REVIEW: Elegance and Powerful Emotions Emanate in ‘Blues in the Night’ at Meadow Brook Theatre

Lately, the temperatures outside have been all over the place, but inside Meadow Brooke Theatre (MBT), you can feel the heat from their latest production, Blues in the Night, running until March 12, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps, with original vocal arrangements and musical direction by Chapman Roberts and orchestrations and additional vocal arrangements by Sy Johnson, this staging of Blues in the Night is … [Read more...]

Musical Revue ‘Blues In The Night’ at Meadow Brook Theatre

Soulful musical runs February 15 through March 12 on the campus of Oakland University Three different women and one man who does them wrong create the perfect opportunity for Blues in the Night, the latest musical to run at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Conceived and originally directed by Sheldon Epps, with original vocal arrangements and musical direction by Chapman Roberts and orchestrations and additional vocal arrangements by Sy Johnson, … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘Birthday Club’ is Cause for Celebration!

Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) kicks off the new year in a big way with the Michigan premiere of the jubilant Birthday Club, running now through Sunday, February 5, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. From the pen of playwright Phil Olson, Birthday Club is set in the present day and features Cheryl (Lynnae Lehfeldt), Emily (Debbie Williams), Abbie (Tamara PiLar), and Kathy (Dani Cochrane). For five years these women have been gathering at Cheryl’s house to drink, … [Read more...]

Michigan Premiere of ‘Birthday Club’ at Meadow Brook Theatre

Comedy runs January 11 through February 5, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University Throughout the year, five women gather to celebrate their birthdays. They celebrate, commiserate, and support each other as they negotiate through marriage, work, divorce, birth, and kids, sure that with enough work—and another drink—they can solve any problem that comes their way. One by one they talk about personal, work, and family issues. Then one shares a surprising secret and the vodka hits the fan. … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Celebrates Community and the Resiliency of the Human Spirit

As the Bible and The Byrds famously stated, ‘For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.’ For those of us in the metro Detroit area, this means once again it is that magical time of year for seeing A Christmas Carol, running now through December 24, 2022, at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. L to R: Conrad Nichols (Tiny Tim), Tamara Della Anderson (Spirit of Christmas Present), Thomas D. Mahard (Ebenezer Scrooge), … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Oakland University’s ‘A New Brain’ Probes Deep into the Insecurities that Plague Us All

It is rare to be able to review a show blind and even more unexpected to come away having thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the underlying seriousness of the subject matter, A New Brain did exactly that and you only have this weekend to catch the remaining performances in the Varner Lab Theatre on the campus of Oakland University (OU). In her notes, director Rachel M. Stevens discusses the process with which the OU School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SMTD) went about curating the shows for this … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Quirky and Charming, Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Gives Audiences Plenty to Root For

The campy noir musical Little Shop of Horrors has invaded Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. from now until Oct. 30, 2022. Confession: I have never watched the movie or attended a live performance before, so this review is about as unvarnished as it comes. Also, I’m glad my first exposure was courtesy of MBT's talented cast and crew because this production is fantastic! Little Shop of Horrors is absurdly funny. It shouldn’t work. You shouldn’t … [Read more...]

Fan-Favorite Musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ kicks off Meadow Brook Theatre’s 56th season

Out-of-this-world musical runs Oct. 5 through Oct. 30, 2022, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI. While working as an assistant in a floral shop, shy Seymour stumbles across a new breed of plant. He names it “Audrey II,” after the coworker he has a crush on. But Audrey II isn’t as “proper” as Audrey. In a deep, R&B voice, it promises unending fame and fortune to Seymour as long as he supplies it with BLOOD! But just what does Audrey II have in mind for Seymour... and the … [Read more...]

Meadow Brook Theatre to Hold Auditions for Children in ‘A Christmas Carol’

Auditions are on September 10th on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. Rochester's favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol returns to Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) for its 40 Year Anniversary! Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and a handful of ghosts will once again grace the streets of London to deliver a message of unity and giving. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, original adaptation and staging by Charles Nolte, will run at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline’ is an Emotional, Must-See Experience

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...]