Crestwood High School presents “Clue,” with Sharon Adjanahoun (left) as Mrs. Peacock, Hana Nasser as Miss Scarlett, Lydia Renee Smith as Mrs. White, Ali Boussi as Wadsworth, Maya Anani as Yvette, Chris Ashekian as Prof. Plum, Connor Tomsett as Colonel Mustard and Yanjie Zhu as Mr. Green. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 15 and 16, with a 3 p.m. Nov. 10 matinee at Crestwood High School, 1501 N. Beech Daly in Dearborn Heights. For tickets or more information, go to onthestage tickets.crestwood-high-theatre.
As local theaters plan seasons, many groups slot shows to run before the Thanksgiving holiday, offering a cornucopia of treats on local stages, including “Clue: On Stage” at Crestwood High School, “Epic Proportions” at Dearborn High School, “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at the Players Guild of Dearborn, “Breaking Laws to Gain Freedom” at the Open Book Theatre Company, and “Into the Woods” at Wayne State University.
‘CLUE: ON STAGE’ AT CRESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Crestwood High School presents “Clue: On Stage,” a murder mystery farce based on the 1985 film Nov. 9, 10, 15 and 16 at the school auditorium, 1501 N. Beech Daly in Dearborn Heights.
Director Cayla Kolbusz said she wanted to do a show with physical comedy, and she is excited to be doing a murder mystery again.
“Making sure the students understand the comedic bits and timing has been the most challenging part of the process,” she said. “I have enjoyed seeing my students make new choices throughout the process and become more comfortable with trying something different.”
Kolbusz said she hopes her cast and crew honored the board game “Clue” throughout the show.
“There are little Easter eggs throughout the design and lobby that I hope fans will notice,” she said.
The cast includes Ali Boussi at Wadsworth, Connor Tomsett as Colonel Mustard, Sharon Adjanahoun as Mrs. Peacock, Chris Ashekian as Professor Plum, Lydia Renee Smith as Mrs. White, Janjie Zhu as Mr. Green, Hana Nasser as Miss Scarlett and Maya Anani as Yvette.
Boussi said the most challenging aspect of the show for him is switching from the comedic to the serious scenes.
“I hope people keep coming to the shows,” he said. “I hope we build more of a community not only on the inside of the program but on the outside.”
Smith said she enjoys delivering the stranger aspects of Mrs. White’s personality, both vocally and physically.
“She’s such an iconic character, and the one I’ve heard most people quote, so that puts on quite a bit of pressure,” she said. “Each of the characters have their own quirks that each of our cast members display wonderfully.”
Ashekian said the vocal aspects of playing Prof. Plum have challenged him as a first-time actor.
“I hope the audience is amazed by the plot and how intriguing the humor was that made them laugh throughout the whole show.”
Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 15 and 16, with a 3 p.m. Nov. 10 matinee.
VIP tickets, which include popcorn and a drink, are $20, with a $2 discount for students with identification. General reserved tickets are $15, with a $2 discount for students with identification. Student rush tickets are available for $15 at the door.
To order tickets online, go to onthestage.tickets/crestwood-high-theatre.
Dearborn High School presents the comedy “Epic Proportions,” with Jack Rutledge (left) as Conspirator 1, D’Aria Fuller as Conspirator 2, Abdullah Yousif as Conspirator 3, Christos Andreou as Emperor Octavium, Giovanni Bitonti as Gladiator 2, and Adam Makled as Phil Bennett. Performances are 7 p.m. Nov. 13 to 16 in the DHS auditorium, 19501 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn. Call 313-827-1647 for tickets.
DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘EPIC PROPORTIONS’
Dearborn High School Theatre presents the Larry Coen and David Crane comedy, “Epic Proportions” Nov. 13 to 16 at DHS’s Valentine Auditorium, 19501 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn.
Set in the 1930s, “Epic Proportions” follows brothers Benny and Phil who travel to the Arizona desert to be extras in a huge Biblical film “Exeunt Omnes.” Through twists of fate, Phil ends up directing the movie, with Benny in a lead role, while both brothers fall in love with assistant director Louise.
The cast includes Emily Maginity and Eva Hammoud double cast as Louise Goldman; Carter Coykendall and Adam Makled double cast as Phil Bennet; and Alexander Sassanelli and Stefano Ciavaglia double cast as Benny Bennet.
Maginity, Makled and Sassanelli perform in the Nov. 13 and 15 shows, with Hammoud, Coykendall and Ciavaglia in the Nov. 14 and 16 performances.
Others in the cast include: Hannah Frederick as the queen, Julius Owens as the narrator and slave master; Christos Andreou as the Roman emperor and a gladiator; Jesse Good as film director D.W. DeWitt; Giovanni Bitonti as assistant director Jack; Ameena Toumi as Shel the designer; and Jack Rutledge, D’Aria Fuller and Abdullah Yousif as the three conspirators.
