Cumberland Theatre

Biloxi Blues begins performances this Saturday, September 7th! Purchase your tickets for both Biloxi Blues and The Cover of Life at the same time through our website, and receive a discount of $3 per ticket!
Get your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

Mae Burrus, Lisa Podulka and Grace LaCount in The Cover of Life
Costumes by Cody Gilliam
Buy one, get one free ticket for this Thursday’s preview show with code MAGAZINE at
checkout!
Get your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

The Cover of Life begins performances with a preview this Thursday, September 5th! You can get buy-one-get-one free tickets to the Thursday show by using code MAGAZINE at checkout.
Get your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

THIS WEEKEND!! Catch both of these amazing plays! Get tickets at cumberlandtheatre.com

Thanks to Broadwayworld.com for the coverage.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/baltimore/article/BILOXI-BLUES-and-THE-COVER-OF-LIFE-Come-to-the-Cumberland-Theatre-in-September-20240829

BILOXI BLUES and THE COVER OF LIFE Come to the Cumberland Theatre in September The Cumberland Theatre will continue their 36th Season with two plays to be performed on alternate evening during weekends in September. Learn more about both plays here!

Happy Labor Day from Cumberland Theatre!

Here is the final part of our Volunteer Spotlight interview with Lisa Humbertson!

CT: What was your most hilarious or enjoyable experience at CT?
Lisa: This is tough as I have so many wonderful memories at CT. Two that stick out in my mind are Mama Mia and the Last Five Years. During Mama Mia the atmosphere was over the top. The show was such a fun show full of excellent music. You could tell both the performers and the audience were having a good time. Folks came dressed in costumes and there was so much laughter. Our daughter Savannah was in this one too which was the cherry on top. The Last Five Years was the first show back from COVID. Savannah was the lead female, Kathy, and Matt Rothenberg was Jamie, lead male in this show. The only two performers the entire show. To see the seats filled again and people smiling, socializing again was touching. I remember having my medical assistant students taking the temperatures at the time because it was still required, watching people coming in with masks, determined to be there and get back to live theater again. There was some hesitation and some wanted to be seated away from others but you could still feel the excitement of live theater once again.

CT: What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
Lisa: When I am not volunteering, I work as the Program Director for the medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and medical coding & billing programs at Allegany College of Maryland. I teach the clinical classes as well. I am currently Faculty Vice Chair and sit on the Wellness Committee. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and being outdoors. I am also the proud "fur mom" of four rescues. Three cats and a dog. We travel when we can as we have family in Virginia and Arizona.

Lisa, we can’t thank you enough for everything you do for our theatre community! Volunteers rock!

Volunteers really are the heart of our organization. Continuing our Volunteer Spotlight with Lisa Humbertson!

CT: If you could ask the public for help in a specific area (donations, volunteers, etc.), what would you ask of them?
Lisa: Sponsor a show or take an ad out in the playbill if you can. Mostly come see the shows and support the amazing talent that comes to our stage then tell a friend or two. Spread the word and donate your time in an area that you are interested in. There are so many opportunities to help not just with the front of the house such as ushering or concessions but behind the scenes too. There is set design and costuming. Props and lighting. I say lend what talents you have in an area you are interested in.

CT: What might patrons be surprised to know about you?
Lisa: That is hard because I am pretty much an open book lol. I consider myself pretty boring. I do play a little piano and danced as a child. I was also in my middle school and high school choir. But I do not suspect that will be surprising. I did participate in kick boxing for several years until my shoulders started bothering me. And I have been cow tipping. Yep, that's what happens when you grow up in Western Maryland.

Stay tuned for more of our interview with Lisa!

Cumberland Theatre is celebrating its wonderful volunteers! Today we continue our Volunteer Spotlight on the fabulous Lisa Humbertson!

