The Rundown | June 12, 2025
- John Sloan III
- Jun 12
- 10 min read
Welcome to THE RUNDOWN, a quick hit highlight of what's on stage in Michigan. And Away We Go! No reason for a long preamble; there's a lot playing this week across The Mitten, so get out there and see a show!
Four Weeks, You Rehearse and Rehearse
Three Weeks and It Couldn't Be Worse
One Week, Will It Ever Be Right?
Then Out of the Hat...
PLACES PLEASE, THIS IS YOUR PLACES CALL!
Here's THE RUNDOWN for Thursday, June 12, 2025.
CLOSING SOON
THE LOVE LIST | ThumbCoast Live Theatres | Runs May 3-June 15
Thumbcoast Live Theatres present The Love List, at The Riverbank Theatre May 3 through June 15.
The ideal woman? She does exist!
As a birthday gift, Leon buys Bill a match-making service run by a gypsy woman who guarantees to find the perfect match. The only catch is that Bill has to define his perfect match by writing his top ten desired qualities on a Love List. When the woman of his dreams shows up the next morning Bill is blown away to hilarious effect.
Directed by: Mycah Artis
RIDE THE CYCLONE | Farmer's Alley Theatre | Runs May 29 - June 15
Put on your safety belt and keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times, as Farmers Alley Theatre presents a delightfully weird musical that’s just plain delightful.
The Kalamazoo premiere of Ride the Cyclone, is a 90-minute thrill ride of a musical, running May 29th through June 15th.
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived.
Directed & Choreographed by: Leonard E. Sullivan
Music Direction by: Brendan Hollins
LOVE, WAR AND JAZZ | Aux Media | June 14, 2025
Michigan composers will be in concert on a national touring show in Detroit on June 14, 2025. Love, War and Jazz is based on the true story of soldier-musicians who served in WWI Paris, bringing jazz for the first time. The composers are Heather Buchanan and Detroit Music Awards winner Tracy Kash, Best Jazz Vocalist.
The show is at the acclaimed Marygrove Theatre, where premiere shows take place. The cast features world-class vocalists Angela Celeste May and Smada Adams. The emcee is Detroit film awards winner Grover McCants.
Sponsored Content
STRATFORD & MICHIGAN: A Cultural Connection Across Borders
Stratford isn’t just a place for theatre—it’s a place to breathe. Nestled along the Avon River, the town offers a sense of calm that contrasts beautifully with the intensity of the stage. There’s a rhythm here: grab coffee in a quiet café, see a show, talk about it in the park, then maybe catch another.
It was this atmosphere that kept me coming back, summer after summer...
NOW PLAYING
COVENANT | The Detroit Repertory Theatre | Runs May 16 - July 6
Two years after his sudden disappearance, struggling guitarist Johnny “Honeycomb” James returns to his small town a blues star, sparking rumors that he may have made a deal with the devil to attain his musical genius. Inspired by the myth of Robert Johnson, this haunting, Gothic play explores the power of belief and tests the thin veil between rumor and truth.
Written by: York Walker
Directed by: Will Bryson
THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL | www.stratfordfestival.ca
ANNIE | 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
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS | Runs May 29 - Oct 25
Prepare for the Avon Theatre to be transformed into the glamorous French Riviera as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels hits the stage tomorrow, offering huge laughs and high energy. It showcases exhilarating performances by Shakura Dickson as Christine Colgate, Jonathan Goad as Lawrence Jameson, Liam Tobin as Freddy Benson, Sara-Jeanne Hosie as Muriel Eubanks, Derek Kwan as Andre Thibault, and Michele Shuster as Jolene Oakes.
Shakura Dickson ("Christine") sat down recently for an interview with Encore's John Sloan III. Stay tuned for the piece dropping soon!
THE WINTER'S TALE | Runs May 30 - September 27
Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino’s production of The Winter’s Tale starts performances today, opening the Tom Patterson Theatre for the 2025 season. Filled with sprightly comedy, heartwarming serendipity and fantastical surprises, this beautiful play features a stellar cast led by Graham Abbey as Leontes, Yanna McIntosh as Paulina and Sara Topham as Paulina.
Blinded by jealousy, King Leontes falsely accuses his pregnant wife of infidelity, setting into motion a series of catastrophes that will destroy his wife and son and leave his infant daughter abandoned to the elements on a distant island. Seeing the folly of his ways, Leontes vows to live out his days atoning for his actions. Sixteen years later, the king is offered an unlikely chance at redemption.
