Author Archives: ronannarbor

Superb cast salvages “The Producers” at Croswell Opera House

First — there are huge fans of Mel Brooks’ musical THE PRODUCERS, and there are those who are not (me) 12 Tonys notwithstanding (I voted for “The Full Monty”). It’s an actor’s dream to perform these roles — its another task entirely to sit for three hours in an audience being inundated with mean-spiritedness. TheContinue reading “Superb cast salvages “The Producers” at Croswell Opera House”

A Place Called Home…(Dog Version)…

Madison came home this week from the Humane Society of Huron Valley. She’s a Black Lab puppy that was surrendered by a family that could not take care of her when an elderly Alzheimers parent came to live with them. I went to take a peak at who was there, and this little Black LabContinue reading “A Place Called Home…(Dog Version)…”

“Billy Elliot” has Big Night at the 2009 Tonys

As predicted in this blog a month ago (and most blogs about Broadway, lets be fair) Billy Elliot had a big night at the Tony awards last night, winning 10 awards, including Best Musical. The voters took pity on Next to Normal by awarding it Best Score, one of only two major awards that BillyContinue reading ““Billy Elliot” has Big Night at the 2009 Tonys”

Encore’s “Little Shop of Horrors” is a Tasty Early Summer Treat

Getting better and better with every show, Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, MI opened a terrific production of Little Shop of Horrors tonight. Funny, well directed, well performed, and well designed, Little Shop is an early summer treat. Steve DeBruyne plays Seymour to nerdish perfection, and I can’t say enough good things about SarahContinue reading “Encore’s “Little Shop of Horrors” is a Tasty Early Summer Treat”

Cedar Point’s “Starlight Experience”; a weekend at the park

I have a season pass for Cedar Point — I decided to spend the weekend there Memorial Day weekend, and had a marvelous time staying at the Lighthouse Point cabin right on property. It’s a great little cabin with AC and 2 t.v.’s !! It has a small exterior porch, and a terrific lake view.Continue reading “Cedar Point’s “Starlight Experience”; a weekend at the park”

Shrek; 9 to 5; Billy Elliot — Broadway Musicals

While on a quick weekend trip to NYC this weekend, I had the opportunity to see three top notch musicals, all of them adaptations of movie screenplays…and surprise of surprises not one of them was a clunker — Like The Wedding Singer and Legally Blonde the past few seasons,  Shrek, 9 to 5, and BillyContinue reading “Shrek; 9 to 5; Billy Elliot — Broadway Musicals”

“Bleeding Red”, Michael Brian Ogden’s immensely entertaining comedy at The Purple Rose Theatre

If you haven’t yet seen it, you have a few more weeks to see”Bleeding Red”, Michael Brian Ogden’s immensely entertaining comedy at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, MI. (photo copyright Purple Rose Theatre, 2009; Michael Brian Ogden, Matthew Gwynn, Matthew David in Bleeding Red) Anyone who has spent any time at all overseas willContinue reading ““Bleeding Red”, Michael Brian Ogden’s immensely entertaining comedy at The Purple Rose Theatre”

Why Elton John’s AIDA by YPT was so good…If I do say so myself

Audiences saw one fine production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA presented by Young People’s Theatre at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre last weekend. In fact, it looked better than most community and high school productions in the region….but why? First — talent — YPT is a pay-to-play young people’s organization that draws some ofContinue reading “Why Elton John’s AIDA by YPT was so good…If I do say so myself”

Stunning “42nd Street” by University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — there is absolutely nobody that presents more professional musical theatre regionally than the University of Michigan Musical Theatre program. Recently celebrating it’s 25th birthday, the program is going strong, with graduates consistently working on Broadway and nationwide. Nowhere is this professionalism more evident than inContinue reading “Stunning “42nd Street” by University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program”