Photo by Sue Suchyta
Aric Liljegren (second from left) of Dearborn as Renfield, an asylum patient, attacks Dr. Van Helsing, played Mike Moseley (third from left) of Allen Park while Michael Bollman (left) of Dearborn as an asylum attendant and Jeff Flannery of Southgate as Dr. Seward intervene. “Dracula” will run at the Players Guild of Dearborn, Sept. 14 to 16, 21 to 23, and 28 to 30, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees. The theater is at 21730 Madison, southwest of the intersection of Monroe and Outer Drive in Dearborn. For more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Like it or not, summer is showing sly signs of fading. As a few traitorous trees start to show their colors, area theatres are announcing scary shows to set the tone for the Halloween season.
“Dracula” will run for four weekends at the Players Guild of Dearborn Sept. 14 to 30, followed closely by Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre’s production of “Night of the Living Dead” Oct. 26 and 27 and Nov. 2 and 3 at a new location, the Grantland Street Playhouse in Livonia. “Evil Dead: The Muscial” will run at the City Theatre (next to the Fox in Detroit) Oct. 4 to 27 for four weekends.
HEIGHTS ANNOUNCES ‘NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD’ CAST
The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre recently announced the main cast for “Night of the Living Dead,” which will run at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27, and at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3, the weekends before and after Halloween.
Performances are at a new location for the non-profit community theatre, the Grantland Street Playhouse, 27555 Grantland in Livonia. The playhouse is a half block west of Inkster Road, one half mile south of the I-96 freeway.
Director Marc Walentowicz announced the cast after making what he called “many tough decisions.” The group is still looking for individuals interesting in playing zombies in the show. If interested, contact Marc Walentowicz at [email protected]
The cast includes Emily Gedert of Canton as Barbara, Eric Fallows of Westland as Johnny, Greg Bowman of Ferndale as Harry Cooper and Kenyada Davis of Detroit as Ben.
Dearborn residents in the show include Mike Kinnell as Zombie No. 1, Margaret Kinnell as Helen Cooper, Molly Boudreau as Karen Cooper, John Denyer as Tom and Andrea Sevonty as Judy.
Also in the cast are Cory Chambless of Plymouth as Bill Bardough, Andrea McGrath of Garden City as Dr. Grimes and Sean Randolph of Canton Township as Chief McClellan.
For more information, go to www.dhctstage.org.
‘EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL’ AT THE CITY THEATRE IN OCTOBER
The City Theatre, 2301 Woodward in Detroit (next to the Fox) will present “Evil Dead: The Musical” for four weekends before Halloween. Performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 20 and 25 to 27 in October.
Tickets are available at www.OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, the City Theatre box office inside Hockeytown Café and at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call 800-745-3000.
SOUTHGATE ANNOUNCE ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ AUDITIONS
The Southgate Community Players will hold auditions for “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. Oct. 8 and 9 at the Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix Toledo Road in Southgate. The playhouse will open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-audition registration.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road in Southgate.
“A Christmas Carol” tells of embittered Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation for the better after visits from the ghosts of Christmas past and present.
For more information, go to www.scponstage.com.
‘BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL’ AT THE FISHER
Detroit’s Fisher Theatre opens its season with a Sept. 4-to-16 run of “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Based on the film, the show features the music of Elton John, with book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry.
The show won ten Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical, as well as Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle.
Tickets are available at the Fisher Theatre box office, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, at all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.
Set in a small town, “Billy Elliot the Musical” follows a boy’s journey from the boxing ring to ballet class as he discovers a talent and passion that changes his life forever.
Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, with 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees.
For more information, go to www.BillyElliotTour.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.