on stages: U-M Theatre Department season opens with 'Almost, Maine'
Welcome to the most theatrical month of the year—October, when everyone gets into the act of dressing up in costume, and when the theater season officially kicks into high gear.
Why do we love to dress up so much? According to the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress, the origins of Halloween costumes date back to the Celts, who wore them to ward off and confuse evil spirits. Over time, it wasn’t just the Christians that co-opted the holiday, changing the Celtic name “Samhain” to “All Hallow’s Eve.” American capitalism has also benefited greatly from our fascination with this theatrical ritual.
In the United States alone, Halloween is a $5.7 billion industry, with the average American spending: $24 on costumes, $20 on candy, $19 on decorations and $4 on greeting cards, for a total of $67 dollars per person annually.
This year, why not add a ticket to your favorite theater into that mix? As the nights get darker, there’s no better way to ward off the evil spirits than to sit in front of the “fire” and let the professional thespians spin their tales. We promise, we’ll leave the ghost light on for you.
Show: “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani, through Oct. 7
Company: U-M Department of Theatre and Drama
Type of Company: Higher Education
Venue/location: Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, Ann Arbor
Recommended ages: Age 12+
Description: On a cold winter night graced with the Northern lights, the remote community of Almost, Maine, sparkles with wonder. As the night progresses, nine couples experience the various, unpredictable elements of love - that first spark, heartbreak, falling in love, breaking up, and the joys of discovering you’re meant for each other, or perhaps not. Filled with comic and poignant tales, "Almost, Maine" examines our search for human connection.
Preview from AnnArbor.com
Fun fact: Playwright Cariani is best known for his acting - usually as the tech savant- on such shows as Law and Order and Numb3rs. He first started writing when he couldn't find decent audition material.
For tickets and information: 734-764-2538, tickets.music.umich.edu
Show: “The Pillowman” by Martin McDonagh, through Oct. 13
Company: Threefold Productions
Type of Company: Pre-Professional
Venue/location: Mix Studio Theatre, 8 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti
Recommended ages: 18+
Description: McDonagh’s Tony-nominated script follows an unsuccessful author and his emotionally stunted brother as they are interrogated by two bulldog policemen about their suspected involvement in a recent string of child murders. This unrelenting story illustrates characters in a fight for life and legacy while they grapple with struggles of identity and morality.
Encore Michigan article
Fun fact: Also a screenwriter, McDonagh’s latest film Seven Psychopaths stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Tom Waits.
For tickets and information: www.threefoldproductions.org
Show: “The Fantasticks” by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, through October 21
Company: The Encore Musical Theatre Company
Type of Company: Equity Special Appearance Contract
Venue/location: The Encore Musical Theatre Company, 3126 Broad Street, Dexter
Recommended ages: All
Description: The Fantasticks is a beautiful coming-of-age story, with an amazing score. You may recognize songs like "Try to Remember", "Soon It's Gonna Rain", and "They Were You."
Review from AnnArbor.com
Fun fact: The show premiered at the Sullivan Street Playhouse, a small off-Broadway theatre in New York City's Greenwich Village, on May 3, 1960, with Jerry Orbach as El Gallo, Rita Gardner as Luisa, Kenneth Nelson as Matt, and librettist Tom Jones (under a pseudonym) as the Old Actor, among the cast members.
For tickets and information: 734-268-6200, www.theencoretheatre.org
Show: “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, through October 28
Company: Performance Network Theatre
Type of Company: Professional Equity SPT
Venue/location: Performance Network Theatre, 120 E. Huron, Ann Arbor
Recommended ages: 14+
Description: Faded Southern Belle Amanda Wingfield will stop at nothing to find a husband for her painfully shy daughter, Laura, still living at home with her brother, Tom, a would-be writer working in a shoe factory. When Amanda enlists Tom's help in bringing home a "gentleman caller" from the factory, the family's dreams hang in the balance as they struggle to escape the hopelessness of their world. Set in 1937 St. Louis, this wistfully poetic memory play is regarded by many as Williams' most personal story, and his greatest masterpiece.
Story from WEMU
Fun Fact: The play premiered in Chicago in 1944. It was championed by Chicago critics Ashton Stevens and Claudia Cassidy, whose enthusiasm helped build audiences so the producers could move the play to Broadway where it won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945.
For tickets and information: www.performancenetwork.org/, 734-663-0681
Show: “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts, through December 15
Company: Purple Rose Theatre Company
Type of Company: Professional Equity SPT
Venue/location: Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea
Recommended ages: Contains Adult Language and Content
Description: Arthur Przybyszewski has just about given up on everything: a social life, the chance of romance and most of all his family’s long standing Chicago donut shop. But when idealistic dreamer, Franco Wicks walks through the door of his vandalized storefront, Arthur realizes through their unlikely friendship that life still has more to offer him. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tracy Letts ("August: Osage County") the comedy-drama "Superior Donuts" will make you a believer too.
Review from AnnArbor.com
Fun fact: A Guinness Book of Records largest donut made up of 90,000 individual donuts was set in Sydney in 2007.
For tickets and information: 734-433-7673 (ROSE), www.purplerosetheatre.org
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