The State of Local Theater Amidst COVID-19
While it will be impossible to tell the full impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the arts until it is over, it has been almost a year since most professional theaters have gone dark [...]
Michigan Opera Theatre Reconfigures Seating, Gears Up to Host Live Shows
As novel coronavirus pandemic restrictions are becoming something of a new normal around the state, venues like Michigan Opera Theatre are having to make do with virtual performances and online outreach to fans. But due [...]
Go Comedy! Improv Theater Interviews BTL Entertainment Editor Chris Azzopardi
As part of its LGBTQ True Colors series, the Go Comedy! Improv Theater has over the past several months collaborated with Between The Lines contributors and staff to host a unique improv experience. Because of the [...]
Newly Founded Nicely Theatre Group Prioritizes Inclusivity, to Host its First-Ever Online One-Act Festival
Having participated in southeast Michigan's world of theater as a performer, director and teacher for two decades, it's fair to say that Mitch Master lives and breathes his craft. In fact, it was at a [...]
Relationship to Crime
Mystery, murder and the age-old question of "why?" Each of these criteria is met in Stephen Dolginoff's crime musical "Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story." Recounting the tale of what was the "murder of [...]
Grosse Pointe PFLAG to Present ‘Trans-Parent Love’ Feb. 7
When Maureen Muldoon's son came out as transgender, the last thing that she thought would happen as a result of that would be a one-woman show. Still, the thought nagged at the former actress until [...]
The Risk of Good Intentions
The road to hell is paved with well-intentioned white women. Or at least, it's paved with those white women activists who don't consider the impact of their intentions. Lee Minora is the creator of "White [...]
Jesus Christ Superstar at The Detroit Opera House 2/4-2/9
DETROIT - Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will come to the Detroit Opera House, Feb. 4 – 9, 2020. Tickets for the 2017 [...]
Slipstream Opens 6th Season with A Doll’s House Part 2
FERNDALE — A Doll’s House Part 2 opens the sixth season at Slipstream Theatre Initiative. The show runs Jan. 3 through Jan. 27, with Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 pm. [...]
‘Golden Girls Christmas’ a Fun Holiday Hit
Unauthorized drag parodies of "The Golden Girls" have become something of a boom market in recent years. Right now, various versions are in production in major cities across the country and even Off-Broadway. Metro Detroit’s own version, "A Very Drag Golden Girls Christmas," is at The Ringwald in Ferndale through Dec. 16.
Ferndale’s Slipstream Theatre Initiative Works to ‘Entertain, Educate and Illuminate’
Artistic Director Bailey Boudreau When Artistic Director Bailey Boudreau got the idea to start the Slipstream Theatre Initiative he was working as a theater director out of West Bloomfield High School. As talented [...]
‘Othello’ at the Water Works Theatre
ROYAL OAK — For its 2019 season, Shakespeare Royal Oak will present William Shakespeare’s "Othello" Thursday through Sunday evenings July 25 through Aug. 4.
Preview: The Ringwald Does ‘Debbie’ to Debut July 12
By Anne Kiley FERNDALE — Opening July 12 at The Ringwald Theatre is "Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical" that tells the famous rags-to-riches story. Debbie Benton has been invited to try out for the Dallas [...]
Slipstream does ‘The Merry Wives of Miami’
Picture it: Miami. 1987. A successful television show ends after seven seasons to everyone’s chagrin. Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia live on in all of our hearts as we watch reruns of "The Golden Girls" [...]
BoxFest Detroit Announced at Planet Ant, Submissions Due June 3
by David Kiley DETROIT — The producers of BoxFest Detroit have announced performance dates for BoxFest Detroit 2019, an annual theater festival that showcases and creates opportunities for female-identifying directors. BoxFest Detroit 2019 will run [...]
Ricky Ian Gordon’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ at MOT for Four May Performances
DETROIT — Based on the classic novel by John Steinbeck, The Michigan Opera Theatre will present Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera, "The Grapes of Wrath" May 11 through 19. This heart-wrenching opera in two acts, tells [...]
‘Southern Comfort’ at Stagecrafters Takes on ‘Love and Understanding’
Robert Eads was 51 when he was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996. Despite him immediately seeking medical help, more than a dozen medical providers rejected his case, feeling that taking on a transgender man would damage the reputation of their practice.
Revry is the LGBTQ Streaming Service That You’ve Been Waiting For
Diverse media representation has made great strides in recent decades, but most LGBTQ people can attest to the fact that they're still not regularly seeing themselves included in mainstream entertainment. And when it comes to [...]
