Theater Events for the period June 28-July 7

EDITOR’S PICK:
Mason Street Warehouse, an uptown theater in downtown Saugatuck, is pleased to announce the first show of its 2007 season: the regional premiere of “Altar Boyz.”
This very funny musical follows a fictitious boy band on the last night of their “Raise the Praise” tour, as they try to save every soul in the audience with their high-energy, boy band harmonies and choreography. “I think this is one of the funniest shows currently running off-Broadway,” says MSW Artistic Director Kurt Stamm. “The premise is so clever and so well executed that it is perfect for MSW’s audience. We always like to do the hippest new shows from New York, and ‘Altar Boyz’ is precisely that. We are thrilled to bring this fantastic show to Michigan.”
The show runs Tue.-Sun., through July 8.
Tickets to 2007 Mason Street Warehouse productions are: $24-$36.50. Tickets are available at the MSW box office or by calling 269-857-4898. For more information, visit www.masonstreetwarehouse.org.
Donald V. Calamia

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

The All Night Strut! The Wilde Award-nominated musical returns to celebrate one of the greatest eras of American music, the era of Swing. BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Wed.-Sun., through July 8. $25-$40. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Altar Boyz The regional premiere of the “Raise the Praise” tour in which four members of a fictitious boy-band try to save the souls of their audience with their high-energy, rafter-raising tunes. Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck. Tue.-Sun., through July 8. $24-$36.50. 269-857-4898. http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org
Flap The world premiere of a funny heartfelt romp through the world of divorce, new houses and flying rodents by Michigan playwright Annie Martin. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Previews July 5-8 & 12 ($15); runs Thu.-Sun., July 13-Aug. 12. $18-$22. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf The modern classic “choreopoem” about women of color broke boundaries in its time and still inspires new audiences today. Blackbird Theatre at the Boll YMCA, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through June 30. $18. 734-332-3848. http://www.blackbirdtheatre.net
Godspell The Gospel According to St. Matthew gets a whimsical retelling with a score by Stephen Schwartz. Ledges Playhouse, Grand Ledge. Thu.-Sun., through July 8. $15-$17. 517-679-1052. http://www.ledgesplayhouse.com
High School Musical Disney’s phenomenally popular TV movie about a jock and a shy, academically gifted girl who share a secret passion for singing comes to life this brand new touring production. Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through July 8. $28-$71. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Love Person The final workshop production of an original script by Aditi Brennan Kapil that explores communication and love – and the modern tool of e-mail with Sanskrit vs. the American Sign Language. Icarus Falling at the Black Child & Family Institute, Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through July 7. $10. 517-290-4375. http://www.icarusfalling.com
The Penis Monologues A fundraiser to welcome The Abreact to its new home features an evening of quick, powerful and vicious monologues by Eric Bogosian, plus live sets from some of Detroit’s young and talented local bands. The Abreact at The Zeigeist Gallery & Performance Venue, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through June 30. Free/donations accepted. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
Respect: A Musical Journey A funny, exuberant look at the lives of women as reflected in music. Gem Theatre, Detroit. Runs every Wed.-Sun. through July 1. $39.50. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Sea of Fools The world premiere of Michigan native Matt Letscher’s farce about a company of actors set during the height of the McCarthy Era. Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Previews June 27-28 ($20-$25); runs Wed.-Sun., June 29-Sept. 1. $25-$35. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Victor Herbert Festival Two works by “The Father of the American Musical” will be presented by the Comic Opera Guild at Madonna University’s Kresge Hall, Livonia: “Her Regiment,” Sat., June 30; and “Mlle. Rosita,” Sun., July 1. $10. 734-973-3264. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mgillett/coghome.htm

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

The Miss Firecracker Contest In a small Mississippi town, a woman known locally as “Miss Hot Tamale” hopes to salvage her tarnished reputation so that she can leave town in a blaze of glory. LCC Performing Arts at the LCC outdoor amphitheatre, Lansing. Wed.-Sun., June 27-July 1. Free. 517-483-1488. http://www.lcc.edu

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

Closer A sexual comedy of manners in which people are unable to get close to one another – even during their most intimate acts. Flint City Theatre at the Good Beans Cafe, Flint. Thu.-Sat., through June 30. $7. 810-341-6912. http://www.flintcitytheatre.com
Die Mommy Die A fallen pop diva battles her vicious husband, vengeful children and a hornet’s nest of secrets in this hysterical melodrama by Charles Busch. Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Theatre, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through June 30. $20. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Free summer theater returns to downtown Lansing’s riverfront with Shakespeare’s beloved comedy. Sunsets with Shakespeare at the Lou Adado Riverfront Park Sunbowl, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through July 1, plus July 4. Free; donations accepted.
Pass the Ducks An evening of original sketch comedy by Brian Townsend. Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Fri.-Sat., through June 30. $10. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org
Playing Around: Readings of New Works Staged readings of the two winning entries from the 2007 playwriting contest will be held: “Heartland Tales” by Jon Elliott and “Come, Beauty” by Franco Vitella. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at A2CT’s Studio Theater, Ann Arbor. Fri.-Sat., July 6-14. $10-$15. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Disney’s High School Musical An unlikely couple – a jock and a brainiac – mix up the social standards at their high school. Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center at Flat Rock High School Auditorium, Flat Rock. Fri.-Sat., through June 30. $10/students; $12/adult. 734-362-8153. http://www.dypac.com
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe A girl discovers a portal to another world in a mysterious wardrobe in a large empty room. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. June 26-29 & July 3, 5-7. $5/children; $8/adults. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com

IMPROVISATION/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:

The Best of The Second City – Detroit An archive show featuring some of the best sketches, songs and satire for the troupe’s 29 revue history. Second City Detroit, Novi. Every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. through July 22. $7. 248-348-4448. http://www.secondcity.com
Big Time An improvised musical featuring Amy Phillips and Matt Naas with various guest stars, often preceded by improv masters Schtick Mahorn, featuring Second City studs Brett Guennel and Tim Robinson. Late Night at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Every Thursday at 11:30 p.m. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Finding Your Voice Five 10-minute plays written by local high school students. Whole Art Theatre at the Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through June 30 at 11 p.m. $5, includes complimentary coffee and donuts. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
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
Second City’s 30th Revue The Second City begins the creative process of creating its thirtieth revue – and you’re invited to attend these preview performances to offer your feedback. The Second City, Novi. Previews every Wed.-Sun.; tentatively scheduled to open Aug. 15. $15-$20. 248-348-4448. http://www.secondcity.com