Crying Out Loud.”
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The recent Maryland Community Theatre Festival, held Jan. 30–Feb. 1 in Hagerstown, Md., was a good one for Southern Maryland’s Opening Night Productions.
The festival, which includes one-act plays from community theatres across the state, saw Opening Night Productions earn the right to advance to the Eastern States Theatre Association (ESTA) regional festival and also pick up an award for scenography (scene design and costuming).
In addition, Robert Sebo, of Sunderland in Calvert County, earned an Outstanding Acting Award for his performance as Frank Payne opposite Jonie McCright as wife Olivia Payne.
Opening Night presented “For Better or For Crying Out Loud,” Regan Nelson’s comedy about a marriage getting off to a rocky start when a newlywed couple experiences some trouble trying to get into their honeymoon suite.
The production marked the directing debut of Justin McCright, a resident of La Plata who has acted in shows throughout Southern Maryland, including with Port Tobacco Players, New Direction Community Theater, Tantallon Community Players, Twin Beach Players and Opening Night Productions.
The ESTA festival will be held April 9–12 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “For Better or For Crying Out Loud” will join shows from the American Association of Community Theatre’s Region II, which includes Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Opening Night Productions is dedicated to producing the debuts of new plays by Maryland, especially Southern Maryland, playwrights. It draws actors and staff from throughout Southern Maryland and performs all shows at the Indian Head Black Box Theatre in Indian Head, Md. Its 2026 season includes “A Contrary Woman,” March 8–15; “North Wind,” June 19–21 and 26–28; and “Almost Opposites Attract,” Oct. 16–18 and 23–25.
For more information or to join Opening Night Productions, email openingnites@gmail.com or visit their website at www.openingnightproductions.org.