Theater Events for the period Sept. 14-23

PROFESSIONAL THEATER/OPERA:

Bedroom Farce A couple whose marriage is on the rocks inflicts their miseries on their nearest and dearest. Ledges Playhouse Theatre Company in the Ledges Playhouse, Grand Ledge. Fri.-Sun., through Sept. 24. $13-$15. 517-694-3978. http://www.ledgesplayhouse.com.

Closer A quartet of strangers meet, fall in love and become caught in a web of betrayal. Breathe Art Theatre Project at the Capitol Theatre, Windsor, Fri., Sept. 22 & Sat., Sept. 23, $20, 519-253-7729; and at 1515 Broadway, Detroit, Fri.-Sun., Sept. 29-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, plus Sun., Oct. 1. Free admission/donations accepted. http://www.theabreact.com.

The Guys An editor and a New York fire captain who lost most of his men on 9/11 collaborate on the eulogies he must present at their memorial services. The Personae Theatre Ensemble in The College Theater in the Crane Liberal Arts Building at Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor. Fri.-Sun., through Sept. 17. 734-255-7998.

Gypsy In My Soul Tony Award-winner Donna McKechnie re-enacts the celebrated moments of her Broadway career. Performed as a fundraiser for and at Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester. Fri., Sept. 15. $75-$125. 248-377-3300. http://www.mbtheatre.com.

Hello Muddah! Hello Faddah! Allan Sherman’s hilarious song parody comes alive in a musical comedy that follows Barry Brockman and his beloved Sarah Jackman from birth to Camp Granada and from marriage to retirement. Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company at the Aaron DeRoy Theatre on the campus of the Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield. Wed., Thu., Sat. & Sun., through Sept. 17, plus added performances Sept. 18-20. $29-$39. 248-788-2900. http://www.jettheatre.org.

Jesus Christ Superstar The 1971 musical masterpiece returns with Ted Neeley in his farewell tour. Cobb Great Hall at Wharton Center, East Lansing. Fri.-Sun., Sept. 22-24. $25-$55. 517-432-2000. http://www.whartoncenter.com

Mamaphobia: The truth about the comedy of motherhood Actress Peggy Ward takes the audience on a journey through motherhood as a benefit for Ashley’s Friends. Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County, Royal Oak. Sat., Sept. 16. $29. 248-219-9604. http://www.ashleysfriends.org.

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.

Moses:39 The Satori Circus returns with a new performance art piece that takes you on a journey of one child’s life through adulthood. 1515 Broadway, Detroit. Thu.-Sun., through Sept. 23. $10-$20. 313-965-1515.

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. Previews Sept. 12-14; runs Tue.-Sun., beginning Sept. 15. $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. Previews Sept. 14-18 & 21; runs Thu.-Sun., Sept. 22-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. Previews Sept. 21-24 & 28; runs Thu.-Sun., Sept. 29-Nov. 12. $18-$22. 517-655-7469. http://www.williamstontheatre.org

Trying A cantankerous judge whose health is failing hires a secretary and gets more than he realized. BoarsHead Theatre, Lansing. Previews Sept. 13-15; runs Wed.-Sun., Sept. 15-Oct. 8. $20-$35. 517-484-7805. http://www.boarshead.org.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY THEATER:

HOWL: The Life of Allen Ginsberg The premiere of an original musical that follows the life of America’s best-known poet of the Beat Generation. The UM-Flint Dept. of Theatre and Dance at the UM-Flint Theatre, Flint. Sept. 22-23 & 28-30. $10. 810-237-6520.

COMMUNITY/CIVIC THEATER:

Dearly Departed A drop-dead funny comedy about a small-town family as they try to make funeral arrangements for their “Daddy Bud.” Marshall Civic Players and Armadillo productions at the Franke Center for the Arts, Marshall. Fri.-Sun., through Sept. 17. $15. 269-781-3335. http://www.marshallcivicplayers.org.

42nd Street The big, bold, razzmatazz musical that celebrates what dreams are made of. Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in the Civic Auditorium, Kalamazoo. Sept. 22-23, 28-Oct. 1 & Oct. 5-7. $15-$20. 269-343-1313. http://www.kazoocivic.com

The Full Monty Six out of work steel workers find a new way to earn cash: become strippers! Ann Arbor Civic Theatre at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor. Thu.-Sun., Sept. 14-17. $24. 734-971-2228. http://www.a2ct.org.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum A delicious musical romp through old Rome. Riverwalk Theatre, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through Sept. 24. $19. 517-482-5700. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com.

Jeffrey A gay man searches for love in the age of AIDS. Sunsets with Shakespeare at the Woldumar Nature Center, Lansing. Thu.-Sun., through Sept. 17. $10. http://www.sunsetswithshakespeare.com.

Sylvia The two women in Greg’s life compete for his attention: his wife and his dog. The Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn. Sept. 15-16, 22-24 & 29-Oct. 1. $15. 313-561-TKTS. http://www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

They’re Playing Our Song A musical that follows the relationship between an accomplished composer and a new lyricist. Avon Players, Rochester Hills. Sept. 15-17, 22-25 & 28-30. $16. 248-608-9077. http://www.avonplayers.org.

West Side Story The landmark musical about star-crossed lovers from different sides of the track. Stagecrafters at the Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak. Sept. 14-17, 21-24 & 29-Oct. 1. $16-$18. 248-541-6430. http://www.stagecrafters.org.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown It’s just another typical day in the life of the Peanuts gang. Farmington Players, Farmington Hills. Sept. 15-17, 21-24, 28-Oct. 1 & Oct. 5-7. $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.

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 Miles World Italian Restaurant, Fraser. Fri.-Sat., Sept. 22-Nov. 18. $44.95, includes three-course dinner and show. 586-415-4500. 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.

Tony & Tina’s Train: Tony Marconi has collected and ridden on trains all his life, and now he plans on getting married on one. Or will he? Random Acts on the Old Road Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Charlotte. Every Saturday, through Sept. 30. $57.95 includes dinner and show. 888-726-8277. http://www.random-acts.net.

AUDITIONS AND CLASSES:

MOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE – annual auditions for the upcoming season, Sept. 26-28, 313-872-6910, ext. 4007.