By Sue Suchyta
The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at 7 p.m. April 17, 18 and 24, and 2 p.m. April 19 and 26 at the Trenton Village Theater, 2447 W. Jefferson.
Tickets are $10 and $15, and are available at dypac.com and at the door.
The musical comedy “Thoroughly Modern Millie” features music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan.
Millie Dillmount is a small town girl who comes to New York City in 1922 with the goal of marrying for love, not money. Women were entering the workforce, and Millie delights in the flapper lifestyle. However, trouble arises when she checks into a hotel run by a nefarious team who kidnap young women for unsavory purposes. Come see the plot twists and comedy that ensues before the story reaches a happy conclusion.
The cast includes Trenton residents Gavin Alvedy, 17, as Jimmy Smith; Avery Pautak, 17, as Trevor Graydon III; and Jenna Perugi, 16, as Mrs. Meers; Lindsay Dills, 15, of Brownstown Township as Muzzy van Hossmere; Carly Kurlikowski, 15, of Monroe as Millie Dillmount; and Jenna Gadille, 17, of South Rockwood as Miss Dorothy Brown.
DYPAC is also enrolling students for its summer arts program. The six-week program runs June 23 to July 31 on Tuesday through Thursday, offering a variety of classes in theatre, dance, music, vocals and visual arts.
To enroll, go to dypac.com. Call Marci at 734-795-6805 for more information.
‘URINETOWN THE MUSICAL’ AT BONSTELLE
Wayne State University presents “Urinetown – the Musical” at 8 p.m. April 17, 18, 24 and 25, and 2 p.m. April 19 and 26 at the Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward in Detroit.
Tickets range from $10 to $25, and are available by calling 313-577-2960 or going to theatreanddance.wayne.edu.
“Urinetown” features music and lyrics by Mark Hollman, and book and lyrics by Greg Kotis.
The satirical comedy is set in a dystopian future, where a 20-year drought has caused a terrible water shortage. People must pay to use public toilets, and people who do not follow the rules go to the mysterious penal colony Urinetown, never to return.
WYANDOTTE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS ‘SPELLING BEE’
Wyandotte Community Theatre presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 25, and May 1 and 2 at the James DeSana Center for Arts and Culture, 81 Chestnut Street in Wyandotte.
Tickets are $15. To order, call 734-775-9635 or go to wyandottecommunitytheatre.com.
“Spelling Bee” features music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin.
Directed by Tim Wojtala, with musical direction by Jazmyn Bencik, the story follows an eclectic group of six pre-teens as they compete in a spelling bee, run by three equally amusing misfit adults.
The 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, and won two, including Best Book.
The cast includes Brad Hardecki as Chip Tolentino (and Leaf’s dad); Tamara Walter as Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere; Brandon Reeves as Leaf Coneybear; Tony Primeau as William Barfee; Austin Sulkey as Marcy Park; and Emily Flesch as Olive Ostrovsky.
Also in the cast are Jami Krause as Rona Lisa Perretti; Kevin Bencik as vice principal Douglas Panch (and Olive’s Dad); Dinah Tutein as Madge Mahoney (and Dan Schwartz); Gretchen Davis as Carl Grubenierre; Elaine Lukawski as Leaf’s Mom; Barbara Day as Olive’s Mom; and Alex Wilson as Jesus Christ.
BROADWAY IN DETROIT ANNOUNCES 2015-16 SEASON
Broadway in Detroit announced six award-winning musicals for its 2015-2016 season, with additional off-subscription shows.
For complete subscription and individual show prices and dates, call the Fisher Theatre at 313-872-1000 or go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
The subscription season begins with “Dirty Dancing – the Classic Story on Stage” in October at the Fisher Theatre, followed by Disney’s “Newsies” in December at the Detroit Opera House.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” comes to the Detroit Opera House in February 2016, followed by “Matilda the Musical” in March at the Fisher.
The contemporary new musical “If/Then” comes to the Fisher in April 2016, followed by “The Sound of Music” in May 2016 at the Fisher.
Extra off-subscription shows include “Jersey Boys” in November at the Fisher, “Chicago” in February 2016 at the Fisher, and “Love Letters,” with Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw, in April 2016 at the Fisher.