Downriver Actors Guild hits home with "Extremities," Season continues with "Li'l Abner" and "Footloose"

Photo courtesy of the Downriver Actors Guild

The Downriver Actors Guild presented the intense drama “Extremities” for two weekends, Jan. 20 to 28, in the Out of the Box Theater Complex at 1165 Ford Ave. in Wyandotte.  The cast included Carolyn Sohoza (left) of Allen Park as Marjorie, Lee Michaels of Taylor as Raul, Debbie Aue-Delgado of Taylor as Patricia and Carol-Ann Black of Lincoln Park as Terry.

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Downriver Actors Guild’s production of William Mastrosimone’s “Extremities” at the Out of the Box Theater in Wyandotte was so frighteningly realistic that at times I had to remind myself I was watching a play – it was that good.

            Director Denny Connors said he has wanted to do the show for many years.

            “The show really keeps you on the edge of your seat, and challenges the audience to look at our definition of a victim and how we as a society treat victims of rape,” director Denny Connors said. “It’s one of those shows that will have you thinking as you leave the theater.”

INTENSE DRAMA

            The intense drama, which ran without intermission for two weekends through Jan. 28, followed a woman who, after surviving an assault by a rapist in her own home, turned the tables on her attacker.
 

SOHOZA SHINES

            The cast was led by Carolyn Sohoza of Allen Park as Marjorie, the woman who is attacked. Her stunning performance was riveting and exhausting as she wrung every emotion out of the audience with non-stop intensity.

LEE MICHAELS FRIGHTENINGLY REAL

            Likewise, Lee Michaels (his stage name) of Taylor as Raul, the attacker, was such a convincing psychopath that you almost don’t want to approach the actor after the show, so realistic was his performance.

ROOMMATES ADD TO THE DRAMA

            Marjorie’s roommates were played by Carol-Ann Black of Lincoln Park as Terry and Debbie Aue-Delgado of Taylor as Patricia. Both added to the drama: Black as Terry, a teen rape victim, who had never before divulged the personal agony, and Aue-Delgado, whose character fell into the role of moderator and counselor.

RAISING AWARENESS

            “We (were) trying to promote the show as a means of public awareness,” producer Ann Tisot Mann said. “It (was) quite an intense show with a great message.”
 

UPCOMING SHOWS:  LI’L ABNER and FOOTLOOSE

            Johnny Mercer’s “Li’l Abner,” with music by Gene De Paul, will fill the house with a fun-filled, foot-stomping musical taken from the comic pages at 7:30 p.m. March 23, 24, 30 and 31, with 3:00 p.m. Sunday matinees March 25 and April 1 at the Out of the Box Theatre Complex at 1165 Ford Avenue in Wyandotte.

            Directed by Debbie Aue, it is filled with satire and humor, and includes catchy show tunes and big dance numbers.

            Based on the comic strip by Al Capp, the characters include Abner Yokum, Mammy and Pappy Yokum, Daisy Mae, Marrin’ Sam, General Bullmoose, Stupefyin’ Jones, Earthquake McGoon, Moonbeam McSwine and Evil Eye Feagle.

            Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students.  Call (313) 303-5269 or go to www.downriveractorsguild.net or www.outoftheboxtheater.net.

FOOTLOOSE AUDITIONS ARE JAN.30 AND 31

            Auditions for “Footloose – The Musical” will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31, with a 6:30 p.m. registration. Callbacks will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the theatre. Roles are available for teens and adults. Call director Carol-Ann Black at (734) 771-2515 with any questions.

TAKING STEPS FOR CHANGE

            The story follows a Chicago teen, Ren, who, with his mother, ends up in a small Texas town where dancing has been banned because of a tragic accident that occurred in the past. Ren becomes determined to bring dance back into the teens’ lives. Along the way he falls in love with the town preacher’s rebellious daughter Ariel.

PERFORMANCES

            The show runs for two weekends, May 11 to 20, for six performances, with 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 3 p.m. Sunday matinees.

