The Players Guild of Dearborn continues its “Season of Simon” with the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical “Promises, Promises” Nov. 10 to Dec. 3, with Mark Wagner (left) of Plymouth as Chuck Baxter, Camille Smith of Detroit as Fran Kubelik, Amy Moore of Dearborn as Miss Olson, Julie Ballantyne Brown of Dearborn as Marge MacDougal, Carissa Madley of Redford as Miss Polansky, Anne Craft Timmer of Wayne as Miss Wong and Shauna Rae Hazime of Dearborn as Miss Della Hoya. For tickets and more information call 313-561-TKTS or go to playsguildofdearborn.org.
When a bachelor businessman leverages his apartment for married mentors’ trysts, the promise of promotion seals the deal until the bachelor discovers the woman of his dreams is having an affair with his married boss in the musical “Promises, Promises,” running Nov. 10 through Dec. 3 at the Players Guild of Dearborn, 21730 Madison, Dearborn.
Set in the 1960s, with a clever script by Neil Simon, memorable music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical comedy “Promises, Promises” is sure to please.
Directed by Kelly White of Wyandotte, with musical direction by Martin Mandelbaum of Oak Park and choreography by Adam Lynch of Dearborn, the show runs 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 and Dec, 1 and 2, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 19 and 26 and Dec. 3 at the theater, 21730 Madison.
Mark Wagner of Plymouth plays Chuck Baxter, the apartment-loaning bachelor, who said his character wises up as the show progresses.
“He is a wonderful character hopelessly in love with a girl who barely notices him,” he said. “It’s fun to watch him mature.”
He said his favorite songs are “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” and “She Likes Basketball.”
“They are fun songs to sing and the lyrics are wonderful,” Wagner said. “The amazing Burt Bacharach music will be stuck in your head for days – in a good way.”
Camille Rose Smith of Detroit, who plays Fran Kubelik, Baxter’s dream girl, said while there are many great numbers, the ensemble’s “Turkey Lurkey Time” and “You’ll Think of Someone,” her duet with Baxter, are her favorites.
She said the show contains comedy, drama, suspense and excitement.
“‘Promises, Promises’ deals with many tough topics, but Neil Simon’s humor is able to lighten the mood,” Smith said. “I play a roller coaster of a character who goes through a lot of emotions, and you never know what will happen next with her.”
Julie Ballantyne Brown of Dearborn plays Marge MacDougall, who meets Baxter in a seedy bar on Christmas Eve.
She said the show is hilarious, with many catchy songs, including her duet with Baxter, “A Fact Can Be a Beautiful Thing.”
Tom Sparrow of Allen Park, who plays Dr. Dreyfuss, fell in love with the show in the 1970s, when he played Dobitch for the Wyandotte Community Theatre.
“I loved the show then, and I love it now,” he said. “This is classic Neil Simon, and the music is great.”
The cast also includes Dearborn residents Amy Moore as Miss Olson, Shauna Rae Hazime as Miss Della Hoya, and ensemble members Tyler Katona and Lexie Kaplan; and Ryan Chatila of Dearborn Heights.
Also in the cast are Livonia residents Jeff Lokken as Mr. Dobitch and Tim Carney as Mr. Kirkeby, Carissa Madley of Redford Township as Miss Polansky, Jacob Dombrowski of Southgate as Mr. Vanderhof, Wayne residents Tim Timmer as J. D. Sheldrake and Anne Craft Timmer as Miss Wong, and David Zolotarchuk of Westland as Mr. Eichelberger.
While the show is a comedy, parents are advised that it does contain adult subject matter.
Tickets are $20, and are available by calling 3130-561-TKTS or at playersguildofdearborn.org.
SCP PRESENTS ‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’ MUSICAL
When Wednesday Addams falls in love with a “normal” boy, she reluctantly agrees for him to meet her family, then begs the Addams to act “normal” for one night. However, the Addams’ eccentricities quickly surface, and amid the ensuing chaos Wednesday’s boyfriend’s parents are forced to confront their true nature.
The Southgate Community Players present “The Addams Family” at 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11 and 17 and 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road, Southgate.
Playing the family members are Rahne Olson of Riverview as Pugsley Addams, Linda Mosley of Allen Park as Grandma, Sydney Bramlett of Canton Township as Morticia Addams, Ethan Jacoby of Lincoln Park as Lurch, Rudy Gonzalez of Monroe as Gomez Addams, Dalton Pittman-Cahill of Westland as Uncle Fester and Sydney Villanueva of Woodhaven as Wednesdy Addams.
The Beinekes include Southgate residents Don Corbin as Mel, Sydnee Dombrowski as Alice and Logan Laflin as Lucas.
The ancestors include Nick Mullins of Allen Park, Melanie Berger of Brownstown Township; Joran Stefan McAllister of Canton Township; Kate Fasco of Holland, Ohio; Adriana James of Lincoln Park; Rachel Ogger of Livonia; Dylan Hart of Taylor; Anna Bruce and Kelly Lomas of Trenton; and Meg Brokenshire of Troy.
For tickets or more information go to scponstage.com.
TRENTON RESIDENTS IN ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ IN LIVONIA
Trenton residents Jema McCardell (left) and her daughter Fiona play Jean Louise Finch and Scout (which are double cast roles), with John Sartor of Plymouth as Atticus Finch in the Livonia Community Theatre production of “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Seen through the eyes of Scout, an 8-year-old girl growing up in the South in the 1930s, the story looks at racism, justice and the impact of choices.
Director Pat Hutchison said the play is a good fit for the present day.
“It seemed to me that we are struggling with many of these same issues today,” Hutchison said.
Rebecca and Abby Borsodi of Redford Township play Jean Louise and Scout Finch at alternating performances.
Others in the cast include Sara Borsodi, John Boufford, Anna Cassar, Vincenzo Cocciolone, Lonnie Curri, Michael Kain, Kirk and Sue Krekeler, Hassae Maria, Tony Parsons, Allison Range, Keith Schooley and Paul Sorrano.
The show runs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18, and 2 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile, Livonia. Tickets are $10, with a $2 discount for seniors and a $5 discount for students 18 and under. To order, call 248-252-1940 or go to eventbrite.com/e/to-kill-a-mockingbird-tickets-38621826924?aff=es2.
DEARBORN ACTORS IN RINGWALD’S ‘LIFE SUCKS’
“Life Sucks,” a brash and funny retelling of Chekov’s “Uncle Vanya” features two Dearborn actors in the Ringwald’s production, which runs now through Dec. 4 at the theater, 22742 Woodward, Ferndale.
Dearborn residents Kelly Komlen plays Sonia and Bryan Lark as Dr. Aster.
The show runs 8 p.m. Nov. 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27 and Dec. 1, 2 and 4, and 5 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 at the theater.
For tickets call 248-545-5545 or go to TheRingwald.com.