Multiple musicals offer upbeat entertainment

Multiple musicals offer upbeat entertainment in the coming weeks as “Hamilton” returns to the Fisher Theater, the Players Guild of Dearborn presents “Hairspray,” Dearborn High School presents “Guys and Dolls,” and Crestwood High School takes off with “Catch Me If You Can.” In addition, Southgate Community Players presents “Calendar Girls.”

CRESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’

Crestwood High School Theatre presents the musical “Catch Me If You Can” April 25 to May 2 at the high school auditorium, 1501 N. Beech Daly in Dearborn Heights.

Directed by Cayla Kolbusz, the cast includes: Ali Boussi as Frank Abagnale, Jr.; Yanjie Zhu as FBI Agent Carl Hanratty; Allie Fayz as Frank Abagnale Senior and ensemble; Robin Kovach as Paula Abagnale, a stewardess and ensemble; Rokaya Martin as Brenda Strong and ensemble; Henry Martin as Roger Strong, Jack Barnes and ensemble; Sharon Adjanohoun as Carol Strong and ensemble; Brenden Young as Agent Cod and ensemble; Amir Hamdan as Agent Dollar and ensemble; Jayden Figueroa as Agent Branton and ensemble; and Maya Anani as Cheryl Ann, a showgirl and ensemble.

Other featured roles include Dana Abou-Hamdan as Betty and assistant 2; Sophia Beydoun as a bank teller and intern 2; Sabeh Elzroui as a jock, Pan Am executive and an Atlanta doctor; Maliyah Gladney as assistant 3; Samar Hamdan as assistant 4, tailor, and showgirl; Hana Nasser as principal, intern 1, and a showgirl; Navien Nasser as a motel manager and nurse; and Mahdi Skaiky as a nerd, judge and Wanamaker.

Others in the ensemble include: Linda Abbassy, Aya Alkhafaji, Hannah Hadla, Lama Mahmoud, Ciaran Namari, Jaylen Rodriguez, and Lea Sharara.

Kolbusz said she wanted to do a lighter musical that is fun, as well as a show that focuses more on dance. 

“There are a lot of dance numbers, so making time to clean those has been challenging, as we always want our choreography to further tell the story and not just be something fun to look at, and I give my choreographer so much credit because she does a beautiful job,” she said. “The most rewarding has been working on a musical with a different feel and vibe than what we have done recently, and this one is fast paced and fun, and we smile a lot at rehearsals.”

Kolbusz said she thinks it is cool that the show is based on a real person, and hopes audiences are amazed that a young man barely out of high school managed to pull off these adventures. 

Boussi, who plays Frank Abagnale, Jr., said this show is his greatest stage challenge to date, since his character controls the flow while serving as the narrator and storyteller.

“The most enjoyable part of developing my character is getting to see the similarities me and Frank Jr. have in real life, whether that’s the charismatic boy who loves watching TV, to the sadder moments where it touches you in the right way,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed playing with a lot of the different emotions and seeing what I can draw on from my real-life experiences to make the character more real.”

Zhu, who plays FBI Agent Carl Hanratty, said the story will be relatable to anyone who once had a fierce teenage dream.

“I like how my character is funny without trying to be funny,” he said. “I hope this show influences the audiences to be grateful for the success and the obstacles they’ve overcome.”

Martin, who plays Brenda Strong, said the show has something for everyone, including a balance of comedy, family, action and romance.

“I hope people catch and appreciate the details beyond just people singing and dancing on a stage,” she said. “I want people to talk about the way a lighting change really added to the mood or how seamlessly a scene change went, and maybe to get their mind behind a certain choreography choice and enjoy not only the big moments, but the in-betweens as well.”

Showtimes are 7 p.m. April 25 and May 1 and 2, with a 3 p.m. April 26 matinee. For tickets or more information, go to crestwoodtheatre.com.

 

DEARBORN HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘GUYS AND DOLLS’

Dearborn High School Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Guys and Dolls” at 7:30 p.m. April 22 to 25, in the school’s Valentine Auditorium, 19501 W. Outer Drive.

With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrow, the musical comedy is based on Damon Runyon’s stories about gamblers and missionaries in New York City.

It follows the story of Nathan Detroit, who runs the oldest established floating craps game in New York City, who bet fellow gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t make the next girl he sees fall in love with him.

