Rehearsals have begun for the John Cariani romantic comedy, “Almost Maine” at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Director Paul Bruce (right) explains the vignette “Sad and Glad” Jan. 23 at the first run-through. The scene features Andrea Hoglen (left) of Canton Township as a cute, perky waitress who might have a future with Jimmy; Ken Kilgore of Dearborn as Jimmy, a remorseful boyfriend who is a heating and cooling guy; and Ebony Bradley of Detroit as Sandrine, Jimmy’s former girlfriend who is now engaged to someone else. The show runs weekends March 2 to 18, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees. For more information call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.
By Sue Suchyta
Director Marc Walentowicz of the The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre announced the cast last week for the spring musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Ron Williams of Redford will play Charlie Brown, with Emily Gedert of Dearborn as Lucy Van Pelt and James Mayne of Redford as Linus Van Pelt.
Sally Brown will be played by Sara Mayne of Redford, while Snoopy will be played by Brian Welch of Monroe.
Plymouth resident Cory Chambliss will play Schroeder, while Wyandotte resident Clara Albright will play Peppermint Patty.
Marissa Campitelle of Inkster will play Marcy, while Sean Randolph of Canton Township will play Pig-Pen. Chris Fraser of Detroit rounds out the cast as Shermy.
The show, which runs April 13, 14, 20, 21 and 22 at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights features musical direction by Brian Londrow and choreography by Laura Tyler.
SCENE NIGHT TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Dearborn Area Theatre Association will host its annual Scenes Night at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Dearborn High School.
High school thespians from Dearborn, Divine Child, Edsel Ford and Crestwood high schools will perform both comedic and dramatic scenes from plays to benefit the DATA student scholarship program.
Tickets are $6, and will be available at the door the night of the performance.
“The evening is a lot of fun,” said Greg Viscomi, Dearborn High School teacher and theater supporter. “A great audience turnout from our theater community would … benefit the students who apply and compete for these scholarship awards. Come out and support our students.”
‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’ OPENS IN SOUTHGATE
The Southgate Community Players open Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical comedy “Brighton Beach Memoirs” at 8 p.m. Friday at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road in Southgate for a two-weekend run.
Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and students. For more information, call (734) 282-4727 or go to www.scponstage.com.
The heartfelt comedy, the first in a trilogy, centers on 15-year-old Eugene Jerome, whose thoughts in his crowded Jewish household on the eve of the World War II center on baseball and sex.
The cast includes Daniel Bartram of Taylor as Eugene, Kelly Klug of Lincoln Park as matriarch Kate Jerome, Richard Alder Jr. of Westland as patriarch Jack Jerome and Joshua LaPeer of Allen Park as Stanley.
Aunt Blanche is played by Liza Boos of Lincoln Park, with Trenton residents Taylor Towers and Taeryn McCardell, respectively, playing Nora and Laurie.
‘CHICKEN WITH A SIDE OF MURDER’ IN WAYNE
The Wayne Community Center will present “Chicken with a Side of Murder” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wayne Community Center, 4635 Howe Road in Wayne.
The comedy murder mystery is a fundraiser for the Wayne Actors Community Theatre and the Stage Door fundraising group.
Directed by Steven Rice, the show promises murder, false identities, spies, double-crosses, tricks and surprises for all in attendance.
Tickets are $35, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. full dinner buffet in the Wayne Community Center banquet hall.
To purchase tickets, call (734) 721-7400, Ext. 1309, in advance.
‘MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET’ AT THE FISHER UNTIL FEB. 5
The national Broadway tour of the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet” continues its run at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit through Sunday
The music, which will set your toes tapping and your spirits soaring, recreates the actual Dec. 4, 1956 meeting of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records recording studio in Memphis.
While the colorful bantering dialogue is fictional, the legends and their recording session with Phillips, who launched their careers, are based on a real event.
The songs and the tribute actors make the show a captivating experience infused with energy. The 1 hour 45 minute show runs without intermission, and you feel like you’re watching a real event unfold.
The music has a life of its own. From “Blue Suede Shoes” to “Great Balls of Fire” you’ll get caught up in the musical moment. “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog,” “Fever” and “Matchbook” are just a few of the hits ready to let you rock with some classic memories.
Derek Keeling plays Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter is Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye is Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris portrays Carl Perkins.
Christopher Ryan Grant brings Sun Records founder Sam Phillips to life, while Kelly Lamont plays Dyanne, a ’60s beauty with a soulful voice.
The show is more than a tribute show – it’s a testament to the musical magnetism and powerful personalities of the musical legends that left an indelible mark on the music world and the sound track of our own lives.
For tickets or more information, call 800-982-2787 or go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.