Katie Laban - Page 6

Slipstream Theatre Initiative is having a conversation that is long past due - gun violence. It's one they admit is uncomfortable, upsetting, and can make you cringe, but it is a topic that is long past time and very necessary right now. Now in their fifth season, Slipstream has always been determined to pair its productions with socially relevant issues and On The Exhale is no different. The one-woman play is set in a situation that could be a TED Talk or a college lecture and focuses on a woman whose second-grade son was killed in a school shooting. Through a recounting of the event and her irrational reaction, the audience is forced to question what it takes to become a mass shooter. Instead of describing a monster that none of us could imagine being, she describes the obsession with control, power, and life that goes hand in hand with being a gun owner. She exposes the human instincts behind turning in to a shooter. We realize soon realize that given the right set of circumstances, we are subject to becoming the thing we most fear. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Slipstream's Artistic Director, Bailey Boudreau, about being director of this significant piece of art and why it is an important for audiences to explore it even though the content may be uncomfortable to them. Take a moment to read our insightful interview with Bailey to understand his passion about On The Exhale and the social issues the it revolves around.

When you see a high student support another high school student that is one of the best moments you can ever witness, but when you see over 2,000 students support one another the experience is astounding and one you will never forget! This was exactly the experience that happened at the Fisher Theatre on Thursday morning for the Hamilton Education Program, better known as EduHam, when the second of the two high school only Hamilton matinee performances happened. The students were greeted by Chaundre Hall-Broomfield, who plays Hercules Mulligan / James Madison, and then selected student took the stage to perform original projects inspired by their analysis of primary source materials and lyrics from the musical. That was followed by a Q & A with some members of the Angelica Tour company of Hamilton that is currently here in Detroit as part of the Broadway in Detroit season and the special matinee student performance. It was an experience that these students will never forget!

The residents of Flint and Ann Arbor, Michigan were treated to a very special event because of the University Musical Society (UMS): Yo-Yo Ma visited as part the performer's two-year journey to perform Six Suites for Solo Cello as a catalyst for social action and it marks the first time Ma extended the model beyond the Bach Project to a broader audience. Ma's visit was two-days filled of activities including a talk by him in the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium on 'Culture, Understanding, and Survival,' as well as a Day of Action in Flint, Michigan with the theme, 'Flint Voices: Culture, Community, and Resilience.' At the Day of Action, Ma worked with community partners to transform lives and forge both a more connected world and a healthy and vibrant local community with the goal of the session to find new opportunities for collaborations across Flint's cultural communities and organizations. The strategy session was followed up by a community cultural show that was a celebration of Flint's vitality, diversity, and artistry. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with two of people heavily involved in brining Yo-Yo Ma and his Day of Action event to Michigan - Jim Leija (director of education & community engagement for UMS) and Natasha Thomas-Jackson (Flint-based arts advocate). Read our interview with them to see why this was an important event:

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, the 2013 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, is here this weekend only for a limited engagement with three performances left - Saturday night and two shows on Sunday - at the Fox Theatre in Detroit as part of the Fox Theatre Series. With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Cinderella combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

When I found out Andrew Rannells was writing a book I was immediately excited! Ever since I had the opportunity to see Rannells in The Book of Mormon, he has become one of my favorite actors - both in theatre and television. I couldn't wait to read all about his life and how he got where he is today - plus read stories about the amazing theatre productions, tv shows, and films that he has been in. You know those memes of 'expectations vs. reality' where the 'reality' is never quite living up to the 'expectations?' That was this book and my ideas about it except the only upside about the 'reality' of Too Much Is Not Enough was that it is a really good read for an autobiography. The actual story itself is just not what I expected, but to be fair, this is a far more interesting story that we are given as readers. It's definitely one I never expected to read with how intimate he let us get.

Rodger's + Hammerstein's Cinderella, the 2013 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, is here this weekend for a limited engagement at the Fox Theatre in Detroit as part of the Fox Theatre Series. With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Cinderella combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a moment to speak with Sarah Smith, currently on the road with Cinderella, about her character and the magical show. Read our conversation with her below to get excited when Rodger's Hammerstein's Cinderella comes to Detroit for a magical time this weekend!

