Summer has unofficially arrived, and most theaters are currently enjoying some well-earned rest and relaxation. Theater lovers shouldn't despair, however, as several producers are keeping their stages and central air systems sizzling for the next three months.
Throughout June, Curtain Calls will preview a number of events, such as Mason Street Warehouse's upcoming summer season in Saugatuck, "The Little Dog Laughed" at Performance Network Theatre in Ann Arbor, Jeff Daniels' "Panhandle Slim and the Oklahoma Kid" at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea and the uniquely entertaining "Torch with a Twist" at Cliff Bell's in downtown Detroit.
And we'll also squeeze in the occasional review, including "The Best of The Second City" and The Abreact's "Desperate Losers (Part 2)."
But what of the other shows that will compete for your entertainment dollars?
This weekend, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre opens the wacky comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," while Whole Art Theatre in Kalamazoo returns to the '60s with the tribal rock musical, "Hair." Meanwhile, the Detroit Ensemble Theatre continues its quiet resurgence in Warren with "Speed-the-Plow," David Mamet's satirical look at the movie industry.
If you love to laugh, next week sees the return of "Don't Dress for Dinner," Tipping Point Theatre's inaugural production in Northville that recently garnered three 2008 Wilde Award nominations. Plus, fans of "Late Night Catechism" will want to check out the sequel "Sunday School Cinema" at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks.
And don't forget improv every Monday night at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck and Tuesdays at the Boll Family YMCA in downtown Detroit. Or visit Tipping Point Theatre the first and third Tuesday of every month. And Crawlspace Eviction makes its monthly appearance at the Whole Art Studio in Kalamazoo June 13-14.
For the more adventuresome among us, however, I have a few recommendations.
Funy as Hell
Satori Circus and the Dambacher brothers return June 20 with a reformulated "Funy as Hell," a performance art piece that uses Dante's "The Divine Comedy" as the framework to explore humanity – frailties and all. Last summer's production at Oakland University was a delightfully eclectic and mind-boggling mix of art forms, and this summer's reinterpretation, I'm told, will be a slimmer and tighter-focused work that will leave you asking, "Could hell really be THIS entertaining?" (One can only hope…)
The adult-themed performance is scheduled for two nights only, 9 p.m. June 20-21 at 210 Campbell, Suite D. in Rochester. Seating is limited. Call 574-850-7222 or log onto http://www.myspace.com/satori_circus for details.
Dog Story Theater
Despite the fact that Grand Rapids' newest professional theater won't occupy its brand new black box space for a couple of months yet, Dog Story Theater is working Outside-the-Box this summer with a couple of special projects.
Comedy duo Jasinya Sanchez and Nikki Chaunte take entertainment to the next step every Monday night as Gloria and Loretta in "Old Lady Monday," a term used to describe how people feel when Monday rolls around and all you want to do is sit around in your comfy clothes, eat, drink malt liquor, watch TV and just be lazy.
Then on June 21, the raucous and clever one-woman comedy "Sarah Jean Anderson: One Pretty, Funny Girl" premieres, starring one of West Michigan's most original comediennes.
Dog Story Theater is located at 311 State St. NW. For tickets and information, call 616-821-8955 or log on to http://dogstorytheater.com.
