Theater Events: April 3 – 12

South Pacific The Tony Award-winning musical about a young army nurse and an older French plantation owner who fall in love during World War II. Presented at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Dearborn, April 6 only. Tickets: $40 – $45. (313) 943-2350. http://www.dearbornfordcenter.com
The Cherry Orchard Madame Ranevsky and her family struggle to maintain the mortgage on their prestigious cherry orchard in late nineteenth century Russia. Performed in repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, April 11 – May 17. Tickets: $15 – $20. (313) 577-2972. http://www.theatre.wayne.edu.
The Piano Lesson A family heirloom is one person’s connection to the past, while for another, it signifies hope for the future. Presented Wednesday through Sunday at the BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing, April 10 – May 4. Tickets: $19 – $29. (517) 484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
I’m Good Enough Theatergoers watch their stories come alive as their anonymously submitted ideas become springboards for comedic and dramatic improvisations. Staged by Empatheatre at Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor, April 11 only. Tickets: $12 – $15. (734) 913-9733.
Could This Be Love? An intriguing assortment of characters are determined to do whatever it takes to find true love in a world premiere production by Kitty Dubin and Kim Carney. Staged Thursday through Saturday by the Flanders Theatre Company at the Trinity Theatre, Livonia, April 10 – May 11. Tickets: $14. (734) 464-6302. http://www.trinityhouse.org
The Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler’s highly original work explores the humor, power, pain wisdom, outrage, mystery and excitement hidden in vaginas. Staged by Oakland University’s Women’s Issues Forum at Dodge Hall of Science and Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, April 11 – 13 only. Tickets: $10. (248) 370-2400.
Annie A rags-to-riches musical about a spunky little girl who longs for a family of her own. Staged by the Saline Area Players at the Saline High School Auditorium April 11 – 13. Tickets: $12. (734) 439-8613.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat A fun and very hip adaptation of the well-known Biblical tale that bursts onto the stage with an electrifying score. Presented at the Croswell Opera House, Adrian, April 11 – 13 & 17 – 19. Tickets: $22. (517) 264-SHOW. http://www.croswell.org
Sorrows and Rejoicings In post-apartheid South Africa, two women – one black and one white – who seem to have little in common except their love for the same man strive to reconcile secrets of the past. Presented Thursday through Sunday at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit, April 3 – May 25. Tickets: $17. (313) 868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Hope for Corky A world premiere production about the search for a local canine hero by a radio journalist lampoons everything from bumbling doctors to relentless sensationalism to the afterlife. Presented Wednesday through Sunday at the Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea, April 3 – May 31. Tickets: $22.50 – $32.50. (734) 433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Footloose A local preacher gets a small town to ban dancing, which doesn’t sit well with a young transplant from Chicago. Presented Thursday through Sunday by the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre at the Civic Auditorium, April 4 – 19. Tickets: $15 & $19. (269) 343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Winslow Boy A drama that explores the issues and questions raised when one individual challenges the forces of bureaucracy. Presented Friday through Sunday by Richmond Community Theatre, Richmond, April 4 – 13. Tickets: $10. (586) 727-9518.
Absent Friends Old friends reunite to comfort Colin after the death of his fiancŽ, but can they put aside their differences and console their old friend? Presented Thursday through Sunday at the Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing, April 3 – 13. Tickets: $10 & $12. (517) 482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com.

On-going:

Comedy Works A “nuts and bolts comedy” featuring The Guild, a group of Detroit’s best improvisers, that uses game-style and sketch improvisation to tickle even the rustiest of funny bones. Presented Friday and Saturday at the Century Theatre, Detroit, through June 14. Tickets: $12.50. (313) 963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train The first production of Detroit’s newest theater company is a raw and intensely powerful drama that examines issues of morality and faith, punishment and forgiveness. Staged Friday through Sunday by the African Renaissance Theatre of Detroit at the Hastings Street Ballroom, Detroit, through April 13. Tickets: $20. (877) 865-6818.
Copenhagen A poignant drama that asks pertinent questions about patriotism and loyalty in times of way and the place of ethics in science. Presented Thursday through Sunday at Performance Network, Ann Arbor, through April 13. Tickets: $22.50 – $27.50. (734) 663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org. Highly recommended.
In Walks Mem’ry A world premiere production that captures the lingering impact sexual abuse has had on many families. Staged Thursday through Sunday by Plowshares Theatre Company at the Northwest Activities Center, Detroit, through April 13. Tickets: $10 – $25. (313) 872-0279. http://www.plowshares.org
The Runner Stumbles Suspense, passion, romance and trials of faith create a tense drama when a parish priest is accused of murdering a young nun. Staged Thursday through Sunday by The Theatre Company at McAuley Theatre on the Outer Drive Campus of the University Detroit Mercy through April 5. Tickets: $12. (313) 993-6461. http://theatre.udmercy.edu
Wait Until Dark A beautiful, intrepid blind woman is stalked by evil when her new husband becomes an unwitting accomplice to drug smugglers. Presented Wednesday through Sunday at Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester Hills, through April 13. Tickets: $19 – $38. (248) 377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com. Recommended.
A Streetcar Named Desire Southern belle Blanche DuBois relocates to New Orleans, but her past catches up with her, thanks to her violent brother-in-law. Performed in repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, through May 8. Tickets: $15 – $20. (313) 577-2972. http://www.theatre.wayne.edu.
The Bald Soprano & The Lesson These two comic one-acts by Eugene Ionesco are classic examples of Theater of the Absurd. Presented by the Whole Art Theatre, Kalamazoo, April 3 – 5 & April 11 – 12. Tickets: $12. (269) 345-7529. http://wholeart.hypermart.net
The Kentucky Cycle Part 1 of a two-part sweeping epic that traces 200 years of American history via the intertwined stories of three ethnically diverse families in eastern Kentucky. Staged Thursday through Sunday by the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and the API Theatre at the Suzanne D. Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo, through April 12. Tickets: $13 – $16. (269) 343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Importance of Being Earnest Two bachelors who are prone to lying find their deceptions unraveling in a series of crises that threaten to spoil their romantic pursuits. Staged Thursday through Sunday by Stagecrafters at the Historic Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak, through April 6. Tickets: $14 – $16. (248) 541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Shear Madness The hilarious whodunit set in a unisex beauty parlor lets the audience take a stab at catching the killer of a famous concert pianist. Runs every Wednesday through Sunday at the Gem Theatre, Detroit, extended through June 29. Tickets: $14.75 – $19.50. (313) 963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com. Highly recommended.
Woodward to Your Mutha Second City Detroit’s 24th mainstage review incorporates classic Second City style songs and sketches, some with a local, national or even political twist. Presented Wednesday through Saturday at Second City, Detroit. Tickets: $15 – $20. (313) 965-2222. http://www.olympiaentertainment.com. Highly recommended.
Sunday Night Line-Up at Second City Start the evening with “Parallel 181 (Don’t Throw Pennies Off the Edge of the World)” followed by “Blue Lights/Pink Slips” featuring The Second City Touring Company. Performed every Sunday night at Second City Detroit. Tickets: $12 for both shows or $10 for Touring Company show only. (313) 965-2222. http://www.olympiaentertainment.com.
AUDITIONS: Michigan Renaissance Festival – April 25 & 26, (800) 601-4848; Friends of the Opera of Michigan – “Most Happy Fella,” April 29 & 30, (313) 943-2354.