I And You is the final play in Wharton Center's Illuminate Series that runs this weekend, Friday and Sunday, for two performances only and the limited-engagement of Lauren Gunderson's play is sure to leave audiences wanting more. One afternoon, Anthony (Greg Hunter) arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline's (Tess Galbiati) door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, with an urgent assignment from their English teacher. Homebound, Caroline hasn't been to school in months, but she is as quick and funny as Anthony is athletic, sensitive, and popular. As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, this poetry project unlocks the deep mystery that has brought them together. I And You is a funny and touching ode to youth, life, love, and the strange beauty of human connectedness with an eye-popping, heart-pounding, and totally unexpected ending. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Bert Goldstein, the director of I And You, about the show and how it's special. Check out what he had to say below:

Love always deserves another chapter. Or at least that is the theme of Neil Simon's 1978 Tony Award winning play, Chapter Two, that St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook is opening up this week with in Bloomfield Hills. George is deeply is saddened by the death of his wife of 12 years and urged by his brother, Leo, to start dating again. After Leo arranges some disastrous blind dates, George meets Jennie and they fall in love and marry - after two weeks of dating! The romantic comedy explores what it means to truly love someone and if you can find a soul mate more than one life your life. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Paul Dorset, the director of Chapter Two, on this lesser known Neil Simon play, why it is special, and how it can bring joy to audiences - just like it brought joy to Paul when he first encountered it. Plus, if the comedy in this interview is any inkling of the amusement we can expect from Paul's cast in Chapter Two, we know we are in for lots of laughter in the show!

Boeing Boeing is opening this weekend on March 22nd at Stagecrafters Main Stage in Royal Oak. The hilarious, fast-paced farced is about Bernard, a happy bachelor who has carefully arranged his life so that his three stewardess fiancees don't land on his door step at the same time. Everything is fine until Boeing develops a faster jet, wreaking havoc on his schedule when all three girlfriends land at the same time for a visit - Bernard flies into a full-blown panic! Filled with dizzying twists and turns and door-slamming entrances and exits, Boeing Boeing is a classic bedroom farce that won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a moment to speak with Erica Gunaca, who plays one of the girlfriends in the show, Gabriella, as she is getting ready for it to open about the hilarious show to get Detroit theatre fans excited about Stagecrafters' Boeing Boeing!

Before Wendy, before he was Captain Hook, before a boy was given the name Peter Pan, and before there was a Neverland, there was a starcatcher Apprentice named Molly, a pirate named Black Stache, and a nameless orphan. Together, they are about to be thrown in a dangerous yet wildly hilarious adventure on the high seas. Until March 24th,  audiences can go on an adventure with Molly, the Black Stache, the Orphans, and the Boy Who Would Not Grow Up - take a look at the pictures of this magical production of Peter and the Starcatcher!

Runyonland Productions will present Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, inspired by the Kaufman and Hart play of the same name, in concert on February 28th - March 1st at 7:30pm at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in Ann Arbor, MI. Original Broadway lead actress Ann Morrison will be in attendance opening night, along with others from the 1981 production.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is the exciting musical adaptation that features a thrilling original rock score of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan is playing the Fisher Theatre from February 26th through March 9th in Detroit. The book series has sold more than 100 million copies of book series sold worldwide and the theatrical production had a sold-out run in New York City where it earned three Drama Desk Award nominations including Best Musical. As the son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can't control, monsters on his trail, and is on a quest to find Zeus' lightning bolt to prevent a war between the Greek gods. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Chris McCarrell, who originated the role of Percy Jackson and is currently touring with the show as him, about why fans of the book will love The Lightning Thief and random theatre-goers will be entertained as well - plus so much more! Check out what Chris had to say below:

Raw human emotion is something that all theatres hope to achieve when putting on any type production, Tipping Point Theatre did just that with their musical experience of Jason Robert Brown's The Last FiveYears. The emotional and unconventional musical is the intimate telling of relationship of a young couple from beginning to end that weaves all their endearing qualities and flaws in a way that leaves audiences constructing their own opinions on where the relationship went wrong. The audience witnesses Jamie (played by Nick Yocum) and Cathy (played by Angie Kane Ferrante) be human and experience human emotions filled with love, anger, defeat, sadness, opinions, defiance, hope, and more - all told through song. The show is currently playing until March 3rd at the Northville theatre and the exquisite cast is ready to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

The Little Door Theatre is tackling a new endeavor with their first full-length Theatre for Young Audiences production of The Snow Queen that runs February 22nd through March 3rd at the theatre in Warren. Based on the beloved Hans Christian Anderson tale, kids of all ages will be delighted by The Snow Queen, a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and coming age. The audience joins Gerda as she sets out to save her best friend, Kai, from the icy hand of the Snow Queen. Along the way, Gerda encounters robbers, witches, royalty and a talking reindeer as her adventures take her closer to saving her friend. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Shannon Hurst, The Snow Queen's director and Little Door Theatre's owner and artistic director, about the show, what it takes to put on a youth theatre play, and what type of magic audiences can expect in The Snow Queen. Check out what she has to say below!