"Til Beth Do Us Part" fills the Guild with Laughter

Photo by Gordon Mosley

Kori Bielaniec (left) of Livonia plays Beth in the comedy “Til Beth Do Us Part” at the Players Guild of Dearborn weekends through January 29. Others in the cast include Margaret Kinnell (second from left) of Wayne as Margo James, April Denny of Dearborn Heights as Suzannah Hayden and Patrick Denyer of Dearborn as Gibby Hayden.  The Guild’s theatre is located at 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For more information, call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Players Guild of Dearborn filled the house with laughter with its three weekend run of the Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten comedy “Til Beth Do Us Part.” The show closes Jan. 29 with 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee.

            Stempek of Livonia’s Guild directing debut chases away the winter blues as the talented cast warms up audiences with well-deserved laughter.

WHEN CHOCOLATE MEETS A WEATHER FRONT

            The show centers on Suzannah, a chocolate entrepreneur, who is stressed out by her husband Gibby’s sloppiness and unwillingness to help around the house. Feeling overwhelmed, she takes her friend Margo’s advice and hires an assistant, Beth. 

STORM FRONT AHEAD

            However, Beth’s energy and talents may come with an ulterior motive, and her clean sweep just might be aiming the broom at Gibby.

WSU THEATRE STUDENTS SET THE SCENE

            The beautiful set was designed by Wayne State technical theater undergraduate students Lisa Berg of Canton and Anthony Karpinski of Grosse Pointe.  The multiple doors and walk-in closet complete the comic romp, and the realistic offstage kitchen even has visible cupboards worthy of a rising chocolate purveyor.

APRIL SHINES IN JANUARY

            April Denny of Dearborn Heights as Suzannah Hayden and Patrick Denyer of Dearborn as Gibby Hayden set the tone with their easy banter and believability as a couple. Most married folks will recognize elements of their own spousal situation comedy in the pair. 

EXES AT IT

            Margaret Kinnell of Wayne as Margo James and Ron Williams of Redford as Hank Russell, exes who remain separate friends with the Haydens, complete the comic quartet.

A WOMAN WALKS INTO A BAR…

            Kinnell is a comic delight, from her droll delivery and funny facial expressions to her spot-on physical comedy. Her singles bar scene with Gibby is one of the funniest moments of the show.

UNBEARDED

            Williams is an hysterical part of the friends’ plan to get rid of Beth as one discovers the a reason he shaved his beard off for this role. Suffice to say his adjustment to support garments and heels will leave you roaring with laughter.

WITH A WINK AND A SMILE

            Kori Bielaniec of Livonia continues to grow as an actress and please audiences in her latest role as Beth Bailey. This time she adopts a high speed agenda that defies the slow southern drawl she so sweetly adopts. She nails the comic timing, and is a good foil for Gibby’s bluster. Don’t blink when she’s onstage or you’ll miss a trick or sly wink.

TRYGG TRYOUT

            Newcomer Linda Trygg of Westland rises to the Guild’s comic expectations as Celia Carmichael, a British chocolate CEO who comes to town in measure Suzannah’s success.

MAYNE STAGE

            James Mayne of Redford and Marni Hack of Royal Oak co-produced the show, which features strong production values, from the costumes to the lighting and properties.

TICKET LINE

            For more information call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

Director Paul Bruce announces "Almost Maine" cast

 Photo by: Sue Suchyta

                                                                                                                                                    

Rehearsals have begun for the John Cariani romantic comedy, “Almost Maine” at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Director Paul Bruce (left) explains the vignette “Sad and Glad” Jan. 23 at the first run-through. The scene features Andrea Hoglen (second from left) of Canton Township as a cute, perky waitress who might have a future with Jimmy, Ken Kilgore (third from left) of Dearborn as Jimmy, a remorseful boyfriend who is a heating and cooling guy, and Ebony Bradley (right) of Detroit as Sandrine, Jimmy’s former girlfriend who is now engaged to someone else. The show runs weekends March 2 to 18, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees. For more information call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.  

                                                                                                                                         

By SUE SUCHYTA

 

            Director Paul Bruce announced the cast last Wednesday for the Players Guild of Dearborn’s production of John Cariani’s romantic comedy “Almost Maine.”

