Theater Events for the period March 1-10

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

Amadeus The story of two brilliant composers, Mozart and Salieri: one humbly gifted and the other viciously envious. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory through March 3. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Between Men and Cattle The president of a conservative, white university arranges a meeting with the black man he interviewed 30 years later to find out, in part, what went wrong during their previous encounter. Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through March 18. $17-$20. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Candida Marriage, capitalism, religion – none are safe from Shaw’s lampoon in the story of a young poet who covets the wife of a clergyman. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Previews March 8-11 & 15 ($20-$28); runs Thu.-Sun., March 16-April 15. $25-$37. 734-663-0696. http://www.performancenetwork.org
The Elephant Man In a society that values beauty, an outcast is so hideously deformed that people run from him in fear. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory March 9-May 3. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Fatal Error An office worker’s “weirdest day on record” finds him careening from his cubicle world to a strip club where three women claim to be his wife, to a therapy session and an interrogation by a sexually frustrated Nazi. Icarus Falling at the Creole Gallery, Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through March 3. $10. 517-290-4375. http://www.icarusfalling.com
Fools Neil Simon’s comedy about a town cursed with stupidity. Broadway Onstage, East Pointe. Fri-Sat & select Sundays, through March 24. $14-$16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com
Fully Committed A one-man comedy about a New York actor working the reservation line at the city’s trendiest restaurant. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Thu.-Sun., through March 25. $18-$22. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
I Can’t Stop Loving You A musical revue of the music and life of Ray Charles. Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through March 4. $32.50-$67.50. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Marriage of Figaro The Bulgarian State Academic Opera presents this hilarious and tender exploration of love , infidelity and forgiveness. The Whiting, Flint. Fri., March 2. $15-$30. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com
Mixed Ferndale resident and WSU theater alum Jennifer George presents an original thought-provoking work that tackles race, diversity and multi-ethnicity. Boll Family YMCA, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through March 11. $25. 313-309-9622. http://www.ymcametrodetroit.org
A Number Human cloning is the subject of this beguiling hour-long psychological thriller. Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., through March 3. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
On Golden Pond Generations collide during a family’s visit to its lakeside cottage. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through March 11. $28-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
On the Verge A lighthearted excursion through space, time, history, feminism and fashion with three 19th century female explorers. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory through April 7. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Rent A group of young people in New York’s East Village learn to survive, fall in love, find their voice and live for today. Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., March 6-11. $29-$56. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.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. $39.50. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Rum and Vodka The tale of a blue collar gent and his trials with the bottle, friends and women. The Abreact, in the Greektown section of Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through March 17. Free/donations accepted. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
Some Girl(s) The Detroit premiere of Neil LaBute’s razor-sharp comedy about a soon-to-be married writer who has unfinished business with former girlfriends. Phases Theatre Company and Theater1 at Matrix Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through March 4. $15. 313-887-0305. http://www.myspace.com/theatreone
The Subject was Roses Parents with marriage trouble compete for the affection of a son who left for World War II as a boy and returns as man. Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Runs Wed.-Sun, through March 17. $25-$35. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Wayne State University MFA Showcase 2007 An old Hilberry tradition is revived: the five 2007 acting graduates showcase their work locally before taking it on the road. Sun., March 4. WSU Studio Theatre, Detroit. For reservations: 313-577-6625.
Wit A poetry scholar diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer reassesses her life. Breathe Art Theatre Project at the Furniture Factory, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through March 3. $20. 313-831-1939. http://www.breathearttheatre.com

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone A man abducted and illegally pressed into labor for seven years searches for the wife he lost and his place in the world. Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., March 2-11. $14. 313-577-2960. http://www.bonstelle.com
7 by 10 Student playwrights present two evenings of fully-staged 10-minute plays and three staged readings of one-act plays. Festival Playhouse of Kalamazoo College at the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., through Feb. 25. Free. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre
Tartuffe A religious zealot wears the mask of discovered love. MSU Dept. of Theatre at Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre, East Lansing. Wed.-Sun., through Feb. 25. $15. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com.
The Vagina Monologues The annual V-Day performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play features a number of well-known local women. UDM/Marygrove College at Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit. Sun., Feb. 25. $15. 313-993-3270 or 313-927-1545.

