From light-hearted to thought-provoking, two Trenton theaters open coming-of-age stories in May, as the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “The Big One Oh! Jr.,” with lyrics by Dean Pitchford, music by Doug Besterman and book by Timothy Allen McDonald, and the Open Book Theatre Company presents Paula Vogel’s “How I Learned to Drive.” DYPAC PRESENTS ‘THE BIG ONE OH! JR.’ The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “The Big One Oh! Jr.,” a birthday party for an important milestone which takes … [Read more...] about Coming of Age: DYPAC presents ‘The Big One Oh! Jr.,’ with OBTC performing ‘How I Learned to Drive’
Tempo
Upbeat musicals on local stages: Grosse Ile H.S. presents ‘Mamma Mia’ while Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ flies into the Fisher
Two upbeat musicals usher in “the lusty month of May,” and while they aren’t “Camelot,” they do offer uplifting stories, with Grosse Ile High School presenting “Mamma Mia” and Disney’s “Aladdin” flying into the Fisher. GROSSE ILE H.S. PRESENTS ‘MAMMA MIA’ The energy and romantic charm of “Mamma Mia” will heat up the stage of Grosse Ile High School May 11 to 13 in the school auditorium, 7800 Grays Drive. The story, which features the music of ABBA, focuses on a young woman planning her wedding, who, unbeknownst to … [Read more...] about Upbeat musicals on local stages: Grosse Ile H.S. presents ‘Mamma Mia’ while Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ flies into the Fisher
From silly to serious: ‘SpongeBob the Musical’ at Crestwood, ‘La Cage’ at PGD, ‘Orlando’ at WSU, and ‘The Inheritance’ at The Ringwald
Whether you’re looking for a light-hearted show or more thought-provoking fare, there are many choices on local stages next week as Crestwood High School presents “The SpongeBob Musical,” the Players Guild of Dearborn offers “La Cage aux Folles,” Wayne State University brings “Orlando” to the stage, and The Ringwald performs “The Inheritance.” CRESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL’ “If nautical nonsense is something you wish” be sure to head over to Crestwood High School May 6 to 13 for “The SpongeBob … [Read more...] about From silly to serious: ‘SpongeBob the Musical’ at Crestwood, ‘La Cage’ at PGD, ‘Orlando’ at WSU, and ‘The Inheritance’ at The Ringwald
Triple treat: MHS presents ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,’ THS presents ‘Freaky Friday’ and HFC presents ‘The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)’
A triple theatrical treat tempts playgoers the last week of April on local stages, with Melvindale High School presenting the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” April 28 to 30, Trenton High School performing the musical “Freaky Friday” April 27 to 29 and Henry Ford College offering the comedy “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)” April 28 and 29 on the main campus. MELVINDALE H.S. PRESENTS ‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’ Melvindale High School will take audiences on a musical journey about the joys … [Read more...] about Triple treat: MHS presents ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,’ THS presents ‘Freaky Friday’ and HFC presents ‘The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)’
Social justice then and now:‘Annie’ arrives at the Fisher; UDM presents ‘Unheard Voices: Afro-Brazilian Diaspora’
Two dissimilar shows with the common thread of social justice open soon, with “Annie,” the story of a spunky orphan and set during the Great Depression, opening at the Fisher April 25 and the University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company’s production of “Unheard Voices – Afro-Brazilian Diaspora,” opening April 20, exploring communities formed in Brazil by rebelling African slaves. NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF ‘ANNIE’ TO SHINE AT THE FISHER THEATER It may not be “the top of the Chrysler Building,” but the North American tour of … [Read more...] about Social justice then and now:‘Annie’ arrives at the Fisher; UDM presents ‘Unheard Voices: Afro-Brazilian Diaspora’
DYPAC ushers in spring with ‘Singing in the Rain’
The extremes of weather may not always be welcome, but the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center’s production of “Singing in the Rain” will offer the lighter side of April showers Downriver, while in Midtown, Wayne State University offers “She Kills Monsters” and “Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet,” which is set in the shadow of a hurricane. DYPAC PRESENTS ‘SINGING IN THE RAIN’ AT THE TRENTON VILLAGE THEATER While most of us in Michigan take cover during April showers, we can also conjure images of Gene Kelly dancing … [Read more...] about DYPAC ushers in spring with ‘Singing in the Rain’
WSU launches first musical at Gateway Theater with ‘Cabaret’
Wayne State University will launch its first musical theater performance at the new Gateway Theater, 4715 Cass Ave. in Detroit, in the shadow of the historic Hilberry Theater, with an April 7 to 16 run of “Cabaret.” The Tony Award-winning Kander and Ebb musical, which opened on Broadway in 1966, is set in 1929-30 Berlin when the jazz age was ending and the Nazis were first coming to power, seen through the eyes of an American writer who falls in love with an English cabaret performer. A secondary story follows a boarding … [Read more...] about WSU launches first musical at Gateway Theater with ‘Cabaret’
Tony Award-winning ‘Chicago’ dazzles for one week at the Fisher Theater
The Tony Award-winning musical “Chicago” will bring its razzle dazzle to Detroit March 28 to April 2 as the Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb musical lights up the stage of the Fisher Theater. Set in the city of Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, the show slips into a satirical spin as it takes on the concept of celebrity criminals, as well as criminal justice system corruption. Roxie Hart, the bored housewife of a mechanic, is having an affair with the man who sold them their furniture, but when he tries to break off their … [Read more...] about Tony Award-winning ‘Chicago’ dazzles for one week at the Fisher Theater
EFHS presents ‘Sweeney Todd,’ SCP offers ‘Our Town’
From hazardous to heartwarming: Whether you’re looking for the classical charm of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” at the Southgate Community Players or a more cutting slice of life in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd” at Edsel Ford High School, the two award-winning plays will light up local stages next weekend. EFHS PRESENTS SONDHEIM’S ‘SWEENEY TODD’ A wronged barber who takes revenge upon a ruthless judge sets the stage for the Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of … [Read more...] about EFHS presents ‘Sweeney Todd,’ SCP offers ‘Our Town’
Celebrate St. Paddy’s with the Dearborn Symphony
DEARBORN – The Dearborn Symphony will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with traditional Irish music that lifts the spirit at 8 p.m. March 17 at the Michael A. Guido Theater in Dearborn’s Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. The evening of music honoring Ireland features melodies by Percy Grainger, Benjamin Britten, Gustav Holst, Leroy Anderson and John Williams. The Dearborn Symphony welcomes acclaimed baritone, Jonathan Lasch back to the stage to perform several vignettes of lyrical Irish folk songs and … [Read more...] about Celebrate St. Paddy’s with the Dearborn Symphony