Photo by Nancy Florkowski
Peter Pan, played by Luke Jachman (left), 13, of Redford, confronts Captain Hook, played by Noah Wisniewski, 14, of Dearborn in the Motor City Youth Theatre production of “Peter Pan.” The show completes its run at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at 27555 Grantland in Livonia.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Noah Wisniewski, 14, of Dearborn, plays Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” through Sunday with the Motor City Youth Theatre, 27555 Grantland in Livonia.
Closing weekend performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children 17 and under. For more information, call 313-535-8962 or go to www.mcyt.org.
Wisniewski is a freshman at Dearborn Divine Child High School, where he is a member of the International Thespian Society, and performed in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” and “Les Miserables.” He is also a member of the DC varsity chorus and show choir.
He has performed with the MCYT since January 2012, and has played Drake in “Annie” and the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland.”
In the spring of 2012, he joined Motor City Broadway Kids, which sings at local festivals and for senior citizens.
‘SISTER ACT’ SINGS AND SWINGS INTO THE FISHER
“Sister Act” is at the Fisher through Sunday, bringing the movie popularized by Whoopi Goldberg to life on stage with songs, energy and plenty of sparkle.
The play received five Tony Award nominations in 2011, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
For tickets, call 800-982-2787, or go to ticketmaster.com, broadwayindetroit.com or the Fisher Theater box office.
When nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, the police put her in protective custody in a convent – the one place where they think no one will look for the flashy, brash diva. However, Deloris is not one to keep her light under a bushel. When she revitalizes the humdrum choir of nuns and the church as well, she attracts unexpected media attention, which puts the murderer back on her trail.
The first act starts out at a moderate pace, mirroring the movie plot with which many are familiar. However, it picks up speed before intermission, and the second act follows at a lively clip, infusing the show with energy.
The highlights of the show are the energetic song and dance numbers, as well as the witty repartee between Deloris, played by Ta’Rea Campbell with energy and an amazing belting voice, and the Mother Superior, played with wit and impeccable timing by Hollis Resnik.
Chester Gregory plays Sweaty Eddie, a cop and former high school crush of Deloris’, charged with protecting her. His singing and dancing talents far outshine his deadpan delivery of lines.
The sisterhood of nuns is lively and fun, and they entertain without resorting to easy stereotypes – they allow their nuns to be human and individuals, and they really rock the musical numbers in the revived church choir.
The show features an engaging score by Alan Menken, and dazzling scenery by Klara Zieglerova, flashy costumes by Lez Brotherston and inspiring lighting by Natasha Katz.
‘AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY’ CLOSES HILBERRY SEASON
“August: Osage County,” the winner of the 2008 Pulitzer prize for drama, closes out the 51st season at the Hilberry Theatre with riveting performances by the entire company.
The show, which runs through May 10, has definite adult content and strong language throughout, and is not suitable for children and young teens. The drama, however, is powerful and stirring, with unforeseen plot twists and strong characterizations throughout that make the show thoroughly worth seeing.
Tickets range from $10 to $30, and are available by phone, at 313-577-2972, online at wsushows.com and at the theater box office at 4743 Cass in Detroit.
Tracy Letts’ drama follows a gathering of the Weston family when the patriarch disappears, and the adult children gather around their mother to offer support. When his suicide becomes apparent, the drama between each family member increases. Even as each person is intelligent and sensitive, individually each can drive the others crazy.
Lavinia Hart, head of the Master of Fine Arts acting program at Wayne State University, plays Violet, the prescription drug-addicted matriarch with mesmerizing talent and remarkable energy. Audiences may remember Hart as the long-running artistic director of Detroit Attic Theater, where she acted, directed and produced more than 100 professional productions.
Director James Kuhl, who graduated from the Hilberry Company in 2009, keeps the show moving at a quick pace, and makes the most of the actors’ body language, which reveals so much of the characters beyond their spoken dialogue.
Egla Kishta, a fourth-year undergraduate sociology major with a theater minor, delivers a strong and convincing portrayal of 14-year-old Jean. The show marks her debut on the Hilberry stage.
The entire company is strong and believable. Brandy Joe Plambeck seems at home playing one of his strongest roles yet, and Sarah Hawkins Moan makes the most of her role as the Native American housekeeper, who expresses herself extensively without rivers of dialogue, in marked contrast to the family members.
Danielle Cochrane effectively channels her energy into the highly charged role of Barbara, while Brandon Grantz of Dearborn Heights is very creepy as the lecherous Steve.
When you think you have figured out the play’s plot line, it throws a very logic curve ball at you, showing the fascinating plot and strong characterizations that earned it a Pulitzer.