By Sue Suchyta
West Side Theatre Project presents ‘The Last Five Years’
The West Side Theatre Project will present the Dearborn-area premiere of, “The Last Five Years,” a one-act musical written and composed by Jason Robert Brown.
The show opened last weekend and runs through Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Dearborn High School, 19501 W. Outer Drive. Tickets are $16, discounted to $14 for seniors and students. All proceeds from the production support the Dearborn High School theater program.
The play follows the five-year relationship of a couple, with his story told from beginning to end and her story told from end to beginning. The production features local actors and Dearborn High School theater alumni Mike Mosallam as Jamie and Laura Downes as Cathy. The show is produced and directed by Greg Phillip Viscomi, with musical direction by Maritsa Madias Kalasz, lighting design by Joan Arrick and costume design by Christine Steves. The production contains adult themes and language and is not appropriate for children. For more information and ticket reservations, please call the box office at (313) 827-1647.
Heights has final weekend of ‘Curtains’
The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre will continue its run of the musical comedy whodunit “Curtains” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson, Dearborn Heights. For tickets or more information, go to www.dhctstage.org. Adult tickets are $15, with $13 tickets for students and seniors.
“Curtains” is the group’s first main stage show of the 2009-10 season. It features the 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 Kander and Holmes.
Dearborn Heights to hold auditions for, “It’s A Wonderful Life”
Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre will hold auditions for “It’s A Wonderful Life” from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 27, and from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson, Dearborn Heights.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the classic Christmas story of George Bailey, a man who has big dreams in a small town. After giving up his dreams of travel and success in order to run the family business, George faces a dilemma on Christmas Eve that leads him to contemplate suicide. Would his family and friends really be better off with him dead?
An angel looking to get his wings helps George see how life would be without him and how George really does have a “Wonderful Life.” This production is a faithful adaptation of the movie; it is not the radio show version.
There are roles for the whole family, and all are welcome to audition. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. Those auditioning for the role of George Bailey should prepare a short dramatic monologue (two minutes or less).
The production will run Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12. There will be five performances: 8 p.m.each day with a 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 5. All performances and rehearsals will be held at the Berwyn Center.
The rehearsal schedule will depend on the cast’s availability. Most principals will need to be at all rehearsals, while children and townspeople will probably be called only once a week until the last few weeks before opening. The tentative rehearsal schedule is from 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays and from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For more information about a specific character or about the show, e-mail director Rachel LaPointe at [email protected].