Whether one seeks a Broadway tour, regional theater, college productions or high school talent filling local stages with theatrical magic, November continues to offer numerous options to escape into the magic that is live theatre. The musical “Mrs. Doubtfire” arrives at the Fisher, while Open Book presents “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” Wayne State offers “The Wolves,” Divine Child High School presents “Clue” and Melvindale High School offers “Puffs.” MHS PRESENTS ‘PUFFS’ Muggles beware: … [Read more...] about From comedies to classics, talent shines on area stages
Tempo
As cold weather moves in, live theatre heats up local stages
As Michigan gets colder, area stages are heating up as local groups launch November shows, including The Players Guild of Dearborn’s “A Christmas Carol,” Crestwood High School’s “Puffs,” Dearborn High School’s “Lend Me A Tenor,” the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center’s “Oliver!” and Henry Ford College’s Leo’s Big Day Out.” PGD PRESENTS ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ The Players Guild of Dearborn presents “A Christmas Carol,” based on the Charles Dickens novel, as adapted by Romulus Linney, Nov. 10 to 26 at the theater. The … [Read more...] about As cold weather moves in, live theatre heats up local stages
The Dearborn Symphony presents a Salute to the Armed Forces
DEARBORN – The United States military has inspired some of the greatest music of our time. It’s hard to imagine a world without Sousa marches or cinema without John Williams musical contribution’s like “Saving Private Ryan” or “Born on the Fourth of July.” The Dearborn Symphony will celebrate this patriotic music at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The concert is both moving and rousing with favorite marches, musical salutes, and tunes from military movie soundtracks. Also … [Read more...] about The Dearborn Symphony presents a Salute to the Armed Forces
Taylor woman stars in ‘Avenue Q’ at Riverside Arts Center
Taylor actress Vheena Villareal will take to the stage in “Avenue Q” Oct. 19 to 22 in the Riverside Arts Center’s production at 76 N. Huron Street in Ypsilanti. “Avenue Q,” a musical comedy featuring puppets and human actors, is a parody of “Sesame Street” but with adult themes, including racism and homosexuality. The show, which features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and a book by Jeff Whitty, won three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original … [Read more...] about Taylor woman stars in ‘Avenue Q’ at Riverside Arts Center
Southgate Community Players presents ‘Steel Magnolias;’ Fisher brings ‘Company’ to town; Ringwald launches season with ‘Candy Corn, Christ and the Convoluted History of Golf’
The story of a group of Southern women, who are “as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel” comes to life in Robert Hartwig’s dramatic comedy “Steel Magnolias,” which runs Oct. 6 to 15 at the Southgate Community Players’ Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Road. Directed by Lucinda Chavez of Allen Park, the cast includes Hannah Bogda of Lincoln Park as Shelby, Kayla Chavez of Allen Park as Annelle, Sydnee Corbin of Southgate as Truvy, Jeanne Edwards of Grosse Ile Township as Ouiser, Jema McCardell of Trenton as Clairee … [Read more...] about Southgate Community Players presents ‘Steel Magnolias;’ Fisher brings ‘Company’ to town; Ringwald launches season with ‘Candy Corn, Christ and the Convoluted History of Golf’
Theater seasons begin with ‘Funny Girl’ at the Fisher, ‘Silent Sky’ at WSU
As fall arrives, local theaters begin their new seasons, with the Fisher welcoming the tour of the musical comedy “Funny Girl” and Theatre and Dance at Wayne presenting the Lauren Gunderson drama “Silent Sky,” which explores the challenges of a pioneering female astronomer in the early 1900s at Harvard. ‘FUNNY GIRL’ SET TO DAZZLE IN FISHER SEASON OPENER The musical comedy revival of “Funny Girl,” based on the life of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, popularized by Barbra Streisand in the original Broadway … [Read more...] about Theater seasons begin with ‘Funny Girl’ at the Fisher, ‘Silent Sky’ at WSU
PGD brings the musical comedy ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life
Whether “Putting’ on the Ritz” or enjoying a roll in the hay, the cast of the musical comedy “Young Frankenstein” are ready to set toes tapping and tickle funny bones Sept. 15 to Oct. 1 at the Players Guild of Dearborn. A parody of the horror film genre, it is based on the 1974 Mel Brooks movie by the same name. It features a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks. Directed by Marc Walentowicz, with musical direction by Kevin Dewey and choreography by Janeen Bodary, the madcap comedy follows … [Read more...] about PGD brings the musical comedy ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life
Open Book opens 10th season with ‘Grand Concourse’
The Open Book Theatre Company launches its 10th season with award-winning playwright Heidi Schreck’s “Grand Concourse” Sept. 15 to Oct. 8 at the playhouse, 1621 West Road in Trenton. When Shelley, a nun who runs a soup kitchen in the Bronx, begins to feel like her efforts have no meaning, she encounters Emma, a young, idealistic college drop-out who comes to volunteer and annoys Shelley to the breaking point. With a blend of humor and compassion, the show looks at faith, forgiveness and the pursuit of … [Read more...] about Open Book opens 10th season with ‘Grand Concourse’
Fair is fowl: DYPAC presents ‘Honk JR.’
When an ugly duckling learns to embrace what makes him unique instead of striving for someone else’s standard of perfection, he makes friends with other eclectic creatures while unwittingly avoiding a hungry cat. The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center will present “Honk! JR.,” with book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe and music by George Stiles, Aug. 25 to 27 at the Trenton Village Theater. Directed by Nathan Vasquez, the show features a cast of child ages 5 to 13 years old. Vasquez, an experienced youth … [Read more...] about Fair is fowl: DYPAC presents ‘Honk JR.’
Double delight: DYPAC’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and Crestwood’s ‘Matilda’
Local summer theater programs are showcasing rising young stars, including the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center’s production of “Catch Me If You Can” in Trenton and Crestwood High School’s student and alumni production of “Matilda the Musical” in Dearborn Heights. DYPAC PRESENTS ‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’ The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, will perform the musical “Catch Me If You Can” Aug. 11 to 13 at the Trenton Village Theater. The musical features a libretto … [Read more...] about Double delight: DYPAC’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and Crestwood’s ‘Matilda’