Whether you’re looking for music or comedy to lift you away from life’s cares, the Motor City is offering both, with “Stomp” exploding its sound on the Music Hall stage, and laughing filling the Detroit Rep as it launches its season with the comedy “Asking Strangers the Meaning of Life.” The percussive sensation “Stomp” returns to Detroit March 1 to 6 at the Music Hall with its unique blend of musical magic, using everything from brooms to hubcaps, to perform a unique show that began in Scotland. The performers make … [Read more...] about The beat goes on: ‘Stomp’ returns to Detroit
Tempo
Classics take to the stage with PSCSP’s ‘Peter Pan’ and SCP’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’
Classical tales take to the stage as PS Center Stage Players produce a musical version of “Peter Pan,” while the Southgate Community Players present a youth theater production of “Winnie the Pooh – Kids.” In addition, Barefoot Productions will hold auditions for Paul Bruce’s “Little Women – A Little Musical.” PSCSP PRESENTS MUSICAL ‘PETER PAN’ The musical magic of “Peter Pan” will take one’s mind off the winter cold as PS Center Stage Players travel to Neverland Feb. 17 to 25 at the Jo Brighton Auditorium, 4460 18th … [Read more...] about Classics take to the stage with PSCSP’s ‘Peter Pan’ and SCP’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’
High jinks and hilarity: Players Guild of Dearborn presents ‘The Nerd’
Laughter-inducing comedy takes center stage Feb. 18 to 25 as the Players Guild of Dearborn presents Larry’s Shue’s “The Nerd.” Set in Terre Haute, Ind., in late 1979, the story focuses on an architect, Willum Cubbert, who has an unexpected guest at a dinner party: Rick Steadman, a man he has never met, but who saved his life when he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. While Willum owes his life to Rick, what he doesn’t anticipate is how social awkward and annoying the man can be until Rick starts to turn his life upside … [Read more...] about High jinks and hilarity: Players Guild of Dearborn presents ‘The Nerd’
Killer Comedy: Theatre Company at Detroit Mercy slays for laughs with ‘The Norwegians’
When two jilted women hire hitmen to kill their cheating boyfriends, life gets complicated when the two Norwegians they hire turn out to be dangerously nice in The Theatre Company Detroit Mercy’s production of C. Denby Swanson’s comedy “The Norwegians” Feb. 4 to 13 at the Marlene Boll Theatre. Directed by Andrew Papa of Farmington, the cast includes guest artist Dave Davies of Warren as Tor and Luke Adamkiewicz of Dearborn Heights as Gus, the hitmen; and Elise Pannemann of Clinton Township as Olive and Kaelyn Johnson of … [Read more...] about Killer Comedy: Theatre Company at Detroit Mercy slays for laughs with ‘The Norwegians’
Ready for the roar: Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ returns to Detroit
Disney’s “The Lion King” roars into the Motor City Jan. 27 to Feb. 20 for a limited engagement at the Detroit Opera House. The show, which played to sold out houses in Detroit in 2017, includes Elton John and Tim Rice’s beloved songs, including “Circle of Life,” “I Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and combines popular Western music with the unique sounds and rhythm of African music. “The Lion King” is the story of Simba, a young lion prince, who is tricked by his treacherous … [Read more...] about Ready for the roar: Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ returns to Detroit
WSU presents Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Fairview’ at the Hilberry
The twists and turns of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fairview” will take center stage Feb. 25 through March 5 at Wayne State University’s Hilberry Theater. The play, written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and examines family dynamics and the insidious impact of racism. Directed by Billicia Charnelle Hines, the play begins with the planning for a “perfect” birthday party, which is challenged by family drama. In the first act, a middle-class Black family prepares a birthday party … [Read more...] about WSU presents Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Fairview’ at the Hilberry
Tony Award-winning musical ‘Hairspray’ returns to the Fisher
Step into a colorful slice of the ’60s, where the music is as big as the heroine and the hairdos, and the high energy score will leave you tapping your foot and grinning as “Hairspray” entertains Jan. 18 to 30 at Detroit’s Fisher Theater. Set in 1962 Baltimore, and based on the 1988 film by the same name, “Hairspray” follows 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad as she tries to make her dream to be on the Corny Collins Show, a local televised dance show, a reality. When Tracy wins a spot on the show, she also lobbies to … [Read more...] about Tony Award-winning musical ‘Hairspray’ returns to the Fisher
‘Beautiful – The Carole King Musical’ comes to the Fisher
The soundtrack of a generation: Whether you “Feel the Earth Move” or “Some Kind of Wonderful,” there is a Carole King song that is part of one’s own personal soundtrack, and makes one turn up the radio, or stop and listen to a song playing over a speaker. “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” captures that soundtrack of a generation, as well as many musical memories, Jan. 4 to 9 at the Fisher Theater. The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical tells of the early life and career of Carole King, a groundbreaking … [Read more...] about ‘Beautiful – The Carole King Musical’ comes to the Fisher
Remembering: OBTC’s ‘Marjorie Prime’ brings the selective past to life
Marjorie’s memory is jumbled and fading, but a new companion, an android version of her husband as a young man, offers her a chance to be selectively reminded of the stories of her life, in Jordan Harrison’s “Marjorie Prime,” which runs Jan. 21 to Feb. 20 at Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company. Harrison’s 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist play looks at how artificial intelligence could be used to create companions. In Marjorie’s case, a younger version of her late husband Walter, a “prime” of him, is selectively filled with … [Read more...] about Remembering: OBTC’s ‘Marjorie Prime’ brings the selective past to life
Performing arts at the middle school level: Stout encourages creativity, provides a safe space
Volunteers at Stout Middle School nurtured the school’s performing arts program with a school-wide talent show Dec. 14 to encourage creativity and provide a safe space for students to express themselves. Volunteer director and mentor Amen Salha, an Edsel Ford High School senior, said he launched the talent show this year to raise awareness of the importance of the performing arts at the middle school level. “This talent show provides a safe space for students who aren’t the next NBA basketball players or NFL … [Read more...] about Performing arts at the middle school level: Stout encourages creativity, provides a safe space