Friday, May 2, 2014

What's on Stage - April 27th Edition

If you're interested in seeing some live theatre this week, here is a list of what on stage.

Professional Theatre:

The Performance Network is beginning their run of Richard III, which starts April 24th and runs through June 1st.  Shows perform throughout the week with matinee performances available.  Please check the Performance Network website for dates, times and ticket prices.


Synopsis: One of Shakespeare’s most famous histories gets an innovative PNT treatment in this boldly re-imagined tale of power, treachery, seduction and fate. PNT Associate Artistic Director Carla Milarch stars as Richard, the ruthless and conniving Plantagenet, whose ascent to power is littered with corpses. This revolutionary take on the age-old classic explores the themes and fate of gender, power, and government set in the distant yet ominous future. Also featuring Joanna Bronson, Justin Dietzel, Terry Heck, Alysia Kolascz, Drew Parker, Logan Ricket, Brian Sage, and John Seibert. This is an exciting first-time collaboration between the students and faculty of Eastern Michigan University Theatre and the artists of Performance Network Theatre.

Stratford Theatre Festival starts its season in full swing with several productions beginning this week.


Crazy for You continues its run through October 12th.  Performances run throughout the week, with evening and matinee tickets available.

Synopsis: Sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a derelict theatre, banker Bobby Child falls for its owner’s daughter, Polly Baker. Can he reconcile the demands of duty and love – and his own dreams of dancing? “I Got Rhythm,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and “Someone to Watch Over Me” are just some of the gems in this dynamic musical’s dazzling score.

Alice Through the Looking-Glass opens on April 30th and runs through October 12th with evening and matinee tickets available.
Synopsis:  Climbing through her living-room mirror, Alice enters a world of wonders populated by such fantastical characters as Humpty Dumpty, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Walrus and the Carpenter – and the fearsome Jabberwock. Children and adults alike will be delighted by this spectacular journey into the topsy-turvy realm of the dreaming mind.
King Lear opens on May 6th and runs through October 10th with evening and matinee tickets available.

Synopsis:  An aging monarch resolves to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, with consequences he little expects. His reason shattered in the storm of violent emotion that ensues, with his very life hanging in the balance, Lear loses everything that has defined him as a king – and thereby discovers the essence of his own humanity.

Man of la Mancha opens May 8th and runs through October 10th with evening and matinee tickets available.

Synopsis:  Awaiting trial by the Inquisition, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes is assailed by his fellow prisoners, who try to seize the manuscript of his masterpiece, Don Quixote. His inspired response: a challenge to join him in staging his stirring tale of Quixote’s obsessive quest to attain an impossible dream.
Stratford's Night Music series, which allows you to hear music in the evenings at different venues around the festival kicks off on May 4th

For ticket info, dates and times, and full show details, please visit the Stratford website

The Encore Musical Theatre Company continues their run of The Foreigner, now through May 4.  Shows will perform on weekends, please check with Encore for exact dates and times, as well as ticket prices.


Synopsis: The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by "Froggy" LeSeuer, a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base. This time "Froggy" has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So "Froggy," before departing, tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins, as Charlie overhears more than he should-the evil plans of a sinister, two-faced minister and his redneck associate; the fact that the minister's pretty fiancée is pregnant; and many other damaging revelations made with the thought that Charlie doesn't understand a word being said. That he does fuels the nonstop hilarity of the play and sets up the wildly funny climax in which things go uproariously awry for the "bad guys," and the "good guys" emerge triumphant.

The Hillberry begins its run of August: Osage County on April 23rd and runs through May 10th.  Please visit The Hillberry website for dates, times and ticket information.

Synopsis: The Westons represent the modern American family dealing with deteriorating health and relationships on the plains of Oklahoma.  Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, this dark comedy fluctuates between sidesplitting humor and gut-wrenching despair as we watch the family struggle passionately to support each other through overwhelmin scandal and circumstances.

The Purple Rose is currently running the PRTC Spring Comedy Festival: Lovers, Liars & Lunatics.  The festival includes a collection of world premiere short comedies exploring the nature of love, loss, revenge and renewal. The evening includes new plays by Jeff Daniels, David MacGregor, Carey Crim, and other Purple Rose favorites. *Contains adult language and content. More information on times and tickets can be found at the Purple Rose website.

The Tipping Point Theatre continues Old Love, which will run through May 4.  Shows are Thursdays and Fridays a 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm or 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm.  Please visit the Tipping Point website for additional ticket information.

Synopsis: Old Love is a touching comedy about persistence in the pursuit of happiness. The story spans three decades and several meetings between Bud, a salesman, and Molly, his boss’s wife. Over time, a growing fondness for Molly developed in Bud’s heart, but he never did anything about it until they meet again, for the third time in 25 years, at his old boss’ funeral. Molly isn’t interested, but Bud pursues her despite all odds. Together they tell stories of good times and bad, through 25 years of relationships. This lighthearted comedy will keep you believing in friendship and romance at any age.

High School Theatre:

Pioneer Theatre Guild will be opening its production of Rent on April 25th.  Performances run on weekends, ending May 4th.  Please visit the Pioneer Theatre Guild website for additional performance and ticketing information.


Synopsis: Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT SCHOOL EDITIONis about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.



Woodhaven High School will be performing Seussical the Musical beginning May 9th.  The show runs Friday and Saturday over two weekends, closing May 16th.


Community Theatre:
None at this time.

College Theatre:
None at this time


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