Katie Laban - Page 4

Runyonland Productions will present Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, inspired by the Kaufman and Hart play of the same name, in concert on February 28th - March 1st at 7:30pm at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in Ann Arbor, MI. Original Broadway lead actress Ann Morrison will be in attendance opening night, along with others from the 1981 production.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is the exciting musical adaptation that features a thrilling original rock score of the New York Times best-selling novel written by Rick Riordan is playing the Fisher Theatre from February 26th through March 9th in Detroit. The book series has sold more than 100 million copies of book series sold worldwide and the theatrical production had a sold-out run in New York City where it earned three Drama Desk Award nominations including Best Musical. As the son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can't control, monsters on his trail, and is on a quest to find Zeus' lightning bolt to prevent a war between the Greek gods. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Chris McCarrell, who originated the role of Percy Jackson and is currently touring with the show as him, about why fans of the book will love The Lightning Thief and random theatre-goers will be entertained as well - plus so much more! Check out what Chris had to say below:

Raw human emotion is something that all theatres hope to achieve when putting on any type production, Tipping Point Theatre did just that with their musical experience of Jason Robert Brown's The Last FiveYears. The emotional and unconventional musical is the intimate telling of relationship of a young couple from beginning to end that weaves all their endearing qualities and flaws in a way that leaves audiences constructing their own opinions on where the relationship went wrong. The audience witnesses Jamie (played by Nick Yocum) and Cathy (played by Angie Kane Ferrante) be human and experience human emotions filled with love, anger, defeat, sadness, opinions, defiance, hope, and more - all told through song. The show is currently playing until March 3rd at the Northville theatre and the exquisite cast is ready to take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride.

The Little Door Theatre is tackling a new endeavor with their first full-length Theatre for Young Audiences production of The Snow Queen that runs February 22nd through March 3rd at the theatre in Warren. Based on the beloved Hans Christian Anderson tale, kids of all ages will be delighted by The Snow Queen, a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and coming age. The audience joins Gerda as she sets out to save her best friend, Kai, from the icy hand of the Snow Queen. Along the way, Gerda encounters robbers, witches, royalty and a talking reindeer as her adventures take her closer to saving her friend. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Shannon Hurst, The Snow Queen's director and Little Door Theatre's owner and artistic director, about the show, what it takes to put on a youth theatre play, and what type of magic audiences can expect in The Snow Queen. Check out what she has to say below!

Get ready to laugh as The Play That Goes Wrong arrives February 12th at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit! The hilarious Tony-Award winning hit Broadway comedy is co-written by Mischief Theatre company members' Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields about the fictitious Cornley University Drama Society who are attempting to put on a 1920s' murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong, does! Scott Cote is on the road with the first national tour play and BroadwayWorld Detroit had moment to speak with him about the show, his role of Dennis, and why the play is a hilarious riot that should not be missed!

Tipping Point Theatre is bringing The Last Five Years to life from January 26th to March 3rd in Northville. Jason Robert Brown's emotional and unconventional musical is the intimate telling of relationship of a young couple from beginning to end that weaves all their endearing qualities and flaws in a way that leaves audiences constructing their own opinions on where the relationship went wrong. The audience witnesses Jamie (played by Nick Yocum) and Cathy (played by Angie Kane Ferrante) be human and experience human emotions filled with love, anger, defeat, sadness, opinions, defiance, hope, and more - all told through song. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Angie Kane Ferrante about her love of theatre, why The Last Five Years is so special, and it what is like to be returning to role of Cathy again. Check out what she had to say below!

The Village Players of Birmingham are kicking off the new year with an uproarious and zany comedy, Inspecting Carol, opening this weekend, January 18th and running through February 3rd in Birmingham. Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre's annual slapdash production of A Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish, and their funding is on hold pending an inspection. When an impossibly bad actor is mistakenly identified as the inspector, the troupe does everything to accommodate his craziest wishes. Mistaken identities lead to side-splitting comedy as opening night draws and it seems only a Christmas miracle will save this production! Ashely Lane is making her directorial debut at The Village Players of Birmingham after directing at the Emerald City Theatre and Farmington High School. Lane was very passionate and excited to discuss with BroadwayWorld Detroit her love of the arts and why Inspecting Carol is such a fun and special show everyone should see. Check out her interview below!

