Avon Players is closing out their 75th anniversary season with the sweeping biographical musical, Evita, running now until June 11, 2022, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Directed by John (JD) Deierlein and with lyrics and music by the legendary duo of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, respectively, Evita chronicles the rise of Eva Duarte, from a poor teenage nobody to the glamourous and powerful second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The cast of 'Evita' at Avon Players Theatre. Photo … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline’ is an Emotional, Must-See Experience
May 31, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Patsy Cline’s professional musical career lasted 15 years before tragedy struck, but the legacy she left behind is still impacting artists and fans to this day. Cline wasn’t just a singer, but also a gifted storyteller and fierce advocate for others, which is evident in A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, by Dean Regan, running at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI from now until June 19, 2022. This show is more of a concert experience than a … [Read more...]
The Rochester Symphony Orchestra Presents a ‘Fountain of Inspiration’
May 12, 2022 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Symphony Orchestra (RSO) presents "Fountain of Inspiration," its final concert of the 2021-2022 season, scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2022, at 8:00 p.m., at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo Rd., Rochester, MI. This concert celebrates winners of the RSO's Young Artist Competitions, 2020-2022. This year's winner is violinist Betti Kelley, an Ethiopian American violinist from Lenexa, Kansas. She is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, studying … [Read more...]
Avon Players’ Season Ends with the Grandeur and Glamor of ‘Evita’
May 9, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Epic musical chronicles the life of a political icon Left to right: Daniel Romzek as “Juan Peron“ and Lori Smith as “Eva Peron.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford Avon Players’ 75th season closes with the sweeping biographical musical Evita running May 27 through June 11. The Tony Award-winning rock opera Evita dramatizes the true rags-to-riches story of Eva Perón (Lori Smith), who, through an indomitable will, rises from humble beginnings to become the First Lady of Argentina and a de … [Read more...]
Broadway’s Felicia Finley closes Meadow Brook Theatre’s Season with ‘A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline’
May 9, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Felicia Finley in 'A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline' at MBT. Photo courtesy of Sean Carter Photography Musical telling the life story of the country music legend using her songs runs May 25 through June 19, 2022, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline transports audiences through the music legend’s life, from her hometown of Winchester, Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. Little Big Man, a disc jockey from Virginia uses her greatest hits, … [Read more...]
Rochester University Presents ‘Love’s Labor’s Lost’
April 11, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Rochester University’s Music, Theatre & Dance Department presents Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost, directed by Robert Arbaugh, MFA. Self-denial is in fashion at the court of Navarre where the young King and three of his courtiers solemnly forswear all pleasures in favor of serious study. But the Princess of France and her all-too-lovely entourage have other ideas and it isn’t long before young love, with its glad eyes, hesitations, and embarrassments has broken every self-imposed rule … [Read more...]
Michigan Premiere of ‘The Pin-Up Girls’ at Meadow Brook Theatre
April 5, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Memorable musical runs April 20 through May 15, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. Leanne and her friends are entertaining at their local VFW hall when they come across a collection of letters from the past hundred years. The singers are moved to put on a show inspired by the letters home from soldiers, sailors, and airmen spanning from World War I through Afghanistan. Songs range from “You Made Me Love You” and “Please Mr. Postman” to “Push It” and “Single Ladies.” The … [Read more...]
Classic Cars Rev Up for a Night at the Theatre! Meadow Brook Theatre’s 12th Annual Classic Car Nights Return
March 28, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Classic Car Nights are back with three nights and two great shows to choose from! Theatre-goers who bring classic cars to Meadow Brook Theatre on a Classic Car Night receive a special discount rate and one free ticket per classic car! Show off your ‘wheels’, socialize with fellow car enthusiasts, and enjoy great live theatre! Participants are invited to bring refreshments and have a picnic in the parking lot before the show. Classic Car Nights begin Friday, April 29th during performances … [Read more...]
‘Pippin,’ Tony Award-winning musical, opens March 30 at Oakland University
March 22, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Oakland University 'Pippin' cast Photo courtesy of JLBoone Photography Stephen Schwartz’s Tony Award-winning 1972 musical Pippin celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and Oakland University’s Department of Theatre is inviting you to join the Guardians of Splendor for some Fosse-inspired magic March 30 – April 3 in Varner Studio Theatre on the OU campus. “Over the last couple of years, isolation and disconnection have invited us to re-evaluate what is important in our lives,” said David … [Read more...]
Hurry to the Hilarity of Avon Players’ ‘Run for Your Wife’
March 1, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Double spouses make for twice the laughter in this fast-paced romp Comic collisions and merry misunderstandings will provide plenty of amusement for Metro Detroit audiences as Avon Players presents Run for Your Wife running March 18-April 2. L to R: Jenna Russell as “Mary,” Luigi Murri as “John,” and Erica Gunaca as “Barbara.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford. Run for Your Wife is a classic farce by Ray Cooney full of secrets ready to collapse, misunderstandings piling up, and plenty of … [Read more...]
