Tempo

  Whether watching musical murderesses or the comic mayhem of a desperate theater company, laughter is on tap with Crestwood High School’s production of “Chicago” (the high school version) and Barefoot Production’s presentation of the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo.” CRESTWOOD PRESENTS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION OF ‘CHICAGO’ “Chicago,” a musical set in the 1920s, is a satire on corruption in the criminal justice system and the concept of the celebrity criminal. As one of the longest running Broadway musicals, it includes upbeat … [Read more...] about From murder to mayhem: Never a dull moment on local stages

  Like the character Lumiere he played in “Beauty and the Beast,” Brian Welch’s bright light illuminated the stage, from God to dog, playing memorable roles ranging from Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar” to Snoopy in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Welch, 47, who died March 28, was born and raised in Monroe, lived in Dearborn, and for many years taught autistic children in the Lincoln Park Public Schools. He was best known, though, for his theatrical pursuits, whether onstage or directing. When his Type 1 diabetes … [Read more...] about From God to Dog: Brian Welch lit up the stage

  Whether he was bathing the stage in beautiful color, gracing it in a character role or ushering in the house, long-time Players Guild of Dearborn member Steve Gautreau has made his final curtain call. Gautreau, who died March 27 following a stroke, had struggled in recent years with encroaching dementia. A lifelong Dearborn resident, he discovered theater while a student at Edsel Ford High School, and joined the Players Guild of Dearborn in 1961, while still a teenager. He took theater classes at Henry Ford College … [Read more...] about Exit stage left: Players Guild bids farewell to lighting guru, actor Steve Gautreau

  The Dearborn Youth Theater, sponsored by Dearborn Parks and Recreation, has received a $5,000 donation from the Ford Motor Company Fund through the Dearborn Community Fund.  The Dearborn Youth Theater, which has been showcasing the city’s talented young thespians for more than 50 years, encourages both creativity and confidence among its participants, which range in age from 6 to 18 years old.  Donations help the program maximize the young actors’ opportunities for success, and will positively impact the cast of … [Read more...] about Dearborn Youth Theater receives $5,000 donation from Ford Motor Company Fund

  From the song “One Normal Night” to “Crazier Than You,” the musical comedy “The Addams Family,” presented March 31 to April 10 by the Theatre Company at University of Detroit Mercy, will have audiences appreciating the Addams, their eccentricity and their bonds as a family. When Wednesday Addams falls in love with a young man from a middle class family from Ohio, she asks her family to give her “one normal night” when he and his parents come to visit. However, the visit that unfolds is anything but “normal,” and the young … [Read more...] about U of D Mercy presents musical comedy ‘The Addams Family’

  In a war of words focused on fact versus fiction, a magazine editor must mediate between a famous essayist and a zealous fact checker over an article about a teen suicide in “The Lifespan of a Fact,” which runs March 18 to April 16 at Trenton’s Open Book Theatre.    Artistic director Krista Schafer Ewbank said the show is a funny and timely show that looks at how people present facts and try to discover what is true.  “The debate over what is true and what is factual is literally raging all around us, and this tackles … [Read more...] about Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company presents ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’

  It’s a musical March, with Dearborn High School presenting, “Something Rotten,” Trenton High School performing the high school edition of “Chicago” and “SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical” making its Detroit premiere at the Fisher Theater.  DHS PRESENTS ‘SOMETHING ROTTEN’ The musical comedy “Something Rotten” will fill Dearborn High School’s Valentine Auditorium with laughter March 16 to 19 as the school presents its spring show.  The musical, set in London in 1590, features the theatre company of Nick and Nigel … [Read more...] about A musical March: ‘Something Rotten’ at DHS; ‘Chicago’ at THS; ‘Summer’ at the Fisher

  From a Michigan comedic premier to a tempting Broadway touring season, theatergoers have a season full of shows to anticipate.  “Small Mouth Sounds,” an adult comedy by Tony Award-nominated playwright Bess Wohl, makes its Michigan debut through March 14 at the Ringwald Theatre at Affirmations in Ferndale.  Six people, escaping from city life, find themselves on a silent retreat in the woods, where their vows of silence conflict with their need to interact with other people. As each of them confront their inner demons, … [Read more...] about Ringwald hosts Michigan premiere of ‘Small Mouth Sounds’