Director Brian Townsend (right) works with the cast of “Our Town” during a rehearsal at The Players Guild of Dearborn. The show runs March 8 to 24 at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For more information, go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
Whether it’s the retelling of a classic tale or the introduction of a new story, actors capture an audience’s imagination when the house lights dim and the stage lights beckon one to the worlds unfolding onstage.
PGD PRESENTS THORNTON WILDER’S ‘OUR TOWN’
The Players Guild of Dearborn brings the Thornton Wilder classic “Our Town” to life March 8 to 24 at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn.
Set in Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, the show follows the life cycles of small-town folk from childhood to marriage and beyond, following George and Emily as they fall in love, wed and begin their life together, surrounded by their families and neighbors.
Director Brian Townsend said “Our Town” is not a somber show, but one that is full of life.
“It is the full spectrum of life’s experiences, both joyous and sad,” he said. “We’ve certainly not shied away from the show’s heavier moments, but we have also found brightness and humor throughout.”
Townsend said the Guild’s production is more generational and timeless, and less locked into the traditional presentation, while remaining faithful to the script.
“We’re presenting a story about a time that could take place at any time,” he said.
Julie Ballantyne Brown, who plays Julia Gibbs, said that while her high school introduction to “Our Town” was not exciting, she became aware of the play’s potential.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting into all the nuances of my character and seeing everyone else’s develop, too,” she said. “I think the audience will enjoy the relationships and interactions between the characters. Get ready for a rollercoaster of feelings!”
Brown said the Guild’s production brings warmth and humor to the show to balance out the heavier scenes.
“What happens in ‘Our Town’ happens in real life: family relationships, daily life, birth, death,” she said. “These things are all relatable to a modern audience, and this production really brings Grovers Corners to life.”
Brown said everyone will be able to find something to connect with in the show.
“It’s not played flat or monotone, and shows the joy in life as well as the sorrow,” she said. “There are so many feels!”
Bill McCloskey, who plays Charles Webb, said ‘Our Town’ is about the difficulties and joys life has to offer.
“The play is boring or outdated only to those who don’t see the connections it makes with their life,” he said.
McCloskey said the cast is creating a world in which the audience can see themselves.
“The play has both humor and sadness,” he said. “It portrays life as it is in the 1920s and the 2020s.”
Townsend said the show has the ability to transcend generations.
“The experiences of the people of Grover’s Corners are not so different from our own,” he said. “Plans for after high school, hoping to be noticed and loved, raising children, grieving for people lost, musing about the universe – we’ve all encountered some combination of these moments.”
In addition to Brown and McCloskey, the cast includes Mike Moseley as the stage manager, Meg Pace as Emily Webb, Casey Coulter a George Gibbs, Jeff Flannery as Dr. Frank Gibbs, Leslie Garber as Myrtle Webb, Kelley Donnelly as Rebecca Gibbs, and Chisomo Willson as Wally Webb.
Maureen Malinowski plays Mrs. Louella Soames, with Degrim Gretz as Simon Stimson, John Lamb as Howie Newsome, Kiersten Gutherman as Professor Willard, and Matthias Hermen as Joe Crowell Jr. and Si Crowell.
Ed Saenz portrays Constable Bill Warren, with Dylan Hart as Sam Craig, Christopher Rivard as Joe Stoddard, and Samantha Odom and Joe Jabara as townspeople.
The show runs 8 p.m. March 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, with 2:30 p.m. March 10, 17 and 24 matinees. Tickets are $24, and are available by calling the box office at 313-561-TKTS or online at playersguildofdearborn.org.
Trenton High School presents “Beauty and the Beast” March 15 and 16, with Bianka Bryant (left) as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Zack Gajewski as Cogsworth, Ava Tocco as Chip, Noah McCardell as the Beast, Ava Cheff as Belle, Zach Haddad as Gaston, Bella Rockov as LeFou, Avalon Francis as Lumiere and Meghan Pew as Mrs. Potts.
TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’
Another timeless tale takes to the stage March 15 and 16 as Trenton High School presents the musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Senior Ava Cheff, who plays Belle, said the show uses energetic dance numbers and classic songs to tell a story to which everyone can relate.
“‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a classic story about seeing beyond surface differences and loving on a different level,” she said. “I hope audiences are talking about how fun and heartwarming the show is.”
Cheff said every little girl dream of being a Disney Princess, and Belle has always been her favorite character.
“Getting to explore all of her character quirks and inner world has been so exciting,” she said.
Junior Zach Haddad said he has enjoyed bringing one of his favorite childhood Disney movie musicals to life onstage.
He said in the past he has played comedic roles, so playing a villain is a new challenge.
“It has been hard to be mean because I am a positive person,” Haddad said. “I also like the challenge to work on my vocal range, because Gaston sings very low and very high.”
Sophomore Bella Rockov, who plays LeFou, said the cast is working hard to fill the songs with energy and to bring their characters to life.
She said LeFou is both silly and energetic.
“My greatest challenge is keeping the energy through every line and song, so even if I’m having a rough day, I still need to channel the silly energy LeFou has to offer,” Rokov said.
Sophomore Avalon Francis, who plays Lumiere, said she enjoys her character’s energy and humor, as well as his interactions with the other characters.
“My greatest challenge has been developing my French accent,” she said. “It’s an exciting show, and I really hope people will enjoy the humor and leave with the music stuck in their heads.”
Directed by Cheyla Bashore Wagner, the cast includes Noah McCardell as the Beast, Zack Gajewski as Cogsworth, Meghan Pew as Mrs. Potts, Ava Tocco as Chip, Bianka Bryant as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Emma Collins as Babette, Brent Borcsani as Maurice and Ian Bates as Monsieur D’Arque.
The Le Filles de la Ville (or city girls) include Kate Bouquenoy, Meredith Johnson, Madelyn King, Chelsea Kings, Amia Turner and Legace Urbaniak.
The high school ensemble consists of Kylie Belnap, Cam Birch, Gage Cartwright, Kian Catabian, Brooke Cunningham, Danielle Francis, Natalie Glass, Ian Herbas, Grace Hibbard, Ava Hook, Kaylin Hoover, Alexis Lopez, Gabriel Natividad, Sadie Saunders, Mikayla Schmidt and Emily Smith.
Mya Kopera, Jackson Vanderhorst, and Leila Wilson make up the middle school ensemble.
Gwen Fisher, James Fisher, Stella Gruver and Mackenzie Howes make up the elementary school ensemble.
Show times are 7 p.m. March 15, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 16 at Trenton High School, 2601 Charlton Road, Trenton. Tickets are available at the door.
BROADWAY IN DETROIT ANNOUNCES 2024-25 SEASON
The Ambassador Theatre Group announced its 2024-25 Broadway in Detroit seven show season, with new shows mixed with perennial favorites.
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” kicks off the season with a fall show at the Detroit Opera House Sept. 17 to Oct. 6, followed by “Some Like it Hot” Oct. 1 to 13 at the Fisher Theater.
“MJ,” the Michael Jackson musical, will be at the Fisher Theater Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, followed “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” Dec. 24 to Jan. 5 at the Fisher Theater.
The Tony Award-winning musical “Parade” runs Feb. 25 to March 9, followed by “Kimberly Akimbo” March 11 to 23 and “The Wiz” June 17 to 29, all at the Fisher Theater.
For more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
THE RINGWALD PRESENTS ‘BEAUTIFUL THING’
The Ringwald Theater presents Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing” March 8 to April 1 at the Affirmations Community Center.
The endearing play follows the story of two bullied teenage boys whose friendship grows into something more in a coming-out and coming-of-age story.
Directed by Joe Bailey, the cast includes Cole Van Amberg as Jamie, Nick Easterling as Ste, Fernanda Hernandez as Leah, Garett Michael Harris as Tony and Jamie Warrow as Sandra.
Show times at 8 p.m. March 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 29 and 30 and April 1; and 3 p.m. March 10, 17 and 24 at Affirmations Community Center, 290 W. Nine Mile Rd. in Ferndale.
Tickets are $25 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows, and $15 for Monday performances. There is no show on March 31, Easter Sunday. To order tickets, go to theRingwald.com. The Ringwald is a cashless venue, but credit cards are accepted at the door.