From strong women to romantic conundrums

 

Fisher presents ‘Six;’ OBTC offers ‘Bernhardt/Hamlet;’ PGD presents ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’

Whether celebrating strong women or puzzling over the mysteries of relationships, area theaters offer fascinating shows to explore the concepts, as Broadway in Detroit brings “Six – The Musical” to the Fisher, Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company opens the new year with “Bernhardt/Hamlet” and the Players Guild of Dearborn fills its playhouse with the musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

BROADWAY IN DETROIT BRINGS ‘SIX – THE MUSICAL’ TO THE FISHER THEATER

The Tony Award-winning show “Six – The Musical” returns to the Fisher Theater Jan. 7 to 12 with the six wives of Henry VIII in a euphoric celebration of twenty-first century girl power, which audiences are “losing their heads” over.

From Tudor queens to pop icons, the six actresses mix historical heartbreak with an energizing, inspirational show.

The show is currently running in New York City, London and Toronto, and is on tour in the United Kingdom.

The musical tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII through a singing competition, with the show’s music inspired by singing stars like Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and Rihanna. As the wives compete to be the new lead singer of the girl group, they battle it out with solos and group numbers.

The roles include, in chronological order, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard and Catherine Parr.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 to 11, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12, 2 p.m. Jan. 11 and 1 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.

Tickets start at $45 and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com.

 

TRENTON’S OPEN BOOK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ‘BERNHARDT/HAMLET’

Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company presents Theresa Rebeck’s comedy “Bernhardt/Hamlet,” which follows legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt’s determination to play Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the late 19th century, when a woman playing a male role was a shocking decision, challenging societal norms and theatrical conventions.

Directed by Shelby Seeley, the cast includes Krista Schafer as Sarah Bernhardt, David Galido as Edmond, Lindel Salow as Constant, Kevin Keller as Maurice and Francois, Tim Pollack as Raoul, Kamryn Marck as Lysette and Rosamond, Foster Johns as Louis, and Henry Ballesteros as Alphonse.

Seeley said the show is a “fun, fresh, fierce and feminine dive into Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet.”

“It asks questions about gender, theatre, and how one story is told over centuries as the world does and does not change around it,” she said. “It also asks how women like Sarah Bernhardt dare to do the impossible, even when the knives are poised against them, and end up making history in the doing.”

Seeley said there is still a culture of pushback today when women attempt to take on traditionally male roles in both life and art, with even the theatre industry remaining male-dominated.

“Media backlash against women stepping into iconic male roles, like Ghostbusters or Agent 007, shows that Sarah Bernhardt’s battle is far from over,” she said. “Her story is a reminder of how revolutionary it is for women to break boundaries and reframe the narrative.”

Seeley said she hopes audiences take away a sense of Bernhardt’s struggle and triumph.

“It is not often we get to peek behind the curtain while history is being made, and all the doubt and fear and imposter syndrome that goes hand in hand with it,” she said. “We just see that Sarah Bernhardt succeeded in the impossible because of her indomitable spirit.”

Seeley said the show provides a reminder that progress isn’t easy or comfortable.

“I hope audiences enjoy the beautiful language in the play, and the larger-than-life characters,” she said. “I also hope audiences will laugh and leave with questions about theatre, gender and what it means for a woman to take on a traditionally male role.”

Schafer said Bernhard has been a fascinating role to play.

“Capturing that big and bold personality at time of her life when she was playing Hamlet, the most melancholy of men, and the doubts and troubles and worries that accompanied that is a wild ride, balancing the ego with the doubt, the desire to be seen and known with the urge to hide, and the need for love and connection with a fierce independence.”

Schafer, who serves as Open Book’s artistic director, said she is drawn to stories about women who have fought for their place at a mostly or exclusively male table.

“I also love stories about people who are passionate about what they do, whether that be art or theatre or mathematics,” she said. “I love seeing people do big, impossible things. It’s so inspiring.”

Galido, who said the show is “funny, sexy and thought-provoking,” said the production provides audiences with a glimpse of the creative process and struggles artist go through to reach their goals.

“We talked during rehearsals about Sarah Bernhardt being one of the most famous people on the planet and the power that allowed her, and yet because she was a woman, that power was limited and questioned, just as it has been for female celebrities of that stature throughout history to the very day, from Sarah Bernhardt to Mary Pickford to Bette Davis to Marilyn Monroe to Madonna to Beyonce to Taylor Swift,” he said.

Galido said the show also addresses the issue of how far a production should alter a script before it is no longer the same play.

“Every production of a particular play will be different, but can the author’s original intent be dismissed to serve the desires of the current production? Should it?” he said.

Johns said the show is an engaging behind-the-scenes look at figures from history.

