Tempo

  From ABBA’s greatest hits to the Disney and Mackintosh magic of a most unusual nanny come two musicals to set your spirits soaring, as the Downriver Actors Guild presents “Mama Mia” and Dearborn Edsel Ford High School presents “Mary Poppins.” DOWNRIVER DELIVERS ‘MAMA MIA’ With the music of ABBA and a fictional Greek Island as a backdrop, a 20-year-old woman is preparing for her wedding day, with one big dilemma: She doesn’t know which of three men is her father. So, in the days before easy DNA tests, she invites … [Read more...] about From ABBA to ‘Step in Time’: ‘Mama Mia’ and ‘Mary Poppins’ send spirits soaring on local stages

The Dearborn Symphony will celebrate stage and screen under the direction of conductor Nick Palmer, music director of the Lafayette Symphony and North Charleston Pops at 8 p.m. May 3 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Palmer was invited to guest conduct as part of the Dearborn Symphony’s search for a new music director and conductor. He is one of three finalists selected by the symphony board last summer. Audience members will be able to offer feedback in a survey to evaluate his performance. Tickets range from … [Read more...] about Music from stage and screen combine to end Dearborn Symphony’s 57th season

  When relatives’ personalities collide, the bride’s ex-boyfriend shows up and marital mayhem ensues, settle back in your seat at the Players Guild of Dearborn to watch the Steinberg-Howard wedding unfold in the musical “It Shoulda Been You.” The show runs 8 p.m. May 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, and 2:30 p.m. May 5, 12, 19 and 26 at the theater, 21730 Madison, Dearborn. “It Shoulda Been You,” with book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove and music by Barbara Anselmi, is directed by directed by Marc Walentowicz of Garden City, who … [Read more...] about Players Guild delights with wacky wedding musical ‘It Shoulda Been You’

  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’