‘The House’ at The Ringwald Theatre Through April 22
"The House" follows the story of Martyn and Shanny, a couple looking to downsize, who strike a deal with a couple looking for a bigger place to stay, Lindsay and Fischer. Because their home is [...]
Winter. Saturdays. Suburbia.
Presented through a special arrangement with New York City's Samuel French, Inc., this March, Slipstream Theatre Initiative presents the second show of their fifth season: "The Wolves."
Detroit Public Theatre Hosts ‘Girlfriend’ March 21 – April 14
Released in 1991, the album "Girlfriend" is the third studio album released by Matthew Sweet to critical acclaim. Years after that release, playwrights Todd Almond and Sweet reimagined the record into a full-length musical love story with an LGBTQ twist, a local production of which is slated to play at The Detroit Public Theatre from March 21 through April 14.
Review: Carey Crim’s ‘Never Not Once’ at Purple Rose Powerful and Poignant
BY MARIN HEINRITZ CHELSEA — It is a rare experience, indeed, to witness live theater so moving it renders faces wet with tears both on stage and throughout the audience. Opening night of "Never Not [...]
‘Southern Comfort’ Auditions at Stagecrafters Second Stage Theatre
Royal Oak’s Stagecrafters Second Stage Theatre will be holding auditions for the musical, "Southern Comfort" on Sunday, Jan. 27, and Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Baldwin Theatre, located at 415 S. Lafayette [...]
‘Rent’ Rolls into Fisher for Anniversary Tour
DETROIT– Rent has taken up residence in Detroit’s Fisher Theatre as part of its 20th Anniversary Tour. Written by Jonathan Larson, Rent originally debuted on Broadway in 1996, although Larson died suddenly before it opened [...]
‘Phantom’ Cast to Perform Jan. 28 Benefit Concert of ‘Next to Normal’ for Affirmations, Broadway Cares
FERNDALE – Cast members of the national touring production of "The Phantom of the Opera" — coming to Detroit Jan. 24 to Feb. 3 at the Detroit Opera House — will perform a special concert to benefit Affirmations and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
The Ringwald Serves a Slice of Life and Politics with ‘The Cake’
Bittersweet Dramedy Explores Bakers, Cakes and Family Dilemmas
The Ringwald Serves a Slice of Life and Politics with ‘The Cake’
Bittersweet Dramedy Explores Bakers, Cakes and Family Dilemmas In July 2012, Colorado residents Charlie Craig and David Mullins approached Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips with a request to create a cake to celebrate their upcoming [...]
Meadow Brook Theatre Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ Through Dec. 23
The Charles Dickens holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" has come back to Rochester's Meadow Brook Theatre for the 37th consecutive year. Tickets are now available for performances through Dec. 23. Following the story of Ebenezer [...]
Detroit Opera House’s ‘Too Hot to Handel’ Performance Dec. 1
The Detroit rendition of Handel's "Messiah" is a unique jazz-infused version of the holiday classic that this year will return to the Detroit Opera House on Dec. 1 at 7;30 p.m. "This soul stirring, toe-tapping [...]
‘Evidence of Things Unseen’ Midwest Premiere Opened Detroit Rep’s 62nd Season
DETROIT — "Evidence of Things Unseen" is about two sisters, Abigail — an investigative journalist and atheist — and Jane, a stay-at-home mom and born-again Christian. The play follows the duo's differing responses to grief, revenge, sorrow and faith. Written by Katie Forgette, it opened Detroit Repertory Theatre’s 62nd season last week, and will and run through Dec. 23.
No Tiptoeing at Matrix Theatre with ‘Well-Intentioned White People’
BY JENN McKEE Regulars at the Matrix Theatre might not be surprised to learn that Rachel Lynett’s darkly comic play, “Well-Intentioned White People,” initially caught the attention of Matrix Theatre’s artistic director, Megan Buckley-Ball, by [...]
Dance Company Performs Piece on Struggle, Addiction at Detroit Opera House
DETROIT, Mich. –— Michigan Opera Theatre, in partnership with the University Musical Society, will open its 2018-19 dance series with the Detroit Opera House debut of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company Oct. 27. The multidisciplinary company [...]
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Ron Suskind at Wharton Center
EAST LANSING — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Ron Suskind will speak at Wharton Center as part of Michigan State University's World View Lecture Series on Monday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cobb Great hall.