MYTHICAL TOWN WITH SHIMMERING LIGHT

            The story is set in the mythical town of Almost, Maine on a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter. As the northern lights shimmer in the sky the residents find themselves inexplicably falling in and out of love in unexpected and sometimes humorous ways. Some hearts are broken or bruised but all are mended or healed in the midwinter night’s tale.

SETTING THE SCENES

            The prologue, interlogue and epilogue will feature Michael Bollman of Dearborn as Pete and Kimberly Elliott of Canton as Ginette.

HER HEART
            Dearborn residents Brian Townsend as East and Nicki Sharer as Glory are featured in “Her Heart.”

SAD AND GLAD
            “Sad and Glad” will showcase Ken Kilgore of Dearborn as Jimmy, Ebony Bradley of Detroit as Sandrine and Andrea Hoglen of Canton as the waitress.

THIS HURTS
            “This Hurts” features Juliette Delabbio-Abbott of Allen Park as Marvalyn and Bobby Murray of Dearborn as Steve.

GETTING IT BACK
            Tiffany Mullins of Livonia will play Gayle in “Getting it Back,” which costars Tom Varitek of Dearborn as Lendall.

THEY FELL
            Dearborn resident Chris Boudreau will play Randy and Kirk Haas of Inkster will play Chad in “They Fell.”

WHERE IT WENT
            James Kirwan of Dearborn will play Phil to Meredith Ferry of Allen Park’s Marci in “Where It Went.”

THE STORY OF HOPE
            “The Story of Hope” will feature Linda Barsamian of Novi as the Woman and John Sczomak of Dearborn as the Man.

SEEING THE THING
            Margaret Kinnell of Wayne will play Rhonda and Kenyada Davis of Detroit will play Dave in “Seeing the Thing.”

GET THESE MARCH TICKETS
            The show will run March 2 to 20 for three weekends. For more information, call the Guild hotline at (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

"Million Dollar Quartet" Worth Every Penny

Photo by Joan Marcus

Million Dollar Quartet: The Broadway musical inspired by the electrifying true meeting of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.


By SUE SUCHYTA

            There’s a time machine backstage at the Fisher, and it’s crossing the time-space continuum as the national Broadway tour of the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet” continues its run now through Feb. 5 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit.

ELVIS AND MORE
            Based on a real meeting, the music will transport you and set your toes tapping and your spirits soaring. The show, which runs an hour and 45 minutes without an intermission, recreates an actual Dec. 4, 1956 meeting of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins at Sam Phillips’ Sun Records recording studio in Memphis.

WHEN THE KING MET JERRY LEE
           While the colorful bantering dialogue is fictional, the legends and their recording session with Phillips, who launched their careers, are based on a real event.

TIME MACHINE
            The songs and the tribute actors make the show a captivating experience infused with energy, and one feels like they’re watching a real event unfold.     

FROM “BLUE SUEDE SHOES” TO “GREAT BALLS OF FIRE”
            The music has a life of its own. From “Blue Suede Shoes” to “Great Balls of Fire” you’ll get caught up in the musical moment. “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog,” “Fever” and “Matchbook” are just a few of the hits ready to let you rock with some classic memories.

TRIBUTE ACTORS MAKE THE STARS SHINE

            Derek Keeling plays Johnny Cash, Cody Slaughter is Elvis Presley, Martin Kaye is Jerry Lee Lewis and Lee Ferris portrays Carl Perkins.

SUN’S SAM PHILLIPS RECREATED

            Christopher Ryan Grant brings Sun Records founder Sam Phillips to life, speaking to the audience in asides as he recreates a once-in-a lifetime evening.

A WOMAN’S TOUCH
            Kelly Lamont plays Dyanne, a fifties beauty with a soulful voice. She also has classic curves from an era when women weren’t expected to look emaciated.

MUSICAL MAGNETISM

            The show is more than a tribute show – it’s a testament to the musical magnetism and powerful personalities of the musical legends that left an indelible mark on the music world and the sound track of our own lives.

TICKETS
            For tickets or more information, call 1-800-982-2787 or go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.

