Get out to Toby’s Dinner Theatre for some ‘Hot Nostaligia’ and a great buffet

If you enjoy theatre, then you should like living in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.  DC has many fine theatres, like the Warners and the National, and so does Charm City.  Besides the more well known ones, like Center Stage and the Hippodrome, there’s also the Fells Point Corner Theatre, Vagabonds, Spotlighters, among others.

Then there’s dinner theatre.  Oregon Ridge is still in business and so is Toby’s, with locations downtown Baltimore and Columbia.  In an era past I remember the days of Timonium Dinner Theatre, Bolton Hill, Limestone and Garland.   This review will talk about the current production at Toby’s Columbia, Hot Nostalgia, a musical revue of the 1940s through the 1970s.

Toby’s has consistently done outstanding work over the years and is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including many Helen Hayes.  Those awards are not given out without earning them.   Much of the thanks goes to the Artistic Director Toby Orenstein.

As Hot Nostalgia plays out, you will no doubt recognize many of the songs.  I bet you’ll have a hard time not singing along, even quietly.  I know I did.  But I did hear the folks at the next table.  But that’s OK, it’s that kind of a fun show.

The talented cast of 10 ( five men, five women) changes their wardrobe as they progress through the years.  So what begins in zoot suits ends up in tye-dye shirts.  Kudos goes out to the choreographer, Lawrence Munsey, a veteran performer at Toby’s, for staging such a good show.  Of course you need good people to pull it off, and that’s what we have here.  I have seen just about all of them in previous shows, so I know the caliber of talent.   The show is not boring, as some musical revues are, going from song to song without much else.

The show runs Tuesday through Sunday with matinees Wednesday and Sunday.  Tickets range from $49.00 to $54.00 depending on night of the week.  So why not go during the week and save a few dollars.  Hot Nostalgia remains until January 27.  And by the way, the all-you-can-eat buffet is good.

Here’s the menu to tempt you:

 

Our Lavish

Hot Nostalgia

Evening Buffet

Includes

Steamship Round
Roast Turkey Breast
Baked Virginia Pit Ham
All carved to order by Toby’s chef

Steamed Spiced Shrimp

Baked Tilapia Lightly Seasoned
Stuffed Chicken Aquarius
Rockin’ Beef Stroganoff
Sing, Sing, Green Beans
Zip a Dee Peas & Carrots
Parsley Buttered Noodles
Maple Red Roasted Potatoes
Our Famous Spinach Phunque
Boogie Woogie Vegetable Medley

Bountiful Fruit and Cheese Board
25 Item Salad Bar & Caesar Salad
Cake Selections
“Make-your-own” Sundae bar
Coffee, Tea & Iced Tea

Sunday Matinee Brunch
Featuring…
Scrambled Eggs
Brunch Potatoes
Pancakes & French Toast
Bacon Strips/Sausage Links
Creamed Chipped Beef and Biscuits

Carved to order by Toby’s chef:
Steamship Round
Baked Virginia Pit Ham
Roasted Breast of Turkey

Baked Tilapia Lightly Seasoned
Our Famous Spinach Casserole
Parsley Buttered Noodles
Fruit & Salad Bar
Bagels, assorted Danish and Muffins
“Make-your-own” Sundae Bar
Coffee, Tea & Iced Tea
Full Service Cash Bar