Over the Ledge Theatre Shows ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ Through Sept. 16
Over the Ledge Theatre is now featuring the play 'Dancing at Lughnasa' through Sept. 16. Winner of the 1992 Tony Award for best play, it was praised by the New York Times as being a "ravishing memory play" that "carries its characters and audience aloft." The story is said to be loosely based on the life of its writer, Brian Friel, and begins in Ireland's County Donegal in 1936.
It’ll Be a Gay Ol’ Time in Theaters Across Metro Detroit
If you’re a longtime theater fan – especially an LGBTQ theater fan – one thing you may have noticed over the years is that what’s popular one season may not be the next. Or that trends disappear as quickly as they arrive. That’s especially true of plays with LGBTQ themes and characters, which rise and fall and ebb and flow from one year to the next for no apparent reason.
Meet Eric Swanson
What is it like being the executive director of the Detroit Actor's Theatre Company? Well, it is a lot of work, but it is work I am very passionate about. My job is to foster [...]
Meet Megan Buckley-Ball
What is it like being artistic director with the Matrix Theatre Company? Serving as Matrix Theatre Company’s Artistic Director is both exciting and challenging. Matrix’s staff is quite small, so we’ve all become accustomed to [...]
Meet Paul Stark
What is one of your greatest challenges as the managing and artistic director at Monster box Theatre? One of the greatest challenges of directing a live performance theater is always funding. Finding funds to support [...]
4 Performances of ‘The Laramie Project’ at The Ringwald Sept. 14–17
FERNDALE — In honor of Matthew Shepard, 20 years after his murder, The Ringwald presents a four-show engagement of "The Laramie Project," a landmark play by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. [...]
Collision of Gays, Gentrification and Race Explored in Michigan Premiere Drama
Slipstream Theatre Initiative spurs discussion with ‘St. Sebastian’ beginning June 16 As more and more young people from Detroit’s suburbs find jobs in the city and settle into some of its historic black neighborhoods, longtime [...]
Jump to your feet and support ‘Concert for a Cure’
Will the opportunity to spend an intimate evening of song and music with cast members from the national touring production of “On Your Feet” motivate enough people to jump to their feet on the evening [...]
Aepex Contemporary Performance and Kerrytown Concert House Push Boundaries with Transgender Opera ‘As One’
Thinking of opera, one might imagine a knight in shining armor, a damsel in distress or Brunnhilde — a woman with a viking helmet and blonde braids belting out some massive vocal power. And, in many ways, opera is still representative of those traditional characters, but it's also an ever-changing medium that is growing with the times.
From Film to the Stage: Melissa McKamie Refreshes ‘The Sound of Music’s’ Baronness Elsa Schraeder
Although the audience never sees it, a scene change in a musical performance is the product of a well-engineered and well-oiled machine. Many crew members must seamlessly perform dozens of specific actions to set scenery [...]
Dog Act at Lansing’s Wharton Center
"Dog Act" is a capstone thesis production by Liz Duffy Adams which features the 2018 Masters of Fine Arts acting candidates. The production, which will be presented on March 16 and 17, follows the traveling [...]
Birmingham Native, Actress Nominee Alexandra Silber Comes Home for Intimate Performance
DETROIT, Mich. – Lauded by the Huffington Post as “Broadway’s fastest-rising soprano," Birmingham-native Alexandra Silber returns to her hometown in a performance called "Coming Home: Alexandra Silber in Concert." She will make her return to [...]
Michigan Five to perform at Berman Stage
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – The Michigan Five, featuring some of the most outstanding and creative dance talent from colleges and universities throughout the state, will take center stage at The Berman Center for the Performing [...]
The Ringwald Theatre Performs ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Through Mid-March
In 1981 George Furth and Stephen Sondheim collaborated to refresh a classic 1934 play "Merrily We Roll Along" by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The '80s reboot has themes of "friendship, compromise and the high price of success," according to its press release, and will be playing at Ferndale's Ringwald Theatre now through March 19.
From Broadway to Birmingham – ‘Act One’ makes its Michigan Premiere
Birmingham, Mich. - The Village Players of Birmingham opens its fourth production of its 95th season with James Lapine’s tribute to a life in the theater: “Act One.” The play is based on playwright Moss Hart’s autobiography of the same title.
Wellspring Presents the 9th Annual Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - After nearly a decade of bringing dancers together from across the world, the Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers presents the ninth annual Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival or RAD Fest. The Festival will be held at the Epic Center and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts on March 9 through 11.
Theatre NOVA Presents Michigan Premiere of ‘The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith’
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Theatre NOVA is Ann Arbor’s professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights. Now, coming to its stage is “The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith” by Angelo Parra and Miche Braden.