Professional Theater:
Brighton Beach Memoirs Part one of Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy is a portrait of the writer as a Brooklyn teenager in 1937. Staged Wednesday through Sunday (excluding Friday) by the Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company at the Aaron DeRoy Theatre, West Bloomfield, May 4 – June 5. Tickets: $27 – $37. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org.
Bus Stop A howling snowstorm drives a busload of weary travelers to take shelter in a roadside diner. Presented Wednesday through Sunday at Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea, through June 4. Tickets: $17.50 – $32.50. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org.
Byrd's Boy A touching tale of two misfits bonded together by name and loneliness trying to belong in a fatherless world. Presented Thursday through Sunday at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit, through May 22. Tickets: $17. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com.
Deceptions to the Rule An original comedy inspired by classic film noir about an ex-con hotel heiress's plot to rub out her washed-up father and alcoholic brother. Presented Thursday through Sunday at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck, May 13 – June 5. Tickets: $10 – $15. 313-365-4948. www.planetant.com.
An Evening with Jeff Daniels Chelsea's own resident movie star heads to MSU with a one-man show that highlights his musical talents. Presented at Wharton center's Pasant Theatre, East Lansing, May 7 only. Tickets: $40. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com.
The Good Doctor Neil Simon pays tribute to the whimsical side of Anton Chekhov with a series humorous sketches. Staged Friday through Sunday by Flanders Theater Company at Trinity House Theater, Livonia, May 6 – 22. Tickets: $15 – $25. 313-538-5739. http://hometown.aol.com/markgflanders.
Hairspray I big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart has only one passion – to dance! Presented Tuesday through Sunday at the Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit, through May 15. Tickets: $33 – $75.50. 313-872-1000. http://www.nederlanderdetroit.com.
Henry IV, Part I The recently-crowned king faces challenges that threaten his territory and the future of the throne. Performed in Repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, through May 5. Tickets: $15 – $22. 313-577-2960. http://www.theatre.wayne.edu/t_hilberry.html.
Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train A raw and powerful drama about a first time offender and a psychopathic serial killer turned born again Christian examines issues of morality, faith, punishment and forgiveness. Staged Friday through Sunday by the African Renaissance Theater of Detroit at 1515 Broadway, Detroit, through May 30. Tickets: $20. 313-333-1444.
Margaret Garner The world premiere opera by composer Richard Danielpour and librettist Toni Morrison is based on a true story of a fugitive slave's tragic quest for freedom. Staged by the Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit, May 7, 11, 14, 20 & 22. Tickets: $45 – $170. 313-237-7464. http://www.michiganopera.org.
Menopause The Musical A joyful musical parody about four women who have nothing in common except a certain shared experience! Presented Tuesday through Sunday at the Gem Theatre, Detroit, for an open run. Tickets: $39.50. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com.
The Metamorphosis Kafka's dark yet humorous tale about an overworked man who awakens to discover he has been turned into a giant bug. Presented Friday and Saturday at The Abreact Performance Space, Detroit, through May 15, plus Sunday May 8 & 15. Tickets: By donation. 313-378-5404.
Misalliance A gun-toting socialist and an adventurous female acrobat are loose at the home of an underwear tycoon in a giddy clash of generations and gender roles. Performed in Repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, through May 14. Tickets: $15 – $22. 313-577-2960. www.theatre.wayne.edu/t_hilberry.html.
Mrs. Shakespeare Dishes the Dirt The Bard's life and works are exposed from someone who knew him best – his wife! Presented at the Village Theatre at Cherry Hill, Canton, May 6 – 8 only. Tickets: $15. 734-394-5460. http://www.canton-mi.org.
Now That I Can Dance – Motown 1962 An original production that spotlights the early days of Motown Records and its first girl group, the Marvelettes. Staged Friday through Sunday by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit on the stage of the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, May 13 – 22. Tickets: $18. 313-833-4005. http://www.mosaicdetroit.org.
Nunsensations – The Vegas Revue The regional premiere of the latest chapter in the adventures of the Little Sisters of Hoboken stars Georgia Engel and is directed by series creator Dan Goggin. Presented Tuesday through Sunday at Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck, May 7 – June 5. Tickets: $27.50 – $30. 269-857-4898. http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org.
Summer and Smoke The Tennessee Williams' story that asks: Where can passion be found – in the spirit or in the flesh? Presented Thursday through Sunday at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor, through May 29. Tickets: $20 – $34.50. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org.
Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show Stand-up, music and the wisdom of Thelma Harper come to life in this show featuring the Emmy Award-winning comedienne and former co-star of the "Carol Burnett Show." Presented at The Whiting, Flint, May 6 only. Tickets: $24 – $55. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com.
The World Goes 'Round Forty years of music by John Kander and Fred Ebb is celebrated, including songs from "Cabaret" to "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Presented Wednesday through Sunday at Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills, through May 15. Tickets: $20 – $36. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com.
