Katie Laban - Page 8

Hello! Back by popular demand, The Book of Mormon, is here in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre through December 9th for a limited engagement. From the creators of South Park and Avenue Q, it was a night of theatre that they will never forget and made them laugh until they cried. This hilarious musical did not disappoint audiences on its return visit and had them amused from the first doorbell ring to very last one by the talented cast on stage.

Little Door Theatre is opening Shakespeare's Othello, the timeless, tragic tale of love, deceit, jealousy, murder. In a twist on the classic Shakespearean play, Little Door Theatre will be setting the tragedy in a puppet theatre with Iago, Othello's nemesis, as the "puppet mastermind" behind the whole operation. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Othello cast member, Mark Zito, about his role of Iago, why this production is special, and more. Here is what he had to say:

The Book of Liz, a play by Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris, is currently running through December 16th at the Monster Box Theatre in Waterford. The Sedaris' are known for their comedic writing and this play does not let the audience down, nor does the production at the Monster Box Theatre - it is truly a laugh fest from beginning to end. It is kind of hard not to laugh at a parish who keeps to themselves and their community is supported by the production of cheeseballs. It takes a very special theatre to execute the comedy well and Monster Box Theatre did just that.

Most people know the story of Peter Pan, but Stagecrafters is telling story of how he started his journey in Peter and the Starcatcher, which is currently running through December 16th at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak. The play is the fantastical adventure about how Peter Pan came to be and is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Scott with music by Wayne Barker. The exquisite staging and talented cast of Stagecrafter's Peter and the Starcatcher takes the audience on a journey they will not forget about the how Peter Pan became the legend that he is.

East Lansing's engagement of the Tony Award nominated Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof is coming to Wharton Center December 4th to December 9th, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at Wharton Center' official ticketing outlets: online at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office at Wharton Center, or by calling 1-800-Wharton. 

Chicago is in currently at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. The razzle dazzle of the late 1920s is captivating audiences telling the story of Roxie Hart, housewife and nightclub dancer, who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she tricks the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. The show has been running on Broadway for over 20 years and here are ten reasons why you should see Chicago before it leaves Detroit!

Get ready for that razzle-dazzle Detroit, you are in for a special treat - Chicago is back in the Motor City from October 16th through the 21st at the Fisher Theatre! It is the story of Roxie Hart, housewife and nightclub dancer, who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she tricks the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. And Detroit, there's an extra special surprise in store for us - Youtube sensation and Broadway star, Todrick Hall is reprising the role of Billy Flynn here in Detroit for one week only! BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Todrick Hall about stepping back into the world of Chicago, what he loves about theatre, and what's next for him. Plus, he even answered some questions that were tweeted in to us (@BWW_Detroit) by some of his very loyal friends. Check out what Todrick had to say below!

Whodunit? The Ringwald. In the fall. With the candlestick. Clue, the 1985 cult classic comedy, is currently running through November 5th at the theatre in Ferndale. Jonathan Lynn, director and screenwriter of beloved comedy, personally created this stage adaption with additional material by Hunter Foster, Eric Price, and Sandy Rustin so fans of the film will be happy to know that the clever and quotable wordplay remains largely intact with brand-new twists and tricks! BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Donny Riedel who plays Wadsworth in show about comedic play, his character, and why audiences will have an amazing experience at Clue.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies will perform in Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall starting Tuesday, October 9th through Sunday, October 14th as part of the MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center Series. The brand-new touring production features an extensive re-working of the material by an Australian creative team for the original Australian premiere in 2011. Directed by Simon Phillips, known for Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, with new set and costume designs by Gabriela Tylesova, choreography by 2011 Astaire Awards winner Graeme Murphy, lighting design by Nick Schlieper, and sound design by Mick Potter, the show is one of the few instances of a major West End musical being given a complete makeover for subsequent productions. The year is 1907, ten years after the disappearance of the Phantom from the Paris Opera House and he's escaped to a new life in New York where he lives among the freak shows at Coney Island. He finally found a place for his music to soar, but he never stopped yearning for his one true love, Christine Daae, and lures her, Raoul, and their young son to New York not knowing what's in store for them. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to interview Erin Chupinsky, who grew up in Michigan and is currently on tour with Love Never Dies, about how much she loves the show and how great it is to be performing in her home state.

Outvisible Theatre Company commenced their third season with a world premiere production of Unsportsmanlike Conduct, which opened September 21st in Allen Park. The play, winner of the Detroit New Works Festival, by Jeff Stolzer is being produced at a time where society, particularly young people, are largely engaged with and affected by the #MeToo movement, which the work aims to highlight accordingly to the theatre company. Unsportsmanlike Conduct is about a cocktail waitress who after spending the night with an NFL quarterback rebuffs his sexual advances the following morning and discovers his romantic pillow talk was manipulative and insincere. Upset by his deceit and lies, she leaves. But they will meet again - first in his attorney's conference room and then in a court of law - after she accuses of him of date rape. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with director, Adriane Galea, quickly about working with the world premiere show and why it is important.

