PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:
A Man of No Importance The Oscar Wilde classic gets a modern-day update by writer/director Mike McGettigan. Fevered Egos Entertainment at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 22-March 15. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Almost, Maine The Michigan premiere of the romantic comedy about "love in the time of frostbite." Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. Thu.-Sun., through March 8. $18-$35. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
American Buffalo David Mamet pits friendship and honor against money and power in his commentary about the nature of humanity and capitalism in America. The Abreact at the Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Space, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through March 15, plus Sun., March 2. $10. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
Annie The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie returns. The Whiting, Flint. Fri.-Sat, through Feb. 23. $19-$59. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com
As You Like It One of Shakespeare's "marriage" comedies, guest directed by former Stratford Shakespeare Festival director Dean Gabourie. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through April 12. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Biloxi Blues On a train headed to boot camp during World War II, 20-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome tries to understand his reactions to the world around him. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through March 22. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Biloxi Blues The continuing story of playwright Neil Simon's alter-ego on his way to boot camp to train for WWII. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through March 9. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Bug A dark comedy set in a seedy Oklahoma City motel that offers a disturbing look at how love can get under your skin. Who Wants Cake? Theatre at The Ringwald Theatre, Ferndale. Fri.-Mon., through March 10. $10-$20. 248-556-8581. http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men An aging patriarch of a fractured family struggles to hold on to memories of his heyday. Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through March 16. $17-$20. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Chicago the Musical Murder, corruption, violence and adultery are the cornerstones of this sultry and alluring smash hit. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. $50-$55. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Defending the Caveman A hilarious one-man play that provides insight about the ways men and women relate. Wharton Center, East Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. $40. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com
Doubt An uptight nun at a Catholic grade school suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior with one of the schoolboys. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through April 6. $25-$37. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Love, Janis A stunning portrait of legendary blues rocker Janis Joplin. Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre, East Lansing. Tue.-Wed., Feb. 26-27. $40. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com
Mama Mia! The smash-hit musical based on the songs of ABBA returns for a two-week engagement. Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through Feb. 24. $29.50-$73.50. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Menopause The Musical Detroit's longest running show returns for a fun-filled engagement. The Historic Gem Theatre, Detroit. Wed.-Sun., through April 6. $39.95. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Murderers Who committed the three murders at the Riddle Key Luxury Senior Retirement Center and Golf Course is a no-brainer, but how and why they did it isn't. BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Wed.-Sun, through Feb. 24. $12-$25. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Oleanna When a male college professor and a female student sit down to discuss her grades, they become participants in a modern reprise of the Inquisition. Breathe Art Theatre Project at Mackenzie Hall, Windsor. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. 519-255-7600). $20. http://www.breathearttheatre.com
The Master Builder Henrik Ibsen's tragic meditation on guilt, love, fear, betrayal and desperation. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory Feb. 22-May 17. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Tempting Fate: An Evening of One Act Plays Two unique stories explore what it means to be the bad guy, what you would to change it if you could, and who the heck cares? Icarus Falling at the former Dancing Crane Gallery, Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through March 1. $15. 517-290-4375. http://www.icarusfalling.com
Vino Veritas Familiar traditions unravel as a foursome shares a bottle of South American ceremonial wine made from the skin of blue dart tree frogs. A world premiere staged by The Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Wed.-Sun., through March 8. $25-$38. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Weekend Comedy Two couples rent the same Catskills cabin for the same weekend by mistake and decide to share it. Broadway Onstage, Eastpointe. Fr.-Sat. & select Sun., through March 29 (except no performances Easter weekend). $16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com
COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry's classic tale of a divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family in 1950s Chicago. Buckham Alley Theatre at the Woodside Church, Flint. Feb. 21-24, 29 & March 1-2. $10. 810-238-ARTS. http://www.buckhamtheatre.com
Brotherly Love A Gospel stage play. Vision of Hope Drama Ministry at Joseph Campau Avenue Church of God, Detroit. Feb. 29. Free. 313-366-4886.
