Theater Events for the period May 1-10, 2008

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

Cobb A fascinating play that examines the life of one of the greatest baseball players of the 20th century: Ty Cobb. Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., May 2-24. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
The Compleat Female Stage Beauty England’s leading actor to play women during Shakespeare’s time loses his job when the king changes the law, so how can he re-invent himself? Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through May 9. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Escanaba in da Moonlight A hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben Soady goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Broadway Onstage, Eastpointe. Fri., Sat. & select Sundays, through May 17. $14-$16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com
Escanaba in Love Set amidst World War II, the Soady deer camp and its wacky Yoopers are visited by an unexpected invader: a woman! BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing. Wed.-Sun., through May 24. $10-$25. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Exits and Entrances An autobiographical play based on Athol Fugard’s own experiences in South African theater. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through June 1. $25-$37. 734-663-0681. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Growing Pretty A young girl learns that the tortures of being 12 soon give way to the painful and wonderful freedom of adulthood in this world premiere comedy by Michigan native Carey Crim. The Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Wed.-Sun., through May 31. $25-$38. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
If Only You Knew A new gospel/comedy based on the old cliche, “Once you think you know someone, you find that you don’t really know them at all.” Simply Me Productions and Shawn P. Entertainment at the International Institute, Detroit. Sat.-Sun., May 10-11. $20-$25. 313-433-8384.
La Traviata Verdi’s tragic tale of forbidden love. Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit. May 10, 11, 14, 16-18. $28-$120. 313-237-7464. http://www.michiganopera.org
Manuscript The Michigan premiere of Paul Grellong’s mystery thriller. Tipping Point Theatre, Northville. Thu.-Sun., through May 24. $18-$35. 248-347-0003. http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
Marsh Magic An engaging puppet play that looks at all the wildlife that flourished in Metro Detroit 200 years ago. Outdoors at Matrix Theatre, Detroit. Sun., May 4. Free. 313-967-0999. http://www.matrixtheatre.org
The Master Builder Henrik Ibsen’s tragic meditation on guilt, love, fear, betrayal and desperation. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in rotating repertory through May 17. $20-$30. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Maidens, Mothers and Crones – Voices from Women of the Midwest An exiting and original piece inspired by and including submissions from women of all walks of life. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Thu.-Sun., May 8-June 1. $15-$24. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
9 Parts of Desire One actress explores the heartache, love, laughter and redemption of nine heroic women in the first Gulf War. Arab Theatrical Arts Guild and Water Works Theatre Company at the Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family YMCA, Detroit. May 9-11, 16-18 & 23-24. $15-$20. 313-223-2751. http://www.waterworkstheatre.com
Nunsense Cindy Williams stars as the Reverend Mother in the play that started an institution! Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through May 18. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Oy! A marvelously funny and skewed (but not untrue) perspective on life as expressed in a dozen playlets. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Wed., Thu., Sat. & Sun., through May 25. $30-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org
Sing Jubilee! One of the most inspiring stories in African-American music: the Fisk Jubilee Singers, written by OyamO. Mosaic Youth Theatre at the Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., May 9-18. $10-$20. 313-833-4005. http://www.mosaicdetroit.org
Southern Comforts The twists and turns of love know no age in this comedy about a later-life romance. Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through May 18. $17/advance; $20/at the door. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com
Stomp The smash hit returns. The Whiting, Flint. Fri.-Sat., May 2-3. $19-$59. 810-237-7333. http://www.thewhiting.com

