Michigan Opera Theater
Puccini's masterpiece, "La Boheme," is a timeless treasure that paints the story of a poor young couple seeking a lovers' paradise among resilient, struggling friends in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Some of the most familiar and well-loved arias come from this beautiful opera.
The tragic love story of Mimi and Rudolfo was the basis for the rock musical opera "Rent," with Mimi's fatal tuberculosis instead changed to AIDS in New York during the 1980s. New operatic superstar soprano Lina Tetriani sings the role of Mimi in MOT's production. "La Boheme" runs Oct. 17-25.
MOT's other operas this season are "The Passenger" by Mieczyslaw Weinberg, a recently discovered work that looks at one German couple's struggle to face their role in the holocaust. Opening next March, Aaron Copeland's "The Tender Land" is the quintessential American opera that juxtaposes diversity and conservative morals in the 1930s, a theme hauntingly familiar to today's social conflicts.
The season wraps up with two monumental operatic triumphs, Guiseppe Verdi's "Macbeth" in April followed by Mozart's whimsical classic, "The Magic Flute" in May.
Season tickets and single event seats are available at http://www.motopera.org.
{BOLD "Young Frankenstein"
Stagecrafters}
Madcap antics, high-energy dance and a toe-tapping musical score compose the perfect formula for a musical comedy to kick off Stagecrafters' award-winning 2015-16 Main Stage series. "Young Frankenstein" is the musical stage adaptation of Mel Brooks' 1974 black-and-white film of the same name which parodies the 1930s horror movie genre. The show runs Sept. 11-Oct. 4 and is directed by Richard Wilson. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22-24 and available at http://www.stagecrafters.org or by calling 248-541-430. The Baldwin Theatre is located at 415 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak.
Other works to come in Stagecrafters' "Main Stage Series" are Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's "Mary Poppins" Nov. 20-Dec. 20, directed by John Luther; Director Deborah Landis-Sigler's "Avenue Q" Jan. 22-Feb. 7, 2016; "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," April 8-24, 2016, directed by Rodel Salazar; and "Dreamgirls," directed by Jamie Richards for June 3-26, 2016. Baldin Theater's "2nd Stage Series" will bring three works. Jeffery Nelson will direct the drama, "The Piano Lesson," Oct. 16-25. Jerry Haines directs "How I Learned to Drive" Feb. 12-21, 2016, and Jay Kaplan will direct the comedy/drama "Casa Valentina" May 6-15, 2016. Barbara Vorves will direct tehe remaining youth theatre entry, "The Snow Queen," March 3-6, 2016.
{BOLD "The Addams Family"
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre}
In this darkly comic musical about the classic family, Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. Everything will change for the Addams family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents. "The Addams Family" runs Sept.10-13 at the University of Michigan's Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University, Ann Arbor. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $13-25 and available through http://www.a2ct.org or 734-971-2228.
Next up for A2CT is the Shakespeare drama, "Julius Caesar," Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the Arthur Miller Theatre. This quintessential political intrigue, directed by Kat Walsh, is the bard at his dastardly best. The classic Sondheim musical "Company" rings in the New Year Jan. 7-10, 2016 at the Arthur Miller. Directed by Rachel Francisco, "Company" explores relationships and commitment in true Sondheim style. A2CT ushers out winter with the comedy "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," March 10-13, 2016, also at the Arthur Miller Theatre. Directed by David Widmayer, Hamlet's hapless duo gets the spotlight in Stoppard's comedy of words. Neil Simon's comedy "Barefoot in the Park" hits the Arthur Miller stage April 21-14, 2016. Wendy Wright directs the zany comedy from the 60s. Just in time for Father's Day, Ron Baumanis directs the musical "Big Fish," June 2-5, 2016, at the Mendelssohn. This poignant musical comedy about a father-son relationship features tall tales, larger-than-life characters and lots of heart.
{BOLD "Dirty Dancing"
Cobb Great Hall, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts}
"Dirty Dancing" is an unprecedented live musical experience with spine-tingling music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. The film is for all audiences ages 10 and up. The musical runs Nov. 10-15; showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $38 and are available at http://www.whartoncenter.com or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.
Other events for Wharton's 2015-16 season include: "An Evening with Kristin Chenoweth," "Cirque Dreams Holidaze," "Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour," Lang Lang, Metropolitan Opera Rising Stars Concert, Twyla Tharp Dance, The Chieftains, Bobby McFerrin: "Bobby Meets Michigan!" "Act One Family Series," "The Bridges of Madison County" and more.
