CANCER! THE MUSICAL Returns to Detroit 11/9

Planet Ant Theatre will present a remounted production of the award-winning Cancer! The Musical from November 9 through December 15 at the Boll Theatre located inside the downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA. Throughout the run, a portion of ticket sales will benefit Gilda's Club Metro Detroit.

The brainchild of Tom Donnellon, a cancer survivor and surgeon with HOPE Surgical (Port Huron), the show tells the tale of a researcher who believes he has the cure for cancer, a rival pharmaceutical exec who wants to steal the cure, and a surgeon who needs it to save the woman he loves. Donnellon co-wrote the book with his brother, Second City Detroit alumn and Planet Ant Artistic Director Shawn Handlon (Harper Woods). For the score, the brothers enlisted local musician and Second City musical director John Edwartowski (Harper Woods) and penned 15 original songs. For this remounted production, Handlon will direct with Edwartowski as Musical Director. The production will feature Dustin Gardner (Pleasant Ridge), Britta Peele (Harrison Township), Kelly Rossi (Grosse Pointe Park), David Schoen (Dearborn), Jamen Spitzer (Ferndale), and Dez Walker (Royal Oak).

Originally staged at Detroit's Abreact Theater in fall of 2005, Cancer! The Musical has enjoyed several engagements including Planet Ant Theatre in May 2006 and what is now the Elizabeth Theatre at the Park Bar in May 2011. In 2007 it was featured off Broadway in the New York City International Fringe Festival where it garnered critical praise for its clever, creative, and insightful handling of cancer's effect on the lives of everyday people, doctors and the healthcare industry.

For the musical's engagement at the downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA, a portion of the show's ticket sales will benefit Gilda's Club Metro Detroit which provides a social and emotional support program for men, women, teens and children living with cancer, their families and friends in a nonresidential, home-like setting at no cost to its participants. Gilda's Club Metro Detroit was named in tribute to Gilda Radner, comedienne and Second City alum, who died of ovarian cancer in 1989.

"Just as shows like Menopause the Musical & The Vagina Monologues helped to defuse their taboo subjects, Cancer! The Musical allows people to talk about cancer and no longer view it as a dirty or scary word that shouldn't be talked about. The 'c' word." Stated Debbie Taxe, Development Director for Gilda's Club Metro Detroit. "At Gilda's Club, we fully support people talking about their cancers and both giving and receiving support to others while they go through their journeys. Cancer! The Musical is a wonderful example of embracing life, no matter the outcome."

Tickets for Cancer! The Musical are on sale now for $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/271817. Tickets will also be available one hour before show time at the Boll Theatre box office. The show will appear at 8pm Friday and Saturday evenings as well as at 2pm on select Sunday afternoons November 9- December 15 at The Boll Theatre inside the downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA located at 1401 Broadway Street, Detroit, MI 48226. A complete performance schedule follows.

Fri, Nov 9 @ 8PM
Sat, Nov 10 @ 8PM

Fri, Nov 16 @ 8PM
Sat, Nov 17 @ 8PM
Sun, Nov 18 @ 2PM

Wed, Nov 21 @ 8PM
Fri, Nov 23 @ 8PM
Sat, Nov 24 @ 8PM
Sun, Nov 25 @ 2PM

Fri, Nov 30 @ 8PM
Sat, Dec 1 @ 8PM
Sun, Dec 2 @ 2PM

Fri, Dec 7 @ 8PM
Sat, Dec 8 @ 8PM
Sun, Dec 9 @ 2PM

Fri, Dec 14 @ 8PM
Sat, Dec 15 @ 8PM

More information about Gilda's Club Metro Detroit is available online at www.gildasclubdetroit.org. More information on the Boll Theatre is available online at www.ymcadetroit.org/boll.

Planet Ant Theatre is located at 2357 Caniff in Hamtramck, MI 48212. It is a non-profit professional theatre founded on the principle of artistic freedom and artistic experimentation leading to the growth of community, to artistic fulfillment, and to artistic success. The theatre has presented more than 80 high quality professional productions to southeastern Michigan with a commitment to providing the best in theatrical productions that has brought it critical acclaim and awards across the region. More information on Planet Ant Theatre is available online at www.planetant.com.

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