The ensemble features Shahed Ababneh, Emmy Lahay, Robert Milligan, Layla Salmassi, Tristan Lahay and Sophia Lamb.
Director and producer Greg Phillip Viscomi said the show is a personal favorite that he directed in 2009 and thought would be fun to revive.
He said the students in the cast are fun to work with, and are constantly learning and growing as performers.
“I think audiences will have a great time,” Viscomi said. “There’s lots of fun and silly situations, and a lot of physical comedy.”
Sassanelli said he’s learned a lot of history while learning the names of places mentioned in the show, which he said is “very funny.”
“You will have a great time seeing it,” he said.
Owens said he has enjoyed seeing his friends develop their characters and take on leadership responsibility.
“The show has many hilarious moments that draw the audience in,” he said. “It’s a beautiful story of the hardships of two brothers finding compromise and support.”
Ciavaglia said he hope audiences appreciate the student’s hard work and dedication, as well as the wild jokes and chaos of the story.
“When I encourage people to see the show, I tell them about the comedy, the talent of my cast mates and the hard work everyone has put into the production,” he said.
Coykendall, who is in the cast and serving as the student technical director, said he enjoys building set pieces as well as acting.
He said he shares the technical and design aspects of the show with potential attendees.
“I hope people see how well run the production is and how it flowed well, and how it is put together,” Coykendall said. “I hope it encourages them to come back for other productions.”
Show times are 7 p.m. Nov. 13 to 16 at DHS, 19501 W. Outer Drive.
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for college students with identification, and $8 for seniors 65 and older, and students 18 and younger. The show is family friendly.
Call 313-827-1647 to order tickets.
The Players Guild of Dearborn presents “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical,” with Leah Frazier as Carole King, Nov. 8 to 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24 at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For tickets or more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN PRESENTS ‘BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL’
The musical journey of Carole King takes to the Players Guild of Dearborn stage Nov. 8 to 10, 15 to 17, and 22 to 24 in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn.
Told through the songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the musical follows Carole Klein as a young, spunky songwriter in Brooklyn with a unique voice, who wrote for other singers before creating her own hit songs.
The cast includes Leah Frazier as Carole King, Dylan Hart as
Gerry Goffin, Kimberly Elliot as Cynthia Weil, Alex Quinlan as Barry Mann, Joshua Beurer as Don Kirshner, and Leslie Garber as Genie Klein.
Also in the ensemble with specific roles are Valencia Morgan as Janelle Woods and a Shirelle, Mo Thomas as Little Eva and a Shirelle, Traci Gibson as the lead Shirelle, and Amber Anderson as a Shirelle.
The Drifters and ensemble roles are performed by Jair Alexander, Drew Hall, Brandon Walker and Branden Omoregie.
Deg Gretz and Logan Synnestvedt portray Righteous Brothers and are in the ensemble.
Ensemble members with specific roles include Casey Murray as Marilyn Wald, Samantha Vollmer as the Uptown Singer, Steve Nazarek as Neil Sedaka, Kaitlyn Cross as Betty, Jeff Lokken as Lou Adler, Rachelle Loyd as Lucille, and Anthony Neff as Nick. Sarah Head and Sam Volpe are also in the ensemble.
Director Marc Walentowicz said Carol King is an American icon, and the songs of Goffin and King are part of the fabric of our lives.
“The audience is not only going to love the classic Carole songs like “It’s Too Late” and “Natural Woman,” but they’ll also be surprised that she had a hand in writing huge hits like “On Broadway” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” he said. “You root for Carole and how timely her story is as she struggles to find her voice in a male-dominated world.”
Walentowicz said the story follows the events and relationships that shaped King’s life and art, and includes music she wrote for the Drifters, the Shirelles and Little Eva.
“If you don’t know all the songs, chances are you know about half of them,” he said. “Come on out for a trip down memory lane to a simpler time and be wowed at the creativity of this national treasure, Carole King.”
Frazier said she enjoys being the one to tell King’s story of “love, friendship, empathy, independence and self-worth.”
“She stayed relatively behind the scenes for so many years and wrote so many incredible songs for others to perform, a lot of which people will recognize but may not know she had a hand in,” she said. “The release of her album ‘Tapestry’ in 1971 was her way of taking control of her writing and her sound.”
Frazier said “Beautiful” has only been released recently to community theaters.
“Not a lot of groups in the state have done it so far, and we at the Players Guild are honored to be among some of the first,” she said.
Thomas said she is happy to finally learn the actual words to classic songs she’s been singing for years.
“Little Eva especially gets a standout pop moment where you can’t help but dance, and I’ve nearly mastered putting her words in the right order,” she said.
