The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” with children’s choir member Ciana Litten (front row left); Parker Watson as Joseph; the Rev. Jack Eggleston (guest Jacob on April 13); and Josie Floetke; and children’s choir members Fiona Oliverio (back row left), Alicia Harris, and Cecilia Walker. Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 11, 12, 18 and 19, with a 2 p.m. April 13 matinee. For more information, go to dypac.com.
Whether you want to see a show based on classic stories or something newer, there are many choices on local stages, as the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Melvindale High School performs “Little Women,” and Henry Ford College Theatre offers “Gruesome Playground Injuries.”
DYPAC PRESENTS ‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’
The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents the upbeat musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 11 to 19 at the Trenton Village Theater, 2447 W. Jefferson.
Director Mary Zaleski said that each time she directs “Joseph” it is special to her, and this production is no exception, as she has five guest performers playing Jacob: Matt Hatty of the Trenton Rotary Club; Demond Fernandez of WDIV Channel 4; the Rev. Jack Eggleston of Unity Lutheran Church of Southgate; state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-4th District); and Joel Sherrard of the Southgate Rotary and the Sugar Ham Band.
She said “Joseph” is special to her in many ways.
“I love the beautiful message and music, and this is the 75th production I have directed for DYPAC,” Zaleski said. “Many of the main cast were once in the children’s choir when performed in 2019, and all the choreographers were in an earlier production of “Joseph.”
She said part of the joy of working with young actors is watching them mature and become amazing young adults.
“A mixed age cast like ‘Joseph’ also allows for peer-to-peer mentoring,” she said. “I am so very proud of each and every performer, and I hope the audience will see how much our young people love performing, and that their enthusiasm will enrich the audience’s experience.”
Samantha Plunket, 18, of Riverview, who plays the narrator, said she also hopes audiences are energized and happy following the performance.
“The music is beautiful and the story is one of love,” she said.
Noah Rodriguez, 16, of Flat Rock, who plays Levi, said the show has many great male roles and fun choreography.
“I hope people wish there was more when it’s over,” he said.
Josie Floetke, 12, of Brownstown Township, said she also hopes audiences enjoy the singing and dancing.
She said she has enjoyed being in the cast.
“I like that DYPAC’s motto is to be kind,” Floetke said. “The cast is really nice.”
The cast includes: Samantha Plunkett, 18, of Riverview as the narrator; Parker Watson, 17, of Flat Rock as Joseph; Finn Jamison, 18, Trenton as Reuben; Spencer Watters, 19, of New Boston as Simeon; Noah Rodriguez, 16, of Flat Rock as Levi; Andrew Gillum, 17, of Flat Rock as Naphtali; Joel Lazenby, 17, Flat Rock as Issachar; Matthew Bond, 17, of Flat Rock as Asher and Potiphar; Sawyer Watson, 15, of Flat Rock as Dan; Matthew Banks, 14, of Woodhaven as Zebulun; Hudson Veltman, 16, of Flat Rock as Gad; Evan Langlet, 13, of Brownstown Township as Benjamin; and Isaac Clark, 16, of Allen Park as Judah.
Also: Mackenzie Fitzsimmons, 16, of Woodhaven as Mrs. Potiphar and ensemble; Zachary Klavinger, 13, of Woodhaven as the Butler and ensemble; Alex Arrington-Harris, 16, of Flat Rock as the Baker and ensemble; Jonathon Padgett, 17, of Brownstown Township as Pharaoh; Arianna Wilson, 14, of Flat Rock as Reuben’s wife; Karter Adams, 14, of Trenton as Simeon’s wife; Olivia Emanuele, 15, of Grosse Ile Township as Levi’s wife; Kira Saiti, 18, of Riverview as Naphtali’s wife; Lyric Fountain, 17, of Brownstown Township as Issachar’s wife; Liv Harrison, 15, of Flat Rock as Asher’s wife; Melanie Walker, 16, of Allen Park as Dan’s wife; Ava Sturgill, 18, of Flat Rock as Zebulun’s wife; Genevieve Dassow, 15, of Southgate as Gad’s wife; Amelia Hachenski, 18, of Riverview as Judah’s wife and Potiphar’s secretary (featured soloist); Alaina Sworst, 15, of Grosse Ile Township as Benjamin’s wife; and Lola Burk, 15, of Trenton as the snake and ensemble.
