Leah Smith News

It’s a Broadway Roast in this hilarious double bill!

The Detroit Repertory Theatre closes its 69th season with the world premiere of SPIT IN YOUR FACE, a political comedy by Paul Heller and Alberto Lomnitz, co-directed by Maurizio Dominguez and Leah Smith.

It’s a Wonderful Way to Celebrate the Season.

But could director Jon Harvey be purposefully lightening his ELECTRA for this era? Does he want a more pop-friendly approach? Do we need that now? These are all questions that only he can answer, but the show itself has a nice pace and energy.

Detroit Repertory Theatre has announced its 69th season, running November 2025–June 2026. The lineup includes Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, the Michigan premiere of Danai Gurira’s Eclipsed, and the world premiere of Spit in Your Face.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Gary Smith, the Emmy-winning television producer whose credits included six Tony Awards broadcasts, passed away on Saturday, July 18, in Los Angeles.

Elissa Cuellar steps into the emerald spotlight as the Wicked Witch of the West in A.D. Players’ production of The Wizard of Oz, a role steeped in cinematic legacy and theatrical flair. In this interview, she reflects on her childhood obsession with the story, the creative inspirations behind her nuanced portrayal, and the surprising joy of winning over young fans, including the green makeup

LET.HER.RIP. is the show to see this summer! It will be one we will refer back to again and again. Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Mary Jane Kelly, and the Matchstick Women would be proud.

It has a stunning cast, technical brilliance, and enough great poetic ideas to keep you thinking about it for days. It’s an intriguing piece that should have a long life. But in its current iteration playing at the MATCH, THE FROZEN SECTION runs long at almost two hours with no intermission, and the pacing seems off throughout its inflated run time.

Lisa D'Amour's FROZEN SECTION will run March 28 - April 19, 2025, at the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:30 PM, with a Special Monday Night performance to be announced. 

The Detroit Repertory Theatre will open the third show of its 68th season with the Midwest Premiere of Hysterical! by Elenna Stauffer. Learn more about the upcoming production here!

I feel like this company, at this point in time, is simply happy to be here doing this show, and I can say the feeling is infectious. It’s not your typical holiday offering, but you can never be wrong with the wit of Christopher Durang and the magic of invoking the spirit of Maggie Smith. I’m thankful this season for companies like 4th WALL, which produce plays that offer the joy of what theater is all about.

During an interview I did with Michelle Britton a few weeks ago, she mentioned she “didn’t want to become the Alley” and that her Lionwoman Productions is “about helping people understand each other better.” Certainly, PLAYHOUSE CREATURES is right up there in rivaling the quality of the Alley!

Following the hit success of Kate Hamill’s SENSE & SENSIBILITY last year, 4th Wall Theatre Company will launch into the upcoming holiday season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning comedy, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE.

 Rec Room Arts has announced the extension of the acclaimed intimate restaging of the Tony Award-winning musical SPRING AWAKENING (book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind).

Rec Room Arts will present SPRING AWAKENING, a powerful musical exploring the trials and tribulations of adolescence.

Discover the programming details for Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024, a unique three-day event featuring film screenings and cultural activities from June 28-30 in Chicago.

The Detroit Repertory Theatre will continue its 67th season with magical comedy Annabella in July by Richard Strand. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Rec Room Arts will present the regional premiere of KING JAMES by Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright Rajiv Joseph and directed by Philip Kershaw. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Chart a course through the night sky to Disney On Ice - where every story starts with a wish! Take a magical journey with Mickey, Minnie, and friends through the timeless stories of Cinderella, Aladdin, Toy Story, and Cars, and today’s favorites including Encanto, Frozen 2, and Moana.