Theater Events for the period May 10-19

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

The Abduction from the Seraglio To celebrate Mozart’s 250th birthday, MOT stages this classic romantic drama for the very first time. Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House, Detroit. May 12, 13, 16, 18 & 19. $28-$120. 313-237-7464. http://www.michiganopera.org
Amadeus Salieri wants only one thing – but the musical talent resides within rival Mozart. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through June 10. $25-$37. 734-663-0696. http://www.performancenetwork.org
City in a Strait Bounce through time in a poignant story about Detroit’s most notorious baddie, The Red Dwarf, who cursed Detroit to an eternity of chaos and misfortune. Mosaic Youth Theatre at the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Detroit, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through May 20. $18. 313-872-6910, ext. 4005. http://www.mosaicdetroit.org
An Evening with Mark Twain The life and work of America’s beloved humorist are celebrated in this one-man show. Ledges Playhouse Theatre Company, Grand Ledge. Thu.-Sun., May 17-27. $13-$15. 517-679-1052. http://www.ledgesplayhouse.com
Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy A parody of the 1980s classic with all the fixins, including the boiling bunny, big hair, Greek chorus and even a dream ballet! Who Wants Cake Theatre at The Ringwald Theatre, Ferndale. Fri.-Mon., through May 21. $10-$15. 248-556-8581. http://www.whowantscaketheatre.com
An Inspector Calls A classic murder mystery: An inspector calls on a wealthy family to investigate the death of a young girl. Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company at the Aaron DeRoy Theatre on the campus of the Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Wed., Thu., Sat. & Sun., through May 19. $29-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org
Julius X The tragedy of “Julius Caesar” is explored through the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X. A Studio 2g production of Plowshares Theatre Company at Boll Family YMCA, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through May 20. $15. 313-872-0279. http://www.plowshares.org
Mommyhood The world premiere of a series of monologues that celebrate the laughter, tears, triumphs and power of mommies. O’Wel Productions at Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Township. Sun., May 13. $22. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Music from a Sparkling Planet Three grown men set out on a hilarious quest to find a childhood icon who used to host Saturday morning cartoons. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Thu.-Sun., through June 10. $18-$22. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
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
Sex&Violets.com The North American debut of a dark and erotic world in which two people’s every move on the internet is manipulated and monitored by a cyber demon. Icarus Falling at the ACD.net Metro Internet Exchange (MIX), Lansing. Fri.-Sat., through May 12. $10. 517-290-4375. http://www.icarusfalling.com
Sherlock’s Veiled Secret The world’s greatest detective comes out of retirement to solve a blackmail case with a woman he claims is his daughter. Broadway Onstage, Eastpointe. Fri.-Sat. and select Sundays, through May 19. $14-$16. 586-771-6333. http://www.broadwayonstage.com
The Sisters of Swing A touching tribute to the Andrews Sisters. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., through May 20. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Sweet Charity A funny, poignant and tender look at the misadventures of a dance hall hostess who always gives her heart and earnings to the wrong man. Fisher Theatre, Detroit. Tue.-Sun., through May 20. $38-$78. 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
Translations A small Irish community in 1833 faces the brink of irrevocable transformation. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory through May 19. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
Underneath The Lintel A small town Dutch librarian discovers that a recently returned book is 113 years overdue. BoarsHead Theater, Lansing. Previews May 16-17 ($20); runs Wed.-Sun., May 18-June 10. $20-$35. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Whackjob The world premiere of a comedy in two acts by Wilde Award-winning writer and director Mike McGettigan. The Abreact, Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through May 12. Free/donations accepted. 313-247-5270. http://www.theabreact.com
When the Lights Come On A Division I football coach in the early days of his career tries to keep his priorities straight as he fights to recruit the star player who will save his job. Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Wed.-Sun., through May 12. $25-$35. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Wonder of the World After a wife discovers a scandalous object in her husband’s drawer, she flees to Niagara Falls in search for the life she thinks she missed. Breathe Art Theatre Project at the Furniture Factory, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through May 12. $12-$20. 313-831-1939. http://www.breathearttheatre.com
Wrongful Life A mother whose doctor talked her out of an abortion is sued by the daughter she gave birth to for giving her a “wrongful life.” Detroit Repertory Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through May 20. $17-$20. 313-868-1347. http://www.detroitreptheatre.com

