The Tony Award-winning musical “Les Miserables” plays Dec. 4 to 15 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Boulevard in Detroit. For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your theater loving friend or want a chance to laugh at a holiday parody, look no further than local stages as the North American tour of “Les Miserable” comes to the Fisher and “The E(Xmas)ist brings its irreverent humor to the Ringwald Theater.
‘LES MISERABLES’ BRINGS ITS MAGIC TO THE FISHER
Cameron Mackintosh’s North American tour of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s “Les Miserables,” the world’s most popular musical, plays Dec. 4 to 15 at the Fisher Theater in Detroit.
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and set in early 19th century France, the story begins with French peasant Jean Valjean, who steals a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child, for which he is imprisoned for 19 years.
When released, Valjean finds no one will hire him. A bishop shows mercy on him, and gives him the means to start a new life, which he does by breaking his parole and assuming a new name.
Valjean becomes a wealthy businessman, and adopts Cosette, the orphaned daughter of one of the women working in his factory whom he had fired.
Throughout the years, Valjean continues to be pursued by Police Inspector Javert, who is intent on arresting him for breaking the terms of his parole.
As years pass, the characters become swept up in the political revolution in France, and the story continues behind the barricades in Paris and in the sewers as Valjean tries to rescue the young man Cosette loves.
The through-composed musical contains many well-loved songs, including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Lovely Ladies,” “Who Am I,” “Castle on a Cloud,” “Master of the House,” “Do You Hear the People Sing,” “A Heart Full of Love,” “One Day More,” “On My Own,” “Drink with Me,” “Bring Him Home,” and “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.”
The show won eight Tony Awards in 1987, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Direction of a Musical for Trevor Nunn and John Caird.
The show has been produced in at least 42 countries and has been translated into at least 21 languages.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 to 7 and 10 to 14; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14; and 1 p.m. Dec. 5, 8 and 15 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
Tickets start at $45, and can be purchased at the Fisher Theater box office, or online at BroadwayInDetroit.com.
Heads will spin this holiday season when Joey Urreta as Santa arrives to save Rashna “Rashi” Sarwar, who plays a possessed little girl in the Ringwald Theater’s production of “The E(Xmas)ist” Dec. 6 to 22 at the theater inside Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale. For tickets and more information, go to theRingwald.com.
THE RINGWALD BRINGS HOLIDAY PARODY “THE E(X-MAS)IST’ TO THE STAGE
Continuing its tradition of bringing a parody to the stage during the holidays, the Ringwald presents Vince Kelly’s “The E(X-mas)ist” Dec. 6 to 22 at Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.
When a little girl is ready to celebrate Christmas with her movie star mother, she makes the mistake of playing with a Ouija board, which conjures the evil spirit of Krampus, a devil-like creature who punishes bad children before Christmas.
The mother tries in vain to rescue her possessed daughter, and finally appeals to Santa Claus to use every Christmas trick in the book to help save her daughter.
The show is directed by Brandy Joe Plambeck, with Melissa Beckwith as Chris, Justin Bugeja as Damien Tinselbottom, Richard Payton as Krampus, Rashna “Rashi” Sarwar as Regan, Joey Urreta as Santa Claus, and Mikey Vultaggio as Karl and other characters.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 20 and 21, with 3 p.m. matinees Dec. 8, 15 and 22 at the theater inside Affirmations, 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.
For more information and to order tickets online, go to theRingwald.com.
DYPAC PRESENTS THE “FROSTY FOLLIES”
The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents the holiday review “The Frosty Follies” Dec. 13 to 15 at the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center, 2447 W. Jefferson Avenue in Trenton.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 at the theater. Preferred tickets are $18, with $15 for other seats. To order online, go to dypac.com.