Theatre Offers A Great Way to Beat the Winter Blues
By Sue Suchyta
Unless you’re living in a cocoon, the winter cold and the economic chill are taking their toll on your mood. Not to fear – there are plenty of diversions around town to take your mind off the mundane!
DEARBORN HIGH HOSTS 15TH ANNUAL STUDENT-DIRECTED SCENES
The 15th Annual Student-Directed Scenes performance event opens at Dearborn High School on Tuesday, January 27 and runs through Saturday, January 31. The annual event features underclassman in short comedic and dramatic scenes directed by the upperclassman. Performed in a studio setting, the audience is seated on stage with the actors, drawing them intimately into the action.
The program, launched during the 1994-95 school year, has grown into the theater program’s most popular event. The student directors are all juniors or seniors actively involved in the theater program. In addition to giving underclassmen onstage opportunities, it also gives upperclassman a chance to polish their theatrical production skills. The student directors select the short scenes, audition and cast the scenes, and rehearse under the supervision of theater director Greg Viscomi. The final program showcases high school theatrical talent on stage and off.
All performances Jan. 27 to 31 begin at 7:30 p.m., with general admission $6. Patrons should use the back stage door entrance. Tickets can be purchased on performance nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. Seating will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, call the DHS Theatre Information Line at (313) 827-1647.
MOSAIC MAKES A JOYFUL NOISE
The Mosaic Singers will present Magnificat: Mosaic Singers in Concert at The Max M. Fisher Music Center from February 6-8. Magnificat will feature Mosaic’s internationally acclaimed youth singers performing an eclectic array of music, from Bach to gospel. The two-act spectacular is a musical, rhythmic and theatrical delight.
Performances are Friday, February 6 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, February 7 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday, February 8 at 4:00 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $12 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the DSO box office at 313-576-5111. For more information, visit their web site at HYPERLINK “http://www.mosaicdetroit.org” www.mosaicdetroit.org.
SESAME STREET LIVE COMES TO THE FOX
Who better than Elmo can make you smile and laugh while bringing out your inner child? Sesame Street Live “When Elmo Grows Up” will be at the Fox Theatre Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 15. Abby Cadabby, the newest Muppet on Sesame Street, joins Elmo, Zoe, Rosita and all of her furry and feathered friends in asking, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ as they prepare for a pageant on Sesame Street. Tickets may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, and online at Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611. A Family Night Discount will offer $10 seats. A Detroit Public TV benefit performance will be held on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (248) 305-3900 or log onto dptv.org.
GEM THEATRE OFFERS VALENTINE DAY SPECIAL
The hit musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at the Gem Theatre, will offer special dinner packages on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14. Shows are at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Century Grille Restaurant, located in the Gem Theatre building, will be open for a la carte dining from 4 to 8 p.m. The restaurant will offer selections from its fall 2008 menu and a special Valentine’s Day lobster tail & filet combo.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” explores dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws. Four actors perform more than forty roles in a collection of scenes and songs covering the wide range of male/female relationships. The cast features Sophia Hinshelwood and Jonathan Rayson, members of the final New York cast, as well as Nick Spears, Rebecca Spears, and local understudies Janet Caine (Commerce Twp), and Eric Gutman (Royal Oak).
Tickets are on sale now through the Gem Theatre box office (313) 963-9800, or through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 982-2787, and online at w