Anton Anderssen - Page 4

If you are one of those people who like Halloween and all things spooky, you will love the campy musical about a mad scientist and his sex-driven monster. Now on stage at the beautiful historic Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak is the Mel Brooks musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. This big-cast show will put you into the Halloween spirit!

After seeing a myriad of plays, I believe SOUTH PACIFIC is one of the best musicals ever created. The music is infectious, the costumes are bold, the sets are dreamy and exotic, and the storyline is a romantic fantasy. 

'What is my purpose in life?' is a question asked by many people as they ponder the reasons for their existence. Finding one's raison d'etre could be the ever-elusive challenge, and should you never discover it, you are in good company. It is an existential question that lingers eternally for people who really want to have a life that matters. Now on stage at The Fisher Theatre is the musical PIPPIN, the tale of existential woe.

Bette Midler graced the stage of the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday, presenting her newest show, 'Divine Intervention,' to a crowd of thousands of ardent fans. She brought a message of hope to the multitudes, saying 'Never give up on Detroit!' The irrepressible diva flaunted a wardrobe of many colors, a painting of Michelangelo's 'The Creation of Adam' from The Sistine Chapel photo shopped with her lovely arm and face replacing those of God, a den of Harlettes, majestic trumpeters, and the gospel according to Bette: 'I came here to lift your spirits, like a boob job for your soul.'

Quick! Run out and grab your tickets to MUSIC MAN at the Downriver Actors' Guild in Wyandotte before the spectacle closes May 17. It's too good to miss!

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.

The Players Guild is performing an updated version of South Pacific, and it remains as great as the first time I saw it.

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.

Legendary steel guitarists and up-and-coming students return to Waikiki Beach Walk in July to fill the center with the soothing sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar at the 5th Annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival. Guitarists will hit the Plaza Stage today, July 19, 2014, from 3 to 7 p.m. Presented by Waikiki Beach Walk and Outrigger Enterprises Group, with the support of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii, the annual festival celebrates the island culture as captured by the beautifully distinct sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar.

Avon Players continues its sixty-seven year tradition of offering high quality productions at affordable prices with a season that will delight audiences of all tastes and may evoke some fond memories of favorites from the silver screen.

Legendary steel guitarists and up-and-coming students return to Waikiki Beach Walk in July to fill the center with the soothing sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar at the 5th Annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival. Guitarists will hit the Plaza Stage on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 3 to 7 p.m. Presented by Waikiki Beach Walk and Outrigger Enterprises Group, with the support of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii, the annual festival celebrates the island culture as captured by the beautifully distinct sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan held a beautiful Princess Party today at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial's Crystal Ballroom in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. The event was free to all participants, providing an afternoon of festivities - including pampering, socialization, entertainment, dining, and dancing.

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.

Staying at Holiday Inn Express is typically a great experience. Every now and then, the stay is problematic. My current stay at Holiday Inn Express in St. Ignace fails to impress. Being a Platinum Elite, I am always offered 500 points or a snack amenity upon check in at an IHG affiliate, but this property offered neither. After receiving my keys, I checked room 402 to find blood smeared on the wall, a swamp “water view”, garbage outside my balcony, thousands of mosquitos swarming from the swamp, and a hallway carpet needing vacuuming.

Starting today, June 12, the sounds of some of Hawaii's most popular performers will fill the air for the 2014 Ke Kani O Ke Kai summer concert series at the Waikiki Aquarium, presented by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. Visitors and residents alike are invited to kick back on the cool, beachfront lawn at the Aquarium for an evening of live entertainment and food under the stars.

Now on stage at Meadow Brook Theatre in Rochester is Cole Porter's 'You Never Know', a delightful musical from 1938. If you are like me, just say the words "Cole Porter" and I'll be there! This is the final production of the season, which has offered a wide variety of genres to fit everyone's taste.

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

Rock and roll returns to the Detroit Riverfront this summer for the annual Chevrolet Rockin' on the Riverfront summer concert series. Once again, the lineup is sure to satisfy classic rock fans who look forward to this annual event.

Starting June 12, the sounds of some of Hawaii's most popular performers will fill the air for the 2014 Ke Kani O Ke Kai summer concert series at the Waikiki Aquarium, presented by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. Visitors and residents alike are invited to kick back on the cool, beachfront lawn at the Aquarium for an evening of live entertainment and food under the stars.