SHEAR MADNESS | Meadow Brook Theatre | Runs May 28 - June 22
Shear Madness gives audiences a chance to help figure out “whodunit” and determine the direction the show will take each night.
This unique comedy-whodunit takes place today in the Shear Madness hair salon and is chock full of up-to-the minute spontaneous humor. During the course of the action, a murder is committed and the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the funniest mystery in the annals of crime. The outcome is never the same, which is why many audience members return again and again to the scene of the mayhem.
Written by: Paul Portner
Directed by: Travis W. Walter
JORGE LUIS BORGES GIVES A LECTURE ON ANATOMY | Theatre Nova
Runs June 6 - 29
Theatre NOVA presents the World Premiere of Jorge Borges Gives a Lecture on Anatomy by Carla Milarch, with music by Michael Riccinto, June 6 -29, 2025.
In a magical reality, inside a labyrinth, the famed Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges gives a lecture. Inspired by Borges’ short stories, and featuring his poetry set to music, this dreamlike play takes us into the fantastical world of one of literature’s most outrageous imaginations.
"I’ve been fascinated by Borges for years — his stories are full of hidden worlds, heartbreak, and wonder. " - Carla Milarch, Playwright
Written by: Carla Milarch
Directed by: Kat Walsh
HAROLD'S BIG BREAK | Planet Ant | Runs June 6 - 21
Enter a world of absurdist comedy. Harold’s Big Break takes aim at Hollywood and corporations all while bringing big laughs to its audience.
Brewligan's Coffee has a PR crisis on its hands. They look to create a groundbreaking commercial to distract the public from their evil scandal. Enter Harold, a no name actor looking for his big break. As the commercial shoot progresses, hell on earth unfolds.
Harold’s Big Break contains over the top ridiculousness guaranteed to make the audience crack up. It could be seen as a fun comedy but after closer inspection, the show explores themes of fame, greed, and bravery.
Written & Directed by:
Randall Floyd Cooper
Looking for talent? Teaching a workshop? Hiring new staff?
We've got you! Post your audition notice, job, or workshop information with Encore Michigan and reach thousands of performing arts professionals across the state. Your posting will get in front of people who want to audition, work, and learn at arts orgs statewide.
Posting is simple and easy!
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
FORGIVENESS | June 18 - Sept 27
Forgiveness, the story of two families profoundly affected by the events of the Second World War, starts performances at the Stratford Festival today. This deeply moving stage adaptation, written by Hiro Kanagawa and directed by Stafford Arima, is based on the Canada Reads-winning memoir Forgiveness: A Gift From My Grandparents by Mark Sakamoto.
Led by Yoshie Bancroft and Jeff Lillico, the play spans two generations and two families who in their union live as a testament to the power of choosing forgiveness over hatred.
Written by: Hiro Kanagawa
Directed by: Stafford Arima
SENSE & SENSIBILITY | June 19 - Oct 20
Mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen with a trip to the Stratford Festival for a beautiful and captivating production of Sense and Sensibility. Filled with simmering gossip, swooning assemblies and fierce wit, Kate Hamill’s stage adaptation of the classic novel hits the stage today. Directed by Daryl Cloran and led by Jessica B. Hill and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane, this tale of sisters bound by love is a pure Regency Period delight.
“This is a story about love in its many forms. Romantic love. Love between sisters. Love between a mother and her daughters,” says Cloran
Get A Gig!
Wanna be booked and busy?!
Check out the Encore Michigan jobs board to find opportunities across the state.
COMING SOON
LIMITLESS: A GHOSTLIGHT GALA | The GhostLight Arts Initiative | June 29
The GhostLight Arts Initiative (GLAI) is proud to announce the inaugural GhostLight Gala, taking place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Garden Theatre. This unique, one-night-only event will celebrate five seasons of the Obsidian Theatre Festival (OTF), recognize two legendary figures in Detroit’s arts community, and launch a bold new chapter for GhostLight’s mission-driven work in the performing arts.
“Limitless: A GhostLight Gala — Ignite the Possibilities,” will feature screenings of never-before seen content (Obsidian Theatre Festival) along with several incredible theatrical performances.
