Theater Events for the period Feb. 14-23, 2008

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

A Man of No Importance The Oscar Wilde classic gets a modern-day update by writer/director Mike McGettigan. Fevered Egos Entertainment at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 22-March 15. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
All in the Timing A collection of short stories by David Ives. Detroit Ensemble Theatre, Warren. Fri.-Sun., through Feb. 16. $12. 877-636-3320. http://www.detroitensembletheatre.org
Almost, Maine The Michigan premiere of the romantic comedy about “love in the time of frostbite.” Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. Thu.-Sun., through March 8. $18-$35. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
American Buffalo David Mamet pits friendship and honor against money and power in his commentary about the nature of humanity and capitalism in America. The Abreact at the Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Space, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 22-March 15, plus Sun., March 2. $10. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little An evening with the dysfunctional Reardon sisters and a variety of guests in the wake of several disruptive familial events. A Dark Night Series presentation at the BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Mon.-Tue., Feb. 18-19. $5. 517-484-7805. http://www.broarshead.org
And Neither Have I Wings to Fly Two Irish sisters mourn the loss of their mother and try to break free of their depressed father. University of Detroit Mercy’s Theatre Company at the Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through Feb. 17. $15. 313-993-3270. http://theatre.udmercy.edu
Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika A staged reading of the Tony Award-winning play about AIDS and politics in the mid-1980s, starring some of the area’s top thespians. Blackbird Theatre and A2Ethics.org at the Blackbird Theatre, Ann Arbor. Sat., Feb. 16. $10. 734-332-3848. http://www.blackbirdtheatre.org
Annie The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie returns. The Whiting, Flint. Fri.-Sat, Feb. 22-23. $19-$59. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com
Art The meaning of art and friendship collide when three men discuss a white painting one of them bought. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Thu.-Sun., through Feb. 17. $18-$24. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
As You Like It One of Shakespeare’s “marriage” comedies, guest directed by former Stratford Shakespeare Festival director Dean Gabourie. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through April 12. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Biloxi Blues On a train headed to boot camp during World War II, 20-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome tries to understand his reactions to the world around him. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through March 22. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Biloxi Blues The continuing story of playwright Neil Simon’s alter-ego on his way to boot camp to train for WWII. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through March 9. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Blast A unique explosion of music and theater born on athletic fields across America. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Township. Sat., Feb. 16. $42-$58. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Bug A dark comedy set in a seedy Oklahoma City motel that offers a disturbing look at how love can get under your skin. Who Wants Cake? Theatre at The Ringwald Theatre, Ferndale. Fri.-Mon., through March 10. $10-$20. 248-556-8581. http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men An aging patriarch of a fractured family struggles to hold on to memories of his heyday. Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through March 16. $17-$20. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Chicago the Musical Murder, corruption, violence and adultery are the cornerstones of this sultry and alluring smash hit. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 22-23. $50-$55. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Defending the Caveman A hilarious one-man play that provides insight about the ways men and women relate. Wharton Center, East Lansing. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 22-23. $40. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com
Doubt An uptight nun at a Catholic grade school suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior with one of the schoolboys. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 21-April 6. $25-$37. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Fabulation or the Re-Education of Undine Living an African-American dream, Undine spirals downward after her husband disappears after embezzling all of her money. An Off the Press staged reading at Flint Youth Theatre, Flint. Sun., Feb. 17. $5. 810-237-1530. http://www.flintyouththeatre.com
Mama Mia! The smash-hit musical based on the songs of ABBA returns for a two-week engagement. Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through Feb. 24. $29.50-$73.50. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Menopause The Musical Detroit’s longest running show returns for a fun-filled engagement. The Historic Gem Theatre, Detroit. Wed.-Sun., through April 6. $39.95. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Murderers Who committed the three murders at the Riddle Key Luxury Senior Retirement Center and Golf Course is a no-brainer, but how and why they did it isn’t. BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Wed.-Sun, through Feb. 24. $12-$25. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Oleanna When a male college professor and a female student sit down to discuss her grades, they become participants in a modern reprise of the Inquisition. Breathe Art Theatre Project at two locations: The Furniture Factory, Detroit (Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 16, plus Sun., Feb.10; 313-831-1939); then Mackenzie Hall, Windsor (Fri.-Sat., Feb. 22-23; 519-255-7600). $20. http://www.breathearttheatre.com
Saying Kaddish With My Sister The world premiere of a surprising and extraordinarily creative work with important perspectives on siblings and their rivalry. Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company at the DeRoy Theatre on the campus of the Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Wed, Thu., Sat. & Sun., through Feb. 17. $30-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org
The Master Builder Henrik Ibsen’s tragic meditation on guilt, love, fear, betrayal and desperation. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory Feb. 22-May 17. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Tempting Fate: An Evening of One Act Plays Two unique stories explore what it means to be the bad guy, what you would to change it if you could, and who the heck cares? Icarus Falling at the former Dancing Crane Gallery, Lansing. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 22-March 1. $15. 517-290-4375. http://www.icarusfalling.com
Vino Veritas Familiar traditions unravel as a foursome shares a bottle of South American ceremonial wine made from the skin of blue dart tree frogs. A world premiere staged by The Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Wed.-Sun., through March 8. $25-$38. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Weekend Comedy Two couples rent the same Catskills cabin for the same weekend by mistake and decide to share it. Broadway Onstage, Eastpointe. Fr.-Sat. & select Sun., Feb. 22-March 29 (except no performances Easter weekend). $16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry’s classic tale of a divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family in 1950s Chicago. Buckham Alley Theatre at the Woodside Church, Flint. Feb. 21-24, 29 & March 1-2. $10. 810-238-ARTS. http://www.buckhamtheatre.com
Avenue Q “Sesame Street” meets “South Park” in the first-ever community theater production staged in the United States of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that boasts “full puppet nudity.” Kalamazoo Civic Theatre at the Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. Extended again: Feb. 14 & 17. $17-$22. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
Before It Hits Home The struggles and relationships of a bisexual black man with HIV and the family and community who shun and uplift him. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at the Ann Arbor Civic Studio, Ann Arbor. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 16. $10-$15. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org
Chapter Two A writer haunted by memories of his deceased wife fears he’ll never find true love again. Farmington Players at the Farmington Players Barn, Farmington Hills. Feb. 15-17, 21-24, 28-29, March 1-2 & 6-8. $13-$15. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Death by Chocolate Everyone loves getting sweets from their sweetie, but no one is happy when those sweets have deadly results. Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center at the Trenton Village Theatre, Trenton. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 23. $7. 734-362-8153. http://www.dypac.com
Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain Five women tellers figure out their lives in the break room of the bank at which they all work. SRO Productions at the Historic Burgh, Southfield. Fri.-Sun., Feb. 22-March 10. $12. 248-796-4645. http://www.srotheater.org
Miss Evers’ Boys A warm, moving and surprisingly humorous play that explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous 40-year Tuskegee Study. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., Feb. 21-March 2. $10-$14. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Shakespeare in Hollywood Oberon and Puck magically materialize on the Warner Brothers lot and wander the set of the movie “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. Feb. 14-17 & 22-23. $15-$20. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

