Michigan's longest running, nonprofit, professional theatre, the Detroit Repertory Theatre will hold its Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration and Performance on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 6:30 pm. The Black Tie is the Annual Major Fundraiser for the Theatre. Funds raised help keep the Detroit Repertory Theatre producing its diversity centered productions and support its many outreach programs that provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the uninitiated and the physically, mentally, economically and socially challenged, proving the power of diversity acting in unity.
The Detroit Repertory Theatre's artistic commitment and accomplishments help keep Detroit's rebirth active and alive. The Annual Black Tie Homecoming unites past Detroit Repertory Theatre artists and actors, ??loyal patrons of the Theatre and civic minded Citizens who value the Detroit Rep's contributions to the cultural life of Metropolitan Detroit in an effort to bring hope to the community, vitality to the city and a promise of a future for the City of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre.
The Detroit Repertory Theatre is excited to announce The Skillman Foundation's President and CEO, Tonya Allen, will be Keynote Speaker for the Annual Black Tie Awards Night and Homecoming Celebration.
Individual tickets are $75 and include a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception followed by a ceremony hosted by Master of Ceremonies, UAW International Representative and TV producer, writer and actor, Michael Joseph. Ms. Allen will give a keynote speech about the importance of the arts and legacy of the Detroit Repertory Theatre, followed by the annual presentation of awards to the Best Artists of the 16/17 Season as
The evening will feature a presentation of the first play of the Rep's 61st Season, the World Premiere comedy Swimming Upstream by Rich Rubin. The night winds down with a Champagne and Dessert Afterglow in the Lobby Gallery with the Detroit Rep's Artists of the past, present and future. Black Tie is Optional. Tickets for the special evening may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (313) 868-1347 with a Visa or MasterCard, with no surcharge, or by visiting the Rep website at detroitreptheatre.com
The Detroit Repertory Theatre is located in the geographical heart of Detroit at 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit MI 48238. Parking is attended, adjacent, fenced-in and free. More information may be found at www.detroitreptheatre.com
About the Play Climate change is affecting the world's salmon, but Jen's boss won't let her report her findings. Her new love interest, a superhero aficionado, and her mother, a Ronald Reagan fan, question what they call (and Jen agrees that it is) a salmon obsession.
As Jen encounters the zigs and zags of both her professional and personal relationships, she discovers that going with the flow is sometimes not a viable option and that swimming upstream is the only way to proceed.
Swimming Upstream is directed by resident company member Harry Wetzel
Last season Mr. Wetzel directed the acclaimed production The Realization of Emily Linder. He is also a Rep company actor, appearing last season as Karl Marx in Capital, and resident set designer for the Detroit Rep. His cast for Swimming Upstream features Repertory veteran Sandra Love Aldridge (DETROIT), who portrays the feisty widowed mother of Jen. The rest of Harry's cast will bring four new actors to the attention of Repertory audiences.
Raymond Jordan (DETROIT), portrays James, the boss of the University Biology Research Lab. Audrey Lovy (ROYAL OAK) portrays Jen. Stefanie Sambrano (CLINTON TOWNSHIP) is Val, Jen's friend and fellow worker. Yianni Papadimos (SYLVANIA, OH) plays Matt, the superhero aficionado.
About the Keynote Speaker and Master of CeremoniesVideos