The event will also honor two legendary artists with local roots and international acclaim. Njia Kai – Legendary Detroit cultural arts producer and curator is the founder of NKSK Events + Production, and Dr. George Shirley – The first African American tenor to perform a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera, professor at The University of Michigan, and a National Medal of Arts recipient. Both awards will bear the names of their inaugural recipients, as future honorees will receive The Njia Kai Award for Arts Activism & Community Engagement and The George Shirley Award for Excellence in Artistic Performance.
GhostLight is the parent organization for Encore Michigan. Proceeds will benefit The Obsidian Theatre Festival, Encore Michigan, Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference, and more.
Directed by: John Sloan III
Music Direction by: Brian E. Buckner
MY SUMMER AT CAMP-O-CHE-MO | July 17-19
Buckham Alley Theatre is excited to announce a special stage reading of the original play My Summer at Camp-O-CHE-MO. The performances will take place at the Hospitality House at McLaren Flint (G-3170 Beecher Road) on July 17th and 18th at 7 PM, and July 19th at 2 PM. The piece tells the poignant story of a retired schoolteacher and her diverse group of fellow patients navigating the challenges of chemotherapy treatments with humor, hope, and camaraderie.
Written by: Carol Kushion and Richard W. Hingst
BERT & TRIXIE VISIT THE VET | The Purple Rose Theatre | Runs June 20 - Aug. 31
The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) announces the final production of their 34th season, Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet a World Premiere comedy written by Matt Letscher.
Four pets in a veterinarian’s waiting room plan an escape when they suspect one of them is in danger. A comedy about what it means to truly be free. This production of “Bert & Trixie Visit the Vet” contains adult content and may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
Written by: Matt Letscher
Directed by: Rhiannon Ragland
INCIDENT OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP | Williamston Theatre |
Runs June 26-Aug 3 | www.williamstontheatre.org
Mid-Michigan’s award-winning professional theatre company, finishes off Season 18 with the Michigan Premiere of Incident
at Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Katie Forgette. Performances for this production begin Thursday, June 26 and run through Sunday, August 3. Tickets are now on sale.
It’s 1973: Nixon is president, bell bottoms are in, and Aerosmith is releasing their first album. Nineteen-
year-old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into a hilarious crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest.
This wild and tender comedy explores the foolishness of first love, the pains of Catholic
guilt, and ultimately, the power of family.
Written by: Katie Forgette.
Directed by: Karen Sheridan
THE BOOK OF MORMON | The Wharton Center | Runs June 19-22
Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON, returns to East Lansing for a limited engagement from June 19–22, 2025, at Wharton Center.
Since opening on March 24, 2011, THE BOOK OF MORMON has become one of the most successful shows in Broadway history, breaking the Eugene O’Neill Theatre house record more than 50 times. The tour is directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.
Date/Time: Thurs, June 19 – Sun, June 22, 2025
|
NEW SUMMER LINEUP | Tipping Point Theatre | Beginning July 17
Tipping Point Theatre (TPT) announces a brand-new collection of summer performances beginning on July 17, 2025. “You can count on Detroit talent to bring the fun” states TPT Artistic Director Julia Glander. “We are excited to kick back with the Planet Ant Home Team led by Tipping Point Theatre favorite, Dave Davies, for three nights of improv comedy to lead off our Summer Sessions. Then, returning Detroiter Michelle Murphy transports audiences back to her 13-year-old self at summer camp in her critically-acclaimed one person show, Keeper. Plus, audiences can enjoy our outdoor patio and courtyard with a beer or a glass of wine before each show—a true Michigan summer treat!”
NOW. HEAR. THIS. | Inspired Acting Company | Runs July 11-27
Inspired Acting Company debuts Now. Hear. This., a musical from the creators of [title of show].
This lively and introspective musical revolves around four friends in a science museum as they navigate through life's challenges and triumphs, delving into themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. The show, which wraps the theatre’s second season, will feature Dawn Rasnick, Mike Sandusky, Diana Turner, and Antonio Vettraino.
“Now. Here. This. is a beautiful reminder of how messy, funny, and deeply moving it is to simply be alive." - Artistic Director Jeff Thomakos
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!
Get featured in THE RUNDOWN!
Email press@encoremichigan.com ATTN: THE RUNDOWN.
Make sure to get your info to us by Wednesday morning to make it into the Thursday edition.
