Marisa Prano

I have never stepped foot into The Ringwald Theatre and on top of that I have admittedly never heard about the play/movie Hurlyburly. However, when I received an invitation to see the show I whole heartedly obliged. Considering that I have never seen the movie or any other production of this play, I really wasn't sure what to expect. Typically, I have some sort of background of the at least the synopsis, but with this show/theatre I really had nothing to go off of, so it was a completely new experience for me.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious tale of overachievers angst which chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show's Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. I had the opportunity to review the show this weekend at The Box theatre in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a rock musical by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The musical is based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy film The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is playing now through March 28th at St. Dunstan's Theatre Guild of Cranbrook.

It may have been cold outside, but it was hot inside The Baldwin Theatre last night during their performance of The Full Monty. Six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie. Although, the story is set in Buffalo the premise of plants closing, unemployment, and the problems that can result from these economic hardships is something that a majority of Detroiters find it easy to relate to these days.

After setting a record for the Gem Theatre's best holiday show in 2007, A Forbidden Broadway Christmas cracks up audiences again at the Gem Nov. 24 - New Year's Eve.

From what I could remember seeing the stage version of 'A Christmas Carol', by Charles Dickens, years ago I loved the classic tale that reminds us about the importance of the spirit of Christmas at this time of year. However recently being let down with Disney's film version of the show I wasn't overly excited to see this holiday story again so soon this season. I am pleased to say that after seeing Meadow Brook Theater's production of 'A Christmas Carol' my faith in the all time classic has been restored.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, made its debut at the Fox Theatre for seven performances, Tuesday, December 1 - Saturday, December 5.

'Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.' It's a timeless message from a classic play, Miracle on 34th Street. The holiday hit that has captivated countless families runs from November 20th to December 13th at The Farmington Players Barn Theater in Farmington Hills.