CT: What is your favorite part of volunteering with us? What keeps you coming back?
Lisa: The people. It is truly like family here. Everyone from performers, creative teams, stage managers, lighting, sound, props, costume design, and other volunteers make it a wonderful place to spend your time. I have met so many talented, kind, creative, and loving humans here. The people and the shows bring joy to my heart. It is also a bonus that our daughter still performs here and we have been able to watch her grow in so many ways on the stage at CT.

CT: What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering?
Lisa: Do it. You won't be sorry. And you get to meet the most people and see the amazing shows for free. Plus, it is volunteering so you make your own schedule.

Stay tuned for more of our interview, and make sure to say hi to Lisa the next time you visit us at Cumberland Theatre!

Cumberland Theatre loves our hardworking volunteers, so it’s time for a Volunteer Spotlight! Lisa Humbertson has been volunteering with CT for several years and is a familiar face around the theatre. Get to know her here!

CT: How did you find out about Cumberland Theatre and what made you want to volunteer with us?
Lisa: Many years ago, our daughter, Savannah Tagliaferro, started performing at CT and I decided that if I was going to be at the theater for auditions, rehearsals, and the shows I may as well make good use of my time and become a volunteer. In addition, Karen Slemmer just happens to be the mother to my son's best friend since middle school and as such has become a dear friend of mine.

CT: What volunteer roles have you done with us?
Lisa: I have volunteered as an usher, filled in on ticket sales and concessions as needed, and assisted with many of the fund raiser activities doing anything from supervising games to bartending. In addition, My husband Chris and I house out of town actors when they need a place stay.

Stay tuned over the next few days as we continue our Volunteer Spotlight and get to know Lisa!

Will-Co-Jack is our Advertiser of the Week! They are your one-stop shop for event marketing and design. Thank you for supporting Cumberland Theatre!

For the first time in CT’s history, we will be presenting TWO plays in rep during the month of September! "In rep" is short for "in repertory" and refers to a theater company that rotates between a selection of plays, or "repertory", each night. You can catch “The Cover of Life” on September 5th, 6th, 14th, and 21st at 8:00 PM and September 15th and 22nd at 2:00 PM, and “Biloxi Blues” on September 7th, 12th, 13th, and 20th at 8:00 PM and September 8th and 21st at 2:00 PM! Purchase your tickets to both shows online and enjoy a discount of $3 per ticket!

🎟️: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

Biloxi Blues plays at Cumberland Theatre September 7th, 12th, 13th, and 20th at 8:00 PM, and September 8th and 21st at 2:00 PM!

Biloxi Blues is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. It portrays the conflict of Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey and Arnold Epstein, one of many privates enlisted in the military stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, seen through the eyes of Eugene Jerome, one of the other soldiers. This play is the second chapter in what is known as Neil Simon’s Eugene trilogy, following Brighton Beach Memoirs and preceding Broadway Bound. Biloxi Blues won the Tony Award for Best Play.

Get tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

The Cover of Life plays at Cumberland Theatre September 5th, 6th, 14th, and 21st at 8:00 PM, and September 15th and 22nd at 2:00 PM!

Tood, Weetsie, and Sybill are brides in rural Louisiana in 1943, each married a Cliffert brother. The men are off to war and a local news story about these young wives keeping the home fires burning intrigues Henry Luce. He decides that they belong on the cover of Life Magazine and assigns Kate Miller to the story. She has been covering the war in Europe and, though she views doing a "women's piece" as a career set-back, she accepts because it will be her first cover story. Kate spends a week with the Cliffert women, and her haughty urban attitude gives way to sympathy as she begins to understand them while coming face-to-face with her own powerlessness in a man's world. Filled with charm and fun, The Cover of Life is a deeply affecting story about the
struggle for self-worth.

Get tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

This September, enjoy two different plays set during World War II on the Cumberland Theatre stage! Biloxi Blues and The Cover of Life each run on select dates between September 5th and September 22nd, and you can get tickets to both shows for one low price. Tickets are on sale now! Make your September plans here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=cut01

This evening is the final chance to show us what you’ve got at Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical! Come be a part of this hilarious and heartwarming production in our pre-professional youth program, Stars of Tomorrow! Click here for details and to submit your audition form: www.cumberlandtheatre.com/sot-auditions

Tonight is the first night of Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical! Read the details and sign up for your spot here: www.cumberlandtheatre.com/sot-auditions
We can’t wait to see your talent!

Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical begin TOMORROW! Have you signed up for your audition slot yet? Auditions are open to any youth ages 5-20. Click here for more details: www.cumberlandtheatre.com/sot-auditions

Do you know a talented young performer between the ages of 5 and 20? Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical are this Wednesday August 21 and Thursday August 22, from 5:00-8:00 PM! Click here for full details and to submit your audition form: https://www.cumberlandtheatre.com/sot-auditions

Reminder that the Brews and The Bard Festival has been postponed until October 13th! We look forward to celebrating with you then!

POSTPONEMENT!
Due to the impending thunderstorms tomorrow, we have decided to postpone our festival! We are trying to plan the best day possible and have worked with our partners at Locust Post Brewery, Mise En Place and Charis Winery & Distillery to reschedule for fall.

Please join us on October 13th for a fun day of music, food and games. Details will follow soon and tickets will be on sale next week! Looking forward to a fun day!

If you enjoy our yearly free Shakespeare in the Park productions, please consider donating to keep the program alive! Every donation supports the growth of the Western Maryland Shakespeare Festival, and every little bit helps!

Send a message to learn more

Did you know the Brews and The Bard Festival is Cumberland’s own mini Renaissance Festival? Renaissance garb is encouraged (but not required) and there will be turkey legs served and archery games to play! Come have some medieval fun with us at Locust Post Brewery this Sunday August 18th!

Brews and The Bard Festival is THIS SUNDAY, August 18th!

Local band Cadence will take the stage from 12:00 – 3:00 pm and Gilbert Lee and Ghost on the Radio will follow from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. The festival will also offer bourbon tastings from Charis Winery & Distillery and a bloody mary bar featuring Charis vodka. Smoked turkey legs will be available from Mise En Place Cumberland MD as well as pizzas from the brewery kitchen.

The day will include various games for both kids and adults, as well as crafts, short live performances and a photo booth. Ren-faire style costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Tickets are $10 (benefitting the Cumberland Theatre) and are available at the door on the day of the event or in advance at cumberlandtheatre.com. Those purchasing in advance will receive a free token to play a game of their choice.
To inquire about vendor space for artisans, please email [email protected].

Locust Post Brewery is located at 31706 Adams Road, Little Orleans, MD.

Brews and the Bard Festival this Weekend! - https://mailchi.mp/f3a8c9cb536f/brews-and-the-bard-festival-this-weekend

Check out this lovely feature on Cumberland Theatre in Allegany Magazine! 🎭

THE PLAY'S THE THING...
…and so is the musical, the reading, the rehearsal, the set design…

"Last year, 2023, marked the 35th anniversary of one of Allegany County’s most sparkling venues: the Cumberland Theatre. Located since 1991 at 101 Johnson Street in downtown Cumberland, the Cumberland Theatre brings to the region professionally produced comedies, musicals and dramas to delight and entertain. It is a stalwart pillar of the vibrant and ever-changing arts community with which county residents are blessed. But the Theatre didn’t begin as an organic community-germinated project. It sprouted in the marble halls of a local institution of higher learning."

But how and why did it all begin -- way back in 1988? Who were the personalities behind that initial movement to start a professional theatre here in Mountain Maryland? And what does the future hold for the performing arts venue?

“At this moment, I think we are enjoying what we have built,” says artistic director Kimberli Rowley with a wink “...but there's always more just waiting in the wings. Stay tuned.”

In our August 2024 edition - available now- Allegany Magazine correspondent, Ellen McDaniel-Weissler, commemorates three and a half decades of the Cumberland Theatre and looks back at some of the most memorable performances.

The curtain is open. The stage is set. The actors are ready.
Get your copy today!