Chapter Two A writer haunted by memories of his deceased wife fears he'll never find true love again. Farmington Players at the Farmington Players Barn, Farmington Hills. Feb. 21-24, 28-29, March 1-2 & 6-8. $13-$15. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Crimes of the Heart An irreverent, warm-hearted portrayal of three very different sisters. Grosse Pointe Theatre in the Fries Auditorium of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe Farms. Feb. 28-March 2 & March 5-8. $16. 313-881-4004. http://www.gpt.org
Death by Chocolate Everyone loves getting sweets from their sweetie, but no one is happy when those sweets have deadly results. Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center at the Trenton Village Theatre, Trenton. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. $7. 734-362-8153. http://www.dypac.com
Enchanted April Four dissimilar ladies in post-WWI England go on a holiday to a secluded villa in Italy and find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings. The Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Fri.-Sun., Feb. 29-March 16. $15. 313-561-8587. http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org
Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain Five women tellers figure out their lives in the break room of the bank at which they all work. SRO Productions at the Historic Burgh, Southfield. Fri.-Sun., through March 10. $12. 248-796-4645. http://www.srotheater.org
Frozen A thriller that entwines the lives of three strangers by horrific circumstances. A Stagecrafters 2nd Stage production at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. Feb. 29-March 2 & March 6-9. $12. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Miss Evers' Boys A warm, moving and surprisingly humorous play that explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous 40-year Tuskegee Study. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through March 2. $10-$14. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Rabbit Hole A life-shattering accident turns a loving couple's world upside-down. Peppermint Creek Theatre Company at Perspective2 in Lansing's Old Town district. Feb. 28-March 2 & March 6-8. $17. 517-927-3016. http://www.peppermintcreek.org
Shakespeare in Hollywood Oberon and Puck magically materialize on the Warner Brothers lot and wander the set of the movie "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. $15-$20. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Secretaries The gaspingly hilarious work by the Five Lesbian Brothers, produced in conjunction with playwright Lisa Kron's visit to Kalamazoo College. Whole Art Theatre at the Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 28-March 2. $5. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:
The Rimers of Eldritch Lanford Wilson's brilliant ensemble piece that provides a glimpse into middle America that correlates with the social issues facing our country today. Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through March 2. $15. 313-577-2960. http://www.bonstelle.com
The Cemetery Club Three Jewish widows who meet once a month for tea and a visit to their husbands' graves meet a butcher at the cemetery who throws their friendship into disarray. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. Feb. 29, March 1-2, 7-9 & 14-15. $14. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
The Vagina Monologues The annual V-Day College Campaign raises funds and awareness towards ending violence against women through performances of Eve Ensler's powerful monologues. UDM Women's and Gender Studies Program and Theatre Department in the Ballroom of the UDM Student Center of the McNichols Campus, Detroit. Thu., Feb. 21. $15. 313-993-1075.
Well The college/university premiere of Lisa Kron's Tony Award-nominated comedy about wellness, racial intergration and the relationship between a mother and daughter. Festival Playhouse of Kalamazoo College & Whole Art Theatre at the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 28-March 2. $15. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre
THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:
Fable-iscious A brand new musical adaptation of Aesop's Fables will leave the audience in stitches. Saturday Series for Young Audiences at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Sat., Feb. 23. $7/children; $10/adults. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Peter has some problems at home, but it's not his mother or his father; it's his adorable baby brother! Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre in the Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. Feb. 29, March 1-2 & 5-8. $6.50. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Diary of Anne Frank A gripping new adaptation that explores the life of a young girl whose voice shines through the time and injustices of the Holocaust. Flint Youth Theatre, Flint. Fri.-Sat., through March 1. $12-14/children; $14-$16/adults. 810-237-1530. http://www.flintyouththeatre.com
IMPROV/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:
Improv at the Point An evening of off-the-cuff comedy features rotating casts of the best improv talent in Metro Detroit. Every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. $8. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
Love Letters An encore run of A.R. Gurney's romantic comedy featuring two characters reading the letters they've exchanged throughout their lives. StarBrite Dinner Theater at the Uptown Eatery, Southfield. Fri.-Sun., through May 18. $39.95/Fri.-Sat.; $36.95/Sun. All prices include three-course meal, show and tax. 248-423-1452. http://www.starbriteprod.com
Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train Enjoy a two-hour scenic train ride while enjoying a three-course, onboard chef-prepared meal and live tableside entertainment that varies each week. Train departs every Friday at 7:30 p.m. from Walled Lake. $69. 248-960-9440. http://www.rail-road.com
Monday Night @ Planet Ant The Ant's resident improvisational troupe, the Improv Colony, is joined each week by a Guest Team that performs the evening's first act; plus, "AntJam." Planet Ant, Hamtramck. Every Monday. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
AUDITIONS & NOTICES:
ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE – is holding auditions for "A Few Good Men," March 2-3, 734-971-2228; AVON PLAYERS – will hold auditions for "Little Shop of Horrors," March 2-3, 248-608-9077; KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE – has announced that Jim Carver is returning as artist in residence for "The Foursome" and has planned several events in conjunction with his visit, call 269-343-2280 for details; STAGECRAFTERS – is soliciting unpublished short plays for its 4th Annual New Works Play Festival, deadline is March 15, 248-541-8027; WHOLE ART THEATRE – is holding auditions for the late night show "Bart the Temp," Feb. 24-25, 269-345-7529.
