Theater Events for the period March 15-24

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

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 15 ($20-$28); runs Thu.-Sun., March 16-April 15. $25-$37. 734-663-0696. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Cherry Soda Water Reality blurs into the world of fantasy in three related one-act plays. A BoarsHead Second Company Dark Night Series presentation at BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing. Mon.-Tue., March 19-20. Free. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.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 through May 3. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.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
Jesus in the Hood What if Jesus was born in Southwest Detroit today? Find out in this hip, funny and profound re-imagining of the Gospel of St. Luke by area young people. Matrix Theatre at Odd Fellows Hall in Southwest Detroit. Fri.-Sun., March 23-April 1. $15. 313-967-0599. http://www.matrixtheatre.org
Macbeth Shakespeare’s classic tale of murder, madness and mayhem in pursuit of the Scottish throne. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., March 21-April 15. $22-$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
Remembering World War II Grand Rapids native Adam Mellema returns in a one-man program that uses oral histories, song and humor to capture a unique look at life in the early 1940s. Red Barn Playhouse, Saugatuck. Sat., March 24. $15. 269-857-5300.
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
Riverdance The thunderous celebration of joyous music, song and dance that has thrilled millions around the world. Fox Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through March 18. $38-$68. 313-471-6611. http://www.olympiaentertainment.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
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
A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. & Dean Martin The Rat Pack is back in this evening of incredible entertainment provide by three world famous impersonators. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Sat., March 24. $35-$45. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Urinetown A musical tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution at a time when water is worth its weight in gold. UDM Theatre Company at Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., March 23-April 1. $20. 313-993-3270. http://theatre.udmercy.edu
Voice of Good Hope A celebration of the life and spirit of Barbara Charline Jordan, the first African-American woman from the Deep South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Previews March 14-15 ($20); runs Wed.-Sun., March 16-April 8. $20-$35. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

The Crucible A masterful drama of intolerance, mass hysteria, vengeance and integrity set against the 1692 Salem witch trials. LCC Performing Arts Dept. at Dart Auditorium, Lansing. March 23-25 & 30-31. $10. 517-372-0945. http://www.lcc.edu
A Flea in Her Ear Mistaken suspenders and an anonymous love note send a husband’s curiosity to naughty places. OU Dept. of Music, Theatre and Dance at Varner Studio Theatre, Rochester. March 22-25 & March 29-April 1. $12. 248-370-3013. http://www2.oakland.edu/mtd
The Good Person of Setzuan One person, two faces and a moral dilemma as a soul struggles against the mores of society. EMU Theatre at Quirk Theatre, Ypsilanti. March 23-25 & 29-31. $15. 734-487-1221. http://www.emich.edu/cta
Sins with all my Heart A semi-autobiographical romp through the fantastical landscapes of suburban Catholicism and urban gay nightlife. The Video Studio at the UM Duderstadt Center (North Campus), Ann Arbor. Fri.-Sat., through March 17. Free. http://www.jimleija.com

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. Fri.-Sun., through March 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. Fri.-Sat., through March 17. $14. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
Escanaba in Da Moonlight Dis here show takes an irreverent, insider’s look at life in a Yooper deer camp. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. March 16-18, 22-25 & 29-31. $15. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Fat Pig A classic boy meets girl story…with one exception: girl is overweight and boy is concerned about appearances. Actors’ at Spectrum Theatre, Grand Rapids. Thu.-Sat., March 22-31. $22. 616-234-3946. http://www.actorsatspectrum.org
I Ought to be in Pictures The daughter of a down-and-out writer returns after 16 years. Buckham Alley Theatre, Flint. Fri.-Sun., through March 25. $10. 810-239-4477. http://www.buckhamtheatre.org
The King and I The timeless love story between the powerful King of Siam and a determined governess. Marshall Civic Players at Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall. Fri.-Sun., through March 25. $15. 269-781-3335. http://www.marshallcivicplayers.org
Lost in Yonkers Two young brothers are sent to live with their domineering grandmother after the death of their mother. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. March 16-17, 22-25 & 30-31. $15-$20. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
Reefer Madness A riotously entertaining musical based on the 1936 cautionary film about the dangers of marijuana use. Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Theatre, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., through April 7. $20. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
She Stoops to Conquer A practical joke is played on a shy, but wealthy young man on his way to meet the parents of his bride-to-be. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., March 22-April 1. $10-$14. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
The Tempest Music, magic and mystery pervade Shakespeare’s classic tale of romance, reconciliation and redemption set on a remote island. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at Washtenaw Community College’s Towsley Auditorium, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through March 18. $20. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org
Two By Two A musical retelling of the biblical story of Noah and the Ark. St. Dunstan’s Guild of Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills. March 23-25 & 29-31. $18. 248-737-3587. http://www.stdunstanstheatre.com

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Discover Theatre! When Mrs. Wigglesworth announces this year’s all-school musical has been cancelled, can a group of regular kids save the day? Disney Theatrical Productions at Wharton Center, East Lansing. Tue., March 20. $11-$27. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com
How to Turn Distress into Success A parable of war and its making by the famous Bread & Puppet Theatre. Matrix Theatre Company, Detroit. Thu.-Sat., March 22-24. $10/children; $15/adult. 313-967-0999. http://www.matrixtheatre.org
Humpty Dumpty is Missing A comedy whodunit in one-act that spoofs the private-eye thrillers of the 1940s. Thebes Players at Lowell High School Performing Arts Center, Lowell. Fri.-Sun., through March 25. $10/students; $12/adults.
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., through March 18. $8/students; $10/adults. 734-692-7749. http://www.dypac.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
Forever Plaid A musical group from the Ed Sullivan era of television comes back from the afterlife to perform the show they never got to perform while they were alive. Front Row Productions at Club Venetian, Madison Heights. Dinner Theater: March 23, 30 & 31 ($50); Brunch Theater: March 25 ($35); and Hors d’oeuvres and Dessert Theatre: March 22 & 29 ($35). 248-399-6788.
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 through June 3. $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