Tempo

  A desire to create a Downriver theater company, to produce well-written, intelligent plays, with interesting characters, provided the spark that led to the creation of the Open Book Theatre Company. Six years ago, when OBTC creative director Krista Schafer Ewbank heard that a small theater in Eastpointe was closing, she briefly entertained the idea of purchasing the building and starting a new theater company in the space. However, the Downriver resident felt it was too far from home, and she wanted to be more familiar … [Read more...] about Setting the stage for success: Open Book Theatre Company entertains Downriver

  Local playwright Brian Townsend, a mild-mannered graphic designer by day, reveals his true superpowers at night, when he lights up local stages with his clever comedies and witty wordplay. Townsend, an Allen Park native and current Dearborn resident, has written full-length plays and shorter works, including the drama “Therapy,” the comedies “Is This Seat Taken?” “Pass the Ducks” and “Gianni Schicchi” (based on the opera by the same name), and the murder mysteries “Murder Comes to Uptight Abbey” and “Murder Comes to the … [Read more...] about From comedies to a murder mysteries, local playwright Brian Townsend is never at a loss for words

  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’