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Professional Theater News from Around Town:

Improvisors to battle it out at 'ColonyFest'

HAMTRAMCK – Planet Ant Theatre and the Planet Ant Improv Colony present "ColonyFest," their second annual Holiday Improv Festival beginning Wednesday, Dec. 13, and concluding with the seventh annual Improv Colony Holiday Blow-Out on Monday, Dec. 18.

What makes the festival different this year is that all 24 performing guest teams will be competing for the grand prize of performing as the guest team at the Holiday Blow-Out and in an all original late night show that runs in the Ant's regular season to be directed by Dave Davies.

As The Holiday Blow-Out is always a good time it's best to arrive early. It's great improv, snacks, soft drinks, games, good causes, FABULOUS prizes – and you can even have your picture taken with Anta Claus!

The cost is only $5 each evening; a $20 festival pass is also available.

For complete details, view the event schedule at http://www.planetant.com/Monday/improv_colfest.htm

Improv Inferno celebrates the holidays with 'O Christmas Triage'

ANN ARBOR – The Improv Inferno, now located at Live at PJ's (102 S. First Street in downtown Ann Arbor), announces its original comedy, "O Christmas Triage," which premieres Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. The all-new show chronicles the goings-on and mishaps of a local hospital and its staff on a hectic Christmas Eve.

Written and performed by the cast of "Citizen Improv," a staple at the Improv Inferno on Friday nights, the show was formed largely out of improvisation. The cast includes Chris DiAngelo, Anne Faba, John Hartman, Matt Naas, Katie Thomas, and Mark Sobolewski.

"We started with nothing," said director Tim McKendrick. "And we built this show around characters we created. The show is really about how the relationships these characters have, and how they are all stuck together in a hospital on Christmas Eve."

This show marks the Inferno's first original show at their new location at Live at PJ's, but the second holiday-themed show, coming after the success of last year's "The Chrismahanakwanzaa Spectacular."

"We're really excited about being able to perform again at Live," said Improv Inferno owner Dan Izzo. "We're especially excited to have a brand-new original holiday show to share with the public, as a way to welcome everyone back and show them what we do best."

"O Christmas Triage" runs Fridays Dec. 8, 22, 29 and Jan. 5, and on Saturday Dec. 16.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, call the Inferno at 734-214-7080 or log on to http://www.improvinferno.com.

'Cirque Dreams' comes to the Fisher

DETROIT – "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" will take audiences on an all-new soaring adventure when performing at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, Jan. 16 – Feb. 4, 2007.

In the spirit of the successful international touring sensations "Cirque Ingenieux" and "Cirque Dreams" comes the latest reinvention of theatrical circus artistry from Cirque Productions, "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy," a colorful dream in an enchanted forest performed on stage and in the air. An international cast of graceful aerialists, spine bending contortionists, vine swinging characters, strongmen and balancers bring this jungle dream to life in a lush, Broadway setting filled with wildly unpredictable designs, special effects, inventive choreography, puppeteering and dazzling costumes. Imaginative theatrics combined with world-class acrobatics make "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" an exhilarating journey the entire family can experience together.

Produced by Cirque Productions and Artistic Director Neil Goldberg, "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" is a nonstop, action-packed 2-hour adventure performed in two acts that stretches the imagination beyond the realm of possibilities, and brings seemingly impossible feats to the stage.

Goldberg's signature style of inventive acrobatics, unique costumes and creative choreography is enhanced by a clever original musical score that heats up the jungle and presents some of the most striking visual and special effects ever on stage. The whimsical jungle creatures and loose-limbed acrobatic characters of "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" will leap from the depths of imagination beyond the dreams of audiences.

"Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" will play the Fisher Theatre Jan. 16 – Feb. 4, 2007. The performance schedule will be as follows: Tuesday through Thursday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m.; Saturday matinee performances at 2 p.m.; Sunday matinee performances at 1 p.m.; and Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m.

{ITAL Tickets for "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" range in price from $27.50 – $49.50.

For additional information, call 313-872-1000 or visit} http://www.NederlanderDetroit.com.


From our Hallowed Halls of Learning:

LCC celebrates with 'Celebration'

LANSING – Lansing Community College Performing Arts Department's 1st Semester Contemporary Realism Theatre Studio presents "Celebration" by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16 at LCC's Black Box Theatre in room 168 of the Gannon Building.

Set in 1961 Chicago where people lived close together and everybody knew everybody else's business, preparations for a wedding between two close families unfold in Act 1 but things don't always go as planned. In Act 2, six months later, the families are back together, this time for the funeral of the bride's great-uncle, the family patriarch. Once again, there's at least one fly in the ointment: the late Uncle Arthur's live-in girlfriend is not happy about the funeral arrangements!

Admission is free.

For information, call LCC Performing Arts production office at 517-483-1488.


Theater for Families and Young Audiences:

'The World's Biggest Tea Party' comes to Detroit Dec. 14

DETROIT – Everyone's invited to join Pinkie Pie and all your favorite "My Little Pony" friends live and on-stage for the first time ever when VEE Corporation's brand-new production of "My Little Pony Live! The World's Biggest Tea Party" comes to town. The ponies are planning their party at Masonic Temple Theatre from Thursday, Dec. 14 to Sunday, Dec. 17.

In "My Little Pony Live! The World's Biggest Tea Party," Pinkie Pie and her seven charming Ponyville friends each have an extra-special talent and skill to help with the party! With Minty's invitations, Sweetberry's cakes, Rainbow Dash's rainbows, Rarity The Unicorn's colorful streamers, Wysteria's flowers and so much more, the ponies use their colorful imaginations and work together to host the biggest party of the year!

This 90-minute, highly interactive musical production features singing, dancing and audience participation. Parents will enjoy the Broadway-quality stagecraft and original script. Children will recognize songs such as "I'm a Little Teapot" and enjoy new tunes like "Positively Pink," "Shake Your Cutie" and "You're Cordially Invited." And, along the way, children will learn important lessons about the true meaning of friendship from the wholesome, loving and playful spirit of everybody's favorite "My Little Pony" friends.

Tickets are $11, $16 and $22. A limited number of $30 Gold Circle seats are also available. On opening night, all seats (excluding Gold Circle) are $11. A facility fee of $3 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and discounts may apply.

For more information, call the Fisher Theatre information line at 313-872-1000 or log on to http://www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.

Whole Art presents 'Ebenezer'

KALAMAZOO – "Ebenezer," starring Trevor Stefanick, Angela Gundrum and Steven C. Smith, is the perfect Holiday comedy suitable even for elementary aged students. This fast-paced retelling of "A Christmas Carol" performs Saturday afternoons Dec. 9 and 16th at 2 p.m. in the Epic Theatre, located at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall.

Tickets are $5 for students and children and $7 for adults.

"Ebenezer" can also be seen New Years Eve during New Year's Fest for three separate viewings starting around 6 p.m.

Ebenezer is also available for touring:

For more information, log on to http://www.wholeart.org/ebeneezer.html.


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