The Rundown | April 24, 2025
- John Sloan III
- Apr 24
- 9 min read
Welcome to THE RUNDOWN, a quick hit highlight of what's on stage in Michigan. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and companies across the state are preparing for summer. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there's still plenty to see on a stage near you.
What A Day,
Fortune Smiled and Came My Way
PLACES PLEASE, THIS IS YOUR PLACES CALL!
Here's THE RUNDOWN for Thursday, April 24, 2025.
CLOSING SOON
A JUKEBOX FOR THE ALGONQUIN | Farmers Alley Theatre | EXTENDED April 27
Farmers Alley Theatre presents the Kalamazoo premiere of A Jukebox for the Algonquin, a brand-new comedy with heart.
At a senior living community in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, a small group of residents decide they’re not quite ready to go “gentle into that good night.” This band of displaced former city dwellers from Brooklyn and The Bronx devise a plot to prove that “old” is not a New York state of mind.
NOW EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL 27
Written & Directed by: Paul Stroili
AWAKENED | Planet Ant | April 11-26
AWAKENED is a black & brown retelling of the classic Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. Loosely inspired by the original story from the Brothers Grimm, this play flips the script on its head and asks what happens after, happily ever after?
Using modern story elements combined with the vibe of classic Disney fairy-tales and childhood stories, AWAKENED explores themes of lost love, deep trauma, abuse and what hope and triumph really looks like. We invite you to sit down, listen and ask yourself - Would you lose everything to become whole again?
Written & Directed by: CeceElla Mitchell
THE WHARTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
READY, SET, ZYDECO with TERRANCE SIMIEN and the ZYDECO EXPERIENCE | April 26
When it comes to Creole culture and Zydeco music, two-time Grammy award-winning Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience bring generations of passion, training, and spirit to life. Simien and the Zydeco Experience have performed nearly 10,000 concerts across more than 45 countries throughout their career. Their music is featured on television, radio, and in multiple major studio release films including Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.
BLACK VIOLIN | April 30
Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin, known for their innovative fusion of classical and hip-hop, will take the stage at Wharton Center for one night only on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Black Violin’s work extends far beyond the stage, reaching deep into communities nationwide with numerous free performances for students and hands-on engagement with youth symphonies and community centers.
BALLET BIARRITZ | April 28
Be whisked into the night with Ballet Biarritz and their most recent work, The Seasons. This gorgeous ballet captivates audiences with breathtaking movement, storytelling, and passion. Wharton Center is only one of seven tour stops The Seasons will make in the United States.
In addition to the performance, join us for MEGA BARRE with Malandain Ballet Biarritz at Wharton Center on Monday, April 28, at 6PM. This free, fun, large scale dance event is designed to demystify the experience of ballet barre exercised for non-dancers and beginners, while also providing coaching tips and technique refreshers for more experienced dancers. USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER
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NOW PLAYING
HYSTERICAL! | The Detroit Repertory Theatre | Runs March 14-May 4
The Detroit Repertory Theatre presents Hysterical! Inspired by true events, the play tells the story of a school cheerleading squad and what they think will be the "best year ever"... until chaos strikes. One by one, each of the girls begins to suffer from uncontrollable tics and outbursts as a mysterious illness ravages the squad. Featuring laugh-out-loud hijinks and epic choreography, this is a story so crazy it has to be seen.
Written by: Elena Stauffer
Directed by: Leah Smith
ECLIPSED: THE SUN, THE MOOD, AND GLADY'S ATKINSON SWEET | Theatre Nova |
Runs April 11-May 11 | www.theatrenova.org
Theatre NOVA is thrilled to present the World Premiere of ECLIPSED, a play documenting the all-too-real 1925 case of an African American married couple and their friends charged with first-degree murder following the attack on the Sweet's Detroit home by over 700 white neighbors. Although much has been written about Dr. Sweet and the two Sweet trials, litigated by Clarence Darrow, this play imagines the perspective of Gladys Sweet and the women who populated her life. It is about what women do, and have always done, in the shadows.
"Years of research, writing, and workshopping have finally resulted in an experience that I think audiences will find both moving and edifying." - D.L. Patrick
Written by: D.L. Patrick
Directed by: Bryana Hall
MY MOTHER AND THE MICHIGAN/OHIO WAR | The Purple Rose | April 3-March 25
The Purple Rose Theatre Company announces the third production of their 34th season, My Mother and the Michigan/Ohio War a World Premiere comedy written by Paul Stroili.
Izzy’s history buff husband Freddy had a dream: a full-scale reenactment of The Michigan-Ohio War. But when a bizarre papier-mâché accident leaves Izzy a widow, she calls on her Wolverine daughter and Buckeye son to see Freddy’s vision realized.
Written by: Paul Stroli
Directed by: Susan Angelo
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OPENING THIS WEEKEND
¡BRILLA! GLOW! | A Host of People & La Carpa Theatre | April 24-27
A Host of People, and the La Carpa Teen Ensemble, proudly presents ¡Brilla! El Despertar del Alebrije en Mi (¡Brilla! Glow! The Awakening of the Alebrijes in Me) an original, bilingual production inspired by the origin story of alebrijes, the mythical creatures imagined by Mexican artisan Pedro Linares. This playful and powerful performance will run from April 24-27, 2025, at The Senate Theater.
In ¡Brilla! Glow!, audiences are transported to 1930s Mexico City, where Pedro Linares, stricken with illness, falls into a fever dream that takes him into Prismatica, a world where alebrijes exist but remain divided by color and ideology. Believing that humans possess infinite wisdom, the creatures battle to claim Pedro as their own.