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

The Madwoman of Chaillot When a group of businessmen decide to destroy a French neighborhood to get at oil they believe lies underneath, a self-assured eccentric hatches a plan to get rid of “the bad guys.” Festival Playhouse of Kalamazoo College at Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., May 17-20. $1-$15. 269-337-7333. http://www.kzoo.edu/theatre

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? The popular musical that revisits the good ol’ days of Catholic school education. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. Fri.-Sat., through May 19. $16. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying A young but bright window cleaner follows the advice he finds in a book and rises to the top of a multi-national company Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Fri.-Sun., through May 20. $18. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org
Lady Windermere’s Fan Oscar Wilde explores the hypocrisy of public morality when he asks: When a woman with a shady past makes a play for your husband, how are you supposed to respond? Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre at Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti. Thu.-Sun., through May 20. $18. 734-214-6600. http://www.mcrt.org
My Favorite Year A sketch writer on a popular 1950s comedy show learns that some of the greatest moments in live TV, and in life, start with a handful of trouble. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre at the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. May 18-19, 24-26 & May 31-June 3. $17-$22. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
Oklahoma The beauty and spirit of the American West are explored in this popular musical. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. May 18-20, 24-27, May 31-June 3 & 7-9. $18. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
Saint Joan George Bernard Shaw’s classic exploration of the tale of Joan of Arc. Sunsets with Shakespeare at the Woldumar Nature Center’s R E Olds Anderson Rotary Barn, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through May 20. $10. http://www.sunsetswithshakespeare.com
Signature Broadway An original musical revue that features songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman and Kander & Ebb. Stagecrafters, Royal Oak. Fri.-Sun., through May 13. $14. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Three international prisoners are thrown together in a call in the Middle East, forcing them to come to grips with their fate and with each other. A Black Box series presentation on the main stage of the Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Fri.-Sun., through May 20. $10. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Steppin’ Out 4: Civic Does Cinema Many of A2CT’s finest entertainers sing tunes from the movies to raise funds for one of the country’s oldest and most successful community theaters. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at the Firefly Club, Ann Arbor. Wed.-Thu., May 9-10. $15-$25. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org

THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory A good-natured boy wins a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and experiences the journey of a lifetime. Novi Theatres on the Novi Civic Center Stage, Novi. Fri.-Sun., through May 20. $10-$12. 248-347-0400.
The Mouse That Roared A young sovereign declares war on America when her tiny country goes bankrupt. Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre at the Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. Wed.-Sat., through May 12. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
Stone Soup Two brave knights vanquish fierce dragons that have been terrorizing a village for years – but not everyone is pleased. Ann Arbor Civic Junior Theatre at Washtenaw Community College’s College Theater, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., May 17-20. $5. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org

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 at 11:30 p.m. $5. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Evening at the Improv Seven big-hearted actors volunteer their quick wit to raise funds for outreach programs for at-risk youth in Metro Detroit. All The World’s A Stage at Maple Lane Elementary School , Sterling Heights. Sat., May 19. $15. 586-907-9811. http://www.atwas.org
The Foursome Four men return home for their fifteenth college reunion and reconnect over a round of golf. StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at the Premier Entertainment Center, Chesterfield Township. Fri.-Sat., through June 16. $39.95; price includes three-course dinner, show and tax. 586-725-2228. http://www.starbriteprod.com
Going Bare A surgeon faces disastrous consequences after “going bare” – dropping his expensive malpractice insurance. StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at the Uptown Eatery, Southfield. Fri.-Sat., through May 19. $39.95; price includes three-course dinner, show and tax. 248-423-1452. http://www.starbriteprod.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
My Cuzin’s Comedy Show Chaldean, Indian and African-American actors provide a hysterical multi-cultural look at living in the Midwest. A late night alternative production at The Second City, Novi. Every Thursday; extended through May 17. $15. 248-348-4448. http://www.secondcity.com
Out of the Running A new musical comedy about a closeted gay former football star who runs for mayor of a mid-sized Midwestern city. Late Night at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Fri., Sat., through May 19 at 10:30 p.m. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com

AUDITIONS / FUNDRAISERS:

ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE – will conduct a one-week camp in August for youth in grades 4-12 to learn how to audition, 734-971-2228; MEADOW BROOK THEATRE – will hold general auditions for its 2007/08 season, June 16-17, 248-370-3308.