Shakespeare Royal Oak presents “Twelfth Night” July 25 to Aug. 4 at Starr Jaycee Park, with Mason Gaida (left) as Duke Orsino and Meredith Parker as Viola. For tickets and more information, go to ShakespeareRoyalOak.com.
Whether you enjoy a Shakespearean comedy or a beloved Broadway musical, the metro Detroit area offers upcoming treats on local stages.
SHAKESPEARE ROYAL OAK PRESENTS ‘TWELFTH NIGHT’
“Twelfth Night” will entertain buffs of the Bard as Shakespeare Royal Oak presents its annual offering July 25 to Aug. 5 at Starr Jaycee Park, 1321 W. 13 Mile in Royal Oak.
The group also offers summer youth programs: KidsAct! for students entering grades 1 to 8, and the SRO Teen Ensemble for entering high school freshmen through seniors. Go to ShakespeareRoyalOak.com for enrollment information.
The adult ensemble turns Starr Jaycee Park into Illyria, complete with pirates, where a shipwrecked Viola disguises herself as her twin brother, Sebastian, to serve Duke Orsinio, who is in love with Olivia, who in turn has fallen for Viola disguised as Sebastian, then for Sebastian himself. Add in some side plots with annoying and mischievous servants, and an entertaining evening awaits.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. July 25 to 27 and Aug. 1 to 3, with 3 p.m. July 28 and Aug. 4 matinees.
Tickets are $35, and are available at ShakespeareRoyalOak.com and onsite 90 minutes prior to each performance.
The Fisher Theater presents the North American tour of “Moulin Rouge! – the Musical” Sept. 17 to Oct. 6 as part of its 2024-25 season, with Adéa Michelle Sessoms (left) and Jennifer Wolfe. For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
2024-25 FISHER SEASON OFFERS SEVEN MUSICALS
Seven exciting Broadway musicals will visit Detroit as part of Broadway in Detroit’s 2024-25 season, with “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” at the Detroit Opera House Sept. 17 to Oct. 6, and the Fisher Theater hosting “Some Like It Hot” Oct. 1 to 13; “MJ,” the Michael Jackson musical, Oct. 23 to Nov. 3; “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” Dec. 24 to Jan. 5; “Parade” Feb. 25 to March 9, “Kimberly Akimbo” March 11 to 23; and “The Wiz” running June 17 to 29 to close out the season.
Broadway in Detroit General Manager Jamie Budgett said season subscribers will be dazzled by the season’s shows.
“Subscribers will no doubt be dancing in their seats,” he said. “Our subscribers will experience the very best of Broadway, and we invite you all to join us for this must-see season, as it is certainly not one to be missed!”
Launching the subscription season is the Tony Award-winning “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.” Set in 1899 in Paris, in an indulgent and extravagant world of Bohemians and aristocrats, the story follows a lovesick American writer and a dazzling nightclub star who fall in love, and whose lives are complicated by the nightclub owner and a wealthy and entitled patron.
“Some Like It Hot,” also a Tony Award-winner, follows with the story of two male musicians who witness a mob hit and flee to Chicago disguised as women in a female band.
“MJ,” which focuses on the unparalleled artistry of Michael Jackson, focuses on his 1992 Dangerous tour. It goes beyond the moves and the sound to explore the artist’s creative mind and collaborative spirit that made him a legend.
“A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical” offers well known songs interwoven with the story of his life that his fans never knew, as it follows a kid from Brooklyn who became a chartbusting, show-stopping rock icon. It includes the classic songs “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Sweet Caroline.”
Tony Award winner “Parade” follows the story of a newlywed Jewish couple in Georgia who struggle to survive when the husband is accused of an unspeakable crime. It propels them into a test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion.
“Kimberly Akimbo,” a new musical about growing up and growing old, follows a 16-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition that causes her to rapidly age. When she moves to a new town, she deals with family dysfunction and her first crush amid other challenges.
“The Wiz” returns with its first national tour in 40 years with the twist on the Wizard of Oz story that changed the face of Broadway forever. It features an infusion of ballet, jazz and modern pop to bring a new groove to a beloved story.
Season subscriptions start at $315 and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com.