Katie Laban - Page 10

Flashdance - the Musical is bringing the 1980s back to life at the Wharton Center. The stage adaptation of the hit film is full of the iconic music, dance, and costumes that made people fall in love with the original movie. "It has all the fun ways and styles that they used to have in the 80s," said Alison Ewing who plays Tess in the production. "It's a really great show."

The beloved musical, Miss Saigon, kicks off Broadway in Detroit's season Tuesday at the Fisher Theatre. The classic show that is fan favorite tells the tale of forbidden love, the tragedies of war, and the sacrifices made to achieve the American Dream.

Catch Me If You Can really does catch the audience by surprise. The national tour of the musical, currently playing at the Fisher Theatre, is entertaining from start to finish. Based on a true story and a 2002 film of the same title by Steven Spielberg, it tells the tale of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who between the ages of 16 and 21, forged and cashed $2.5 million worth of bad checks in the United States and other countries. The show begins at the end then retells the story of what Frank, Jr. did and the FBI officer who chased him and eventually caught him.

Dominic Fortuna is no stranger to Detroit. Born and raised in Michigan, the actor is excited to be playing Frank Abagnale, Sr. in the national tour of Catch Me If You Can, which opens Tuesday at the Fisher Theatre and runs through May 19th.

Memphis has been entertaining audiences for over a week at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit and is definitely a show that needs to be experienced! Not convinced? Here are five reasons why you should go see it:

University of Michigan graduate Kent Overshown discovered "the magic of musical theatre" as he calls it when he started high school and has loved it ever since. Currently on tour with Memphis, he excited to bring it to Michigan and be near his second home of Ann Arbor.

Sometimes when a theatre tackles a Broadway show that has recently ended, comparisons to that show make it tough not to compare the two, but that is not the case with Meadow Brook Theatre's production of Next to Normal. Not only did it do the original Broadway show justice with talented cast connecting with the audience emotionally, this production took an award winning show making it their own and standing out because of it.

The national tour of HAIR is coming to the Fox Theatre in Detroit this weekend. Cast member Brittany Rose Hammond says, "it's a show that an audience filled with different generations and different types of people can enjoy and share the same message of peace, love, and harmony."

While most people know the story of The Lion King, everyone needs to experience musical stage version. The production is currently here in the Motor City at the Detroit Opera House until March 10th and the show is not one to be missed!

Cast members of the national tour of Disney's The Lion King, which is running currently at the Detroit Opera House, are performing in a benefit concert called City of Hope tonight, February 25th. The concert, a benefit for the Detroit School of Arts Music Technology Department, is arranged by The Helping Hands Foundation and will be an evening of jazz and spoken word.

Cast members of the national tour of Disney's The Lion King, which is running currently at the Detroit Opera House, are performing in a benefit concert called City of Hope on Monday, February 25th. The concert, a benefit for the Detroit School of Arts Music Technology Department, is arranged by The Helping Hands Foundation and will be an evening of jazz and spoken word.

The comedy Marriage opens this weekend at the Hilberry Theatre and actor Brent Griffith is excited to perform the lead role of Podkoliosin the bachelor although he did not do any extreme preparations for the role. "I am not married and have never been engaged," he says, "and I didn't go out and do either to gain experience for the role."

Native Detroiter John Sloan III is thrilled to be part of the company of Disney's The Lion King and bringing it back to his hometown. The production, a staple in New York City for over fifteen years and on tour for over ten years, is brought to the Motor City by Broadway in Detroit and will be housed at the Detroit Opera House for three weeks.

Sister Act, the Tony Award nominated musical, is coming to the Wharton Center and Hollis Resnik, who plays Mother Superior, knows the audience will be in for a fun time. 'It will make you smile and feel really good about yourself and your life,' she says.

Oakland University's production of Legally Blonde the Musical is a seriously good time. From the moment the talented cast enters the stage, the audience is constantly entertained, laughing, and having fun!

Cullen R. Titmas is a touring veteran and still gets excited for every city he performs in. "Tour life is fun," he says and he is excited to bring Billy Elliot the Musical to the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. "It's a unique show that anyone can enjoy," Titmas says. The show is set in a small English town and follows the young boy Billy as he follows his dreams to becoming a ballet dancer that changes his own life and the lives in his community.

Nick Cosgrove could not be more excited to be performing the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, which is part of Broadway in Detroit's current season. "I'm really excited to be on tour and come to Detroit and play this role every night," he says.

Christmas with The Rat Pack - Live at The Sands is an entertaining, nostalgic show that will put anyone in the holiday spirit. Actors bring to life Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. with a big band backing them and sing the songs that they are known for as well as holiday favorites, which make the audience feel like they are back in Sands Hotel in Las Vegas seeing The Rat Pack perform in the 1960s.

The new production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical visits Detroit before heading to Broadway early next year. The tour is astounding in all aspects and worth the time to experience before the limited engagement here is over. The production that stars Tony Award Nominee Constantine Maroulis and Grammy Award Nominee Deborah Cox is filled with beautiful music enhanced by emotionally charged singing and is visually stimulating to watch with its creative set and exceptional costumes.

The Department of Theatre at Michigan State University is excited to bring the magic of James and The Giant Peach to life. The show is magical experience for all ages to enjoy.