|
|
|
Theater, Dance, and Opera
The Ann Arbor area plays host to several community and semi-professional
theater companies, with new shows going up every month. Ballet,
modern, and traditional dance concerts abound, along with musical
theater productions from Broadway to grand opera.
|
"Growing Pretty": Purple Rose Theatre Company.
"Exits and Entrances": Performance Network Professional Season.
"Kirtan": Ann Arbor Kirtan.
 Wednesday
May, 2008
3 & 8 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
 Thursday
May, 2008
8 p.m.
"Arms and the Man":
Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre. May 1-4, 8-11, & 15-18. Charles Jabour directs local actors in George Bernard Shaw's popular satiric comedy, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, about a naively romantic young aristocratic woman who falls in love despite herself with a hard-boiled Swiss mercenary who would rather carry chocolates than guns. Arms offers a humorous critique of sentimental idealism in war and love. Stars Brittany Filek-Gibson, Audra Lord, Luna Alexander, Josh Hamilton, Jared Heeren, Gary Regal, and Joseph Fournier.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 (students & seniors, $15; groups of 6 or more, $12 each; Thurs., pay what you can) in advance and at the door. 214-6600.
8 p.m.
"Exits and Entrances":
Performance Network Professional Season. Every Thursday-Sunday, April 24-June 1. David Wolber directs the renowned South African playwright Athol Fugard's recent autobiographical drama, set in the mid-1950s, about his life-changing friendship with the legendary Afrikaans actor Andre Huguenet, known at one time as the Laurence Olivier of South Africa. Set during apartheid, the play explores the nature and power of the theater through the mutually sustaining relationship that develops between an idealistic young actor and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity at the end of his career. According to New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, the play "movingly speaks of theater's potential to shape lives in enduring ways, even as it acknowledges the evanescence of the art form." Stars Robert Grossman and Kevin Young.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Apr. 24), $20 (Apr. 25 & 27 and May 1), and $28 (Apr. 26). May 2 opening night tickets: $42 includes reception. After May 2: $30 (Thurs. & Sat. matinee), $35 (Fri. & Sun.), and $42 (Sat. eve.). $3 discounts available for seniors age 60 & over, $10 discounts available (except Sat. eve.) for students. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. Half-price student rush tickets & $10 tickets for age 16 & under available 1 hour before showtime. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
8-9 p.m.
Puppetry Improv:
Dreamland Theater . Every Thursday. The Dreamland puppet troupe uses marionettes, rod puppets, and other forms of puppetry in an improv performance inspired by current events, audience suggestions, and "whatever strikes our fancy."
Dreamland Theater, 26 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. Pay what you can. 657-2337.
8 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
 Friday
May, 2008
 7:30 p.m.
"Kirtan":
Ann Arbor Kirtan. All invited to join a group performance of this traditional devotional call-and-response music based on Hindu Vaishnava texts such as the Srimad Bhagavatam, on Shavite, Tantric, and Bhakti traditions, and on the writings of poet/saints such as Kabir, Tulsidas, and Mirabai. Accompanied by live music based on Indian ragas on bass guitar, tabla, and drums.
Friends Meetinghouse, 1420 Hill St. Free, but donations accepted. 761-7435.
8 p.m.
"Exits and Entrances":
Performance Network Professional Season. Every Thursday-Sunday, April 24-June 1. David Wolber directs the renowned South African playwright Athol Fugard's recent autobiographical drama, set in the mid-1950s, about his life-changing friendship with the legendary Afrikaans actor Andre Huguenet, known at one time as the Laurence Olivier of South Africa. Set during apartheid, the play explores the nature and power of the theater through the mutually sustaining relationship that develops between an idealistic young actor and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity at the end of his career. According to New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, the play "movingly speaks of theater's potential to shape lives in enduring ways, even as it acknowledges the evanescence of the art form." Stars Robert Grossman and Kevin Young.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Apr. 24), $20 (Apr. 25 & 27 and May 1), and $28 (Apr. 26). May 2 opening night tickets: $42 includes reception. After May 2: $30 (Thurs. & Sat. matinee), $35 (Fri. & Sun.), and $42 (Sat. eve.). $3 discounts available for seniors age 60 & over, $10 discounts available (except Sat. eve.) for students. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. Half-price student rush tickets & $10 tickets for age 16 & under available 1 hour before showtime. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
8 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
8 p.m.