Civic/Community Theater:
Forever Plaid Four young, eager singers are killed in a car crash on their way to their first big concert, but they're allowed to return for the chance of fulfilling their dream. Presented by the Avon Players, Rochester Hills, May 6 – 8, 13 – 15 & 19 – 21. Tickets: $16. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org.
The Gravity of Honey A nightclub singer and a priest delve into issues of faith, friendship and the meaning of life. A Stagecrafters' 2nd Stage production at the historic Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak, May 5 – 8. Tickets: $12. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org.
My Sweet Charlie An educated black youth on the lam and a simple, unschooled white girl in trouble stumble upon each other and come to certain realizations. Presented Friday through Sunday by Buckham Alley Theatre, Flint, through May 8. Tickets: $10. 810-239-4477. http://www.buckhamtheatre.com.
Office Hours Six separate situations that arise in six different offices throughout a big city don't look connectedÉat least not at first. Presented Friday through Sunday by SRO Productions, Southfield, May 6 Р22. Tickets: $10. 248-796-4645. http://www.cityofsouthfield.com/living/sro.php.
Richard III Unmoved by the celebration surrounding Edward IV's coronation and the promise of peace, Richard continues his quest for the crown. Staged by Flint City Theatre at Good Beans CafŽ, Flint, May 12 Р14, 19 Р21 & 26 Р28. Tickets: $5. 810-237-4663. http://www.flintcitytheatre.com.
Something's Afoot A musical spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries in which all of the suspects meet their demise. Staged Friday through Sunday by Marshall Civic Players at the Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall, May 13 – 22. Tickets: $15. 269-781-3335. http://www.marshallcivicplayers.org.
State Fair The Drake family leaves their farm and heads off for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Presented by the Farmington Players, Farmington Hills, May 6 – 8, May 12 – 15 & May 19 – 21. Tickets: $15. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org.
The Will Rogers Follies A Follies-style tribute to legendary humorist Will Rogers. Staged by the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo, May 6 – 7, May 12 – 15 & May 19 – 21. Tickets: $15 – $21. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com.
Theater for Young Audiences:
Ferdinand the Bull An encore performance of the bi-lingual musical about a bull who would rather smell the flowers than become a famous Toro. Presented at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor, May 7 only. Tickets: $7/students, $10/adults. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org.
Hola Cinderella The classic takes is transported to Old Mexico. Presented Thursday through Sunday at Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing, through May 8. Tickets: $4/children, $6/adults. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com.
Really Rosie The sassiest kind on the block entertains her friends by acting out show-biz fantasies. Staged by Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre at the Suzanne D. Parish Theatre, kalamazoo, May 13 – 15 & 18 – 21. Tickets: $5/children, $6.50/adults. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com.
Turtle Island A new puppet show based on Native American legends. Presented every Saturday in May at PuppetART, Detroit. Tickets: $5/children, $7/adults. 313-961-7777. http://www.puppetart.org.
Improvisation/Late Night/Interactive/Dinner Theater:
Improv Inferno A new comedy lounge in Downtown Ann Arbor with five nights of fun: "The Ladies Show: The Breast Show in Town" hits the stage on Wednesday nights; Thursday hosts "Catfight" & "High Octane"; Friday and Saturday features "The Damnation Game," and at Midnight, "The X Show"; and open mike night rules on Sunday with "Get Up Stand Up." Tickets: $5 – $10. 734-214-7080. http://www.improvinferno.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. Presented every Monday night (except holidays) at Planet Ant, Hamtramck. Tickets: $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com.
The Reality Buffet Short plays selected by the audience are based upon the lives, perspectives and experiences of Detroit's acting and improv communities. Staged every Sunday evening by Motoprism at the Matrix Theatre, Detroit. Tickets: $10. 313-967-0999. http://www.matrixtheatre.org.
Red-Eye Late-Night Festival A late-night festival in which four productions will be staged over four weeks, each running four nights. Staged Wednesday through Saturday at the Mosh Pit Theatre, Ann Arbor, May 4 – 28. Tickets: $10. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org.
Storm Warning An independent and hot-tempered big band chart writer visits a lakeside retreat looking for solitude and finds much more. Staged Friday and Saturday by StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at the 14th Street Grille and Bar, Madison Heights, May 6 – June 25. Tickets: $39.50, includes three-course dinner. 248-589-9900. http://www.starbriteprod.com.
AUDITIONS, CLASSES & FUNDRAISERS:
STAGECRAFTERS YOUTH THEATRE – "Aladdin and His Wonderful, Magical Lamp," auditions May 7, 248-541-8027; CHELSEA AREA PLAYERS – "auditions for "Beauty and the Beast," May 17 & 18, 734-475-3269.
