Tempo

  The barkers of the big top, bright lights and circus hype bring the circus to town as Southgate Community Players bring the Tony Award-winning show “Barnum – the Musical” to Downriver. The show runs 7 p.m. May 3, 4 and 10, and 3 p.m. May 11 at Davidson Middle School, 18500 Trenton Road, Southgate. Tamara Laflin of Southgate, who stage directs, music directs and choreographs the show, said, like P.T. Barnum, she has always been intrigued by sideshows, oddities and circus performers. “I was a part of a production of ‘Barnum’ … [Read more...] about Tony Award-winning ‘Barnum – the Musical’ brings the big show to Southgate

  The powerful musical presence of “Hamilton” will bring history to life for 3,900 high school students and teachers April 11 and 18 through an innovative educational program and foundation subsidies. Attendees from 59 area high schools who have spent the past several weeks learning about Alexander Hamilton and the nation’s Founding Fathers, through a special integrated curriculum, will see a matinee performance of “Hamilton” for $10 each through the generous support of local foundations and sponsors. Following the … [Read more...] about Education program brings 3,900 area students, teachers to see ‘Hamilton’

March 29 was a night of royal entertainment at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, when the Dearborn Symphony and four guest artists under the noble baton of Rich Ridenour honored three regal musical legends. The stately legends, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, are three of the most successful songwriters of all time. They also happen to be actual knights. It goes without saying, it was a night of knights, honoring their lasting musical influence with music from their respective storied … [Read more...] about Dearborn Symphony Pops Concert commands royal performance

  Sixties-era women explore the airtight seal of Tupperware and their own repressed, conforming lives, with hilarious results, during a party gone awry in the Downriver Actors Guild’s “Sealed for Freshness.” The show runs 7:30 p.m. April 11 to 13, and 3 p.m. April 14 at the Catherine A. Daly Theatre on the Avenue, 2656 Biddle, Wyandotte. Directed by Liza Altenberg of Allen Park and assistant directed by Jema McCardell of Trenton, the cast includes: Dearborn Heights residents Amanda Bates as Sinclair Benevente and Anita … [Read more...] about Locking in laughter and flavor: DAG presents ‘Sealed for Freshness’

  Dearborn, Downriver talent onstage and off Whether you’re “Puttin’ on the Ritz” or enjoying the wacky humor of Mel Brooks in this campy, comical stage musical, “Young Frankenstein” is monstrously good fun and sure to please. The show runs 7:30 p.m. March 29 and 30, and April 5, 6, 12 and 13, and 3 p.m. March 31 and April 7 and 14 at the Marlene Boll Theater at the YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit. The opening night March 29 performance is sold out.  The first Sunday performance features a post-show discussion with the … [Read more...] about U of D Mercy delivers monster musical ‘Young Frankenstein’

  From the drama of “Tolton: From Slave to Priest” to the comedy “The Foreigner,” to the light-hearted musical treat “42nd Street,” live entertainment choices abound on area stages. ‘TOLTON: FROM SLAVE TO PRIEST’ VISITS DOWNRIVER A story of a man born into bondage, who went on to Rome to become a Catholic priest, visits Downriver for a limited engagement in Saint Luke Production’s “Tolton: From Slave to Priest.” The 75-minute show, suitable for ages 10 and older, runs 7 p.m. April 1 and 9:30 a.m. April 2 at Davidson … [Read more...] about Local stages offer serious stories, light-hearted fare

  Fairy tales collide and folks find that what they wish for isn’t always what’s best for them in Dearborn High School’s production of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods.” The show runs 7:30 p.m. March 21, 22 and 23 in DHS’s Valentine Auditorium, 19501 W. Outer Drive, Dearborn. Greg Phillip Viscomi directs and produces the show, with musical direction by Maritsa Madias-Kalasz and choreography by Adam Lynch. Viscomi said he chose “Into the Woods” for this year’s musical because it seems like a good fit for … [Read more...] about Be careful what you wish for: DHS presents Sondheim’s fairytale foray ‘Into the Woods’

  When James, an abused orphan, discovers a colorful cadre of eccentric bugs living inside a gigantic peach, a worldwide adventure begins with “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” as they bond and confront bullies with courage and camaraderie. The show runs 7:30 p.m. March 15, 16, 22 and 23, and 3 p.m. March 17 and 24 at Catherine A. Daly Theatre on the Avenue, 2656 Biddle, Wyandotte. Director Nathan Vasquez said “James and the Giant Peach Jr.” is a fun show with many character roles for the ensemble, which he feels is … [Read more...] about Travel to the wacky world of Roald Dahl with ‘James and the Giant Peach Jr.’

  A mathematical genius puzzled by people seeks to solve the murder of his neighbor’s dog in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time” at Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company. The play runs 8 p.m. March 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, and April 5, 6, and 11 to 13, and 2 p.m. March 17, 24 and 31 and April 7 at the theater, 1621 West Road, Trenton. The show, a 2015 winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Play, is directed by Adriane Galea of Dearborn, with Joshua Whitson of Madison Heights as Christopher, a 15-year-old … [Read more...] about Open Book Theatre Company presents ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time’

  Set sail with your imagination for adventure on the high seas as the cast of “Peter and the Starcatcher” journey with pluck and humor as the Players Guild of Dearborn reveals the backstory of Peter Pan. The show runs 8 p.m. March 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and 2:30 p.m. March 10, 17 and 24 at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn. Director Brian Townsend of Dearborn said the show is a unique take on characters audiences know and love, and not what one might think. “‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ is a piece of theatrical … [Read more...] about Set sail for adventure with PGD’s ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’