Directed by: Karilú Alarcón Forshee
THE RAT PACK LOUNGE | Meadow Brook Theatre | Runs April 23-May 18
The Rat Pack Lounge at Meadow Brook Theatre Runs April 23 – May 18, 2025, on the campus of Oakland University.
Frank, Dean, and Sammy are up in heaven, but God tells them they left some unfinished business back on Earth. It seems Frank made an unfulfilled promise to Vic, the owner of the Rat Pack Lounge. Now he and the boys have one night to make things right. With hits like “My Way,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime,” this show will leave you singing and savoring the days of highballs and high rollers.
Written by: James Hindman, Ray Roderick
Musical Arrangements by: John Glaudin
JURASSIC PARK | Planet Ant | Runs April 25 - May 10
Welcome to Jurassic Park: The Musical, a hilarious, high-energy parody of the beloved 1993 classic film. When greedy billionaire John Hammond invites a group of scientists and his grandkids to preview his groundbreaking dinosaur theme park, he promises a safe, controlled experience (cue ominous music). But when the power fails and the dinosaurs are set loose…chaos, uh, follows.
“We wanted to showcase Jurassic Park’s nostalgia, but also poke fun at things..." - Nuverre Naami
Hold onto your butts - Jurassic Park: The Musical is a prehistoric spectacle like no other!
Written & Directed by: Nuverre Naami
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST | The Encore Musical Theatre | April 24-May 4
The Encore Musical Theatre Company is delighted to present a fresh take on Oscar Wilde’s iconic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Fred Grandy as the formidable Lady Bracknell. Grandy, beloved for his role as Gopher on The Love Boat, leads a cast of rising and established talent in this timeless satire of manners, identity, and the absurdities of upper-class society.
“I am lucky enough at this point in my life and career to do the shows I want with the people I want in the places I want to do them,” says Grandy.
Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest are $57 ($55 for seniors/military, $28 for children under 12). Seating is limited in The Encore's intimate Maas Theatre space, so early booking is recommended.
Written by: Oscar Wilde (Adapted by: Jon Jory)
Directed by: Vincent J. Cardinal
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COMING SOON
SOFT TARGET | Detroit Public Theatre | Runs April 30 -June 8
Detroit Public Theatre (DPT) is thrilled to announce the cast for SOFT TARGET, a world premiere play written by Emily Kaczmarek, and directed by Jaki Bradley, who comes to DPT fresh from directing the Off-Broadway hit All Nighter. Soft Target is a new work about childhood, guns, and all the wounds we cannot see. Told from the perspective of a young girl and the toys that love her, this story is deeply imaginative and brimming with humanity, humor and hope while delving into one of the most urgent issues of our time.
“The piece is challenging, healing, moving, and invites us into the belly of a tough and terrifying issue through a profoundly human and non-polarizing lens." - Sarah Clare Corporandy, DPT Co-Producing AD
Written by: Emily Kaczmarek
Directed by: Jaki Bradley
THE MUSIC MAN | Birmingham Village Players | Runs May 2-18
Go back in time to small-town America with Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. Meet the delightful characters who populate the place. This six-time Tony-Award winning classic has entertained audiences for generations.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this delightful production. May 2-18, 2025 at Birmingham Village Players.
Directed by: Joe Vercellone
LUNGS | Tipping Point Theatre | May 7-June 1
Tipping Point Theatre’s (TPT) 17th season closes with Duncan MacMillan’s Lungs.
This smart, funny, thought-provoking play explores the lifecycle of a relationship with all the hope, betrayal, pain and humor that exemplifies our modern-day love.
Written by: Duncan MacMillan
Directed by: Julia Glander
ANNIE | The Stratford Festival | Runs May 27 - Nov. 2
The sun will come out tomorrow when the Stratford Festival begins its 2025 season with the fabulous musical Annie.
Ever-optimistic Annie makes it her job to improve the lives of everyone around her – except maybe Miss Hannigan, who has made life a misery for all the little girls in her care at the New York Municipal Orphanage.
Annieofficially opens on May 27 and runs until November 2 at the Festival Theatre.
“Where we came from and where we want to go define who and what we aspire to be – our vision shapes us,” says director Donna Feore.
“Annie... embodies the best of every human reaction to adversity and she speaks to us in a language so simple and clear that it’s hard to deny her power.”
Directed & Choreographed by: Donna Feore
Musical Direction by: Laura Burton
HEISENBERG | The Detroit Theatre Collective | Runs June 6-7
Detroit Theatre Collective is thrilled to present Heisenberg, fresh from a New York run produced by New Music Theatre Project & Rapeteta Theatre Company. The sure-to-be-provocative two-night fundraising event for DTC will be held at Matrix Theatre in southwest Detroit. The intimate performance will feature Detroit native T.M. Rawlins as Georgie Burns and Michael S. Horowitz as Alex Priest.
Doors will open at 7pm on Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th. Wine, cheese, and mingling from 7:00pm — 7:45pm; performance begins at 8:00pm.
Written by: Simon Stephens
Directed by: Mercedes Ruehl
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW | Brevity Shakespeare | Runs May 30 - June 8
The rocky courtship of two handsome young men is at the center of Brevity Shakespeare's gender-reversed version of The Taming of the Shrew. Three women gadding about Italy are taken with the lovely and charming Bianco. They resort to a variety of disguises and farcical strategies to win his sweet heart. Another young woman, Petruchia, aims to win the hand of Bianco’s older, angrier brother, Nataniele, through a campaign of misdirection and gaslighting. Two attentive parents try to advocate for their children, and two attentive servants try to advocate for their bosses, with varying degrees of success.
Written by: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Veronica Long
AND THAT'S THE RUNDOWN! There is so much going on across the state, and WE KNOW this isn't a comprehensive list. So, if you think there's something we missed, please reach out.
Until Next Time. Break Legs!
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