of Magic and Mayhem" began earlier this year with "Romeo and Juliet," which was named a top show to see in the Maryland Theatre Guide. The season continues with outdoor performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" through Aug. 18 at the beautiful meadow at Johns Hopkins Evergreen Museum and Library. An indoor show will be held the weekend of Aug. 24 at the Great Hall Theatre at St. Mary's in Hampden, which will also host the Shakespeare Factory's performance of "The Tempest" from Nov. 8 through 17.
Related: Best Outdoor Theaters In Baltimore
We Will Rock You
The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
Hippodrome Theatre
12 N. Eutaw St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 837-7400
www.france-merrickpac.com
ABBA had "Mama Mia" to apply their music to a story. Now is the time for Queen in "We Will Rock You." Comedian Ben Elton wrote this musical, which has been featured in London for 11 years. It is about a future steeped in uniformity until rebels unite behind the hero Galileo to bring rock music to the people. "We Will Rock You" is set to visit Baltimore's Hippodrome theater Oct. 15 through 20. Sing along to your favorite tunes: "We Are the Champions," "Bohemian Rhapody," "Another One Bites the Dust" and more. Better yet, upper balcony seats are available starting at $25 while middle balcony and orchestra seating can be found for as low as $30.
The Nutcracker
Goucher College
1021 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, Md. 21204
(410) 667-7974
www.baltimoreballet.com
Get an early start on the holiday season while supporting local budding artists. The Baltimore Ballet School will perform its yearly "The Nutcracker" ballet on Dec. 14 and 15 at the Kraushaar Auditorium in Goucher College. Professional dancers, world-renowned guests and students from the school and studio work tirelessly to bring this low-cost show to the area in time for the holidays. Further, dancers maintain strong ties with the local community, often performing at many nearby venues, universities, festivals, schools and even retirement facilities. Though it is a few months away, shows often sell out ahead of time, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible.
Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
