Professional Theater News from Around Town:
Breathe Art presents a Summer Reception and Evening of Theatre
DETROIT – Breathe Art Theatre Project invites the public to 1515 Broadway in Detroit on Wednesday, July 26 for a summer reception and an evening of theatre as it announces its programming for the 2006-2007 Cross-Border Season and kicks-off its third Open Border Initiative.
The evening is free of charge and will feature three one act comedies: Christopher Durang's "The Actor's Nightmare", directed by Mark Robson; Durang's "For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls", directed by Eric Gutman; and David Ives' "Philadelphia", directed by Katie Galazka.
For more information and directions, log on to http://www.breathearttheatre.com.
Water Works' 'The Comedy of Errors Gold Rush Style' opens July 27
ROYAL OAK – Water Works Theatre Company's sixth annual Shakespeare in the Park in Royal Oak will open July 27 with a double-dose of farce & wit, "The Comedy of Errors" in Royal Oak's Starr Jaycee Park.
Conceived and directed by Terry Carpenter of Meadowbrook Theatre Ensemble, Water Works' version of "The Comedy of Errors Gold Rush Style" is set in the boom town of San Francisco during the 1849 California Gold Rush. It's sure to strike a rich vein of earthquake-sized laughs for the whole family!
The production takes place July 27 – August 6. Performance times are 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays; Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 7 p.m.
Starr Jaycee Park is located at 1101 West 13 Mile Rd in Royal Oak, between Crooks and Main Street.
Tickets are $20 for evening performances and $15 for Saturday matinees. Kids Free Matinees sponsored by Target are July 29 & August 6 at 3 p.m.
Order tickets by phone at 248-399-3727, purchase one hour prior to show time at the Starr Jaycee Park box office or online at http://www.waterworkstheatre.com.
Water Works Theatre Company, Inc. is a non-profit professional theatre company that provides professional caliber experience to the emerging professional theatre artist.
For more information log on to http://www.waterworkstheatre.com.
DSO and MOT present 'Tango for Two/Tango para Dos'
DETROIT – In a collaborative fundraising effort, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Opera Theatre will present an unforgettable evening that will transport guests to the exciting nightlife of Buenos Aires. Distinguished guests and Honorary Co-Chairs include the Argentine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Octavio Bordon; U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, Lino Gutierrez; Slovakian Ambassador to the U.S., Ronald Weiser; Congressman John Dingell and his wife Debbie; and GMAC President William F. Muir and his wife Christine.
General Chairs, Denise and Bob Lutz, conceived the idea for this extraordinary collaboration between two of Detroit's cultural giants to reaffirm their commitment to the city of Detroit and to Southeastern Michigan, a concept that is shared by Anne Parsons, DSO President, Executive Director and Dr. David DiChiera, Michigan Opera Theatre General Director.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lutz Farm in Ann Arbor that will be transformed into an Argentine Tango Palace. Guests will mingle in creative tango garb sipping Brazilian Caipirinha cocktails, Argentine fine wines and sampling South American hors d'oeuvres, followed by a bountiful buffet heaped with delicacies from Argentina, including tempting barbequed fare, synonymous with the cuisine of South America. Exciting Latin American music will scintillate the summer night.
The magic of the evening will continue with a performance by the renowned Tango troupe from Buenos Aires, I Tango, accompanied by internationally acclaimed Bandoneon player, Hector del Curto. To complete the incredible diversity of music for the night, guests will be entertained by select DSO musicians and treated to an operatic surprise from Michigan Opera Theatre.
Those who would like to "dance with the stars" should bring their dancing shoes and enter the Tango contest. Benefactors and guests who would like to enter the competition will be judged by a professional dance panel, among them award-winning dancer, Peter Sparling. Participants will have the opportunity to show off their dancing style while competing for prizes.
The evening will also include a raffle for an all expenses paid trip for two to Buenos Aires, including airfare, a one week stay at the Sheraton BA and a private chauffeur. Neiman Marcus will fill a suitcase for the trip, up to $3,000 in value.
Benefactor tickets are $500 and include an invitation to a "Dance Lesson Party" to be held on June 27 at the Detroit Opera House. Professional dancers from The Latin and Argentine Tango Club of Detroit, Amy Calio and Ray Hogan, will teach the basics of the Tango.
Patron tickets are $350.
For further information about the "Tango for Two" event, reservations or raffle tickets, call the Tango Hotline at 313-237-3425 or visit the DSO and MOT websites for information only at http://www.detroitsymphony.com or http://www.MichiganOpera.org.
Tony Award winner Donna Mckechnie to perform at Meadow Brook Theatre
ROCHESTER – Donna McKechnie, Tony Award winner and star of the original "A Chorus Line," will perform her spectacular cabaret show, "Gypsy In My Soul," Friday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. as a fundraiser for Meadow Brook Theatre. This event will coincide with the release of McKechnie's new book, "TIME STEPS, My Musical Comedy Life," due to be released in September.
"We are extremely excited about this performance," said MBT Managing Director John Manfredi. "Donna McKechnie is a Broadway icon and her credits speak for themselves. We are lucky to have her in our theatre and so grateful for her willingness to help Meadow Brook Theatre."
Re-enacting the celebrated moments of her career, "Gypsy In My Soul" is structured around Donna's gypsy ways on the road and the difficulties of a life spent traveling for your art. The show features memorable songs by Gershwin, Sondheim, Johnny Mercer and Burt Bacharach among others, and includes "Gypsy In My Soul," "You Can Drive a Person Crazy," "Life Is Good" and, of course, "Music and the Mirror" from her Tony Award winning performance in "A Chorus Line."
McKechnie is regarded as one of Broadway's foremost dancing and singing stars. She enjoyed one of her greatest triumphs as Sally in the acclaimed revival of "Follies" in 1998. Some of her Broadway cre
