Anton Anderssen News

Now on stage at The Players' Guild of Dearborn is the wonderful musical comedy SPAMALOT. Set sometime in the early middle ages, this highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend is bursting with wit. The opening act is theatre of the absurd in all its glory, when the villagers mistake the word Finland for England, and begin dancing and singing some outrageous 'slap the mayor in the face with a big fish' routine. Having Finnish blood, and Anglo-Scandinavian heritage, in general, I found this twisted plot deliciously insane, because I know people who would actually get the two places confused, and others who believe Scandinavians toss fish around at celebrations. Well, maybe some Scandinavians do, but that's another story all unto itself.

Every year, the Michigan Philharmonic presents a Halloween pops concert, and this year's was a triumphal success. Held at Steppingstone School for the Gifted, the symphony played in a 'haunted garage,' i.e. a large warehouse decorated by the gifted children. Patrons were invited to wear costumes, as were the symphony musicians. Music Director Nan Washburn arrived in style, wearing a brightly colored clown outfit, riding to the podium on a decorative clown bicycle.

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Now on stage at the beautiful Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak is Stagecrafters' current production, The Wizard of Oz. This mega musical finishes out a highly successful season for the amazingly talented group. If you are looking for something different from Judy Garland's version, this one has just the right amount of difference to make it interesting without losing the magic of the L. Frank Baum story.

Complete with flying monkeys and witches, colorful munchkins, and a real 'Toto,' The Wizard of Oz will run June 6th through the 22nd at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in downtown Royal Oak.

The Village Players of Birmingham presents Cole Porter's delightful musical Kiss Me, Kate throughout the month of May. This rollicking retelling of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' includes such famous songs as 'Another Op'nin, Another Show,' 'Too Darn Hot,' and 'So in Love.'

The Village Players of Birmingham presents Cole Porter's delightful musical Kiss Me, Kate throughout the month of May. This rollicking retelling of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew' includes such famous songs as 'Another Op'nin, Another Show,' 'Too Darn Hot,' and 'So in Love.'

How does the thought of spring grab you? Millions of tulips blooming, cream petals on dogwood trees, azaleas bursting in hot pink, beautiful greenery everywhere and best of all, no more snow! Is it just me, or has this been the most miserable winter on record? It's time to spill the secret to springtime bliss: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Broadway stars Ryan Silverman and Nikki Renee Daniels joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Friday in its most recent pops program, 'The Cocktail Hour: Music of the Mad Men Era.' The program was created and conducted by Maestro Steven Reineke, Music Director of the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and Principal Pops Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Performances run through March 16.

Stagecrafters wows with 'SHREK THE MUSICAL'

Now on stage at The Farmington Players Community Theatre is the beloved Broadway musical 'Annie,' the feel-good Christmas season story featuring irresistible little starlets; these adorable kids sing and dance their hearts out, exuding tons of charm and pure innocence. Everybody's favorite orphan, Annie (played spectacularly by Maryanna Lauter) and her gang of radiant ragamuffins spread their message of cheer and hope to a country bogged down in a quagmire of economic depression.

Now on stage at Avon Players is the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, a parable of the ideal family in Civil War era Boston. The musical follows the book fairly closely, so if you are familiar with the book, you know the play. Little Women was one of the first books that many girls read as a child and has always held a special place in their hearts.

I love any play that involves Pam Shaw Heath, and fortunately for our community, she is directing Ridgedale Players' current production of 'Steel Magnolias,' a roller-coaster comedy-drama about the lives of women in the deep south. Based on a true story, as experienced by playwright Robert Harling, this story honors his baby sister's struggle and death from diabetes.

After nearly nine months of meticulous preparation, LES MISERABLES opens today, September 6th and runs through the 29th at the Baldwin Theatre in downtown Royal Oak.

On Saturday night, philanthropic patrons were treated to a wonderful Italian dinner at a fundraiser for Ridgedale Players. The evening began with generous amounts of appetizers and golden punch. The main course featured delicious lasagna, topped off by tiramisu for dessert. Actors from the theatre company performed a murder mystery set in a Detroit speakeasy during the Great Depression.

After nearly nine months of meticulous preparation, LES MISERABLES opens on Friday, September 6th and runs through the 29th at the Baldwin Theatre in downtown Royal Oak.

Avon Players Community Theatre announced its 2013-2014 season on Saturday night at its Gala Dinner; the series comprises five productions and summer youth theatre. After a lavish buffet of home-made dishes, guests gathered in the theatre at beautifully decorated tables highlighted by glowing paper lanterns revealing logos from upcoming shows.