Other ensemble members include: Holden Clemmons, 14, Trenton; Chloe Coleman, 16, Grosse Ile Township; Violet Gates, 16, Woodhaven; Paige Gilbert, 16, Grosse Ile Township; Chloe McMahan, 16, South Rockwood; Darby Jerrell, 17, Grosse Ile Township; Meliah Scroggins, 15, Allen Park; and Camden Watters, 16, New Boston.
The Children’s Choir consists of: Nicholas Bond, 12, Flat Rock; Sofia Castrillon-Ibarra, 12, Brownstown Township; Jake Collins, 11, Brownstown Township; Beckett Detorre, 12, Flat Rock; Josie Floetke, 12, Brownstown Township; Layton Gonsalez, 12, Trenton; Alicia Harris, 12, Riverview; Delia Henderson, 12, Grosse Ile Township; Eliana Johnson, 9, Grosse Ile Township; Ellie Knapp, 10, Grosse Ile Township; Allison Langlet, 12, Brownstown Township; Ciana Litten, 13, Riverview; Luke Lombardo, 10, Dundee; Fionia Oliverio,12, Grosse Ile Township; Brady Pippin, 10, Woodhaven; Lexi Pitock, 12, Carleton; Will Pratt, 10, Wyandotte; Sophia Santure, 11, Allen Park; Emeline Searles, 9, Riverview; Wyatt Stiles, 10, Melvindale; Cecilia Walker, 10, Allen Park; and Rory Wallace, 10, of Grosse Ile Township.
Patrick Yaeger is the assistant director, with choreographers Holly Eggleston, Julienne Floetke, Nina Nelson and Molly Zaleski. Eric Floetke is a vocal director, and Audra Baas is a vocal director and the show’s musical director.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 11, 12, 18 and 19, with a 2 p.m. April 13 matinee. Tickets range from $14 to $18, and are available online at dypac.com.
Melvindale High School presents “Little Women,” with Lexie DeForest (left) as Meg, Isanel More as Marmee, Ash Koehler as Beth, Alivia Gonzalez as Amy and Bea Fredericks as Jo. Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 25 and 26, with a 3 p.m. April 27 matinee, at the Strong Middle School Auditorium.
MHS PERFORMS ‘LITTLE WOMEN’
Melvindale High School presents the musical “Little Women” April 25 to 27 at the Strong Middle School Auditorium.
The coming-of-age story is based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, and follows the lives of the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – as they transition from girls to young women.
Director Nathan Vasquez said he had talented students whom he felt were ready to play the iconic roles, and he felt that the story of society’s expectations of young women was timely.
He also thought it was interesting to do a show based on real people living in an historical time period, the American Civil War.
“Our past shows have been about pirates or wizards or a man-eating plant, so to have this realism and to be able to work with these students on making sure their performances come across honestly to the audience has been different,” Vasquez said. “Many of our actors have enjoyed this change of pace and it has really brought out some amazing performances.”
He said he has enjoyed the intimate scale of the musical.
“We are a small club and may lack the resources and funding that other districts may have, but our members always manage to bring amazing productions to the community and create different worlds from pretty much nothing,” Vasquez said. “Those involved make great things and have fun doing it.
“‘Little Women’ will bring much needed joy to our world with laughter, tears and a timeless tale that will soften the hardest of hearts.”
Bea Fredericks, who plays Jo March, said she has enjoyed embodying Jo’s character.
“Everyone has worked so hard to make their characters shine in their own way,” she said. “I hope our vocals and costumes are the talk of the town.”
Regan Thomas, who plays Theodore “Laurie” Laurence, the March’s neighbor, said he enjoys his character’s positive and uplifting energy.
