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.
Tommy Igoe Joins The Birdland All-Stars at The Wharton Center
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A night of jazz comes full circle onto the Pasant Theatre stage when the renowned Birdland All-Stars featuring Tommy Igoe come to the Wharton Center on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Ringwald Opens Their Sondheim Spring Season with ‘Merrily We Roll Along’
FERNDALE — The Ringwald Theatre’s Sondheim Spring begins with a five-week run of “Merrily We Roll Along” on Feb. 16, playing through March 19.
‘A Bright New Boise’ at The Theatre Company at UDM
DETROIT—The Theatre Company at UDM will present A Bright New Boise by Samuel D. Hunter, from Feb. 9 through 25 at The Marlene Boll Theatre.
Ringwald Opens Their Sondheim Spring Season with ‘Merrily We Roll Along’
FERNDALE — The Ringwald Theatre’s Sondheim Spring begins with a five-week run of Merrily We Roll Along on Feb. 16, playing through March 19. Merrily—aka the show they were doing in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird [...]
‘A Bright New Boise’ at The Theatre Company at UDM
DETROIT—The Theatre Company at UDM will present A Bright New Boise by Samuel D. Hunter, from Feb. 9 through 25 at The Marlene Boll Theatre. A Bright New Boise will be performed at 7:30 p.m. [...]
Williamston Starts Year Off With Joseph Zettelmaier Premiere; Tickets on Sale Now
BY ENCORE MICHIGAN STAFF WILLIAMSTON—Williamston Theatre starts 2018 with the world premiere of "Our Lady of Poison" by Joseph Zettelmaier. Performances begin Thursday, Jan. 25 and run through Sunday, Feb. 25. It is Rome in [...]
Preview: Meadow Brook offers laughs to start the year
By EncoreMichigan.com ROCHESTER — Nana’s Naughty Knickers runs January 10 through February 4 at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. Tickets range from $28 to $43 and are available by [...]
Review: Slipstream’s ‘Tales from The Mitten’ Sends Up Acting in Michigan with Laughter and Truth
by Patrice Nolan, Encore Michigan FERNDALE – Slipstream Theatre Initiative has created an original, home-grown theatrical experience that explores the unique aspects of pursuing an acting career in the Pure Michigan manner. Tales from the [...]
The Ringwald Theatre Presents Midwestern Debut of ‘Let the Right One In’
Usually horror and romance don't mix, but they blend perfectly in the classic Swedish story, "Let the Right One In." Originally a novel, the story has been adapted into two films, a television show and [...]
Assembly Line Theatre to do Staged Reading of Sean Paraventi’s ‘Seven Castaways’
FERNDALE – Assembly Line Theatre Company is kicking off the new year with a staged reading of the musical, “The Seven Castaways” by Sean Paraventi. The performance is a fundraising effort to help the 501(c)(3) [...]
‘Office Hours’ at Tipping Point Giggles with Absurd Days at the Office
NORTHVILLE, Mich.–In the program notes for Tipping Point Theatre's "Office Hours," one of the actors mentions being proud to help “you escape into genuine laughter” during these stressful times. And sheer silly escapism is exactly [...]
Ringwald Does ‘The Time Warp Now’ with Rocky Horror
BY TANYA GAZDIK, ENCORE MICHIGAN FERNDALE - It's hard to go wrong with a classic like The Rocky Horror Show and The Ringwald's treatment does not disappoint. If you've seen the movie at a theatre [...]
Dark Tale of ‘Sweeney Todd’ Finds Second Life at The Encore
BY DONALD V. CALAMIA For an actor whose recent credits include such seemingly diverse characters as John Wilkes Booth in "Assassins," Ash in "Evil Dead: The Musical," Ted Bundy in "Date 16" and now the [...]
‘Silence: The Musical’ is Howling with Laughs at The Ringwald
By Patrice Nolan, Encore Michigan FERNDALE - At long last, it's Hannibal Lecter as you've never seen him! He sings! He dances! He chews the fat with Clarice Starling, darling of the FBI Academy. Yes, [...]
Detroit Public Theatre Closes Second Season with World Premiere Play
In "The Harassment of Iris Malloy," a single mother places a bet on a new life after an intimate encounter with a decorated senator, and the media fallout will change them both forever. A compelling [...]
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Detroit premier of the National Theatre production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" will play the Fisher Theatre now through May 14. The Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens [...]
Detroit Will Host Broadcast of NPR’s ‘Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!’ on June 15
Now in its 20th season, "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" is National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning quiz show. The show is set to take the Fox Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. June 15. Host Peter Sagal [...]
Michigan Opera Theatre Pays Tribute to David DiChiera
It is with heavy hearts that the Michigan Opera Theatre shared the news that their beloved founder and artistic director David DiChiera has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The theatre website reads: "David is and [...]
Premiere: Puzzle Piece’s ‘Bird’ Explores Disability and Race
By Tanya Gazdik, EncoreMichigan.com FERNDALE -- It is said that art imitates life. That phrase couldn't hold truer than for a play like Bird, which is inspired, and partially based, on true events. Playwright Kristin [...]
Review: ‘Vera Stark’ Mesmerizing at the Hilberry For Season Finale
By Patrice Nolan, EncoreMichigan.com DETROIT - By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, by two-time Pulitzer-prize winning dramatist Lynn Nottage, is the final show of the Hilberry Theatre season, and it is simply mesmerizing. The play [...]
Review: MOT’s ‘Girl of the Golden West’ is Gold Indeed
BY Patrice Nolan DETROIT - Michigan Opera Theatre has staged many favorites by Giacomo Puccini, but this spring season brings us a first - The Girl of the Golden West (la Fanciulla del West). Puccini [...]
Gay Fan Fiction Wanted
Media Director Brandy Joe Plambeck and Artistic Director Joe Bailey of The Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale are sounding a call for new, original one-act plays (with the subject matter of furthering along the storyline to [...]
“Avenue Q” Closes Out Theatre Company’s 46th Season At UDM
DETROIT--The 46th season of The Theatre Company of University of Detroit Mercy concludes with Avenue Q, running March 23 - April 9, 2017. With music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and based [...]
‘1984’ At Williamston Theatre
WILLIAMSTON -- Williamston Theatre takes a turn at classic literature with the Michigan premiere of 1984 by George Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan. Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, 1984 brings us [...]
Critically Acclaimed ‘The Encounter’ At UMS March 30-April 1
ANN ARBOR--In 1969, Loren McIntyre, a National Geographic photographer, found himself lost among the people of the remote Javari Valley in Brazil. It was an encounter that was to change his life: bringing the limits [...]