Rehearsing for the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center production of “Godspell” are cast members Anna Busse as Mary Magdeline, Jake Cemer as Jesus and Justin Mercer as Judas. The musical will be presented Aug. 5 through 7 at the Trenton Village Theatre.
By Evelyn Cairns
“Godspell,” the ’70s rock musical based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, will be staged by the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center Friday through Sunday at the Trenton Village Theatre, 2447 W. Jefferson.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Jake Cemer will appear as Jesus, Justin Mercer as Judas and Anna Busse as Mary Magdeline.
Other cast members include Isabela Balavich, Peyton Bias, Emily Carlin, Christina Compean, Mario Garza, Jessica Golema, Thomas Huffmaster and Amanda Kull.
More are Kiah Manthei, Jeanette Palmer, Josie Palmer Jacob Porcarelli, Ava Rendina, Chad Schultze, Olivia Schutt, Shannon Seward, Hannah Szalay, Kyle Will and Taylor Yaeger.
Mary Zelesi is the director.
A story about friendship, loyalty and love, the play features the music of Stephen Schwartz, Grammy and Academy award-winning composer of “Wicked” and “Pippin.”
Tickets ($12, adults, $10, students and seniors) will be sold at the door and are available online at www.dypac.com.
The DYPAC show choir, the Jefferson Avenue Zingers (JAZ), will hold open auctions at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the theater. For more information, call Dave Martin at (734) 673-0307 or go to www.dypacjaz.weebly.com or www.dypack.com.
Allen Park fair slated
Handmade marionettes, crocheted purses, pine furniture, dog treats and neckerchiefs, and dried flow-ers and wreaths will be among the many items for sale from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the 30th annual Allen Park Arts & Crafts Street Fair.
Providing entertainment on Friday will be Stale Crackers, Step-In-Line and Fifty Amp Fuse, and on Saturday, Little Davy & the Diplomats and Annabelle Road.
Among the participating food vendors are Almond Haus, Flossie’s Funnel Cakes, Hanson’s Original Kettle Korn, Liberati’s, Meaney Donuts, Ray’s Prime Foods and a Different Twist.
Free shuttle service will be provided from the City Hall parking lot at 16850 Southfield. For more information, go to www.cityofallenpark.org.
Jazz festival is coming up
The 16th annual Jazz on the River festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Elizabeth Park in Trenton. Performances are planned from 1 to 7:30 p.m. both days.
In addition to flutist Alexander Zonjic, musical director of the event, performers on Saturday will be Edgar Wallace Jr., Hot Sauce, the Greg Adams Band and Sax Pack, composed of Steve Cole, Jeff Kashiwa and Kim Waters.
At 7:30 p.m., Zonjic will play “Doin’ the D” with Ray Parker Jr., Kevin Toney & the Motor City Horns.
Appearing on Sunday will be Penny Wells, Phil Denny, Oleta Adams, Phil Perry and Dave Koz. There is no charge for the concerts, but a $5 donation to Wayne County Parks is suggested.
Save the date . . .
Aug. 11-14 —Eleventh annual Michigan Jets Charity Jet Fly, a benefit for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; 1 p.m. to dusk Aug. 11; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 and 13; 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 14; Grosse Ile Airport, 9601 Groh Road, Grosse Ile Township; more than 100 radio-controlled jets will participate; admission, $10 per vehicle; pilots can register at www.michiganjets.com or at the event.
Sept. 15 — Downriver Council for the Arts’ Art & Honors Night celebration; 7:30 p.m. at the DCA headquarters in the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut; awards ceremony and refreshments; no charge; reservations suggested; for more information, call (734) 720-0671 or go to www.downriverarts.org
Sept. 19 — Cooking with Style Class, “Tour de France: French Cooking at Its Best”; 5:30 p.m. at The Henry Hotel (formerly the Ritz-Carlton); $120 (dinner only for guests of students, $75); for additional infor-mation, call Leslie Jacobs at (248) 646-4517 or go to [email protected]