PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:
Closer A quartet of strangers meet, fall in love and become caught in a web of betrayal. Breathe Art Theatre Project at 1515 Broadway, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through Oct. 14. $20. 519-980-0607. http://www.breathearttheatre.com
Durang: An Experiment and A Parody A hilarious evening of theater featuring five short plays by Christopher Durang. The Abreact, on the fringe of Greektown in Detroit. Fri.-Sat., through Oct. 7. Free admission/donations accepted. http://www.theabreact.com
Escanaba in Love The world premiere of Jeff Daniels’ hilarious prequel to his popular comedy set in the Soady deer camp during World War II. Purple Rose Theatre Company, Chelsea. Previews Oct. 4-5; runs Wed.-Sun., Oct. 6-Dec. 23. $25-$35. 734-433-7673. http://www.purplerosetheatre.org
Frankenstein The world premiere of a highly theatrical and powerful production that traces Dr. Frankenstein’s path from creation to final confrontation with his creature. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Wed.-Sun., Oct. 11-Nov. 5. $22-$38. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com
Jesus Christ Superstar Everything’s still all right in this popular musical about the last seven days in the life of Jesus. Stranahan Theater, Toledo. Thu.-Sun., through Oct. 8. $23-$50. 419-474-1333. http://www.theaterleague.com
Jesus Christ Superstar Internationally beloved star Ted Neeley returns to the popular rock musical for his final tour. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Twp. Oct. 13-14. $40-$50. 586-286-2222. http://www.macombcenter.com
Long Day’s Journey Into Night The Eugene O’Neill classic that some believe to be an autobiographical representation of his own family. Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 13-Nov. 18. $15. 313-365-4948. http://www.planetant.com
Lydie Breeze Part one of John Guare’s Civil War drama about a group of Confederate soldiers who leave the country to form their own Utopian society. Blackbird Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sat., through Oct. 14. $18. 734-332-3848. http://www.blackbirdtheatre.biz
Menopause The Musical The hilarious musical set in Bloomingdales returns for its third sizzling year. Century Theatre, Detroit. Every Tue.-Sun. $39.50. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
Of Mice and Men The John Steinbeck classic about two drifters with big dreams. The Theatre Company at The University of Detroit Mercy at the Marygrove College Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., through Oct. 15. $15. 313-933-3270. http://theatre.udmercy.edu
Private Lives A divorced couple learns what happens when you can’t live with other, yet you can’t live without each other. Hilberry Theatre, Detroit. Plays in repertory Oct. 6-Nov. 30. $15-$28. 313-577-2972. http://www.hilberry.com
The Rat Pack is Back! Frank, Sammy, Dean and Joey return one more time to roll back the years and relive some of the most exciting times in popular entertainment. The Historic Gem Theatre, Detroit. Every Tue.-Sun. $39.50-$44.50; previews half-price. 313-963-9800. http://www.gemtheatre.com
The Retreat from Moscow A middle-aged couple make peace with their flawed marriage. Performance Network Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., through Oct. 29. $25-$37. 734-663-0696. http://www.performancenetwork.org
Rounding Third Two mismatched dads battle to get through the summer as they lead their kids’ little league team through a season of strikeouts and snacks. Williamston Theatre, Williamston. Thu.-Sun., through Nov. 12. $18-$22. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org
Shed a Little Light: A Tribute to James Taylor Kelly Carey and nine handpicked musicians “shower the people” with an evening of “Sweet Baby James'” most popular hits. The Theatre Project at Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck. Oct. 7-8. $35. 269-857-4898. http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org
Tesserae One-Act Play Festival Eight challenging, thought-provoking and bold one-act plays performed by Detroit area young people. Mosaic Youth Theatre at the General Motors Mosaic Theatre, Detroit. Fri.-Sun., Oct. 13-15. “Pay what you can” admission. 313-872-6910. http://www.mosaicdetroit.org
Trying A cantankerous judge whose health is failing hires a secretary and gets more than he realized. BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing. Wed.-Sun., through Oct. 8. $20-$35. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org
Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and Theodora, She-Bitch of Byzantium A Charles Busch double-header: a beautiful pair of beautiful bloodsuckers and an empress whose Gypsy lover is her husband’s would-be assassin. Korda Artistic Productions at The Wellington, Windsor. Oct. 13-14 & 20-22. $15. 519-562-3394. http://www.kordaproductions.com
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:
Cripple of Inishmaan A bawdy Irish comedy about an orphaned and crippled boy who seeks the bright lights of Hollywood. Oakland University Dept. of Music, Theatre and Dance in the Varner Studio Theatre, Rochester. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 12-22. $12. 248-370-3013.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The Moon Marigolds The special talents of a young girl lauches a family into profound confrontation with the past. Wayne State University Dept. of Theatre’s Ph.D. Directors’ Series at the Studio Theatre, Detroit. Thu.-Sat., Oct. 12-21. $8-$10. 313-577-2972. http://www.theatre.wayne.edu
Noises Off Take a peek behind the curtain in this hilarious farce of slamming doors, dropping pants and shocking affairs. Eastern Michigan University Dept. of Theatre at Quirk Theatre, Ypsilanti. Oct. 13-15 & 19-21. $15. 734-487-1221. http://www.myspace.com/emutheatre
Romeo and Juliet Discover true love amidst a war of households. Michigan State University Dept. of Theatre at The Pasant Theater at Wharton Center, East Lansing. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 5-15. $15. 517-432-2000. http://www.theatre.msu.edu
COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:
42nd Street The big, bold, razzmatazz musical that celebrates what dreams are made of. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. Thu.-Sun., through Oct. 8. $17-$22. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Full Monty The revealing musical about six unemployed steelworkers who come up with a bold way to make some cash. St. Dunstan’s Guild of Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills. Oct. 14-14, 20-22 & 26-28. $18. 248-737-3587. http://www.stdunstanstheatre.com
God’s Favorite If you think being teacher’s pet is hard, try being God’s favorite! Sunsets with Shakespeare at the RE Olds Anderson Rotary Barn at Woldumar Nature Center, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through Oct. 15. $10. http://www.sunsetswithshakespeare.com
Intimate Apparel An African-American seamstress in turn-of-the-century New York creates fashionable undergarments for society ladies and prostitutes alike. Actors’ Theatre at Spectrum Theatre, Grand Rapids. Thu,-Sat., through Oct.7. $22. 616-234-3998. http://www.actorsatspectrum.org
Krapp’s Last Tape and A Slight Ache A pair of short dramas by Beckett and Pinter. Riverwalk Theatre at Creole Gallery, Lansing. Fri.-Sun., through Oct. 15. $10. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Lobby Hero “What would I do” is the question of the day in this serio-comic drama by Kenneth Lonergan. A Stagecrafters’ 2nd Stage production at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. Oct. 13-15 & 19-22. $12. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org
The Merry Wives of Windsor Two married women wooed by the same man compare notes and set about to teach him a lesson. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre at the Suzanne D. Parish Theatre, Kalamazoo. Oct. 6-7, 12-15 & 20-21. $15-$20. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com
The Pillowman A new gothic thriller about a fiction writer in a totalitarian state who is interrogated about his gruesome short stories. Peppermint Creek Theatre Company at Hannah Community Center, East Lansing. Oct. 5-8 & 12-14. $15. 517-719-3887. http://www.peppermintcreek.org
To Kill a Mockingbird A tough and tender story of race, class, justice and the pain of growing up. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 12-22. $10-$14. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown It’s just another typical day in the life of the Peanuts gang. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. Thu.-Sat., through Oct. 7. $16-$18. 248-553-2955. http://www.farmingtonplayers.org
IMPROVISATION/LATE NIGHT/INTERACTIVE/DINNER THEATER:
Bobble Heads of State Fast moving sketch comedy that covers birth and old age and everything in-between. The Second City, Novi. Every Wed.-Sun. $15-$20. Plus, every Wednesday: “Improv Jams.” 248-348-4448. http://www.secondcity.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
The Last Resort A New York restaurateur and mob informant establishes a new identity in a run-down hotel in Saskatchewan and worries if one of his guests might be a hired gun. StarBrite Presents Dinner Theater at Uptown Eatery, Southfield. Fri.-Sat., through Nov. 18. $39.95, includes three-course dinner and show. 248-423-1452. http://www.starbriteprod.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
Swindling Jehovah One of the latest works by LGBT playwright Randy Wyatt. A Late Night Series production of Whole Art Theater, Kalamazoo. Fri.-Sat., Oct. 6-14. $5. 269-345-7529. http://www.wholeart.org
Throw Mummy from the Train Help unravel the mystery of the missing mummy. Random Acts on the Charlotte Mystery Train, Charlotte. Every Saturday, through Oct. 28. $57.95 includes dinner and show. 888-726-8277. http://www.random-acts.net
AUDITIONS AND FUNDRAISERS:
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE – presents its annual fundraiser, 2006 Opera Ball, Oct. 8, 313-237-3425; PURPLE ROSE THEATRE COMPANY – registrations now accepted for New Actor Boot Camp, 734-433-7782; ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE – auditions for “Sweet Charity,” Oct. 7-8, 734-971-2228.
About the Author: Don Calamia
