Theater Events for the period Jan. 6 – 15

Professional Theater:

Boston Marriage Two Victorian women walk into a relationship: Are they sparring partners or each others’ true love? Presented Thursday through Sunday at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor, Jan. 13 – Feb. 20. Tickets: $20 – $34.50. 734-663-0681. www.performancenetwork.org.
Contact Three thematically-linked short stories are told mostly through dance. Presented at the Stranahan Theater, Toledo, Jan. 13 – 16 only. Tickets: $30.50 – $39.50. 419-381-8851. www.stranahantheater.com.
Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning drama about the downward spiral of a simple, flawed man whose time has come and gone. Performed in Repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, Jan. 7 – March 24. Tickets: $15 – $22. (313) 577-2960. www.theatre.wayne.edu/t_hilberry.html.
Duck Hunter Shoots Angel A tabloid journalist searches for two Alabama swamp poachers who believe they shot a celestial being. Presented Tuesday through Sunday at the City Theatre, Detroit, extended through Jan. 30. Tickets: $35 – $40. 313-872-1000. www.nederlanderdetroit.com.
Intimate Apparel At the dawn of the 20th century, an African American woman’s gift for sewing catapults her to independence, but at what cost? Presented Thursday through Sunday at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit, Jan. 13 – March 20. Tickets: $17. 313-868-1347. www.detroitreptheatre.com.
The King and I The timeless love story between a powerful and stubborn king and a determined governess. Presented Tuesday through Sunday at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit, Jan. 11 – 30. Tickets: $30.50 – $68. 313-872-1000. www.nederlanderdetroit.com.
Men in Suits An evening of theater that features two dark comedies that fans of “Goodfellas” and “The Godfather” will love, “Men in Suits” and “Family Values.” Presented Friday through Sunday by the Detroit Ensemble Theatre, Roseville, Jan. 7 – 22. Tickets: $15. 888-220-8471. www.detroitensembletheatre.com.
Menopause The Musical A joyful musical parody about four women who have nothing in common except a certain shared experience! Presented Tuesday through Sunday at the Gem Theatre, Detroit, for an open run. Tickets: $39.50. 313-963-9800. www.gemtheatre.com.
Mother Courage and Her Children Bertoit Brecht’s masterpiece that follows Anna Fierling and her family during the Thirty Years War in Eastern Europe. Performed in Repertory at the Hilberry Theatre, Detroit, through Jan. 29. Tickets: $15 – $22. (313) 577-2960. www.theatre.wayne.edu/t_hilberry.html.
Side by Side by Sondheim A dazzling array of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest Broadway hits. Presented Wednesday through Sunday at the BoarsHead Theatre, Jan. 13 – Feb. 6. Tickets: $25 – $33. 517-484-7805. www.boarshead.org.
Tim Conway and Harvey Korman: Together Again The two veteran comedians come to Detroit with highlights from their memorable moments with “The Carol Burnett Show.” Presented at the fabulous Fox Theatre, Detroit, Jan. 8 only. Tickets: $45 – $65. 313-471-6611. www.olympiaentertainment.com.

Civic/Community Theater:

Blithe Spirit Noel Cowards spirited comedy about a medium who successfully materializes the dead wife of a recently remarried author. Staged by the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre at the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo, Jan. 7 – 8, 13 – 16 & 21 – 22. Tickets: $13. 269-343-1313. www.kazoocivic.com.
A New Brain A composer for a children’s television show learns he has a problem in his brain. Presented by Avon Players, Rochester, Jan. 14 – 16, 21 – 23 & 27 – 29. Tickets: $16. 248-608-9077. www.avonplayers.org.

Theater for Young Audiences:

Firebird A Russian folktale about a young man who goes in search of his true love who has neen captured by dark forces. Presented every Saturday in January at PuppetART, Detroit, beginning Jan. 15. Tickets: $5/children, $7/adults. 313-961-7777. www.puppetart.org.
Magic School Bus Live! An original musical production based upon the best-selling Scholastic book series in which Ms. Frizzle takes her class and the audience on two great adventures. Presented at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp., Jan. 15 only. Tickets: $30 – $36. 586-286-2222. www.macombcenter.com.
Stories Beyond Words A 45 minute performance that centers on themes of self-awareness and how each of us has the power to create our own world presented by mime/physical storyteller Michael Lee & Opus Mime. A Saturday Series for Kids presentation at Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor, Jan. 15 only. Tickets: $7/children, $10/adults. 734-663-0681. www.performancenetwork.org.

Improvisation/Late Night/Interactive/Dinner Theater:

Improv Inferno A new comedy lounge in Downtown Ann Arbor with five nights of fun: A one-act comedy, “Trailer Park Traci Almost Saves Christmas,” runs Wednesday nights; Thursday hosts The Lava Club and “The Catfight,” with the area’s hottest improv groups; Friday and Saturday features “The Damnation Game,” and at Midnight, “The X Show”; and open mike night rules on Sunday with “Get Up Stand Up.” Tickets: $5 – $10. 734-214-7080. www.improvinferno.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. Presented every Monday night (except holidays) at Planet Ant, Hamtramck. Tickets: $5. 313-365-4948. www.planetant.com.
Onstage & Unplugged Jeff Daniels and his acoustic guitar return to the PRTC stage for the fourth time with his one-man show. Presented at the Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea, Jan. 5 – 8. Tickets: $50 – $75. 734-433-7673. www.purplerosetheatre.org.
Pedro Orsini’s Parade of Penniless Players An original improv performance that bridges the gap between Commedia dell’ arte, sketch writing and modern improv. Presented Thursday through Sunday at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck, through Jan. 9. Tickets: $10 – $15. 313-365-4948. www.planetant.com.
The Reality Buffet Short plays selected by the audience are based upon the lives, perspectives and experiences of Detroit’s acting and improv communities. Staged every Sunday evening by Motoprism at the Matrix Theatre, Detroit. Tickets: $10. 313-967-0999. www.matrixtheatre.org.
Spirit of 86 An original comedy directed by Brett Guennel. A Late Night production presented Thursday through Saturday at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck, through Jan 8. Tickets: $5. 313-365-4948. www.planetant.com.

AUDITIONS, NOTICES AND CLASSES:

Stagecrafters – “Run For Your Wife,” Jan. 24, 248-541-8027; Players Guild of Dearborn – “Proof,” Jan. 17 & 18, 313-561-TKTS.