It features familiar tunes like “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

The show is directed by Greg Phillip VIscomi, with musical direction by Jennifer Hoffman Pegouske and choreography by Jennifer McPherson, Ava Assenmacher and Michael Mosallam. 

The cast includes senior Christos Andreou as Sky Masterson, with senior Gio Bitonti and junior Robert Milligan double cast in the role of Nathan Detroit. 

Seniors Eva Hammoud and Ameena Toumi are double cast in the role of Miss Adelaide, and junior Annette Jakubowicz and freshman Aislinn O’Neil are double cast as Sarah Brown.

Senior Jesse Good plays the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson, with senior Jack Rutledge as Benny Southstreet, junior Layla Salmassi as Arivda Abernathy and sophomore Sophia Lamb and freshman Lillyan Schroeder double cast as General Cartwright. 

Sophomore Abdullah Yousif plays Big Julie, juniors Aziah Lamb and Elijah Lamb are cast as Harry the Horse and Lt. Brannigan respectively, freshman Hadi Bazzi plays the role of Rusty Charlie and senior Emmy Lahay plays Agatha.

The ensemble features Lillian Alsaied, Nick Calderona, Juliana Calvillo, Ameera Elmadari, Sophia Elsibai, Sophia Essa, Juliette Giedeman, Medina Khalil, Emersyn Minor, Kit Minor, Damien Reisdorf,  Tristian Lahay, Layla Rahal and Dominque Williams.

Milligan, Toumi, Jakubowicz, and Schroeder perform their leading roles on April 22 and 24, while Bitonti, Hammoud, O’Neil, and Lamb perform their leading roles on April 23 and 25.

Viscomi said “Guys and Dolls” was the right show for this group of students.

“We have done many newer musicals the past four to five years, so I felt it was time to return to a classic,” he said. “I think exposing the students to different writers, composers and lyricists and to older works of theatre is just as important as working with newer musicals.”  

Viscomi said he enjoys seeing young actors grow and succeed on stage, and it reaffirms his purpose as a teacher.   

“Many of them have grown as actors, dancers and singers and have done so in the process of learning and rehearsing,” he said.

Viscomi also hopes audience enjoy seeing the show and continue to support live theatre.

Andreou, who plays  Sky Masterson, said the show takes one into a new world with new perspectives and an understanding of different and unique types of people.

“A very challenging aspect of developing into my character is the bright and bold confidence, and the effortless charm,” he said. “The most enjoyable is the leadership the character has developed far into the show, because it reminds me of me.”

Jakubowicz, as Sarah Brown, said the show is light-hearted and fun.

“Coming to see the show is a good way to get a laugh with good music and entertaining scenes,” she said. 

Jakubowicz said it’s been challenging to develop the nuances of her character.

“She is struggling against her own wants while balancing the responsibilities of her position,” she said. “Despite that struggle, she still manages to keep relative control over the situation and herself, and it has been entertaining to explore those depths in her struggle and I am ecstatic to get those complexities to show on stage.”

Jakubowicz said the most subtle joke can earn the biggest laugh.

“As I am exploring the world of theatre through “Guys and Dolls,” I have realized just how easy it is to get swept up into a story and lost in the current,” she said. “I want to thank everyone who has made this such a fun experience and kept me laughing.”

Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for college students with identification, and $10 for all students 18 and younger, and senior citizens 65 years and older. Group rates for 12 or more are available. To order, call 313-827-1647 or go online at square.link/u/MLfvgy66.

 

FISHER HOSTS THE RETURN OF ‘HAMILTON’

“Hamilton” returns to Detroit April 29 to May 17 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Boulevard.

A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation, “Hamilton” is an epic saga that follows the rise of founding father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation.

Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, and Broadway, “Hamilton” has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. In addition to 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy and Olivier awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

“Hamilton” features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.

Tickets are available online, and there will be a lottery for 40 $10 seats for all performances. Go to BroadwayInDetroit.com for more information.

PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN PRESENTS ‘HAIRSPRAY’

The Players Guild of Dearborn presents “Hairspray” at 8 p.m. May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, with 2:30 p.m. May 3, 10 and 17 matinees.

Josh Beurer of Allen Park, who plays Edna Turnblad, said the show’s energy is undeniable.

