Brian Hilbrand

What do you get when you have a ballet dancer who dreams of making it professionally and showing the world that guys can dance too?  You have a real-life Billy Elliot story, which is happening to someone who played the titular role of Billy on the West End back home in the UK, and is now here in the US studying and training in professional ballet making his dancing dreams a reality! Not only does he dance, but he has done a few acting roles as well and even participated in a professional opera as a dancer. He is taking the role, and making it his real-life story!   At the end of the musical, we see Billy leaving his home and family to head off for training at the Royal Ballet School, so this is like getting to see the story continue beyond the stage!  Broadway World Detroit got a chance to catch up with Brodie Donougher, the last person to play the role of Billy, and see what he’s up to since his days on the West End stage 7 years ago!

Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple is a classic comedy in which a group of guys assembles for cards in the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it's no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Unger, who has just been separated from his wife. Depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born.

“The Voice” herself, Miss Sandi Patty winner of five Grammy® awards, and four Billboard Awards joins Grand Rapids Symphony for a one-night-only special Christmas concert Thursday, December 22, 2022, at 7:00 PM at DeVos Performance Hall. “Christmas Blessings” will feature classics such as “Silent Night,” “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “O Holy Night, and Winter Wonderland.” Sandi, as well as her pianist and musical director Steve Potts, join the Grand Rapids Symphony and Assistant Conductor Duo Shen for this must-see event!   We got to talk to Sandy ahead of her stop in Grand Rapids about music, career influences, as well as what we will hear in Grand Rapids.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella opens at the Grant Fine Arts Center this week, bringing back Lion Heart Productions’ first large-cast musical since Mamma Mia! In 2019.  The show is running 2 weekends, through November 12th, and is the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It's Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago”.   BroadwayWorld Michigan had a chance to speak with Director Ron Jenkins and one of the show's stars, Avery Mills playing Ella, in this classic and delightful show. Enjoy our chat and their fun answers to get you excited for the performance tonight and in the coming weeks!

What did our critic think of: Grand Rapids Symphony Season Opens With Beethovens-Fifth, Sarah Change, and The World Premier of Immortal Beloved! I was fortunate enough to kick off another season with the Grand Rapids Symphony. The 2022-2023 season marked the anniversary season conducted by Marcelo Lehninger, the symphony presented Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Brunch Violin Concerto No. 1 with special guest Sarah Chang.  They also presented the world premiere of Immortal Beloved, a piece composed by Grand Rapids Symphony musician oboist Alexander L. Miller.

Lion Heart Production’s Motherhood The Musical, written by Sue Fabisch is a musical about how having a baby is just the beginning and how motherhood is for life. Motherhood is a funny, yet loving look at being a mom at any age. It’s climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. Making its Grant stage debut, Motherhood The Musical is playing at the Grant Public Schools Fine Arts Center in Grant, Michigan Mothers Day weekend Friday, May 6th, and Saturday, May 7th

Eleven Months of Nuclear Summer is running from April 1st through April 3rd at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of The University of Notre Dame. In an original play written by Sophie McIntosh, the staff is just starting to settle into their roles at Camp Aster when an unfortunately-timed nuclear apocalypse derails their summer plans and strands them in the Maine wilderness. As the months wear on and the hope of rescue grows slimmer, camp director Dawn and her team of young employees must fight for survival while navigating interpersonal relationships, decision-making responsibilities, and disaster after endless disaster. This is the world premiere of this show and it is an all-women's cast featuring original music and underscores. We had a chance to interview one of the cast members from the show and here’s what she shared with us.

'Love, Loss, and What I Wore'  is playing through March 18th- April 2nd at St. Dunstan’s at Cranbrook Playhouse.  Written by Nora and Delia Ephron of You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle, this play is like a heart-to-heart with a dear friend over coffee (or wine). Funny. Poignant. Heartfelt. Profound. Perfect for a Girls Night Out.  Broadway World Detroit had a chance to talk recently to one of the actresses from the show and the director about their production and why you will not want to miss this show 2 years after it was originally scheduled and what it means to them now.

I was fortunate enough to get to head down to DeVos Hall for the first live event I have been to there in over two years, the last being to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the week the tour was put on pause due to Covid.   I was very excited to come back for a very special event, to not only hear a great concert but to help send off someone whom I’ve gotten to see quite a bit since starting BroadwayWorld Detroit back in 2018.  Grand Rapids Symphony, Associate Conductor John Varineau, retired in May 2021. He was recognized at an outdoor event on August 1, 2021. This concert marked his farewell, where he lead the orchestra Grand Rapids Symphony Adult Chorus.

Blue Gate Theatre’s The Christmas Tree Ship, is a new musical inspired by the true story of the famous Christmas Tree Ship, the Rouse Simmons.  The story about a ship, a storm, and a Christmas story of heroic proportions. Experience one woman's unsinkable determination to continue her husband's mission of bringing Christmas trees to their Chicago community.  The Christmas Tree Ship is currently playing at the Blue Gate Music Hall in Shipshewana, Indiana Monday- Saturday (Various times) through January 8th.