RENT is coming back to Detroit! The Detroit engagement is part of the 20th Anniversary Tour and will be here from January 8th -20th at the Fisher Theatre. In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson's RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. The Pulitzer Prize and Tony-Award winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A reimagining of Puccini's La Boheme, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Logan Marks, who plays the role of Mark in the 20thAnniversary Tour of RENT, about the show, his iconic role, and why RENT is still going strong 20 years later. Check out our conversation below!

The Moscow Ballet is returning to Detroit this weekend to danceThe Great Russian Nutcracker for three special performances at The Fox Theatre. There is something very special about this tour called "Musical Wunderkind," which is youth musicians in every city accompanying the Moscow Ballet's principal ballerinas in Saint Saen's "Dying Swan" from Carnival of the Animals, now commonly known as the influence for Odette's movement's in Swan Lake, in many cities on the national tour. The Wunderkind, each in their respective cities, rehearse with the principal ballerina and open the Great Russian Nutcracker in a duo of musician and ballerina to the delight of audiences. Detroit audiences will have the pleasure of seeing local violinist, Kelly Deng, perform on stage with the company during the 8pm show. Deng has been playing since she was six years old and could not be more excited to be chosen as the Detroit Musical Wunderkind for the Moscow Ballet. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a few moments to speak with her about the honor, what it is like to play from such a young age, and why Detroit should come see The Great Russian Nutcracker this weekend at The Fox Theatre.

The Ringwald Theatre is always throwing surprising twists at their audiences and this holiday season is no different. Taking a break from their usual SantaLand Diaries, they are ready to bring on the laughs with Merry Christmas to Everyone! (Except Christina), a brand-new play - think of it as a Mommie Dearest Christmas - the perfect Christmas spoof we never knew we needed until now! It weaves together Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, A Christmas Carol, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mommie Dearest, and your other gay and/or Christmas favorites. It's a big gay Christmas gift from your favorite Ferndale theatre that is directed by Dyan Bailey and stars Joe Bailey as Joan Crawford, Richard Payton as The Ghosts, Brandy Joe Plambeck as Christina Crawford, and Kevin Kaminski as Christopher Crawford. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with founders and married couple of The Ringwald Theatre, Joe Bailey and Brandy Joe Plambeck, to discuss the theatre, the show, and campy twists that everyone always expects from The Ringwald - the best part about the interview, BWW Detroit spoke with them each separately, so it was really fun to see where they think alike and differ!

Hello! Back by popular demand, The Book of Mormon, is here in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre through December 9th for a limited engagement. From the creators of South Park and Avenue Q, it was a night of theatre that they will never forget and made them laugh until they cried. This hilarious musical did not disappoint audiences on its return visit and had them amused from the first doorbell ring to very last one by the talented cast on stage.

Little Door Theatre is opening Shakespeare's Othello, the timeless, tragic tale of love, deceit, jealousy, murder. In a twist on the classic Shakespearean play, Little Door Theatre will be setting the tragedy in a puppet theatre with Iago, Othello's nemesis, as the "puppet mastermind" behind the whole operation. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Othello cast member, Mark Zito, about his role of Iago, why this production is special, and more. Here is what he had to say:

The Book of Liz, a play by Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris, is currently running through December 16th at the Monster Box Theatre in Waterford. The Sedaris' are known for their comedic writing and this play does not let the audience down, nor does the production at the Monster Box Theatre - it is truly a laugh fest from beginning to end. It is kind of hard not to laugh at a parish who keeps to themselves and their community is supported by the production of cheeseballs. It takes a very special theatre to execute the comedy well and Monster Box Theatre did just that.