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

Breaking the Code How would you treat a man who helped his country and the Allies win World War II – if you found our he was gay? Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. March 2-3, 9-11 & 16-18. $15. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org
Chapter Two A widower who can’t let go of the past and a woman with past marital problems hilariously upend their ability to embrace the new love they have found. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. March 2-4, 9-11 & 16-17. $14. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger A stressed-out skeptical business man sits across the table from a person claiming to be Jesus. Kensington Community Church Drama Team. Sat. & Sun., March 3-4 at Kensington Church, Troy. Free. 248-786-0600. http://www.kensingtonchurch.org
Divine Stella Devine A hilarious behind-the-scenes look at an aging diva, her upstart challenger and a mismatched attempt to rehearse an epic spoof, “Civil War Darlings.” The Novi Theatres on the Novi Civic Center Stage, Novi. Thu.-Sun., March 8-11. $10-$12. 248-347-0400
Eleemosynary An exploration of the relationships between three remarkable women: a grandmother, a mother and a daughter. Flint City Theatre at the Good Beans Cafe, Flint. Thu.-Sat., through March 3. $7. 810-237-4663. http://www.flintcitytheatre.com
Epic Proportions Two guys go the Arizona desert to be extras in a 1930s Biblical epic and soon become its director and star. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through Mar. 4. $14. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Fat Pig The fallout from his circle of friends forces a man to confront his own insecurities when he dates a woman who is unapologetically overweight. Stagecrafters’ 2nd Stage at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. March 2-4 & 8-11. $12. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Les Liaisons Dangereuses A stage adaptation of one of the most scandalous and controversial novels in European literature. Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre at Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. Thu.-Sun., through March 11. $18. 734-214-6600. http://www.mcrt.org
Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight A bedroom farce about three couples who say what they oughtn’t, do what they shouldn’t and deliver terrific one-liners while doing it. Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Theatre, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through March 3. $20. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Discover Theatre! Can a group of regular kids save the day when the all-school musical is cancelled? Featuring Disney’s Jungle Book KIDS and Cinderella KIDS at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., March 9-11. $15-$25. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Honk Jr. A delightful retelling of “The Ugly Duckling.” Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre at the Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. March 2-4 & 7-10. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
School House Rock Live, Jr. A hip and educational treat that shows young people that learning cab be fun. DYPAC at the Trenton Village Theatre, Trenton. Fri.-Sun., March 9-18. $8/students; $10/adults. 734-692-7749. http://www.dypac.com
Willy Wonka A scrumptious musical theater treat for the whole family that features live actors, puppets and plenty of surprises. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Sat., March 3. $15-$20. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com

IMPROVISATION/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:

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. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Improv Inferno The Ann Arbor hotspot for comedy is back with four nights of laughs: “The Catfight” on Thu.; “Citizen Improv” on Fri.; “The Damnation Game” on Sat.; and “Get Up! Stand Up!,” “Rap It Up!” and “The Sweet Spot with Eye Candy” on Sun. All shows at Live at PJ’s, Ann Arbor. $5-$10. 734-214-7080. http://www.improvinferno.com
Michigan Impossible: All Laid Off & No Place to Go Second City’s 29th revue delivers uproarious hilarity on the after-effects of a nation downsized. The Second City, Novi. Every Wed.-Sun. $15-$20. 248-348-4448. http://www.secondcity.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
Murder: The Next Generation A house detective must solve the mystery of the missing crystals and the murder of an alien on Deep Space Noir. StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at the Premier Entertainment Center, Chesterfield Township. Fri.-Sat., through March 31. $39.95; price includes three-course dinner, show and tax. 586-725-2228. http://www.starbriteprod.com
Parrot Heads of the Caribbean An interactive musical-comedy-who-done-it set in Havana’s Margarita Cantina. StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at the Uptown Eatery, Southfield. Fri.-Sat., through March 24. $39.95; price includes three-course dinner, show and tax. 248-423-1452. http://www.starbriteprod.com
Simply Coney An all-new late night comedy written and performed by the winning improv troupe of Colony Fest 2006. Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sat., through March 3. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com

AUDITIONS/BENEFITS:

BROADWAY THEATRE GUILD – recreating the ambiance of a 1960s Las Vegas casino for its gala fundraiser, “Casino La Grand,” April 13, 616-235-6285; KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE – the Senior Class Readers Theatre will hold auditions for “Harvey,” March 18-19, 269-343-2280, ext. 1006; PURPLE ROSE THEATRE – now taking registrations for two summer classes for students under 18 years of age, Kid Purple and Teen Intensive, 734-433-7782; ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE – offering a Spring Acting Workshop for ages 16 and up, 734-971-2228; PERFORMANCE NETWORK THEATRE – professional developmental classes and workshops geared toward early career actors and working professionals will be offered this spring, taught by John Seibert, Naz Edwards and Malcolm Tulip, 734-663-0696; WHOLE ART THEATRE – auditions for “Women of Lockerbie,” March 4-5, 269-345-7529.