As You Like It Shakespeare’s clever commentary on identity and role-playing. UM Department of Theatre & Drama at the Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through Feb. 17. $18-$24. 734-764-2538. http://www.music.umich.edu
Chekov in Yalta Battling tuberculosis, playwright Chekov is visited by members of the Moscow Art Theatre who arrive to cheer him up, and hopefully carry home his latest play. Oakland University Dept. of Music, Theatre and Dance at the Varner Studio Theatre, Rochester. Thu.-Sun., through Feb. 17. $6-$12. http://www.oakland.edu/mtd
Suburbia A powerful drama by Eric Bogosian that looks at a group of young slacker-types who aimlessly drift and hang around a 7-11 parking lot and clash with its Pakistani owners. Festival Playhouse of Kalamazoo College in the Dungeon Theatre at the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., through Feb. 17. $5. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre
The All Night Strut An energetic revue that features three couples in a song-and-dance celebration of the music of the 1930s and 1940s. EMU Theatre in the Sponberg Theatre in the Quirk Dramatic Arts Building, Ypsilanti. Thu.-St., through Feb. 16. $15. 734-487-2282. http://www.emich.edu/public/cta/ted
The Rimers of Eldritch Lanford Wilson’s brilliant ensemble piece that provides a glimpse into middle America that correlates with the social issues facing our country today. Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., Feb. 22-Match 2. $1577-2960. http://www.bonstelle.com
The Vagina Monologues The annual V-Day College Campaign raises funds and awareness towards ending violence against women through performances of Eve Ensler’s powerful monologues. UDM Women’s and Gender Studies Program and Theatre Department in the Ballroom of the UDM Student Center of the McNichols Campus, Detroit. Thu., Feb. 21. $15. 313-993-1075.

