Detroit theater season opens with 14 distinct productions
Performers across the metro area launch new plays, operas, and comedy shows this weekend, ranging from Shakespeare to Balanchine.
By Grace Anderson ·
The Detroit metro area hosts 14 theatrical productions this weekend, featuring new season openings for major regional companies and a variety of one-night events. The schedule spans opera, dance, poetry, and comedy, with performances scheduled between Nov. 6 and Nov. 22.
The Detroit Repertory Theatre opens its 70th season with the Michigan premiere of Sarah Treem's drama "When You Were Young and Unafraid." The run continues through Dec. 13 at the theater located at 13103 Woodrow Wilson. The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company simultaneously begins its 56th season with Sarah Ruhl's "Eurydice." That production runs through Nov. 15 in the Black Box Theatre on the University of Detroit Mercy campus.
Several long-running and new plays begin or continue this week. Stagecrafters presents the comedy "Calendar Girls" at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak, with performances starting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and ending Nov. 22. The Birmingham Village Players offers its abridged version of Shakespeare's works at the Village Playhouse in Birmingham for the same date range. Shelly Smith performs "On Hold: A One-Human Show" at Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck through Nov. 14.
Musical and dance events dominate the weekend schedule. "Six: The Musical" concludes its run at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Detroit Opera finishes its season-opening production of "Tosca" on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Detroit Opera House. COSM Detroit displays "The Nutcracker" on its large screen through New Year's Eve.
Comedy and spoken word performances occupy multiple venues. Registered nurse John Dela Cruz stages two shows of "Nurse John: Against Medical Advice" at the Fillmore Detroit on Nov. 6. Newscaster Don Lemon and comedian DL Hughley perform together at the Masonic Jack White Theatre on the same day. The All-City Poetry Slam Finals occur at Aretha's Jazz Cafe on Nov. 6, followed by the Decent Collective's Dubstep Finals on Nov. 7.
Family-friendly and literary events round out the offerings. "Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves" plays at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Colorado poet Andre Gibson performs "Love Letter From the Afterlife" at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices and specific show times vary by venue. Most evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while daytime shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. Contact information is available through each organization's website or by phone.