The classic comic face, Arsenic and Old Lace, by Joseph Kesserlring is kicking off Meadow Brook Theatre's 53rd season is opening this week and running through October 28th in Rochester. Two sweet, older ladies who look like they wouldn't hurt a fly have been adding a dash of something special to their elderberry wine - poison. But what happens when their nephew, his fiancee, his uncle (who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt), and a bunch of other colorful characters come to visit? Hysterical chaos, that's what! BroadwayWorld Detroit had chance to talk with director, Travis W. Walter, and Mary Robin Roth, who plays the role of Abby, about the hilarious Arsenic and Old Lace before it opens this week.

The hysterical, gory tradition of Evil Dead: The Musical is returning to the City Theatre starting September 27th inside Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit. The cult classic is a favorite here in the Motor City, which is the reason it is back for a tenth season packed full of talented local cast members - some brand new and others excitedly welcomed back. Evil Dead: The Musical is based on Sam Raimi's 1980's cult classic films and have all the horror, gore, and theatre campiness that audience members want. Director and producer, Jamie Warrow, took time out of her busy schedule before the show opens on September 27th at the City Theatre to speak with BroadwayWorld Detroit about her love for the production, what it has been liking working on it for the past ten years, and what makes this year of Evil Dead: The Musical so special.

Something Rotten! is a completely original new musical directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, known for his work on The Book of Mormon and Disney's Aladdin that is opening the Broadway in Detroit season on September 25th at the Fisher Theatre. The hilarious new musical comedy tells the story of brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, stuck in the shadow of Renaissance rockstar, Will Shakespeare. When the next big thing in theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world's very first musical! BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Michigan-born Julian Burzynski Jr., an ensemble member in the show, who is loving every moment of being part of the show before it opens here on September 25th in Detroit. 'It's definitely a show for everyone. People who love musical theatre or want to get more into musical theatre,' he said. 'It's truly incredible and hilarious.' Here is what else he had to say about Something Rotten!, life on tour, and coming back to Michigan.

The Hilberry Theatre is kicking off their 56th anniversary with the hilarious musical, Avenue Q, opening this Friday, September 21st in Detroit. The musical with book and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx is a three-time Tony Award winning show, including Best Musical, has been shocking and amusing audiences since it debuted in 2003. What makes Avenue Q different than any other show? It's a hilarious adult-only spoof done with puppets that will keep the audience laughing from the very first musical number until the last note is finishes. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Matthew Smith, a member of the Hilberry Company, who plays Nicky in Avenue Q about the show, the puppetry, and why everyone should come out for fulfilling night of laughter.

Get ready to rock, East Lansing! School of Rock - the Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's high-octane Broadway and West End hit, is coming to the Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall starting September 18thas part of the MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center Series. The show is based on the hit 2003 film of the same name, features music from the movie, as well as an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and so much more! School of Rock will make the audience laugh, excite them with the incredible music, and astound them with the impressive cast. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with the one of the talented young performers, Mystic Inscho, about the show and life on tour.

Stagecrafters current production is anything but tame, it's wild! The provocative and tantalizing show, The Wild Party, with book, music, and lyrics by former Oak Park resident Andrew Lippa, will keep the audience on the edge of their seats until last beat drops.The Wild Party is currently running at the Baldwin Theatre until September 30th in downtown Royal Oak and definitely not a party to be missed!

Southgate Community Players Young People's Theatre production of Disney's The Lion King Jr. opens Friday, September 14th in Southgate. The show takes the audience on a journey to the African savannah in this classic Disney tale that follows the adventurous Simba, a young lion cub, whose destiny to become king puts him in imminent danger to his Uncle Scar's desire for the throne. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak Reece Culverhouse who plays Nala, Simba's best friend in the show, before it opens this weekend.

This weekend in honor of Matthew Shepard, 20 years after his murder, The Ringwald presents a four-show engagement of The Laramie Project, a landmark play by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. Performances begin Friday, September 14th and run through Monday, September 17th at The Ringwald in Ferndale. The Laramie Project remains an important piece of work in the political climate of 2018 and is an inspiration for director and Ringwald co-founder, Brandy Joe Plambeck, who is also a Wyoming native. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with the director before the show opens this weekend.

Baskerville - A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, wrote by comedic genius Ken Ludwig, is opening this Friday, September 7th at the Riverbank Theatre in Marine City. It is a fast-pasted comedy about everyone's favorite detective solving his most notorious case. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery of 'The Hound of Baskerville' before a family curse dooms its newest heir. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Eric Niece, one of five cast members in show, before it opens this week for some insider details to Ludwig's hysterical mystery.

The Wild Party is set to be a dazzling good time at Stagecrafters opening September 7th in Royal Oak. Set in the Roaring Twenties, it's the Jazz Age, prohibition is in full swing, postwar America is booming with an insatiable appetite for new fashions, fad appetite, vaudeville stars Queenie and her lover, Burrs, live a decadent life. In order to relieve their boredom, they decide to throw a party where everyone drinks and parties with abandon, and the two begin a dangerous flirting game, taunting each to the brink of violence. Pushed to limit, Burrs is close to losing control, and he has a gun. The Wild Party is dark, brilliant show with a thrilling, pitch-perfect score. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Jerry Haines, the director of The Wild Party, at Stagecrafters before it opens on September 7th in Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak.