By Sue Suchyta
The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre presents the musical comedy whodunit, “Curtains.”
The first main stage show of its 2009-10 season features a book by Rupert Holmes, a multiple Tony Award-winner for, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “Say Goodnight Gracie.” The show features music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and “New York New York.” The production is based on the original book and concept by Tony Award-winner Peter Stone (“1776,” “Titanic” and “The Will Rogers Follies”), with additional lyrics by John Kander and Rupert Holmes.
The show will be performed at 8 p.m. Sept. 18, 19, 25, 26 and Oct. 2 and 3 at the Berwyn Center in Dearborn Heights. For tickets or more information, go to the Web site www.dhctstage.org. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.
‘Phantom’ comes to the Opera House
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, “The Phantom of the Opera,” directed by Harold Prince, will be at the Detroit Opera House for the first time Sept. 8 to 27. Tickets are available at the Fisher Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.BroadwayInDetroit.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787.
Tuesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., with a Sept. 24 matinee at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinee performances are at 2 p.m., and Sunday evening performances at 7 p.m.
Tickets start at $23. To order, call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. For group sales (12 or more) call (313) 871-1132 or go to [email protected] For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or go to www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.
The Detroit Opera House is at 1526 Broadway, in Detroit.
Besides being a financial and popular success, “Phantom” is the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has been seen by more than 80 million people around the world, to larger audiences and in longer runs than any other musical in history. On Jan. 9, 2006, “Phantom” became the longest-running show in Broadway history, passing the record previously held by “Cats.” On Jan. 26, 2008, “Phantom” celebrated its 20th anniversary on Broadway.
Based on the classic novel “Le Fantôme de l’Opéra” by Gaston Leroux, “Phantom” tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls madly in love with an innocent young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to creating a new star by nurturing her extraordinary talents and by employing all of the devious methods at his command.
“Phantom” had its world premiere on Oct. 9, 1986, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, winning every major British theater award. The New York production opened on Jan. 26, 1988, with a then-record advance of $18 million. The musical went on to sweep the 1988 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical.
“Phantom” also won seven Drama Desk Awards and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. The original London cast recording was the first in British musical history to enter the charts at No. 1. It has since gone platinum in Britain and the United States, selling more than 25 million copies.