Dearborn High School presents the musical “Something Rotten” with Luke Dobert (left) as Nigel, Alexandra Slanec as Portia, Rebecca Dear as Nostradamus, Julius Owens as the Minstrel, Kaeden Bryer as Shakespeare, Julia Schoen as Bea and Oliver Angel as Nick. The show runs 7:30 p.m. March 16 to 19 at Valentine Auditorium at DHS, 19501 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn.
It’s a musical March, with Dearborn High School presenting, “Something Rotten,” Trenton High School performing the high school edition of “Chicago” and “SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical” making its Detroit premiere at the Fisher Theater.
DHS PRESENTS ‘SOMETHING ROTTEN’
The musical comedy “Something Rotten” will fill Dearborn High School’s Valentine Auditorium with laughter March 16 to 19 as the school presents its spring show.
The musical, set in London in 1590, features the theatre company of Nick and Nigel Bottom, who find it difficult to compete with local playwright William Shakespeare, until a fortune teller advises them to create the world’s first musical comedy.
“Something Rotten” is directed by Greg Phillip Viscomi, with musical direction by Jennifer Pegouske and choreography by Emma Garber.
Four of the roles are double cast: On March 16 and 18, Oliver Angel plays Nick Bottom, Nadia Gellani plays Portia, Julia Schoen plays Bea Bottom and Charlotte Karoub plays Brother Jeremiah, while on March 17 and 19, Simon Boyer plays Nick Bottom, Alexandra Slanec plays Portia, Madelyn Luckey plays Bea Bottom and Savannah Capote plays Brother Jeremiah.
Other cast members include Kaeden Bryer as William Shakespeare, Luke Dobert as Nigel Bottom, Rebecca Dear as Nostradamus the soothsayer, Marissa Adair as Lord Clapham and Julius Owens as the minstrel and Shylock.
Also in the company are Willow Anderson, Ava Assenmacher, Stefano Ciavaglia, Carter Coykendall, Ryan Furchi, Maryam Hamka, Adam Makled, Emily Maginity, Isabella Palise, Eliana Quesada, Ava Nasser, Abier Saad and Brenna Thorpe.
Viscomi said the pandemic put a lot of pressure on the production, impacting auditions and cast availability, while the weather cut into their rehearsal time.
“It put us on a very tight schedule,” he said.
Boyer said rehearsing while wearing masks was a challenge.
“I’m used to singing and dancing without the mask, and with my asthma, it’s not an easy feat, but I am getting through it, and the inhaler definitely helps,” he said.
Angel said he lost 10 days of rehearsal when he caught COVID-19.
“I zoomed in, but that’s a lot of time to miss,” he said. “It gave me plenty of time to work on it myself, though.”
Schoen said delivering lines while masked is challenging, while Dear said singing while masked presented challenges, as well.
“It is beneficial because it prevents sickness besides COVID-19 from spreading,” Dear said.
Boyer said the cast has become close as they have rehearsed.
“This is a fun show, and we’ve all become friends,” he said. “We are a family, and I am glad to be a part of this.”
Dear agreed that the group has become close.
“I am excited to perform my last musical before college with all of my friends,” she said.
Schoen said the show is upbeat and entertaining.
“It’s a great way to brighten your mood,” she said.
Angel agreed, and said the show is “ridiculous and funny.”
“The show may be called ‘Something Rotten,’ but it is anything but that,” he said. “Don’t miss your chance to see it.”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 16 to 19, at Dearborn High School, 19501 W. Outer Drive in Dearborn.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for college students, and $10 for seniors and youth. Call 313-827-1647 to reserve a ticket.
Trenton High School presents the high school edition of the musical “Chicago” at 7 p.m. March 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. March 12 at Trenton High School, 2601 Charlton Road in Trenton, with Maddie Lauscher (left) as Matron Mama Morton, Katie Loger as Annie, Ava Cheff as Hunyak, Addison Ciak as the judge, Gabrielle Fabela as Liz, Shelby Evans as June, Chelsea Kings as a reporter, Zachary Haddad as Fred Casely, Alex Zettlemoyer as Fogarty, Anna Bruce as Velma Kelly, Madalyn Bailey as Mary Sunshine, Olivia Schotthoefer as Roxie Hart, Shiloh VanWassehnova as Kitty, Anthony Anderson as the clerk, Fiona McCardell as Amos Hart and Duncan McCardell as Billy Flynn.
TRENTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘CHICAGO’
The musical “Chicago” (the high school edition) will heat up the stage at Trenton High School at 7 p.m. March 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. March 12 at the school, 2601 Charlton Road in Trenton.
The show is directed by Cheyla Wagner, with musical direction by Tim Wright and choreography by Linda Lazorka. Shiloh VanWassehnova is the student director.
The cast includes: Anna Bruce as Velma Kelly, Olivia Schotthoefer as Roxie Hart, Duncan McCardell as Billy Flynn, Fiona McCardell as Amos Hart, Maddie Lauscher as Matron Mama Morton, Gabrielle Fabela as Liz, Katie Loger as Annie, Shelby Evans as June, Ava Cheff as Hunyak, Angelina Kardos as Mona, Zachary Haddad as Fred Casely, Madalyn Bailey as Mary Sunshine, Alex Zettlemoyer as Fogarty, Chelsea Kings as a reporter, Shiloh VanWassehnova as Kitty, Addison Ciak as the judge and Anthony Anderson as the clerk.
The show features a 17-piece orchestra, of which 15 are students.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and are available at the door. Masks are recommended.
“SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical” premieres in Detroit March 8 to 20 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit.
‘SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL’ MAKES ITS DETROIT DEBUT AT THE FISHER THEATER
“SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical” makes its Detroit debut March 8 to 20 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, with the story of the woman who went from a gospel choir to a dance floor diva, while breaking barriers, becoming an icon for her era and paving the way for other singers to follow.
The show features 20 of her hit songs, including “Love to Love You Baby,” “MacArthur Park,” “No More Tears (Enough is Enough),” “On the Radio,” “Bad Girls,” “She Works Hard for the Money,” “Hot Stuff” and “Last Dance.”
For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com or Ticketmaster.com.