Tempo

  The musical “Mean Girls” makes its Detroit debut through June 19 at the Fisher Theater, following an opening night cancelation for unspecified technical difficulties. The stage show, based on the hit film, features a book by Emmy Award-winner Tina Fey, music by Emmy Award-winner Jeff Richardson and lyrics by two-time Tony Award-nominee Nell Benjamin. The show was directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw. Set in a suburban Illinois high school, naïve Cady Heron, who grew up on an African … [Read more...] about Musical ‘Mean Girls’ makes its Detroit debut at the Fisher

  Formed as an outdoor theatre experiment during the first summer of the pandemic, Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company returns with a third summer of Driveway Theatre attractions. The shows include Craig Ester’s “Dance with Me,” Meg Berger’s “It’s My Party,” and “Off Book Improv.” OBTC Artistic Director Krista Schafer Ewbank said Driveway Theatre was born out of necessity in the summer of 2020, when people were being allowed to gather in small outdoor groups. “People needed a way to gather, to tell and hear stories, … [Read more...] about Open Book welcomes a third summer of Driveway Theatre

  Dearborn playwright and director Paul Bruce’s through-composed musical, “Little Woman – A Little Musical,” will be performed June 3 to 12 at Barefoot Productions in Livonia. Bruce said the show, which debuted with the Southgate Community Players in 1994, predates the Broadway version of the story by a decade.  “The small cast, seven in this treatment, and the choice to through-compose the book makes it move quickly and economically, while not compromising the full and very rich text of the novel,” he said.  Bruce … [Read more...] about Paul Bruce’s ‘Little Women – A Little Musical’ plays at Barefoot Productions

  Artists and the people who support them were honored May 11 at the annual Dearborn Mayor’s Arts Awards, held in Studio A of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.  Mayor Abdullah Hammoud presented his first round of awards, which included the mayor’s personal award pick, and awards for an artist/performer, patron, educator, volunteer, organization and a special recognition, given when merited.   Hammoud said he hopes to strengthen the rich tradition of support for the arts within Dearborn during his … [Read more...] about Players Guild of Dearborn volunteer among honorees at Mayor’s Arts Award

  DYPAC presents ‘Musicville’ and ‘The Claw’ As thespians return to live theater, it bears noting that the pandemic still has an impact on everyday life, including stage plays. Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company has delayed the opening of “Too Heavy for Your Pocket” by a week – until May 20 – due to a breakthrough COVID case. Other groups continue to take precautions during rehearsals by masking up, and even modifying blocking, when possible, to minimize close contact. Two young casts open shows next week, as … [Read more...] about The magic of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ staged at Melvindale High School

  Also opening: PSCSP ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,’ Grosse Ile HS ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ A range of entertainment awaits on local stages, from the thought-provoking drama “Too Heavy for Your Pocket” at Trenton’s Open Book Theater, to family favorite “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” in Wyandotte, to the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at Grosse Ile High School. TRENTON’S OPEN BOOK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS, ‘TOO HEAVY FOR YOUR POCKET’ In its commitment to present stories from diverse viewpoints, Trenton’s … [Read more...] about Open Book Theatre Company opens ‘Too Heavy for Your Pocket’

  Broadway musicals abound on local stages, with the Players Guild of Dearborn presenting its pandemic-delayed production of “Anything Goes” and the Fisher hosting back-to-back Broadway tours, with “The Band’s Visit” closing May 1 and a May 5 opening for “Anastasia. ”  COLE PORTER’S ‘ANYTHING GOES’ OPENS AT THE PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN The Cole Porter musical “Anything Goes,” which the Players Guild of Dearborn had on its spring schedule in 2020 when the pandemic struck, opens a long-awaited three-weekend run May 6 at … [Read more...] about Broadway musicals abound with PGD’s ‘Anything Goes,’ Fisher’s ‘The Band’s Visit’ and ‘Anastasia’

  The local weather may be unpredictable, but one can count on local talent shining onstage as Henry Ford College, Trenton High School, Dearborn’s Edsel Ford High School and the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center in Trenton launch end-of-April productions. HENRY FORD COLLEGE PRESENTS, ‘FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS’ Anyone who has ever been a bridesmaid in a one-time gown can understand the setting for the five reluctant women in playwright Alan Ball’s show “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” Set during an … [Read more...] about Talent on local stages more predictable than the weather

  Whether watching musical murderesses or the comic mayhem of a desperate theater company, laughter is on tap with Crestwood High School’s production of “Chicago” (the high school version) and Barefoot Production’s presentation of the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo.” CRESTWOOD PRESENTS HIGH SCHOOL VERSION OF ‘CHICAGO’ “Chicago,” a musical set in the 1920s, is a satire on corruption in the criminal justice system and the concept of the celebrity criminal. As one of the longest running Broadway musicals, it includes upbeat … [Read more...] about From murder to mayhem: Never a dull moment on local stages