Dio Theatre – Mostly Musical Theatre

Avenue Q shines with laughter and heart at the Dio

Avenue Q, the little musical that could (it beat out behemoth Wicked for Best Musical and other Tony Awards in 2003) arrived at the Dio last night and it is as funny, tuneful, and filled with heart as you would expect. Produced on Broadway by University of Michigan alum Jeffrey Seller, with subsequent replacement castsContinue reading “Avenue Q shines with laughter and heart at the Dio”

Enthralling and Delightful “Daddy Long Legs” at the Dio Theatre (Review)

The Dio Theatre opened the Michigan premier of the 2015 Off-Broadway musical “Daddy Long Legs” last night and it is delightful and gorgeous, and you can expect to see it all over the local theatre awards later this year. Beautifully performed by Emily Hadick and Alexander Benoit, with lovely orchestrations under the capable direction ofContinue reading “Enthralling and Delightful “Daddy Long Legs” at the Dio Theatre (Review)”

The Dio’s “Forever Plaid” Serves Up a Tasty Summer Confection (review)

Guest Review by Wendy Wright As sweet as an ice cream sundae, with tight harmonies as dense as a pound cake, the wonderful performances in the Dio’s production of FOREVER PLAID serve as the cherry on top. Walking in to the show all I knew was that it was a review of songs from theContinue reading “The Dio’s “Forever Plaid” Serves Up a Tasty Summer Confection (review)”

Holiday cheer-filled “Home for the Holidays” – Dio (review)

The Dio Theatre has a holiday-cheer filled reprise of its own “Home For the Holidays” in store for this season. It looks and sound terrific and everything zips along fast and efficiently. Only a Scrooge wouldn’t have fun at this Christmas delight. During a Christmas Eve performance, diva Portia (Molly Cunningham) refuses to go onContinue reading “Holiday cheer-filled “Home for the Holidays” – Dio (review)”

Stirring, tight, intimate “Cabaret” at The Dio (review)

Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret has always been a musical theater masterwork. You are in for a stirring and tightly produced production at The Dio. In this intimate setting, the show feels particularly touching. Steve DeBruyne directs and plays a terrific Emcee and he keeps the energy high and always on the move. There is cleverContinue reading “Stirring, tight, intimate “Cabaret” at The Dio (review)”

Come “Home For the Holidays” – The Dio – review

Its Baaa-ck!…… Home for the Holidays, the original Christmas musical written by Steve DeBruyne and Matthew Tomich and featuring a solid cast of 13 returns for its third holiday season at the Dio, the second in its permanent home in Pinckney. I’ve reviewed the show before, so you can check that out with a quickContinue reading “Come “Home For the Holidays” – The Dio – review”