Most people know the story of Peter Pan, but Stagecrafters is telling story of how he started his journey in Peter and the Starcatcher, which is currently running through December 16th at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak. The play is the fantastical adventure about how Peter Pan came to be and is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Scott with music by Wayne Barker. The exquisite staging and talented cast of Stagecrafter's Peter and the Starcatcher takes the audience on a journey they will not forget about the how Peter Pan became the legend that he is.

East Lansing's engagement of the Tony Award nominated Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof is coming to Wharton Center December 4th to December 9th, 2018. Tickets are on sale now at Wharton Center' official ticketing outlets: online at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office at Wharton Center, or by calling 1-800-Wharton. 

Chicago is in currently at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. The razzle dazzle of the late 1920s is captivating audiences telling the story of Roxie Hart, housewife and nightclub dancer, who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she tricks the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. The show has been running on Broadway for over 20 years and here are ten reasons why you should see Chicago before it leaves Detroit!

Get ready for that razzle-dazzle Detroit, you are in for a special treat - Chicago is back in the Motor City from October 16th through the 21st at the Fisher Theatre! It is the story of Roxie Hart, housewife and nightclub dancer, who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she tricks the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer, Billy Flynn, to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines. And Detroit, there's an extra special surprise in store for us - Youtube sensation and Broadway star, Todrick Hall is reprising the role of Billy Flynn here in Detroit for one week only! BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Todrick Hall about stepping back into the world of Chicago, what he loves about theatre, and what's next for him. Plus, he even answered some questions that were tweeted in to us (@BWW_Detroit) by some of his very loyal friends. Check out what Todrick had to say below!

Whodunit? The Ringwald. In the fall. With the candlestick. Clue, the 1985 cult classic comedy, is currently running through November 5th at the theatre in Ferndale. Jonathan Lynn, director and screenwriter of beloved comedy, personally created this stage adaption with additional material by Hunter Foster, Eric Price, and Sandy Rustin so fans of the film will be happy to know that the clever and quotable wordplay remains largely intact with brand-new twists and tricks! BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with Donny Riedel who plays Wadsworth in show about comedic play, his character, and why audiences will have an amazing experience at Clue.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies will perform in Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall starting Tuesday, October 9th through Sunday, October 14th as part of the MSU Federal Credit Union Broadway at Wharton Center Series. The brand-new touring production features an extensive re-working of the material by an Australian creative team for the original Australian premiere in 2011. Directed by Simon Phillips, known for Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, with new set and costume designs by Gabriela Tylesova, choreography by 2011 Astaire Awards winner Graeme Murphy, lighting design by Nick Schlieper, and sound design by Mick Potter, the show is one of the few instances of a major West End musical being given a complete makeover for subsequent productions. The year is 1907, ten years after the disappearance of the Phantom from the Paris Opera House and he's escaped to a new life in New York where he lives among the freak shows at Coney Island. He finally found a place for his music to soar, but he never stopped yearning for his one true love, Christine Daae, and lures her, Raoul, and their young son to New York not knowing what's in store for them. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to interview Erin Chupinsky, who grew up in Michigan and is currently on tour with Love Never Dies, about how much she loves the show and how great it is to be performing in her home state.

Outvisible Theatre Company commenced their third season with a world premiere production of Unsportsmanlike Conduct, which opened September 21st in Allen Park. The play, winner of the Detroit New Works Festival, by Jeff Stolzer is being produced at a time where society, particularly young people, are largely engaged with and affected by the #MeToo movement, which the work aims to highlight accordingly to the theatre company. Unsportsmanlike Conduct is about a cocktail waitress who after spending the night with an NFL quarterback rebuffs his sexual advances the following morning and discovers his romantic pillow talk was manipulative and insincere. Upset by his deceit and lies, she leaves. But they will meet again - first in his attorney's conference room and then in a court of law - after she accuses of him of date rape. BroadwayWorld Detroit had a chance to speak with director, Adriane Galea, quickly about working with the world premiere show and why it is important.