"Arms and the Man":
Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre. May 1-4, 8-11, & 15-18. Charles Jabour directs local actors in George Bernard Shaw's popular satiric comedy, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, about a naively romantic young aristocratic woman who falls in love despite herself with a hard-boiled Swiss mercenary who would rather carry chocolates than guns. Arms offers a humorous critique of sentimental idealism in war and love. Stars Brittany Filek-Gibson, Audra Lord, Luna Alexander, Josh Hamilton, Jared Heeren, Gary Regal, and Joseph Fournier.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 (students & seniors, $15; groups of 6 or more, $12 each; Thurs., pay what you can) in advance and at the door. 214-6600.
8 p.m.
"The Crucible":
Dexter Community Players. May 9-11, 16, & 17. Angelle Chandler directs Dexter-area actors in Arthur Miller's 1953 drama about the infamous 1692 Salem witch trials. Appearing at the height of the McCarthy era, the play was seen in its time as a thinly veiled indictment of senator Joseph McCarthy and his followers, but its enduring popularity suggests it touches on irrationalities endemic to American culture. Stars Sean Sabo, Nicole Coven, Brendan Bachman, Corrina Gauss, and AJ Ellwood.
Dexter High School Copeland Auditorium, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 424-4100.
8 p.m.
"Bigfoot Stole My Wife":
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. May 16-18 . Cassie Mann directs local actors in fiction writer Ron Carlson's series of 6 comic monologues based on tabloid headlines, such as "I Ate My Best Friend's Brain" and "The Tablecloth of Turin." Cast: Thom Johnson, Pete Niedbala, Kristen Stelter, Deb Wood, Andy Jentzen, Brian Harcourt, and Matt Steward.
AACT Studio, 322 W. Ann. Tickets $10 & $15 in advance and at the door. 971-2228.
8 p.m.
"Sneak Peak Open Rehearsal":
People Dancing . This local modern dance company previews works from the program of its August concert.
Arts in Motion Dance Studio, 2841 Boardwalk. Free. 368-7573.
8 p.m.
Dance Ensemble of Michigan.:Studio 1 director TeDee Theofil directs this independent local ensemble of 30 young dancers in a program celebrating the company's 14th anniversary with jazz dance works by Theofil and local choreographers R. Brown, Lonnie Poupard, and Cristen Zeisler.
Power Center. Tickets $20 in advance at Studio 1 (220 S. Main) and Kilwin's Chocolate Shoppe, and at the door. $10 student & senior rush tickets available at the door only. 995-1747.
 Saturday
May, 2008
2 & 8 p.m.
"The Crucible":
Dexter Community Players. May 9-11, 16, & 17. Angelle Chandler directs Dexter-area actors in Arthur Miller's 1953 drama about the infamous 1692 Salem witch trials. Appearing at the height of the McCarthy era, the play was seen in its time as a thinly veiled indictment of senator Joseph McCarthy and his followers, but its enduring popularity suggests it touches on irrationalities endemic to American culture. Stars Sean Sabo, Nicole Coven, Brendan Bachman, Corrina Gauss, and AJ Ellwood.
Dexter High School Copeland Auditorium, 7714 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd., Dexter. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 424-4100.
3 & 8 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
3 & 8 p.m.
"Exits and Entrances":
Performance Network Professional Season. Every Thursday-Sunday, April 24-June 1. David Wolber directs the renowned South African playwright Athol Fugard's recent autobiographical drama, set in the mid-1950s, about his life-changing friendship with the legendary Afrikaans actor Andre Huguenet, known at one time as the Laurence Olivier of South Africa. Set during apartheid, the play explores the nature and power of the theater through the mutually sustaining relationship that develops between an idealistic young actor and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity at the end of his career. According to New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, the play "movingly speaks of theater's potential to shape lives in enduring ways, even as it acknowledges the evanescence of the art form." Stars Robert Grossman and Kevin Young.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Apr. 24), $20 (Apr. 25 & 27 and May 1), and $28 (Apr. 26). May 2 opening night tickets: $42 includes reception. After May 2: $30 (Thurs. & Sat. matinee), $35 (Fri. & Sun.), and $42 (Sat. eve.). $3 discounts available for seniors age 60 & over, $10 discounts available (except Sat. eve.) for students. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. Half-price student rush tickets & $10 tickets for age 16 & under available 1 hour before showtime. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
8 p.m.
"Bigfoot Stole My Wife":
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. May 16-18 . Cassie Mann directs local actors in fiction writer Ron Carlson's series of 6 comic monologues based on tabloid headlines, such as "I Ate My Best Friend's Brain" and "The Tablecloth of Turin." Cast: Thom Johnson, Pete Niedbala, Kristen Stelter, Deb Wood, Andy Jentzen, Brian Harcourt, and Matt Steward.
AACT Studio, 322 W. Ann. Tickets $10 & $15 in advance and at the door. 971-2228.
