PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:
Cobb A fascinating play that examines the life of one of the greatest baseball players of the 20th century: Ty Cobb. Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., May 2-24. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
The Compleat Female Stage Beauty England's leading actor to play women during Shakespeare's time loses his job when the king changes the law, so how can he re-invent himself? Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through May 9. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical A tongue-in-cheek (s)extravaganza about a high school cheerleader named Debbie who raises money to travel to Texas for a spot on the famous Dallas Cowgirl squad. Who Wants Cake? Theatre at The Ringwald, Ferndale. Fri.-Mon., through April 29. $10-$20. 248-556-8581. http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com
Equus A psychiatrist tries to discover what would cause a 17-year-old boy to stab the eyes out of six horses. The Abreact at the Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Venue, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through April 26. $10. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
Escanaba in da Moonlight A hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben Soady goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Broadway Onstage, Eastpointe. Fri., Sat. & select Sundays, through May 17. $14-$16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com
Escanaba in Love Set amidst World War II, the Soady deer camp and its wacky Yoopers are visited by an unexpected invader: a woman! BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing. Wed.-Sun., April 30-May 24. $10-$25. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Exits and Entrances An autobiographical play based on Athol Fugard's own experiences in South African theater. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through June 1. $25-$37. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Growing Pretty A young girl learns that the tortures of being 12 soon give way to the painful and wonderful freedom of adulthood in this world premiere comedy by Michigan native Carey Crim. The Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Wed.-Sun., through May 31. $25-$38. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Hidden Love A devastating secret is revealed: Is pain worth waving? And are secrets worth keeping? Atlantis Theatrical Company LLC at the Charles Wright Museum, Detroit. Sat.-Sun., through April 27. $20. 734-308-6096.
La Rondine Puccini's tragic masterpiece returns to the MOT stage for the first time since 1972. Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit. April 23, 25 & 26. $28-$120. 313-237-7464. http://www.michiganopera.org
Lost in Yonkers A beautiful and hilarious portrait of the American family on the edge. Blackbird Theatre, Ann Arbor. Fri.-Sat., through April 26. $20. 734-332-3848. http://www.blackbirdtheatre.org
Manuscript The Michigan premiere of Paul Grellong's mystery thriller. Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. Thu.-Sun., through May 24. $18-$35. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
The Master Builder Henrik Ibsen's tragic meditation on guilt, love, fear, betrayal and desperation. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through May 17. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Nunsense Cindy Williams stars as the Reverend Mother in the play that started an institution! Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through May 18. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Oy! A marvelously funny and skewed (but not untrue) perspective on life as expressed in a dozen playlets. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Wed., Thu., Sat. & Sun., April 29-May 25. $30-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org
Southern Comforts The twists and turns of love know no age in this comedy about a later-life romance. Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through May 18. $17/advance; $20/at the door. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Stomp The smash hit returns. The Whiting, Flint. Fri.-Sat., May 2-3. $19-$59. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com
The Zoo Story The debut production of Grand Rapids' newest professional theater. Dog Story Theater at its Outside the Box location, Grand Rapids. Thu.-Sat., through April 26. $8. 616-821-8955. http://dogstorytheater.com
COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:
Arms and the Man A romantic young woman gives refuge to a handsome and charming soldier fleeing his enemies. Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre at the Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. Thu.-Sun., May 1-18. $18. 734-214-6600. http://www.mcrt.org
Children of Eden A joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith. Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Fri.-Sun., through May 18. $18. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdwarborn.org
Company A sophisticated musical comedy about a man who seemingly has everything, as seen through the eyes of his married friends. Spotlight Players at The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill, Canton. April 25-27, May 2-4 & 9-10. $18. 734-394-5460. http://www.spotlightplayers.net
Dinner with Friends A bittersweet drama that asks the question: Can your marriage survive your best friend's divorce? SRO Productions at The Historic Burgh Park, Southfield. Fri.-Sun., May 2-18. $12. 248-796-4645. http://www.srotheater.org
A Few Good Men Two marines are on trial for complicity in the death of a fellow marine at Guantanamo Bay. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at UM's Arthur Miller Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., May 1-4. $20. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The hysterical and timeless musical comedy. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. April 25-27, May 1-4, 8-11 & 15-17. $16-$18. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Little Shop of Horrors A down-and-out floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a craving for blood. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. April 25-27, May 2-4 & 9-10. $16. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
Look Homeward, Angel A dramatic tale of a young man's personal growth that's driven by his family. Kalamazoo Civic Senior Class Reader's Theatre at the Carver Center Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sun., May 2-4. $5. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
String of Pearls A string of pearls has an amazing journey through generations of women spanning 35 years. A Stagecrafters' 2nd Stage production at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. April 25-27 & May 1-4. $12. Contains adult content. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Stuff Happens A new play about the extraordinary process leading up to the invasion of Iraq. Peppermint Creek Theatre Company at Perspective2 in Lansing's Old Town. April 24-27 & May 1-3. $15. 517-927-3016. http://www.peppermintcreek.org
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:
Senior Performance Series The best and brightest students create their own theater. Dungeon Theatre, Festival Playhouse at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., May 1-4. $5. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre
Spring Dramafest An evening of staged readings of original theatrical works written by Marygrove College faculty, alumni, staff and students. At the Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit. Thu., April 24. Free. 313-927-1205. http://www.marygrove.edu
Taming of the Shrew Everyone wants to wed fair Bianca, but who will wed problem-child Kate? Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through April 27. $15. 313-577-2960. http://www.bonstelle.com
THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:
The Giver When a young boy in the distant future turns 12, he learns he has the power to “see beyond” the reality of his world and the ability to challenge everything he's been told. Flint Youth Theatre, Flint. Fri.-Sat., through April 26. $14/adults, $12/children. For ages 10 and up. 810-237-1530. http://www.flintyouththeatre.com
Jungle Book The Rudyard Kipling classic. All-of-us Express Children's Theatre at Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Fri.-Sun., through May 4. $7/adult, $5/youth. 517-482-5700. http://www.allofusexpress.org
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley The adventures of an ordinary boy who wakes up one morning flat! Wharton Center, East Lansing. Tue., April 27. $10-$20. 1-800-WHARTON. http://www.whartoncenter.com
A Whole New Show The Saturday Series for Young Audiences presents Michael Lee and Opus Mime. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Sat., April 26. $10/adults, $7/children. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
IMPROV/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:
Heart of the City Improv Improv returns to the heart of Detroit, hosted by Margaret Edwartowski and featuring the area's premier talent. Every Tuesday at Boll YMCA Theatre, Detroit. $5. 313-223-2751. http://www.y-artsdetroit.org
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 Chip Shotz Bar & Grille, St. Claire Shores. Fridays through May 24. $39.95, which includes three-course meal and theater package. 586-294-2000. 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
The Pierian Spring Have you ever thought that your own thoughts were out to get you? Late Night series at Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., through May 3. $5. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
Too Late for Yoga Dust off your stretchy pants and lycra tops for your monthly dose side-splitting improv. Crawlspace Eviction at Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through April 26. $10. 269-599-7390. http://www.crawlspaceeviction.com
AUDITIONS & NEWS:
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE – is holding auditions for its 2008-09 opera season, May 27, 313-237-3405; THE SECOND CITY DETROIT – is offering four Youth Camps this summer beginning in June, 248-348-4448; THE SECOND CITY DETROIT TRAINING CENTER – is now enrolling for Into to Writing and Beginner Improv Classes, 248-348-4448.
