The University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company presents “Witch,” a sharp and subversive fable that blurs the boundaries between good and evil Oct. 25 to Nov. 3 at the Marlene Boll Theater in Detroit, with Jeremy St. Martin (left) as Scratch and Katherine Mutschler as Elizabeth. For more information, go to udmercy.edu/life/theatre.
From fables to legends, local theaters present captivating stories, as the University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company presents a modern retelling of a Jacobean drama, “Witch,” while the Fisher Theater hosts the Detroit premiere of “MJ – The Musical,” featuring the musical magic of Michael Jackson.
UDM PRESENTS ‘WITCH’
University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company presents Jen Silverman’s “Witch,” a modern retelling of a Jacobean fable in which a mysterious man with devilish charm arrives to tempt the inhabitants of a small village by offering to fulfill their deepest desires.
When he meets a woman labeled by the town folk as a witch, he thinks she will be an easy target, but she proves to be an elusive challenge.
DMTC Managing Director Sarah Rusk said the show explores the themes of good versus evil and the challenges a community must face when confronted with adversity.
“This show promises to challenge audiences and our student artists in unexpected ways, making it an unforgettable theatrical experience,” she said.
Director Krista Schafer of Lincoln Park said she loves working with students and guiding them through the exploratory process of developing their multi-layered characters.
She said the show is fascinating, and explores important issues, including the existence of evil, the ability of power to corrupt, as well as issues of class, gender, the patriarchy and violence.
“This show has a thin line between desire and violence, but we have an excellent fight and intimacy choreographer, Alexis Black, who has really kept everyone physically and emotionally safe while creating an amazingly dynamic scene,” Schafer said.
She said the show will surprise audiences in many ways.
“The characters will draw you in and their choices will surprise you,” Schafer said. “It’s intimate, the performances are stellar, and there’s a revolving set.
“Who doesn’t love a revolving set?”
Jeremy St. Martin of Wyandotte, who plays Scratch, said he is trying to make his character as down-to-earth as possible.
“It’s about humanizing someone who is capable of bringing destruction, and not just from an emotional perspective,” he said. “There is a layer of evil slipperiness that has to be mitigated.
“The devil can’t just be a trope in this play.”
St. Martin said it is fun to play such an iconic role.
“The director has given us so much room to explore, which has made the process more about discovery,” he said. “I hope the play provokes conversation about bending the genre of the characters and the setting, and the level of humanity we are dealing with in these characters’ lives.”
Katherine Mutschler of Royal Oak, who plays Elizabeth Sawyer, said the show has the intertwining drama of a good reality television show.
“The script is fast, witty and stunningly dark, and really keeps you on the edge of your seat,” she said. “The play is also very honest, raw and relatable, so if you love complex characters, impossibly high stakes and all things spooky, you are definitely in for a treat.”
Mutschler said her character has been sheltered yet is grounded.
“Everyone is town believes her to be a witch, so it would be easy to play Elizabeth as a bitter, flamboyant, femme fatale sort of woman, but she also has ambition and a monumental capacity for hope that I want the audience to see,” she said. “I think the hardest part about developing Elizabeth is keeping her honest and grounded so the audience hears the message of hope she has to offer.”
Mutschler said the story depicts the power discrepancies that exist between men and women, as well as the frustration that women experience when their ideas are invalidated.
She said it’s also a story about hope and desire, which motivate and define oneself.
“The script captures the exhilarating delight, scandal and heartbreak of letting your deepest desires see the light of day, and challenges you to hope that despite all the injustice around you, things really can get better,” Mutschler said.
Gavin Rapuzzi of Chesterfield Township, who plays Sir Arthur Banks, said the show’s witty dialogue and captivating story detail the lengths people will go to attain their desire.
“I hope audiences consider their desires and the consequences that could come from them,” he said.
Jordan Collyer of Topeka, Ind., who plays Frank Thorney, said that while the show is about power, relationships and desire, it is most importantly about hope.
“I’ve always loved playing a morally incorrect character,” they said. “Frank is most definitely not a hero, but that doesn’t make him the villain.
“I love exploring the gray space and just how closely I can walk the line.”
Collyer said the show reveals how power tempts people to reveal their dark sides, as well as what they are willing to give up to get what they want.
“If nothing else, I want my character to make you question what you truly hold dearest to you in life,” they said.
Also in the cast are Li Udell of Gaylord as Cuddy Banks and Gracie Sheets of Howell as Winnifred.
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26 and Nov. 1 and 2, and 3 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 at the Marlene Boll Theater inside the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway in Detroit.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $18 for seniors and UDM faculty and staff, and $10 for students and veterans.
Tickets may be purchased online at DetroitMercyArts.com, or through the ticket office by phone, at 313-993-3270, by email, at [email protected], or in person Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Briggs Hall, Room 121, 4001 W. McNichols Road in Detroit.
The Tony Award-winning “MJ — The Musical,” featuring Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled music, makes its Detroit debut Oct. 23 to Nov. 3 at the Fisher Theater. For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
FISHER THEATER HOSTS DETROIT PREMIERE OF ‘MJ – THE MUSICAL’
The life of Michael Jackson, singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist, comes to life at the Fisher Theater in “MJ – the Musical” Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, where the show makes its Detroit premiere.
The musical, which was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, won four, including Best Actor in a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.
The show is set in 1992 just before Jackson launched his “Dangerous” world tour.
Set amid rehearsals, Jackson opens up to a reporter about his childhood and his time in Motown. He also talks about his creative process, the price of superstardom, and the stress of the paparazzi and negative press.
The musical numbers are numerous and familiar, and include “Beat It,” “Higher and Higher,” “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” “Dancing Machine,” “Wanna’ Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Black or White” and “Working Day and Night.”
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 to 26 and 29 to 31, and Nov. 1 and 2; 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2; 1 p.m. Oct. 24 and 27 and Nov. 3; and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit.
Tickets start at $39 and are available at BroadwayInDetroit.com.