Tempo

  Two remarkable, award-winning shows open in Detroit this week: “Jersey Boys” returns Dec. 12 with a week-long run at The Music Hall, while a three-week run of “What the Constitution Means to Me” opens Dec. 14 at the Fisher Theater. ‘JERSEY BOYS’ RETURNS TO TOWN The Tony, Grammy and London Olivier award-winning musical “Jersey Boys,” the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, returns to the Motor City Dec. 12 to 18 at The Music Hall. The musical follow four guys from Jersey who produced a sound that radio and … [Read more...] about ‘Jersey Boys’ returns to the Detroit, while ‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ makes its debut

  Classic tales are revisited on local stages, with Greek mythology reimagined in “Hadestown,” Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” coming to life in “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” and Tchaikovsky’s famous holiday ballet reincarnated in “The Hip Hop Nutcracker.”  MUSICAL ‘HADESTOWN’ REIMAGINES GREEK MYTHOLOGY  “Hadestown,” which runs at the Fisher through Dec. 5, was inspired by the Greek mythological characters of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, Persephone and Hermes, but it isn’t a dry, ancient tale: It is timeless, … [Read more...] about From ‘The Nutcracker’ to Jane Austen, traditional tales get a fresh retelling

By PHYLLIS MORAITIS The Dearborn Symphony, under the piloted baton of Music Director and Conductor Steven Jarvi, took off for a musical trip Nov. 19 from the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. The welcome back to live, non-stop adventure, explored the less visited musical landscapes of masterful composers such as Rossini, Debussy, Ibert, Sibelius and Bartók.  Featured local musicians under Jarvi’s direction ushered the way as the symphony shined in the land of mini masterpieces. Jarvi, as profiled on YouTube … [Read more...] about Dearborn Symphony navigates mini masterpieces from around the world

  As the holiday approach, angels, elves and even the ghosts, as well as comedies to make spirits light, brighten local stages, as Dearborn Edsel Ford High School performs “Laughing Stock,” the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “Elf, The Musical,” P.S. Center Stage Players entertains with “The Littlest Angel” and the Islanders present a narrative version of “A Christmas Carol.” EFHS PRESENTS ‘LAUGHING STOCK’ Edsel Ford High School will present “Laughing Stock” at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 to 3 in the school auditorium, … [Read more...] about Holiday musicals and comedies take center stage

  Barefoot Productions in Livonia will remember member Chuck Bollman of Wyandotte, who died Jan. 18, with a musical tribute Nov. 26 to 28, which will support Barefoot Productions, one of the theater groups he actively supported.  Bollman’s interest in theater began when he attended shows in which his son, Michael, performed. When more men were needed for “Inherit the Wind” at the Players Guild of Dearborn, Bollman delivered his first line on stage, and, while terrified, he enjoyed himself tremendously.  He branched out … [Read more...] about Barefoot Productions remembers Wyandotte’s Chuck Bollman

  DHS presents ‘Clue,’ GIHS stages ‘Arsenic and Old Lace,’ DCHS presents “Peter and the Star Catcher” The weekend before Thanksgiving is a popular time for high schools to present their plays, and three local theater departments run shows this week, with Dearborn High School presenting “Clue: On Stage,” Grosse Ile High School performing “Asenic and Old Lace” and Dearborn Divine Child High School offering “Peter and the Starcatcher.” In addition, Wayne State University opens “The Snow Queen,” the story that inspired … [Read more...] about Local high schools bring drama to the stage

  If laughter is the best medicine, Crestwood High School Theatre has the cure for the blues with its laughter-inducing presentation of the Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields’ comedy, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” The show runs 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 19 and 20, and 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Crestwood High School, 1501 N. Beech Daly, Dearborn Heights. Directed by Cayla Kolbusz, the cast includes Damien DeLuca as Dennis, Alina Hazime as Annie, Harry Krafchak as Max and Arthur, Khalia Mims as Trevor, Ali Nachar as Robert, Mahdi … [Read more...] about Comedy at Crestwood: ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ offers non-stop laughter

  Theater lovers, rejoice: Trenton will open two shows in November, with Trenton High School performing “The Outsiders” Nov. 5 and 6, and the Open Book Theatre Company presenting “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley” Nov. 19 to Dec. 19 at the playhouse, 1621 West Road. ‘THE OUTSIDERS’ at TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL Based on the 1967 coming-of-age novel by S. E. Hinton, “The Outsiders,” adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, follows a tough group of underprivileged teens, or “greasers” caught up in territorial battles with … [Read more...] about Two Trenton treats: ‘The Outsiders’ at Trenton High School, ‘The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley’ at Open Book

  The Ambassador Theatre Group hosted an open house at the Fisher Theater Oct. 14 to celebrate both the return to live theater following the 19-month shutdown and to celebrate the Nederlander legacy. Executive Director Alan Lichtenstein, who started working at the Fisher Theater in 1981, said the Fisher Brothers and the Nederlander family could never have imagined the COVID-19 shutdown. “The lights dimmed, the doors closed and the music stopped, but like this city, our spirit never ceased,” he said. “Although our stages … [Read more...] about Fisher Theater celebrates reopening under new ownership