September 19 - September 25, 2001

Best Theater Company Fells Point Corner Theatre 251 S. Ann St., (410) 276-7837, http://www.fpct.org/ If theater were entirely a matter of venue and resources, Center Stage would win this category every year. But as we so enjoy comparing apples to aardvarks here at CP, the Fells Point Corner Theatre (FPCT) is adjudged the winner for 2001. And the reason can be summed up in one word: passion. By that we mean both the consistent dedication to excellence FPCT evinces and, most especially, the company's willingness to take on the Stephen Sondheim musical of that name. The only show in theater history about the beauty of stalking, Sondheim's tale of obsessive love (based on a 19th-century novel) is darkly funny, with an ultra-difficult musical score. Yet FPCT conquered it with a panache seldom found in "little theater" (one of the most dreadful terms in the language). Add to that fine productions of Athol Fugard's Valley Song and the hilarious three-man revue The Complete History of America (Abridged) and it's clear FPCT showcased an adventurous theatrical eclecticism all too rare in Baltimore. Best of Baltimore 2001---------------------Baltimore Arts & Entertainment Winners:---------------------Feats of ClayBest CartoonistBest ZineBest YarnBest Record LabelBest Punk-Rock BastionBest Rock BandBest Rock LegendBest Singer/SongwriterBest Jazz MusicianBest MCBest DJBest Polka BandBest All-Purpose TroubadourBest Roberto Benigni ImpersonatorBest Classical-Concert ProgrammerBest Rock ClubBest Jazz ClubBest Piano BarBest Concert SeriesBest Bluegrass BarBest C&W BarBest Strip ClubBest MuseumBest Museum in a Few WeeksBest Museum ExhibitBest GalleryBest Gallery ExhibitBest Artistic CommunityBest Alternative to the FishBest Theatrical ProductionBest Local PlayBest MusicalBest Theater CompanyBest ActorBest ActressBest Drag QueenBest Gay Male EntertainerBest Radio StationBest Radio PersonalityBest Free-Form RadioBest Movie Theater, CityBest Movie Theater, SuburbsBest Film SeriesBest Drive-In