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

Arms and the Man A romantic young woman gives refuge to a handsome and charming soldier fleeing his enemies. Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre at the Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. Thu.-Sun., through May 18. $18. 734-214-6600. http://www.mcrt.org
Black Coffee Tensions build in the library of Sir Claud Amory, and the result is murder. Barefoot Productions at the old Walker/Buzenberg Furniture Bldg., Plymouth. May 8-11 & 16-18. $15. 734-582-9688. http://www.justgobarefoot.com
Children of Eden A joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith. Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Fri.-Sun., through May 18. $18. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdwarborn.org
Company A sophisticated musical comedy about a man who seemingly has everything, as seen through the eyes of his married friends. Spotlight Players at The Village Theatre at Cherry Hill, Canton. May 2-4 & 9-10. $18. 734-394-5460. http://www.spotlightplayers.net
Dinner with Friends A bittersweet drama that asks the question: Can your marriage survive your best friend’s divorce? SRO Productions at The Historic Burgh Park, Southfield. Fri.-Sun., through May 18. $12. 248-796-4645. http://www.srotheater.org
A Few Good Men Two marines are on trial for complicity in the death of a fellow marine at Guantanamo Bay. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at UM’s Arthur Miller Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through May 4. $20. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The hysterical and timeless musical comedy. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. May 1-4, 8-11 & 15-17. $16-$18. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The musical story of the biblical Joseph and his incredible journey. Grosse Pointe Theatre at the Fries Auditorium at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe Farms. April 30-May 4 & May 7-11. $22. 313-881-4004. http://www.gpt.org
Kokonut Kapers A buoyant musical comedy that features pirates, the ghost of Captain Kidd and a treasure chest of jokes and fast-paced action. Novi Theatres at the Novi Civic Center, Novi. May 8-11 & 16-18. $15. 248-347-0400. http://www.novitheatres.com
Little Shop of Horrors A down-and-out floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a craving for blood. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. May 2-4 & 9-10. $16. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
Look Homeward, Angel A dramatic tale of a young man’s personal growth that’s driven by his family. Kalamazoo Civic Senior Class Reader’s Theatre at the Carver Center Studio, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sun., through May 4. $5. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
String of Pearls A string of pearls has an amazing journey through generations of women spanning 35 years. A Stagecrafters’ 2nd Stage production at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. Thu.-Sun., through May 4. $12. Contains adult content. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Stuff Happens A new play about the extraordinary process leading up to the invasion of Iraq. Peppermint Creek Theatre Company at Perspective2 in Lansing’s Old Town. Thu.-Sat., through May 3. $15. 517-927-3016. http://www.peppermintcreek.org
Synonymy A hot-shot doctoral student rents the same London flat in which Peter Mark Roget wrote his famous thesaurus and gets more than he bargained for. Whole Art Theater New Play Series at the Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. May 1-3 & 9-10. $10. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

Senior Performance Series The best and brightest students create their own theater. Dungeon Theatre, Festival Playhouse at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., through May 4. $5. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Bang, Bang, You’re Dead A look at school violence and its lasting consequences. Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center at the Trenton Village Theatre, Trenton. Fri.-Sat., through May 10. Free. Children under 13 are required to have a parent present. 734-362-8153. http://www.dypac.com
Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue Join Diego, his sister Alicia and cousin Dora on an action-packed mission to get Baby Jaguar’s growl back from the Bobos. Fox Theatre, Detroit. Sat.-Sun., May 10-11. $18.50-$40.50. 313-471-6611. http://www.olympiaentertainment.com
Holes A boy in a detention camp wants to dig up the truth when he figures out that a “character building” exercise isn’t really what it seems. Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre at the Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. May 9-10, 14-18. $6.50. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
Jungle Book The Rudyard Kipling classic. All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre at Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Fri.-Sun., through May 4. $7/adult, $5/youth. 517-482-5700. http://www.allofusexpress.org
Seussical the Musical Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters hit the stage in an unforgettable adventure. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor. Sun., May 4. $12-$14. 248-645-6666. http://www.michtheater.org

IMPROV/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:

Code Foxy: Man Down! An original comedy by the winners of the Winter 08 Improv Festival, Tiger Ride. Late Night at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sat. at 10:30 p.m., May 9-24. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Heart of the City Improv Improv returns to the heart of Detroit, hosted by Margaret Edwartowski and featuring the area’s premier talent. Every Tuesday at Boll YMCA Theatre, Detroit. $5. 313-223-2751. http://www.y-artsdetroit.org
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 Chip Shotz Bar & Grille, St. Claire Shores. Fridays through May 24. $39.95, which includes three-course meal and theater package. 586-294-2000. 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
The Pierian Spring Have you ever thought that your own thoughts were out to get you? Late Night series at Whole Art Studio, Kalamazoo. 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., through May 3. $5. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org

AUDITIONS & NEWS:

THEBES PLAYERS – is looking for directors for its 2008-09 season, 616-897-8545; Who Wants Cake? Theatre – is holding auditions for its 2008-09 season, May 4, 248-556-8581.