Wayne Community Center to serve up "Chicken with a Side of Murder"

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Wayne Community Center will serve up “Chicken with a Side of Murder” at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Wayne Community Center, 4635 Howe Road in Wayne.

FUNDRAISER FUN

            The comedy murder mystery is a fundraiser for the Wayne Actors Community Theatre and the Stage Door fundraising group.

MURDER ON THE MENU

            Directed by Steven Rice, the show promises murder, false identities, spies, double-crosses, tricks and surprises for all in attendance.

BUFFET IN BANQUET HALL

            Tickets are $35, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. full dinner buffet in the Wayne Community Center banquet hall.

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE

            To purchase tickets, call (734) 721-7400, ext. 1309, in advance.

Southgate to do Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs"

Photo courtesy of Southgate Community Players

Daniel Bartram (left) of Taylor plays Eugene Jerome with Joshua LaPeer of Allen Park as his older brother Stanley. The Southgate Community Players will perform Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach memoirs" at 8 p.m. Feb. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road in Southgate.


By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Southgate Community Players open Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical comedy “Brighton Beach Memoirs” at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Road in Southgate for a two weekend run.

TICKETS

            Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and students. For more information, call (734) 282-4727 or go to www.scponstage.com.

 FIRST IN A TRILOGY

            The heartfelt comedy, the first in a trilogy, centers on 15-year-old Eugene Jerome, an aspiring writer whose thoughts center on baseball and sex.

 HEARTACHE AND LAUGHTER

            The trials and tribulations of growing up in a crowded Jewish household on the eve of World War 2 provide both heartache and laughter.

DOWNRIVER CAST

            The cast include Daniel Bartram of Taylor as Eugene, Kelly Klug of Lincoln Park as matriarch Kate Jerome, Richard Alder Jr. of Westland as patriarch Jack Jerome and Joshua LaPeer of Allen Park as Stanley.

            Aunt Blanche is played by Liza Boos of Lincoln Park, with Trenton residents Taylor Towers and Taeryn McCardell respectively playing Nora and Laurie.

Be “Scene” at Scholarship Benefit Night

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Dearborn Area Theatre Association will host its annual DATA Scenes Night at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Dearborn High School.

         
FOR MORE: FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS TAKE THE STAGE

            High school thespians from Dearborn, Divine Child, Edsel Ford and Crestwood High Schools will perform both comedic and dramatic scenes from plays to benefit the DATA student scholarship program.

 TICKET TALK

            Tickets are $6, and will be available at the door the night of the performance.

 VISCOMI’S VOICE

            “The evening is a lot of fun,” said Greg Viscomi, Dearborn High School teacher and theatre supporter.  “A great audience turnout from our theatre community would… benefit the students who apply and compete for these scholarship awards. Come out and support our students.”

Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre announces cast for “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

By Sue Suchyta

            Director Marc Walentowicz of the Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre announced the cast last week for the group’s spring musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

GOOD GRIEF: FROM DRAG TO DRAB

            Ron Williams of Redford, who recently played the hysterically funny Hank, who impersonates a female British chocolatier in the Players Guild of Dearborn’s “Til Beth Do Us Part,” will play Charlie Brown, the perpetual optimist who has one-too-many footballs pulled out from under him.

LUCY AND LINUS

            Emily Gedert of Dearborn, who has appeared in the group’s productions of “Godspell” and “Nuncrackers, the Christmas Musical” will play the part of Lucy Van Pelt. James Mayne of Redford will play her philosophical blanket-toting little brother Linus.

SALLY AND SNOOPY

             Sally Brown will be played by Sara Mayne of Redford, who played a precocious kid in last year’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Players Guild of Dearborn.

            Riding a doghouse and spreading dog germs as Snoopy will be Brian Welch of Monroe.

PIANO AND PEPPERMINT

            Plymouth resident Cory Chambliss will play Schroeder, while Wyandotte resident Clara Albright will play Peppermint Patty. 

 

MARCY, MARCY, MARCY…      

            Marissa Campitelle of Inkster, who recently played Laurie in the Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre production of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” will play Marcy.