“This show is so important now because the ageism and sexism in the entertainment industry for female-identifying artists are still so rampant,” he said. “What’s fun about the show is that juxtaposition of classical text and contemporary story telling.”

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30 and 31 and Feb. 1, with 2 p.m. Jan. 12, 19 and 26 and Feb. 2 matinees.

Tickets are $37 opening night, with all other performances $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors and $17 for students. To order and for more information, go to openbooktheatrecompany.net.

THE PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN PRESENTS THE MUSICAL ‘I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE’

The Players Guild of Dearborn presents the musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” Jan. 10 to 26 at the playhouse, 21730 Madison in Dearborn.

Directed by Bonnie Holmes Phair of St. Clair Shores, the ensemble cast, who play multiple roles, includes Emily Darling of Westland, Mia Hernandez of St. Clair Shores, Julie Ballantine Brown of Dearborn, McKenzi “Ken” Herndon of Detroit, John Lamb of Ann Arbor and Noah DeRae of Inkster.

Phair said the show is more like an extended episode of “Saturday Night Live” than a standard musical.

“It’s been incredible to watch our ensemble of six chameleons through the various roles they portray in the show,” she said. “This musical is the perfect blend of heart and humor, and the actors take you on both an emotional journey and a hilarious one simultaneously.”

Phair said audiences will enjoy the production’s interpretation of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

“It was important to us that we showcased all kinds of love and all of the various identities that exist in our diverse world,” she said. “All of these identities and relationships deserve to have their turn in the spotlight, and it is our responsibility as artists to showcase and honor them as well. We also have worked hard to get away from stereotypes of gender whenever possible, trying to test the boundaries of what it means to be male, female, or non-binary.”

Phair said the musical is a breath of fresh air.

“A whirlwind of heartfelt ballads and ridiculous situations are carried through by our incredible ensemble of six,” she said. “A small cast musical is a bit more of an intimate experience and that you typically don’t get to see a ‘variety show’ style of musical.”

Brown said she loves all of the characters she plays.

“The humorous parts are hilarious, but my favorites are the sentimental mushy bits,” she said. “I think that audiences will resonate and identify with many parts of the relationship journey that happens through the show, from dating, to sex, to marriage and parenthood, even finding new love after widowhood. This show dares to bring up both the conflicts and joys in a humorous, but sweet, way.”

Brown said audiences need to be aware that the show provides a night of adult humor.

“Definitely leave the elementary and middle school kiddos at home,” she said. “That being said, come out and have some grown-up fun with us!”

DeRae said the physical comedy adds a lot to the show.

“Almost all scenes have some sort of gags that are sure to get the audience laughing.” he said. “To me, physical comedy is one of the best things to watch in any given show.”

DeRae said the show has its roots in sketch comedy.

“Who doesn’t love a good skit, with some amazingly clever song lyrics to boot,” he said. “Plus, if you don’t know the show, all of the jokes will be fresh, and there are so many good jokes in every scene.”

Lamb said that while the show is very comedic, there are moments sprinkled throughout the show that are realistic and hit hard.

“Those are the moments you should look forward to,” he said. “It’s very easy to get sucked into the big name shows, but every once in a while, you get a small show with love and heart, and this is definitely one of those shows.”

Darling said audiences will enjoy the show’s harmonies and the strong vocals as well.

“This show is not to be missed because it is so incredibly relatable, but still has some really cool insights for the audience,” she said. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll leave feeling better than how you came in.”

Darling said the production has a strong blend of performers from different backgrounds and ages who bring magic to the stage, along with the creativity of the crew. 

“The show has been carefully pieced together so that every audience member has a new experience to gain with every scene,” she said.     

Assistant director Lindsay Frischmuth of Plymouth said the show is a smaller musical that never made it to Broadway, so many people aren’t aware of it.

“It’s a vignette musical, almost revue-like, but that’s where its charm and hilarity lay: a rotation of characters played seamlessly and hilariously by six fantastic actors guarantees one heck of a fun night at PGD,” she said.

Frischmuth said the theme of the show focuses on the arc of love and relationships, which are the cornerstones of the human experience.

“Everyone can find themselves in this musical; the archetypes run the gamut and it’s so easy to identify with character struggles — funny or otherwise,” she said. “Who hasn’t been on a bunch of bad dates, or dealt with the growing pains of new parenthood? Who hasn’t felt the hope that comes from the spark of new connection and the potential lifelong love that can blossom in an unlikely place?

“If you’re human, this show is for you, and PGD is the perfect place for it.”

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Jan. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, with 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12, 19 and 26 matinees.

Tickets are $26, and are available by calling 313-561-TKTS or going online at playersguildofdearborn.org.