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Fable-iscious A brand new musical adaptation of Aesop’s Fables will leave the audience in stitches. Saturday Series for Young Audiences at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Sat., Feb. 23. $7/children; $10/adults. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Junie B. Jones A musical about the adventures of first grade based on the books by Barbara Park. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor. Sat., Feb. 16. $14. 734-668-TIME. http://michtheater.org
Snow White The popular fairy tale is brought to life performed and crewed by local young people. All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre at Hannan Community Center, East Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 16. $5/youth; $7/adult. 517-394-4118. http://www.allofusexpress.org
The Diary of Anne Frank A gripping new adaptation that explores the life of a young girl whose voice shines through the time and injustices of the Holocaust. Flint Youth Theatre, Flint. Fri.-Sat., through March 1. $12-14/children; $14-$16/adults. 810-237-1530. http://www.flintyouththeatre.com

IMPROV/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:

Improv at the Point An evening of off-the-cuff comedy features rotating casts of the best improv talent in Metro Detroit. Every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. $8. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
Love Letters An encore run of A.R. Gurney’s romantic comedy featuring two characters reading the letters they’ve exchanged throughout their lives. StarBrite Dinner Theater at the Uptown Eatery, Southfield. Valentine’s Day, Thu., Feb. 14 ($49.95); then Fri.-Sun., through May 18. $39.95/Fri.-Sat.; $36.95/Sun. All prices include three-course meal, show and tax. 248-423-1452. http://www.starbriteprod.com
Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train Enjoy a two-hour scenic train ride while enjoying a three-course, onboard chef-prepared meal and live tableside entertainment that varies each week. Train departs every Friday at 7:30 p.m. from Walled Lake. $69. 248-960-9440. http://www.rail-road.com
Monday Night @ Planet Ant The Ant’s resident improvisational troupe, the Improv Colony, is joined each week by a Guest Team that performs the evening’s first act; plus, “AntJam.” Planet Ant, Hamtramck. Every Monday. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Not Without My Hand Towels Love makes us do strange, wonderful and stupid things, so let laughter be your gift this Valentine’s season! Crawlspace Eviction at the Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., Feb. 15-16. $10. 269-599-7390. http://www.crawlspaceeviction.com
Slush Playwright Randy Wyatt’s comedy proves that the dangers of publishing are numerous and unnamable. Late Night at the Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through Feb. 16. $5. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org

AUDITIONS & NOTICES:

MICHIGAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL – will hold auditions for its 2008 season, Feb. 23-24 in Jackson and March 3 in Detroit (for Equity actors only), 517-788-5032; WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL – applications to participate in the first Windsor (Ont.) Fringe are due Feb. 22, call 519-258-9887 for details.