Thomas said the group numbers will be a treat for audiences.
“The solos are nice, but when there’s multiple voices and the harmonies kick in, those parts are gold,” she said.
Thomas said the show has relatable moments with which everyone can connect.
“It’s a true story that portrays all the genuine heartache and joy of being human,” she said.
Cross said audiences will enjoy hearing so many popular songs.
“Each song is really connected to her personal life, and it’s amazing to see the inspiration for each song,” she said. “The story is entertaining, and you’ll be invested in each of the characters even if you didn’t know them before the show.”
Synnestvedt said the show tells a story of dream chasing and hardship.
“It’s an inspiring story of one woman working to make it big doing what she loves,” he said. “The show features many iconic pop and rock songs, and I’d encourage people to come see these songs they know and love performed in a whole new, interesting way they’ve never seen before.”
Show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, with 2:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 17 and 24 matinees.
Tickets are $26 and are available by calling 313-561-TKTS or online at playersguildofdearborn.org.
The Open Book Theatre Company presents “Breaking Laws to Gain Freedom,” with Shardai Davis (left) and Cassius Merriweather, Nov. 8 through Dec. 1 at the playhouse, 1621 West Road in Trenton. For tickets or more information, go to openbooktc.com.
OPEN BOOK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ‘BREAKING LAWS TO GAIN FREEDOM’
Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company introduces liberating stories from Detroit Nov. 8 to Dec. 1 with “Breaking Laws to Gain Freedom.”
The show takes audiences on an immersive journey through Detroit’s civil rights struggles and features the work of local playwrights.
It recalls pivotal moments from 1833 to 1959, when Detroit witnessed Black Americans seeking freedom and justice, either by escaping to Canada, as soldiers with the First Michigan Colored Infantry, and as everyday people fighting for their place in a racially divided city.
Written by Gail Parrish, Forrest Hudson, Shawntai Brown, Maureen Paraventi and Ann Eskridge, the show is directed by Ashley Lyle.
Lyle said the show is fast-paced and tells fascinating stories.
“The stories explore the determination of the human spirit, the courage to stand for freedom and justice, and the will of the people to protect themselves by any means necessary,” she said. “Audiences will sit at the edge of their seats drawn into each captivating story.”
The cast includes Cassius Merriweather, Mike Sandusky, Kelli Williams, Nick Easterling, LaShanette Harrison, Shardai Davis, Joe Gaskill, Grace Jolliffe and Joe Sfair.
Harrison said that even with the show’s heavier tones, there are still moments of levity and fun.
“This show is important now because it shows how far we haven’t come with the treatment of Black Americans in this country,” she said. “This is a show for everyone, and open minds, open hearts and a clear understanding of the stories will bring healing.”
Gaskill said it’s difficult personally to play characters who are “vile and hateful.”
“The racism in the play, while taking part in the past, unfortunately serves as a grim reminder of its evils today,” he said. “But the hope and determination from each of the heroes in each story also can serve as inspiration and a reminder to never give up, even when faced with such adversity.”
Merriweather said that by telling these stories, Detroit is shown as always being on the forefront of the civil rights movement.
“We are a city aware of social justice issues and a people who organize and fight for equity and equality, and we should be proud of that,” he said.
Playwright Parish said she was surprised when she learned how central Detroit was to the fight for Black freedom, as well as the role Canada played in the fight.
“It’s important to be reminded of our country’s real history, especially its injustices, and the lengths people went to fight against those,” she said. “We should always be willing to look unflinchingly at how our country has fallen short so that we can make better decisions in the future and avoid the mistakes of the past.”
Show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 8, 9, 15, 16, 21 to 23, 29 and 30, with 2 p.m. Nov. 10, 17, 24 and Dec. 1 matinees at the playhouse, 1621 West Road in Trenton.
Tickets for the opening night performance are $35, which includes an afterglow.
For all other performances, tickets are $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors age 60 and older, and $17 for students. To order, call the box office at 734-288-7753 or go to openbooktc.com.
THEATRE AND DANCE AT WAYNE PRESENTS ‘INTO THE WOODS’
The Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical “Into the Woods” brings its fairy tale magic to the stage Nov. 1 to 10 at the Hilberry Gateway Theater, 4715 Cass Ave. in Detroit.
Weaving together familiar fables, one learns about a magical forest where iconic characters have their wishes fulfilled, then face the consequences of “happily ever after.”
The characters include a baker and his wife longing for a child, Cinderella, who wishes to attend a ball, Jack and his cow, and of course a powerful witch.
Show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 1, 2, 8, and 9; 7 p.m. Nov. 7; 2 p.m. Nov. 2, 6 and 9; and 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Hilberry Gateway Theater.
Tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors, WSU alumni and employees, and $20 for students.
To order, call 313-577-2972 or contact [email protected].