Photo by Carol Rosegg
“West Side Story” will be at the Fisher Theatre May 13 to 18 telling the story of star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony who try to rise above the hatred that surrounds them. For tickets or more information call 800-982-2787 or go to broadwayindetroit.com.
By SUE SUCHYTA
The smash hit Broadway revival of “West Side Story” explodes on the stage of the Fisher Theater May 13 to 18.
Tickets run $36 to $76, with showtimes at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The show, based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
For tickets and more information call 800-982-2787 or go to ticketmaster.com or broadwayindetroit.com.
When the show opened on Broadway in September 1957, it broke new ground for musical theater, opening with an explosive dance prologue in which two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, express their animosity through movement. The show remains one of Broadway’s most dance-driven musicals.
Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely reproduces Jerome Robbins’ original Tony Award-winning choreography for the tour.
Star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony struggle to rise above the hatred and intolerance that surrounds them with a great love story, a powerful message and memorable musical.
Classic songs from the show include, “Something’s Coming,” “Tonight,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Somewhere.”
When the show debuted, it was different in style and content from its predecessors. It pushed the boundaries of the Broadway musical and redefined the musical theater.
“If you’re going to tell a story with any degree of truth, you’ve got to go where the story takes you,” Laurents said. “And this is where the story took us. We weren’t thinking about changing anything. We just wanted to be good.”
PUCCINI’S ‘TURNADOT’ CLOSES SPRING OPERA SEASON
Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” closes the Michigan Opera Theatre season with performances at 7:30 p.m. May 10, 14, 16 and 17, and 2:30 p.m. May 18.
A free opera talk begins one hour before each performance.
Tickets range from $25 to $125, with discounts May 14 for students and young professionals.
For tickets and more information call 313-237-SING, or go to MichiganOpera.org or Ticketmaster.com.
“Turnadot,” sung in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage, and set in ancient Peking, features Princess Turandot, who vows to never to be possessed by a man. She rules that any suitor must answer three riddles correctly or die.
Prince Calaf, moved by passion, vows to brave the odds to win her hand.
American soprano Lise Lindstrom sings the role of the princess May 10, 14 and 17, with Canadian-American soprano Othalie Graham singing the role May 16 and 17.
Korean tenor Rudy Park sings Calaf May 10, 14 and 17, with Italian spinto tenor Giancarlo Monsalve singing the role May 16 and 18.
LOCAL THEATRE COMPANIES HOLDING JOINT AUDITIONS
Joint general auditions for 19 area theater companies are scheduled 6 to 10 p.m. May 12, 13 and 19 at the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway in Detroit, for the 2014-15 theater season.
Mandatory appointments are available by emailing [email protected].
Participating groups include Detroit’s Abreact Performance Space, A Host of People, Carrie Morris Arts
Productions, Etico Productions, Magenta Giraffe, Matrix, Plowshares, Puzzle Piece, Rumpusroom and Shakespeare in Detroit.
Other involved groups include AKT Theatre Project of Wyandotte, Barton Bund and Lynch Travis in southeast Michigan, The Dio in Pinkney and the Jewish Ensemble Theater of West Bloomfield.
Open Book from Downriver, Planet Ant in Hamtramck, The Ringwald in Ferndale, the Snug in Marine City and the Two Muses in West Bloomfield will also participate.
Men and women 18 and up from all ethnic backgrounds may attend with two contrasting monologues no longer than three minutes combined. Those auditioning should bring 19 headshots and resumes to give to each participating theater.
All roles are paid, and the JET and Plowshares are members of Actors Equity.