PIG-PEN AND SHERMY

            Sean Randolph of Canton Township will play Pig-Pen.  Chris Fraser of Detroit, who recently appeared in the Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre production of “Biloxi Blues” as Epstein, rounds out the cast as Shermy.

MARK THE DATE

            The show, which runs April 13, 14, 20, 21 and 22 at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights features musical direction by Brian Londrow and choreography by Laura Tyler.

           

Dearborn Heights and Southgate Theatre Auditions

OTHER AUDITIONS:

                      DEARBORN HEIGHTS

                      The Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre will hold auditions for their spring musical, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24 at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson in Dearborn Heights. The show will run April 13, 14, 20, 21 and 22 and will be directed by Marc Walentowicz, with musical direction by Brian Londrow and choreography by Laura Tyler.

                      SOUTHGATE COMMUNITY PLAYERS

                      The Southgate Community Players will hold auditions for their Young People’s theatre “The Princess and the Pea” at 6 p.m. (with 5:30 p.m. registration) Jan. 9 and 10 at the Corner Playhouse, 12671 Dix-Toledo Rd. in Southgate.  The show will be performed at 7 p.m. March 9, 10, 16 and 17.  See the Southgate Community Players’ Facebook page for more information. 

"Almost Maine" Auditions at the Guild

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Players Guild of Dearborn will hold auditions for John Cariani’s romantic comedy “Almost Maine” Jan. 16 and 17, with registration from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Guild’s theatre, located at 21730 Madison in Dearborn.

LOVERS UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

            The story is set in the mythical town of Almost, Maine on a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter. As the northern lights shimmer in the sky the residents find themselves inexplicably falling in and out of love in unexpected and sometimes humorous ways. Some hearts are broken or bruised but all are mended or healed in the midwinter night’s tale.

19 PARTS TO FILL

            Attendees need only attend one of the two sessions, and should be able to provide a list of potential rehearsal conflicts. The show will run March 2 to 20 for three weekends.

PAUL BRUCE TO DIRECT

            Paul Bruce, who will direct the show, said the show has 19 roles for adults.

PERSONALIZED REHEARSAL SCHEDULES

            “I am looking to cast all 19 roles individually, which will allow for an extremely easy rehearsal schedule for all participants,” Bruce said. “Each pair of characters appears in only one scene… like a miniature one-act, in which these two characters are the stars.”

THE CHARACTER CAMEOS

            The characters include Pete and Ginette, a newly dating couple, who like each other but are still going through an awkward stage. They perform the Prologue, Interlogue and Epilogue.

HANDYMAN AND HIKER

            In “Her Heart,” East is a good natured repairman, while Glory is a scattered hiker.

            “Sad and Glad” features Jimmy, a remorseful boyfriend who is a heating and cooling guy; Sandrine, Jimmy’s former girlfriend who is now engaged to someone else, and a cute, perky waitress who might have a future with Jimmy.

ARMOR UP

            “This Hurts” features Marvalyn, a woman good at protecting herself, and probably in a bad relationship, and Steve, a nice man, who usually is protected by his brother , and who has never experienced pain.

CURVE BALLS

            In “Getting It Back” Gayle, who longs for marriage, may find her longtime boyfriend Lendall has an unexpected surprise for her.

BROMANCE?

            Chad and Randy, two masculine country men and longtime friends, are featured in “They Fell.”

           

LOSING ONESELF

            A disgruntled working couple, Phil and Marci, are featured in “Where It Went.”

HOPE AT HOME

            In “Story of Hope” a woman of the world returns to a small corner of it to discover the man she once turned down is only a shell of his former self. Ideally the role will be played by a short man.

BREAKING DOWN DEFENSES

            In “Seeing the Thing” Rhonda is a tough, defensive woman afraid of love while Dave is the not-so-tough man who secretly loves her.

FOR PRE-PERUSAL SCRIPTS

            Select readings from the play will be used for auditions. To borrow a perusal copy for a limited time contact casting governor Kim Donovan at casting@playersguildofdearborn.org, or  call the Guild hotline at (313) 561-TKTS.

WEBSITE

            For more information, go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org. 

