The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre holds a youth ensemble vocal rehearsal for “Nuncrackers.” Musical director Paul Abbott (left) gestures as cast members Sarah Jennings (second from left), Ian Jeannin, Olivia Flores and Rhiannon Flores concentrate on the vocal score. The show will run weekends through Nov. 20 at the Berwyn Center at 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights. The musical comedy is the fourth Nunsense play. For more information go to www.dhctstage.org.
By Sue Suchyta
Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre got a jump on the holidays Friday as it launched its Christmas-themed version of the much-enjoyed Nunsense series, “Nuncrackers,” an invigorating, musical comedy.
It features favorite standbys from “Nunsense” as well as Father Trott and an ensemble of children and adults. The show promises to bring laughter and musical numbers to your wish list.
“Nuncrackers,” a Dan Goggin musical, features high-energy slapstick, musical numbers and its trademark one-liners weekends through Nov. 20 at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Directed by Paul Keifer, with musical direction by Paul Abbott, the show takes place in the basement of the Mount St. Helen’s Convent as the Saint Andrews Sisters of Hoboken tape their first live special in their new cable access television studio.
Reverend Mother, played by Martha Robertson of Garden City, is the leader of the convent who often finds herself in over her head. She is a flustered former circus performer who tries to keep everyone together. Sister Hubert, played by Emily Gedert of Dearborn, is second in command. She plays a tough, practical nun with a flair for gospel.
Sister Robert Anne, a tough nun from Brooklyn, is played by Jody LaGuire of Inkster, who played Anna in the theatre’s recent production of “The King and I.”
Sister Mary Paul (also known as Sister Amnesia) is portrayed by Amanda McFarland of Westland. The recovering amnesiac displays a remarkable affinity for country and western music.
Sister Mary Leo, featuring Shelby Watts of Wayne, is the youngest of the Sisters and a puppeteer.
Father Virgil Manly Trott, played by Bill Spurlin of Garden City, is Sister Leo’s brother, as well as a former singer and radio host. The Mount Saint Helens student cast includes: Ian Jeannin of Dearborn, as well as Dearborn Heights residents Rhiannon and Olivia Flores, Sarah Jennings, and Mary and Hope Lesniak.
Tickets are available at the door or online at dhctstage.org through Ticketleap. Adult tickets are $15 for adults, with a $2 discount for students and seniors.
For more information, go to www.dhctstage .org.
‘THE SECRET GARDEN’ at HFCC
Henry Ford Community College Theatre for Young Audiences will present “The Secret Garden” Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 12 to Dec. 5. There will be no performances Thanksgiving weekend.
Directed by Judy Fletcher, with technical direction by Gerry Dzuiblinski, the show will be performed both weekends and during selected daytime student matinees for young audiences with school groups.
Friday shows are at 7 p.m. Saturday shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 though Dec. 5.
Adult admission is $12, with a $2 discount for children age 12 and under.
For reservations and more information, call (313) 845-9817.
The theater is in Adray Auditorium in the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center on the HFCC campus, 5101 Evergreen in Dearborn.
‘RICHARD III’ at HILBERRY
The Hilberry, Wayne State’s graduate theater company, will launch Shakespeare’s classic “Richard the Third” as the third show of its season.
Richard, faced with physical deformities amid court intrigue, defies all odds and sacrifices his own humanity in an obsessive quest to be king.
The show opens Nov. 19, and will run in rotating repertory through Feb. 25 at the Hilberry Theatre, 4743 Cass Ave. in Detroit.
The box office can be reached at (313) 577-2972 or go to www.wsushows.com or www.hilberry.com.