“I hope people leave feeling the bond that the sisters, Laurie and every character have with each other,” he said. “It’s a beautiful, heartwarming show.”
Ash Koehler, who plays Beth March, said her character is a challenging one to play.
“She’s quiet yet deeply emotional, requiring subtle but powerful expressions of kindness, illness and strength,” she said. “Balancing her fragility with warmth while standing out among her louder sisters is key.”
Koehler said she’s enjoyed bringing Beth’s warmth and heartfelt moments to life.
“‘Little Women’ is a timeless story of love and resilience that will make audiences laugh, cry and cherish their loved ones even more,” she said. “I hope people are moved by the March sisters’ bond and by Beth’s quiet strength, and are reminded to cherish life’s simplest moments.”
Alivia Gonzalez, who plays Amy March, said she has enjoyed portraying Amy’s attitude.
“As someone who is personable and calm, playing Amy has been far outside my comfort zone, and I am loving it,” she said.
Others in the cast include: Lexie DeForest as Meg March, Isanel More as Marmee, Julian Tomsha as Aunt March, Josh Green as Professor Bhaer, D.J. McWright as Mr. Brooke, Jason Hamovitz as Mr. Laurence and Diana Kasperek as Mrs. Kirk.
The operatic tragedy cast includes: Lexie DeForest as Clarissa; Regan Thomas as Rodrigo 1; Ash Koehler as Rodrigo 2; D.J. McWright as Braxton; Jason Hamovitz as the knight; Isanel More as the hag; and Alivia Gonzalez as the troll.
Also in the ensemble are Grace Nevins and Lauren Jones.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 25 and 26, with a 3 p.m. April 27 matinee, at the Strong Middle School Auditorium, 18656 Prospect St. in Melvindale.
Tickets are $5 presale and $10 at the door. To order online, go to gofan.co/event/3502432.
Henry Ford College Theatre presents “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” with Adam El-Zein (left) as Doug and Kourtney Collins as Kayleen. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 18, 19, 25 and 26, with a 2 p.m. April 26 matinee, in the Black Box Theater, Room F-161 at the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center.
HFC OFFERS ‘GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES’ IN THE ROUND
Henry Ford College Theatre presents Rajiv Joseph’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries” April 18 to 26 in the round at the Black Box Theater in Room F-161 at the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center.
The story begins when two children, Doug and Kayleen, meet in the elementary school nurse’s office. Kayleen has a stomach ache, and Doug took a running dive off the school roof.
Over the next 30 years, they meet again, brought together by “injury, heartache, and their own self-destructive tendencies.” However, their friendship grows because of their unconventional friendship, in which they drop their defenses and allow their vulnerabilities to show.
“Despite its somewhat shocking title, the play is less about wounds and more about healing,” said John-Michael Sefel, Ph.D., HFC Director of Theatre. “Rajiv Joseph has crafted a play about two people being there for one another over 30 years.”
He said each scene occurs after an injury, so the audience follows them through emergency rooms and school nurse offices.
“While their difficulties are a central theme, it really is about them picking each other up,” Sefel said.
Kourtney Collins, who plays Kayleen, said HFC Theatre is her safe place.
“The world terrifies me, but when I’m at ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ rehearsals with my theatre people, my soul feels safe,” she said. “Being in this show has been a gift and a reminder of what life’s about: finding people who feel like home.”
Adam El-Zein, who portrays Doug, agreed with her.
“Being involved in HFC Theatre ignited my love for theatre again,” he said. “I was unsure about my path, but with the wonderful experiences here, I’ve never been more sure theatre is what I want to do!”
Student stage manager Christopher Connolly said the theater department has become his second home as well.
“Because of HFC Theatre and the people who are a part of it, I have found a career path I can see myself doing for the rest of my life,” he said. “I would be a completely different person if it weren’t for the people of HFC Theatre.”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 18, 19, 25 and 26, with a 2 p.m. April 26 matinee.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $5 for students with photo identification.
The play contains adult language, content and frank conversations about mature topics, and is recommended for those 16 and older.