8 p.m.
"Arms and the Man":
Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre. May 1-4, 8-11, & 15-18. Charles Jabour directs local actors in George Bernard Shaw's popular satiric comedy, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, about a naively romantic young aristocratic woman who falls in love despite herself with a hard-boiled Swiss mercenary who would rather carry chocolates than guns. Arms offers a humorous critique of sentimental idealism in war and love. Stars Brittany Filek-Gibson, Audra Lord, Luna Alexander, Josh Hamilton, Jared Heeren, Gary Regal, and Joseph Fournier.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 (students & seniors, $15; groups of 6 or more, $12 each; Thurs., pay what you can) in advance and at the door. 214-6600.
 Sunday
May, 2008
"Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood vs. the Monsters":
Dreamland Theater .
See 4 Sunday. 3:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
"Bigfoot Stole My Wife":
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. May 16-18 . Cassie Mann directs local actors in fiction writer Ron Carlson's series of 6 comic monologues based on tabloid headlines, such as "I Ate My Best Friend's Brain" and "The Tablecloth of Turin." Cast: Thom Johnson, Pete Niedbala, Kristen Stelter, Deb Wood, Andy Jentzen, Brian Harcourt, and Matt Steward.
AACT Studio, 322 W. Ann. Tickets $10 & $15 in advance and at the door. 971-2228.
2 p.m.
"Arms and the Man":
Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre. May 1-4, 8-11, & 15-18. Charles Jabour directs local actors in George Bernard Shaw's popular satiric comedy, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, about a naively romantic young aristocratic woman who falls in love despite herself with a hard-boiled Swiss mercenary who would rather carry chocolates than guns. Arms offers a humorous critique of sentimental idealism in war and love. Stars Brittany Filek-Gibson, Audra Lord, Luna Alexander, Josh Hamilton, Jared Heeren, Gary Regal, and Joseph Fournier.
Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron, Ypsilanti. Tickets $18 (students & seniors, $15; groups of 6 or more, $12 each; Thurs., pay what you can) in advance and at the door. 214-6600.
2 p.m.
"Growing Pretty":
Purple Rose Theatre Company. Every Wednesday-Sunday (except May 7) through May 31, and May 6 & 27. See review, left. Michelle Mountain directs the world premiere of Carey Crim's coming-of-age tale about a girl who dreams of becoming a supermodel. When her mom steals the love of her life, the girl has to navigate, alone, the difficult path of becoming an artist. The cast features Stacie Hadgikosti, Brian Ogden, Grant Krause, Rhiannon Ragland, Matt Gwynn, and Hugh Maguire. 8 p.m., Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea.
Tickets $25 (Wed. & Thurs.), $30 (Sat. & Sun. matinees), & $35 (Fri. & Sat. eves.) in advance and at the door. 433-7673.
2 p.m.
"Exits and Entrances":
Performance Network Professional Season. Every Thursday-Sunday, April 24-June 1. David Wolber directs the renowned South African playwright Athol Fugard's recent autobiographical drama, set in the mid-1950s, about his life-changing friendship with the legendary Afrikaans actor Andre Huguenet, known at one time as the Laurence Olivier of South Africa. Set during apartheid, the play explores the nature and power of the theater through the mutually sustaining relationship that develops between an idealistic young actor and an older actor struggling to find meaning and dignity at the end of his career. According to New York Times critic Charles Isherwood, the play "movingly speaks of theater's potential to shape lives in enduring ways, even as it acknowledges the evanescence of the art form." Stars Robert Grossman and Kevin Young.
Performance Network, 120 E. Huron. Preview tickets: whatever you can afford to pay (Apr. 24), $20 (Apr. 25 & 27 and May 1), and $28 (Apr. 26). May 2 opening night tickets: $42 includes reception. After May 2: $30 (Thurs. & Sat. matinee), $35 (Fri. & Sun.), and $42 (Sat. eve.). $3 discounts available for seniors age 60 & over, $10 discounts available (except Sat. eve.) for students. Tickets available in advance at performancenetwork.org & by phone, and at the door. Half-price student rush tickets & $10 tickets for age 16 & under available 1 hour before showtime. For reservations, call 663-0681; to charge by phone, call 663-0696.
5:30 p.m.
"Sacred Storytelling":
Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County. Emily Wilson-Tobin directs a dinner theater production of local playwright Jeffrey Steiger's play based on dialogues with local faith groups. Also, an Indian meal prepared by members of Chinmaya Mission, a local Hindu congregation.
Chinmaya Mission, 4760 Packard. $15-$75 (kids under 12, $8) in advance and at the door. 424-1535.
|
|
|
