Theater appeals to us because the actors onstage reach us emotionally, and draw us into their stories. Two beloved shows, “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Fiddler on the Roof” do that and more. Not only are they classic favorites, but they remind us of the struggles of Jewish people throughout the world.
DYPAC PRESENTS ‘THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK’
The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “The Diary of Anne Frank” at 7 p.m., March 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. March 15 at the Trenton Village Theater, 2247 West Road.
To order $7 tickets, call 734-771-7945 or go to dypac.myshopify.com.
Based on a true account, “The Diary of Anne Frank” chronicles the two years in hiding of eight people: the Frank family, the van Pels (pseudonym van Daans) and a dentist, Fritz Pfeffer (pseudonym Albert Dussel), in the attic of a warehouse in occupied Amsterdam during World War II.
Playing the Frank family are Brooke Scherer, 14, of Brownstown Township as Anne; Ally Balan, 17, of Riverview as Margo; and Grosse Ile Township residents Bailey Shaver, 18, and Elizabeth Calihan, 17, as Mr. and Mrs. Frank.
Joe Carter, 15, of Grosse Ile plays Peter van Daan, with Avery Pautuk, 18, of Trenton and Tabitha Koronka, 17, of Grosse Ile as Mr. and Mrs. van Daan.
Jacob Krulikowski, 13, of New Boston plays Albert Dussel, with Jenna Perugi, 16, of Trenton as Miep Gies, and Gabriel Brinkly, 13, of Gibraltar as Mr. Kraler.
DIVINE CHILD PRESENTS ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’
Dearborn Divine Child High School presents “Fiddler on the Roof” at 7:30 p.m. March 19 to 21, and 2:30 p.m. March 21 and 22, in the school auditorium, 1001 N. Silvery Lane.
Tickets, sold at the door, are $10 for adults, $7 for students and $5 for senior citizens. For large group reservations, call Bob Bush at 313-562-1990.
Divine Child alumni are encouraged to attend the Saturday night performance, which features an alumni back-stage reception before the show. To attend, email a reservation to [email protected].
Set in pre-revolutionary Russia, in the tiny village of Anatevka, a poor Jewish dairyman, ruled by tradition, seeks matches for his three oldest daughters. They, however, challenge the status quo by wanting to marry for love. Meanwhile, as anti-Semitism grows, the predictability of their lives and their safety are threatened.
The musical includes many favorite Broadway show tunes, including: “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life,” “Miracle of Miracles,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Do You Love Me?” “Chavaleh,” and “Anatevka.”
The cast features Tim Braum as Tevye, Megan Walker as Golde, Jen Lessnau as Yente, and Jarod Ritchie as the rabbi.
DHS, EFHS PRODUCTIONS RUN SAME WEEKEND
Dearborn and Edsel Ford high schools will run their musicals the same weekend at the end of March.
DHS presents “Damn Yankees” March 26 to 29, with 7 p.m. evening shows and 3 p.m. matinees.
EFHS presents “Once Upon a Mattress” March 26 to 29, with 7 p.m. evening shows and 2 p.m. matinees.
Crestwood High School performs “The Addams Family” musical at 7 p.m. April 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.
HFC PRESENTS ‘HAIRSPRAY’
Henry Ford College presents “Hairspray” at 8 p.m. April 24 and 25, and May 1 and 2, and at 2 p.m. April 26 and May 3. School matinees are at 10 a.m. April 27, 29, and May 1.
Tickets are $15, with $12 admission for HFC faculty and staff, and seniors, and $10 seats for students with valid identification. To order, go to theatre.hfcc.edu.
“THREE SHAKESPEAREAN CHARACTERS MEET DURING A STORM AT SEA …”
No, it is not a punch line for a stale joke, but a description of the latest offering at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck.
Martin Shea and Ian Bonner’s “Good Men and True” runs through the end of March at 2357 Caniff in Hamtramck.
During a violent storm at sea, characters from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” “As You Like It,” and “Twelfth Night” debate their fate until a crew member suggests King Neptune caused the storm because he was angered by a woman hiding aboard the ship. The passengers then begin to question each other, themselves, and the roles they play in society.
Directed by Sara Catheryn Wolf of St. Clair Shores, the show features the talents of Jaclynn Cherry of Rochester Hills, DeAnnah Kleitz-Singleton of Hamtramck, Kez Settle of Detroit and Jackie Strez of Dearborn.
Tickets are $10. The show runs weekends through March 28, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees March 15 and 22 only.
For more information, go to planetant.com.