“Our audiences will be fighting the urge to get up and dance with us from start to finish,” he said. “Tapping into Edna’s maternal instincts and honoring all that love beneath her outrageous bravado has been one of the most challenging, but also most rewarding, aspects of finding my character.”

Beurer said he hope audiences leave the show inspired and reminded that no one has to wait around to be told they are enough.

“If we can believe in ourselves, then no one can stop our beat,” he said.

Katie Pierceall of Wyandotte, who plays Tracy Turnblad, said the character resonates with her. 

“She’s a go-getter, confident with her words and actions yet always willing to learn,” she said. “Her bubbly personality is easy to replicate, her serious moments are down-to-earth, and I’m having a lot of fun playing her!”

Kaela Salter of Royal Oak who plays Kamilah/Dynamite, said the music is infectious, and with all the tension in the world today, a comedy is a welcome relief.

“I hope that the audience takes away the importance of not just standing up for what you believe in but the value of uniting for a cause, and the cause can really be as small as ‘Hey, I think that segregating dancers is wrong, we should all be dancing together,’” she said. “Standing up for something that seems like a small cause makes a big difference.”

Alisha Brown, a Washington, D.C., native now living in Ferndale, said playing Little Inez is a dream come true.

“I can’t wait for audiences to see it, especially since there are so many parallels with what we deal with today,” she said.

Emily Schaf of Livonia, who plays Amber Von Tussle, said “Hairspray” has non-stop energy and is fast-paced, colorful and genuinely fun.

“The score is filled with upbeat, catchy songs inspired by Motown and 1960s pop, paired with big, bold, and exciting choreography that pulls everyone in, and even people who don’t usually love musicals tend to connect with how lively it is,” she said. “Beyond the entertainment, ‘Hairspray’ carries a powerful message about inclusion, self-expression and standing up for what’s right, thoughtfully exploring themes like body positivity and racial integration in a way that is both meaningful and uplifting.

“At its core, it’s a feel-good comedy with heart, balancing humor and emotion so audiences get plenty of laughs along with moments that truly resonate.”

Domingo Guzman of Lincoln Park, who plays Wilbur, said “Hairspray” is not only an upbeat show, it is a great work that shines light on a number of social issues.

“Though we as a society have made some progress, there is still work that needs to be done,” he said.

Others in the cast include: Kiki Bromirski as Penny Pingleton; Ashley Gatesy as Prudy Pingleton, a matron and the principal; Ryan Kayla as Motormouth Maybelle and Fender; Tavion Knight as Seaweed Stubbs; Lindsay Cadregari as Velma Von Tussle; Carl Ghafari as Link Larkin; Mark Hoy as Corny Collins, Jack Tolen as Mr. Pinky, Mr. Spritzer and a gym teacher; Lucy Nolan as Tammy; and Dennis Glass as Brad.

Others in the cast include: Lily Farley as Brenda, Casey Coulter as Sketch, Olivia Emanuelle as Shelley, Deg Gretz as IQ, Lilley Coleman as Lu Ann, Nyx Smith as Gilbert, Carmel Absolon as Stooie, Odera Office as Cindy, Aniya Lovelace as Lorraine, Santi Barker as Duane, Chisomo Willson as Thad, Traci Gibson as Judie/Dynamite, and Makayla Johnson as Shayna/Dynamite.

Tickets are available by calling 313-561-TKTS and online at PlayersGuildofDearborn.org.

SOUTHGATE COMMUNITY PLAYERS PRESENT ‘CALENDAR GIRLS’

Southgate Community Players present “Calendar Girls” at 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 25 and May 1 and 2, with a 2:30 p.m. April 26 matinee at the SCP Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Road in Southgate.

The comedy/drama tells the true story of women who create an alternative nude calendar to raise money for leukemia research after a death in their community. It focuses on friendship, community and empowerment. It is recommended for mature audiences.

Directed by Breann Blanton, the cast includes Lonnie Curri as Chris, Jema McCardell as Annie, Diane Thompson as Cora, Kathy Bedikian as Jessie, Megan Cuthbert as Celia, Corri Carr as Ruth, Wendy Peets as Marie, Danielle Penman as Elaine, Chuck Ingram as John, Aaron Martin as Rod, Marc Rosati as Liam, Nathan Vasquez as Lawrence, and Kathleen McBee as Brenda and Lady Cravenshire.

For tickets and more information, go to scponstage.com.