Blue Gate Theatre’s The Best Of Me - A New Musical Comedy, is a show that is about a young Amish girl, who finds herself unable to do the traditional things Amish women are know for, and finds herself with her eyes set on Broadway!  The Best of Me is currently playing at the Blue Gate Music Hall in Shipshewana, Indiana Monday- Saturday (Various times) through July 29th.

Grand Rapids Symphony presents Romeo and Juliet, the first of three new shows in the 2020 Season.  Pathwaves presented by SpartanNash, is the Symphonya??s reimagined 2020-2021 artistic seasons.  For the 2020 part of the season they are sharing the gift of music with the West Michigan community through a dynamic and innovative season of concerts, delivered via live stream. The new Pathwaves series includes varied styles of music and diverse composers, like waves of hope leading us down our communitya??s path of healing.

Blue Gate Theatrea??s A Güt Life! is a show about life on an Amish farm, and how it is full of unique challenges and rich blessings.   Presented by Amish story tellers Eliza and Simon Yoder, who give you a glimpse into their life together.  Not only does this charming show not only have jokes that will make you laugh, but it also will leave you fascinated as you learn things you may not know about the Amish lifestyle.  A Güt Life! is currently playing at the Blue Gate Music Hall in Shipshewana, Indiana Monday- Saturday (Various times) through September 5th.

The Güt Life is currently playing until September 25th at the Blue Gate Music Hall, in Shipshewana, Indiana making its theatrical debut.  The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre is the first venue in Southern Michigan/ Northern Indiana  to open back up, and I couldna??t be more excited to have a show to see!  In the spirit of welcoming back live theatre safely, I thought it would be a great idea to share some of the things that they are doing making it possible to have a safe opening for musical theatre performances.  I interviewed Andrew Rohrer VP of Sales and Marketing, for Blue Gate Hospitality, on behalf of the Blue Gate Theatre and Restaurant.  He answered some questions for what can be expected for their shows this season, and what is being done to keep the audience cast and crew safe.

Gilda's LaughFest 2020 kicked off Thursday, March 5th and goes through Sunday, March 15th. Thursday started with an opening proclamation featuring Grand Rapids Mayor Roslynn Bliss and others looking back on the last ten years and ahead to 2020. The first weekend full with events for everyone, ranging from family friendly to some adult only comedy, making it a great kick off to the event!

Jeff Foxworthy will headline the Gilda's LaughFest 10th Anniversary Signature Event. The 2020 Signature Event, A Night with Jeff Foxworthy, is a fundraiser for Gilda's Club Grand Rapids. Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. The Grammy Award nominee and best-selling author of more than 26 books is widely known for his Redneck jokes and his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature a?" a style that has been compared to Mark Twain's. The Signature Event is March, 14th, 2020 with a dinner that begins at 5:30 PM a show that follows at 8 PM.

Comedian Jeff Dunham is currently making his way across North American and Canada on his Jeff Dunham: Seriously!? Tour.  The tour will be coming to Grand Rapids, Michigan on Monday, December 30th and bringing some friends along for the ride!  You can expect Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J. and Achmed the Dead Terrorist coming along on this comedy-filled tour that promises to be full of many laughs.

Disney's The Lion King, currently playing through Sunday, December 1st at DeVos Hall. Making its Grand Rapids debut, after playing Detroit, Kalamazoo, and East Lansing in the past, Disney's The Lion King finally comes to Grand Rapids! Taking 17 full semi trailers to travel into town, It's full of the Lion King classic musical numbers and characters you know and love from the movie, and some new Musical numbers as well. They include the opening musical number a?oeCircle of Life', a?oeJust Can't Wait to Be Kinga??, to the always funny and humorous 'Hakuna Matataa?? and the moving a?oeCan You Feel the Love Tonighta??. These songs will be sure to have you singing along, having some goosebumps, and possibly some tears.

Grand Rapids Symphony presents 'Broadway Showstoppers - WEST SIDE STORY to WICKED', the second of six shows in the 2020/2019 Pops Series presented by Fox Motors. The goal of the over all series is to 'Bring back memories and create new ones with a mix of popular entertainers and musical favorites.' What would a show called Broadway Showstoppers be with without a Broadway star? How could this be made even better then to have them be sisters! Liz Callaway, and Ann Hampton Callaway.  When  each a performer in their own right, came to Grand Rapids for three nights of show tunes and other special numbers!

Mamma Mia! is playing Friday, November 8th through Saturday, November 16th at the Grant Public Schools Fine Arts Center.  Making its Grant stage debut as Lion Heart Productions 2019-2020 season musical, it is filled with hit after musical hit from the popular Swedish pop group ABBA such as 'Dancing Queen,' 'Take a Chance on Me,' 'Lay All Your Love on Me,' and many more catchy songs.  It's a unique take on the hit songs, with great costumes, and scenery as well.