The Players Guild of Dearborn presents the comedy "Til Beth Do Us Part"

Kori Bielaniec (left) of Livonia as Beth rehearses a scene from “Til Beth Do Us Part” Jan. 2 at the Players Guild of Dearborn with Patrick Denyer of Dearborn, who plays Gibby Hayden, and April Denny (right) of Dearborn Heights who plays Suzannah Hayden.  The comedy runs for three weekends, Jan. 13 to 29, at the Guild’s theatre at 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For more information, call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org. (Photo by Sue Suchyta)

Patrick Denyer (left) of Dearborn as Gibby Hayden and April Denny of Dearborn Heights as Suzannah Hayden rehearse a scene from “Til Beth Do Us Part” Jan. 2 at the Players Guild of Dearborn.  The comedy runs for three weekends, Jan. 13 to 29, at the Guild’s theatre at 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For more information, call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org. (Photo by Sue Suchyta)

Guild starts New Year with comedy “Til Beth Do Us Part”

By SUE SUCHYTA

            The Players Guild of Dearborn will open the New Year with the two-act comedy “Til Beth Do Us Part,” written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten.

            Director Robb Stempek of Livonia said “Til Beth Do Us Part” is very funny.

           

HOLDING ON TO THE CORPORATE LADDER

            “Suzannah, who is climbing up the corporate ladder, is feeling frustrated by her husband’s lack of help around the house, so they get an assistant who turns their world upside down and eventually tries to get rid of the husband altogether because she wants (Suzannah’s) job,” he said. “Hilarity ensues… it’s going to be great.”

VILLAINY IS FUN

            Kori Bielaniec of Livonia, who plays the assistant Beth Bailey, said playing the character is fun because she’s the villain of the story.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

            “She comes in and she’s just supposed to help Suzannah Hayden… she’s just supposed to help her get organized and help her along with her business, but in fact she basically tries to steal Suzannah’s job,” Bielaniec said. “She tries to take over and gets her way into every little aspect of Suzannah’s life and ends up getting her husband kicked out of the house.”

SURPRISES AND REVEALS

            Bielaniec said the show is filled with surprises, with a big reveal at the end.

            She added that the show is appropriate for families.

            “There’s nothing too risqué or anything about it,” Bielaniec said. “It’s just kind of a fun family show about what happens to a family… when someone new comes into their life.”  

HOLDING UP THE MIRROR…

            Frann Stempek, the assistant director, said that the show will appeal to adults because most have run into situations like Gibby and Suzannah have encountered.

… AND SEEING OURSELVES

            “Things are getting a little stale, and nobody feels really special and it really helps to rejuvenate the way that you’re thinking,” she said. “It’s very realistic.  Everything that they’re going to be talking about, comments about things different people do are going to be things that you listen to and hear about from your spouse every day.”

MARGARET’S MARGO

            She said Margaret Kinnell of Wayne, who plays Suzannah’s best friend Margo James, brings her own special touches to the part.

INTUITIVE

“She’s very intuitive as to what is needed at any given moment during every scene,” Frann Stempek said. “So that is what’s going to be really special about what she brings to the show.”

BURNED BUT STILL CARRYING 

            She said in the play Gibby and Suzannah have tried to maintain their friendships with both Margo and Hank since their divorce, adding that Hank, played by Ron Williams of Redford, still “carries a torch” for Margo.

            “He hasn’t let go of that relationship completely yet so it’s his way of staying involved and keeping close to her,” Frann Stempek said.

SCENIC BEAUTY

            She said the beautiful set, designed by Lisa Berg of Canton and Anthony Karpinski of Grosse Pointe, with its many doors and doorways  makes the show really fun.

DOORS: AN OPEN AND SHUT CASE

            “All the interaction between this one coming in one door and out another door, and opening up doors and closing doors,” Frann Stempek said. “The parts of the story all fit together dealing with those doors.”

LAUGHTER

            She said she anticipates that at some point audiences will be roaring with laughter.

            “There are parts of the show that are just hysterical,” she said. “I think the audiences are going to just love it.”      

FINDING HUMOR IN THE MUNDANE

            She said director Robb Stempek (her brother) brings out the humor in everyday situations and making natural things that happen seem “a little wacky.”

