Tempo

  Whether he’s creating musicals from favorite fairytales or classic novels, local playwright Paul Bruce lights up the stage with songs and stories from the Motor City to the Big Apple. Bruce, a retired Dearborn Public Schools teacher, first began writing musicals for his students in 1987, for an afterschool program, when he taught at Lowrey Middle School. “No one would take the afterschool choral assignment,” he said. “I offered to do it, but said I would be putting on small musicals, as opposed to vocal concerts, in … [Read more...] about From fairy tales to classic novels, local playwright Paul Bruce creates musical magic

While houses remain dark as theater companies ride out the coronavirus storm in unaccustomed isolation, the creativity of thespians has risen to the challenge, offering virtual content, lessons and other entertainment online. However, after the last line is uttered, one is reminded that it is the collective experience of the actors, technicians and guests that imbue theater with its unique magic, from the moment the house goes dark, through the laughter and sighs, to the applause during the final bows. WSU OFFERS ONLINE … [Read more...] about Virtual theater offers options while houses remain dark

COVID claims playwright Terrence McNally; voice, acting lessons go virtual In a few short weeks, as the coronavirus turns most aspects of everyday life upside down, people find alternate, creative ways to pursue their interests, often with virtual connections, amid the mounting reports of losses to COVID-19. TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAYWRIGHT TERRENCE McNALLY DIES OF COVID-19 Playwright Terrence McNally, 81, whose career spanned six decades, died March 24 of complications from COVID-19 in a Florida hospital. He was a lung cancer … [Read more...] about A world turned upside down

  The from footlights to the wings, local theaters are silent, as actors and technicians halted rehearsals and paused productions as part of the larger effort to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. While some people stuck at home rediscover hobbies and pastimes, local thespians feel lost and adrift without their creative outlet, missing the chance to create, perform, enjoy the spotlight and an audience’s applause. Sarah Hawkins, an area actor who teaches theater at the University of Detroit-Mercy and at Wayne State … [Read more...] about Resilience and hope in the face of fear: Local thespians speak extemporaneously

  Seats are empty, houses are silent and ghost lights stand sentinel on empty stages throughout metropolitan Detroit, as the theater community cancels rehearsals and performances, and indefinitely delays productions amid current Coronavirus concerns. From high school auditoriums to the stage of the Fisher Theater, actors and technical theater folks are mourning the loss of their creative outlet, while at the same time understanding the need to cancel events which draw crowds, and the importance of keeping others at more … [Read more...] about Show closings, postponements spark sadness among Metro Detroit theater community

  As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued orders on March 13 canceling all assemblages with 250 people or more through April 5, local theaters continue to cancel programing. The Fisher Theatre has canceled all remaining performances of “Fiddler on the Roof” as well as "Dear Evan Hansen," which was scheduled to run March 25 to April 5. The Open Book Theatre Company in Trenton canceled its March “Friday the 13th” Downriver Renegades Improv show, and ticket holders will be contacted about refunds. The group continues to rehearse … [Read more...] about The show must go on: While Fisher goes dark, many local theaters still scheduling performances

Two upcoming shows are sure to please, from the heart-warming Broadway revival tour of “Fiddler on the Roof,” March 10 to 15 at the Fisher Theater in Detroit, to a family friendly improv comedy March 13 at Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company. ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ CONTINUES DETROIT ‘TRADITION!’ Before there were modern blockbusters like “Phantom,” “Chicago,” “Lion King” and “Hamilton,” there was “Fiddler on the Roof,” still one of Broadway’s top 20 musicals, a heartwarming story of Jewish families facing a world of change in … [Read more...] about From ‘Fiddler’ at the Fisher to family friendly improv at Open Book, entertainment abounds

“Temptation” describes Broadway in Detroit’s 2020-21 offerings, from its opening show, “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations,” to Disney’s “Frozen,” to a return engagement of “Hamilton.” Cast members of “Ain’t Too Proud” performed a sneak preview for season subscribers and the media Feb. 24 at the Roostertail in Detroit — where the original Temptations performed decades ago — along with a live interview featuring Otis Williams, founder and sole surviving member of the original Temptations, and playwright … [Read more...] about Broadway in Detroit woos season subscribers with preview of ‘Ain’t Too Proud’

The captivating drama of “The Glass Menagerie,” the breakthrough play that brought Tennessee Williams recognition as a playwright, comes to fresh life on the Players Guild of Dearborn stage. The show runs 8 p.m. March 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, and 2:30 p.m. March 8, 15 and 22 at the theater, 21730 Madison, Dearborn. Directed by Paul Bruce, the cast includes Dearborn residents Julie Ballantyne Brown as Amanda Wingfield and David Culliton as Jim O’Connor, Claire Hayostek of Royal Oak as Laura Wingfield, and DJ Schneider of Detroit … [Read more...] about Players Guild takes on the magic of ‘The Glass Menagerie’

Valentine’s Day is a day when many express feelings of affection, friendship and love. The Dearborn Symphony, under the “romantic” baton of Music Director and Conductor Steven Jarvi along with the “sweet” tones of guest violinist Debra Terry showed Valentine’s Day love Feb. 14 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. The “In love with Beethoven” program opened with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” The overture set the mood for what turned out to be a red hot performance. The chemistry between the symphony and … [Read more...] about Dearborn Symphony ‘shows’ Valentine’s Day love