Get ready to laugh as The Play That Goes Wrong arrives February 12th at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit! The hilarious Tony-Award winning hit Broadway comedy is co-written by Mischief Theatre company members' Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields about the fictitious Cornley University Drama Society who are attempting to put on a 1920s' murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong, does! Scott Cote is on the road with the first national tour play and BroadwayWorld Detroit had moment to speak with him about the show, his role of Dennis, and why the play is a hilarious riot that should not be missed!

Tipping Point Theatre is bringing The Last Five Years to life from January 26th to March 3rd in Northville. Jason Robert Brown's emotional and unconventional musical is the intimate telling of relationship of a young couple from beginning to end that weaves all their endearing qualities and flaws in a way that leaves audiences constructing their own opinions on where the relationship went wrong. The audience witnesses Jamie (played by Nick Yocum) and Cathy (played by Angie Kane Ferrante) be human and experience human emotions filled with love, anger, defeat, sadness, opinions, defiance, hope, and more - all told through song. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Angie Kane Ferrante about her love of theatre, why The Last Five Years is so special, and it what is like to be returning to role of Cathy again. Check out what she had to say below!

The Village Players of Birmingham are kicking off the new year with an uproarious and zany comedy, Inspecting Carol, opening this weekend, January 18th and running through February 3rd in Birmingham. Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre's annual slapdash production of A Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish, and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. When an impossibly bad actor is mistakenly identified as the inspector, the troupe does everything to accommodate his craziest wishes. Mistaken identities lead to side-splitting comedy as opening night draws and it seems only a Christmas miracle will save this production! Ashely Lane is making her directorial debut at The Village Players of Birmingham after directing at the Emerald City Theatre and Farmington High School. Lane was very passionate and excited to discuss with BroadwayWorld Detroit her love of the arts and why Inspecting Carol is such a fun and special show everyone should see. Check out her interview below!

RENT is coming back to Detroit! The Detroit engagement is part of the 20th Anniversary Tour and will be here from January 8th -20th at the Fisher Theatre. In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson's RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. The Pulitzer Prize and Tony-Award winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A reimagining of Puccini's La Boheme, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Logan Marks, who plays the role of Mark in the 20thAnniversary Tour of RENT, about the show, his iconic role, and why RENT is still going strong 20 years later. Check out our conversation below!

The Moscow Ballet is returning to Detroit this weekend to danceThe Great Russian Nutcracker for three special performances at The Fox Theatre. There is something very special about this tour called "Musical Wunderkind," which is youth musicians in every city accompanying the Moscow Ballet's principal ballerinas in Saint Saen's "Dying Swan" from Carnival of the Animals, now commonly known as the influence for Odette's movement's in Swan Lake, in many cities on the national tour. The Wunderkind, each in their respective cities, rehearse with the principal ballerina and open the Great Russian Nutcracker in a duo of musician and ballerina to the delight of audiences. Detroit audiences will have the pleasure of seeing local violinist, Kelly Deng, perform on stage with the company during the 8pm show. Deng has been playing since she was six years old and could not be more excited to be chosen as the Detroit Musical Wunderkind for the Moscow Ballet. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a few moments to speak with her about the honor, what it is like to play from such a young age, and why Detroit should come see The Great Russian Nutcracker this weekend at The Fox Theatre.

The Ringwald Theatre is always throwing surprising twists at their audiences and this holiday season is no different. Taking a break from their usual SantaLand Diaries, they are ready to bring on the laughs with Merry Christmas to Everyone! (Except Christina), a brand-new play - think of it as a Mommie Dearest Christmas - the perfect Christmas spoof we never knew we needed until now! It weaves together Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, A Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mommie Dearest, and your other gay and/or Christmas favorites. It's a big gay Christmas gift from your favorite Ferndale theatre that is directed by Dyan Bailey and stars Joe Bailey as Joan Crawford, Richard Payton as The Ghosts, Brandy Joe Plambeck as Christina Crawford, and Kevin Kaminski as Christopher Crawford. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with founders and married couple of The Ringwald Theatre, Joe Bailey and Brandy Joe Plambeck, to discuss the theatre, the show, and campy twists that everyone always expects from The Ringwald - the best part about the interview, BWW Detroit spoke with them each separately, so it was really fun to see where they think alike and differ!