BODY LANGUAGE

            “It’s not slapstick at all,” Frann Stempek said. “He’s just using body language and facial expressions and a lot of that to really bring home and deliver the lines.”

CAST

            The cast includes April Denny of Dearborn Heights as Suzannah Hayden, Patrick Denyer of Dearborn as Gibby Hayden, Margaret Kinnell of Wayne as Margo James, Ron Williams of Redford as Hank Russell, Kori Bielaniec of Livonia as Beth Bailey and Linda Trygg of Westland as Celia Carmichael.

THE PRODUCERS

            James Mayne of Redford and Marni Hack of Royal Oak are co-producing the show.

WHEN AND WHERE

            The comedy, which opens this Friday, will run for three weekends, Jan. 13 to 29, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees.

            For more information call (313) 561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.

IN CLOSING

            “Come see the show – we open on Friday the thirteenth,” Bielaniec said. “It’s going to be really fun… lots of slamming doors and mistaken identities and lots of laughs.”

            “It’s a short show but packed with a lot of laughs,” Frann Stempek added. “People are going to go home feeling very uplifted.”

The nose knows: The Hilberry Theatre presents “Cyrano”

Toper Payne (left) as Christian, and Dave Toomey (right) as Cyrano both love Roxane, played by Sara Hymes (center). 

Dave Toomey as Cyrano.  (Photos by Alexandra Stewart)
 

By SUE SUCHYTA

CYRANO IN THE SHADOWS

Wayne State University’s graduate Hilberry Theatre will welcome in the New Year with “Cyrano,” the story of a lovesick man with low self-esteem who lets his long nose stand in the way of happiness.

BLAIR IS THERE

            Blair Anderson, Ph.D, associate professor of theatre and former theatre chair and director of theatres will direct the show, with technical direction by Curtis Green.

NEW TRANSLATOR AT CENTURY MARK

            Playwright Frank Langella introduced his English version of the script in 1997, a hundred years after Edmond Rostand penned the original French play “Cyrano de Bergerac” in rhyming couplet.

IN ROTATING REPERTORY

            The show opens at 8 p.m. Jan. 13 and will run through March 20 in rotating repertory with Martin McDonagh’s “The Cripple of Inishmaan” and Tennessee William’s “Summer and Smoke.”

LOFTUS GOALS

            Greg Loftus, a 1994 Hilberry graduate, is designing the set long-distance from his home in Florida.

 “A long-distance guest design is always a challenge, and ‘Cyrano’ makes me aware of how much more I still have to learn,” Loftus said.

 SNIFFING FOR CLUES          

 Loftus, who has taught scenic design at the college level and designed sets for professional theatres, dance companies and television shows said that he wants his set design’s ambiguity to compel audiences to come to their own conclusions about what it means.

TRANSPARENT OR VEILED?

            “Langella’s adaptation is less transparent, more ambiguous,” Loftus said. “It is romantic, idealized, lyric and modern… we use realism to lead audiences to an interpretation.”

            He added that he hopes audiences will see “deep and human characters in a complex, non-literal world.”

TOOMEY TAKES THE LEAD

            The Cyrano cast includes Dave Toomey in the title role, with Topher Payne as Christian and Sara Hymes as Roxane, the woman they adore from afar.  

A COMPANY BOW 

            Others in the cast include Vanessa Sawson as Margeurite, Christopher Call as Ragueneau and Danielle Cochrane as Lise.

            Edmund Alyn Jones portrays Le Bret, with Christopher Ellis as De Guiche and Joshua Blake Rippy as Montfleury.

            Alec Barbour will play Valvert, with Andrew Papa as Carbon and Brent Griffith as a priest. 

DESIGN OF THE TIME

            Rudolph C. Schuepbach is the assistant scenic designer, with Leazah Behrens as properties chair and Donna Buckley as costume designer.

            Samuel G. Byers is the sound designer, while Brian Scruggs is designing the lighting.

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE

            The Hilberry Theatre is located at 4743 Cass at Hancock on the Wayne State campus in Detroit.

            For more information, call the box office at (313) 577-2972 or go to www.hilberry.com.