The Michigan Opera Theatre opens its 40th season with Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” which includes local youth in the children’s chorus as wild animals in the first act and as Papageno’s children in the second act. The fantasy favorite, Mozart’s last opera, opened Saturday at the Detroit Opera House. Four additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. Sunday closing matinee. For more information, call (313) 237-SING or go to www.MichiganOpera.org.
By Sue Suchyta
The Michigan Opera Theatre opens its 40th season with Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” which will be sung in English by a talented cast of both local and world renowned talent.
The fantasy favorite, Mozart’s last opera, opened Saturday at the Detroit Opera House. Four additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. Sunday closing Sunday matinee.
The show is a treat to the senses, with its wonderfully engaging score, colorful costumes, fantastical scenery and a serendipitous story.
Local youth are colorfully cast in the children’s chorus as wild animals in the first act and as Papageno’s children in the second act.
For more information, call (313) 237-SING or go to www.MichiganOpera.org.
GUILD ANNOUNCES SUMMER YOUTH MUSICAL
The Players Guild of Dearborn Guildling Youth Theatre will perform “Free To Be … You and Me” as its summer production.
The show will run at 7:30 p.m. for six performances, July 15 to 17 and 22 to 24, with $5 general admission.
Based on the book by Marlo Thomas, the show blends music and humor to encourage youth to explore the wide range of opportunities in their lives.
Audition dates will be posted on the Guild Website, www.playersguildofdearborn.org.
THE FULL MONTY at WSU’s BONSTELLE THEATRE
Wayne State University will present the musical “The Full Monty” for two weekends, April 15 to 23 at the Bonstelle Theatre.
Six unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo decide to “bare it all” for some much-needed cash. Along the way, the build friendships and their own self-esteem, and remember what it means to truly feel alive.
The cast includes Dearborn actors Cal Schwartz as Dave Bukatinsky, Matthew Miazgowicz as Gary and Jacqueline Michnuk as Susan Hershey.
The show contains nudity and mature themes, and is not recommended for children. For more information, call the box office at (313) 577-2960 or go to www.bonstelle.com.
NUNS ARE FREE AT GEM’S ‘WILL MY BUNNY GO TO HEAVEN?’
“Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny go to Heaven?” will conclude its run at the Gem Theater in Detroit Sunday.
Women in religious orders are invited to enjoy the show at no charge as the theater’s way of honoring those who have taken a vow of poverty. Call the Gem Theatre box office at (313) 963-9800 for more information.
The theater is offering a special deal for everyone else, including lapsed Catholics and members of the C & E Club. With the exception of Thursday and Sunday matinees the Gem will offer two tickets for $30 to remaining performances.
You will enjoy laughter therapy as Sister takes a fresh approach to traditional questions of the season like, “Who was Mary Magdalene?” “Why isn’t Easter on the same day every year like Christmas?” and “Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?”
You’ll also learn about the origin of Easter bunnies, eggs, baskets, bonnets and even marshmallow Peeps.
The show also is highly interactive. Sister runs her own version of the Easter egg hunt, with special rewards and candy for any audience member who helps her.
Tickets are on available through the Gem Theatre box office at (313) 963-9800. For more information, go to www.gemtheatre.com.