Brandy Joe Plambeck (left) of Ferndale as Robert and Brandon Grantz of Dearborn Heights as Bernard perform in Marc Camoletti’s hysterical farce “Boeing, Boeing” through Saturday at the Hilberry Theatre. For tickets or more information call 313-577-2972 or go to wsushows.com.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Dearborn Heights native Brandon Grantz as Bernard kept the house roaring with laughter opening night as he helped the Hilberry launch its season Sept. 19 in Marc Camoletti’s hilarious farce, “Boeing, Boeing.”
The comedy runs through Saturday at Wayne State University’s Hilberry Theatre.
For tickets and more information, call 313-577-2972, or go to wsushows.com or the box office at 4743 Cass in Detroit.
Grantz plays Bernard, a playboy who lives in Paris and simultaneously romances three flight attendants: an American, Italian, and German. However, when technology increases the speed of passenger jets, he struggles to keep each from crossing paths with the other two, with hysterical results.
Grantz, a graduate of Crestwood High School, studied acting at Henry Ford College and Eastern Michigan University before joining the WSU’s graduate theater company two years ago.
The amazing cast, directed guest talented artist Lenny Banovez, includes Brandy Joe Plambeck of Ferndale, who is very funny as Bernard’s visiting friend Robert from Wisconsin, who attempts to help sustain the ruse, and Miles Boucher as Bert, who nearly steals the show with his over-the-top performance as Bernard’s flamboyant, temperamental butler.
The wonderful women are a triple treat. They include Sarah Hawkins Moan as Gloria, the American, Annie Keris as Gabriella, the Italian and Bevin Bell-Hall as Gretchen, the German.
Michael Sabourin’s scenic design is as gorgeous as it is functional, since much of the action depends on split–second timing for entrances and exits.
PGD ANNOUNCES ‘SOUTH PACIFIC’ CAST
The Players Guild of Dearborn announced the cast this week for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” the second show of the group’s 87th season.
Brian Townsend and Julie Malloy of Dearborn are the director and musical director, respectively, with Laura Tyler of Canton Township as the choreographer.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, set on an island paradise during World War II, centers on two romances threatened by the vagrancies of war as well as racial prejudice.
The score includes musical theater favorites “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Bali Ha’i,” “There is nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair.”
The show runs weekends from Nov. 14 to Dec. 7. For tickets and more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
Townsend said the show is more than just a war story or a love story.
“It deals with concepts and issues that we still confront today – racism, sexism, ageism, the prejudices we carry with us that prevent us from acting as a true community,” Townsend said. “We can see these themes in today’s headlines, and some people may encounter them in their everyday lives.”
He said “South Pacific” is one of only eight musicals to win a Pulitzer Prize, as well as multiple Tony Awards, which sets the bar high for his cast.
“There is a weight and grittiness to the story that we, as a production team and a cast, are focusing on,” Townsend said. “We have an amazing blend of young and seasoned performers involved, which helps to emphasize the importance of community in overcoming obstacles.”
The leads include Kathleen Duffy of Royal Oak as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Mike Moseley of Allen Park as Emile de Becque, Kevin Talanges of Dearborn as Lt. Joseph Cable and Alyssa Alonte of Brownstown Township as Liat.
Other Dearborn residents in the cast include Phil Booth as Cmdr. William Harbison; Will Turbett as the Professor; Abdel-Raouf El-Alami as Henry; Alia Elhajj as Jerome; Ben Apostle as a sailor; and Amy Moore, Melissa Foster, Katelyn Harrison, Casey Irwin and Meg Kisch as nurses.
Dearborn Heights residents in the cast include Jamie Paschke as Ngana, and Janeen Bodary and Amanda Chatila as nurses.
Also included: Tom Sparrow of Allen Park as Capt. George Brackett; William Dunn of Taylor as a sailor; Kenyada Davis of Detroit as Stewpot; Garden City residents Tom Davis as Luther Billis, Chris Washburn as a sailor, and Mary Davis as Lt. Genevieve Marshall; Livonia residents Colleen Meade Ripper as Bloody Mary, and Tim Carney and Jeff Lokken as sailors; and Carissa Madley of Redford Township as a nurse.
HFC COMBINES ACTORS WITH 3D CREATURES IN ‘DINOSAURUS’
“Dinosaurus” will combine human actors onstage with three dimensional virtual reality dinosaurs in November in the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center at Henry Ford College in Dearborn.
The performance, part of the evolution of the school’s virtual theatricality lab, holds public performances weekends Nov. 1 to 23, with shows at 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Seating is limited to 80 per show. Tickets are $8, with a $3 discount for children 12 and under.
Daytime performances are available for elementary schools. Call 313-845-6478 or go to vtl.hfcc.edu.
The humor-filled show, a visual delight, provides lessons on diversity and understanding others.
The actors interacting with the 3-D dinosaurs are Gerry Dzuiblinski of Southfield and Mike Cochram of Detroit.
“Dinosaurus,” by Edward Mast and Lenore Besinger, was adapted for the digital stage by George Popovich, with Alan Contino of Dearborn as director of photography and part of the virtual theatricality support staff.
‘SYLVIA’ LAUNCHES NEW THEATER IN SOUTHGATE
“Sylvia,” A.R. Gurney’s “howling funny” comedy, comes to life at Downriver’s newest not-for-profit professional theater, The Open Book Theatre Company.
The show, with adult language, opened its run Sept. 26, and continues at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at Penelope’s Venue, behind Penelope’s Vintage Resale, 12219 Dix Toledo Road in Southgate.
Tickets are $20 for general admission, with a $5 discount for seniors and students. To order, call 734-288-7753 or go to openbooktheatrecompany.net.
“Sylvia” is a stray dog, played by a female actor, whom Greg brings home from the park, much to the concern of Kate, his increasingly jealous wife.
Artistic director Krista Schaefer Ewbank hopes both pet-lovers and skeptics will recognize the pull of the love-hate dynamic of the comedy that explores not just the ties between a man and his dog, but the challenges an empty nest puts on marriage and communication.
The show, directed by Topher Payne of Royal Oak, features Krista Schaefer Ewbank of Grosse Ile Township as Sylvia, Sean Paraventi of Redford Township as Greg, Jan Cartwright of Novi as Kate, and Melissa Beckwith of Ferndale as Tom, Phyllis and Leslie.
The Open Book Theatre Company features local shelters and adoption agencies at “Sylvia” performances to help find homes for adoptable animals.
The group plans to continue its first season Dec. 5 to 13 with John Logan’s “Red,” Feb. 27 to March 7 with Lee Blessing’s “Independence,” and May 1 to 9 with David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Kimberly Akimbo.”