2003 is year of ch-ch-changes in Michigan's professional theater community
Comings and goings add spice to an already exciting year
It was the year that rocked Michigan's professional theater community.
With the announcement that John and Judith Peakes were retiring from Lansing's BoarsHead Theatre at the end of 2003, the search was on for leaders to carry on their work. Geoffrey Sherman joined the theater as its artistic director in March; Kevin Kruse came on board as managing director later in the year.
Changes were also in the wind at Ann Arbor's Performance Network. Retiring were longtime leaders Johanna Broughton and Daniel C. Walker, and in were interim Artistic Director Carla Milarch and Executive Director David Wolber; both titles were made permanent in December.
Most dramatic, however, was the news that Oakland University was considering a proposal to turn Detroit's "mother theater" – Meadow Brook – into a "road house" for touring shows brought in by Joseph Nederlander. That was not to happen, however, thanks to Sarah Warren, one of MBT's stage managers, and a concerned group that rescued the venerable organization – and dozens of local jobs – from such a fate.
Now known as Meadow Brook Theatre Ensemble, the financially struggling troupe – it no longer is supported by Oakland University – is under the leadership of David Regal, artistic director, and John M. Manfredi, managing director.
And in the world of improvisational theater, Ann Arbor's Empatheatre announced the unexpected cancellation of its remaining shows effective with its December date at the Kerrytown Concert House. The troupe will decide its ultimate fate sometime in 2004.
On the bright side, Detroit's Plowshares Theatre Company had good news to announce in 2003: The vagabond troupe found a temporary home for the next few seasons at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The search will continue for a permanent home of its own.
New theaters blossom
The state's professional theater community also experienced growth in 2003, as several new groups came into being.
Saugatuck saw the opening of an exciting new venture, Mason Street Warehouse. Its debut season offered a variety of shows featuring nationally respected actors – and packed many of the performances with locals and visitors alike. An expanded season is planned for 2004.
Actor/Producer Oliver Pookrum became the toast of the town with the premiere of his African Renaissance Theater Company and its multiple award-winning production of "Jesus Hopped the A Train."
Roseville became the home of yet another new group, the Detroit Ensemble Theater. Although founded in 1996 as a troupe for acting students, co-founders Rich Goteri and Craig S. Martin bit the bullet and opened its first season of professional shows with "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea."
Metro Detroit has seen an explosion of improvisational troupes over the past few years, thanks to Second City Detroit's extensive training program. The newest collection of improvisers, 7th Heaven, made its debut at Detroit's Abreact Performance Space with its original production, "You Sank My Christmas."
A Wilde Time
One of the most talked-about events of the year was the second annual Wilde Awards, sponsored by Between The Lines. Held this year at Detroit's Gem Theatre, more than 200 of Detroit's professional theater executives and performers packed the historic venue and watched as the Hilberry Theatre walked away with an astounding 5 of 18 top awards as determined by the newspaper's readers. Other multiple award-winners included Planet Ant, Performance Network and the Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company.
And once again co-host Serena Escevelle wowed the audience with her wit, her dance moves and, most of all, her multiple costume changes!
It was also announced during the ceremony that John Quinn would join BTL in the fall as Curtain Calls' second theater critic, thereby allowing BTL to increase its already highly regarded theater coverage.
LGBT theater disappears
And in one of the most surprising events of the year, the blossoming of LGBT theater that began in 2002 all but disappeared in 2003.
Although LGBT-themed shows were produced by several of the area's mainstream theaters, the small, independent, innovative and LGBT-sponsored programs that were projected for 2003 were reduced to only a single "naked play" at 1515 Broadway, "My Boyfriend the Stripper."
On a happier note, however, a few of the area's mainstream theaters reached out to the LGBT community in 2003 by sponsoring "gay nights." Detroit's Century Theatre celebrated Gay Pride this past June with a special performance of "Comedy Works," while Planet Ant and the BoarsHead each invited LGBT theatergoers to sample their programs on special nights dedicated to our community.
Those pesky rumors
If the economy wasn't bad enough, Michigan arts groups suffered a major blow mid-year when Governor Jennifer Granholm's administration announced a 50% cut in state funds to arts and cultural groups for fiscal year 2004 that began in October.
With many groups experiencing a downturn in ticket sales – and with a decrease in private donations and foundation grants, as well – rumors began circulating late this past fall regarding the theater community's fiscal health – or lack thereof.
A check with many of the area's theaters in November revealed tight budgets and hope for a better 2004, but rumormongers continued guessing which professional theaters – if any – would close by mid-2004.
Theater busts out all over
Business was also brisk at Michigan's "road houses" – those theaters that bring in touring productions of every stripe and color.
The second half of the year saw "Kiss Me, Kate," "Mama Mia!" and "Les Miserables" draw crowds to Detroit's Fisher Theatre – and the much anticipated "The Producers" at the Masonic Temple Theatre.
Detroit's Fabulous Fox Theatre brought back its popular "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" – this time with three new scenes. The theater, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2003, is also offering theatergoers a Best of Broadway series that is delighting patrons of all ages.
The Wharton Center in East Lansing brought road companies of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Starlight Express" and "Mama Mia!" to town.
And Dearborn's Ford Community and Performing Arts Center and the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts each offered a wide variety of programs to their respective communities.
