Meadow Brook Theatre is looking to end their 2024-2025 season on a high note, with the return of a local favorite, Shear Madness! This play blends the exciting aspects of a whodunit with elements of humor, creating a unique experience for all who attend. There's nothing quite like Shear Madness currently in the local Michigan theater landscape, uti…

Who's ready for a Roll in the Hay, or at least prepared to see Avon Players' production of Young Frankenstein? This musical adaptation of the classic Mel Brooks film is ready to make audiences roar with laughter! Being the last show from Avon Players' 2024-2025 season, the cast and crew are looking to go out with a bang, with The Mel Brooks Musical…

The vibrant life of the Emerald City is once again returning to The Fisher Theatre! The revival of The Wiz is coming to the 313 as the final show in the Broadway in Detroit 2024-2025 season, and the local theater world is buzzing with excitement! Celebrating the monumental 50th anniversary of the show, The Wiz is ready to ease on down the road and …

It's Alive! IT'S ALIVE!!!!!! Avon Players' production of The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein is coming together before its opening night this coming Friday, looking to electrify the audience. Based on the 1974 Mel Brooks film, this musical captures the wacky and zany energy that any Brooks work is known for. However, it infuses it with song …

In the words of the iconic Viola Van Horn, played by the incomparable Michelle Williams, Don't say I didn't warn you! Warn you about what exactly? Well, just how addictive the new Broadway musical, Death Becomes Her, is! To say we're obsessed with this show might be an understatement, but hey, what's wrong with having a hobby? Having seen this show…

As a therapist, I can attest that sometimes laughter is the best healing medicine. Typically, we tend to release pain through tears, but when we can channel our grief into laughter, we get relief amid all the sadness. Dearly Departed explores the journey of grief in the Turpin family, who lose their patriarch at the show's beginning. However, this …

What would you do if someone offered you a potion that grants you eternal life? What price would you pay to remain young and youthful from now until forever? For many, that opportunity would be priceless, but as we know, all magic comes with strings attached, as Madeline and Helen learn in the new Broadway musical, Death Becomes Her! Based on the 1…

It's never an easy decision to decide when and how to bring a baby into the world, especially when the world feels like it's falling apart around you. With the changing global landscape constantly in flux, there is never a perfect time to take the plunge and have a child. That pressure has to feel insurmountable at times, and is at the center of Ti…

We've all heard the story of Harold Hill before, right? A charming, young con man who travels across America from one small town to another, creating unnecessary panic in hopes of stealing everyone's money. Classic Harold, giving false promises of bringing music to citizens through a marching band, and disappearing into the night with their hard-ea…

There's that saying that history repeats itself, which seems to be one of the only constants in life. Trends fade, only to return decades later, reminding us that everything in life is cyclical. Both the good and the bad find their way back as the tides of life change over and over, whether we like it or not. That's what makes shows such as Perfect…

Audra McDonald is a Broadway Legend in every sense of the title, from her incredible acting to even more impressive singing. So when we heard that she was starring in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy, we knew that we had to see it in person on our next trip to New York City. This classic musical based on the story of real life burlesque dancer…

There's something timeless about the works of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, collectively known as The Rat Pack. All stars in their own right, these men, amongst others, shared the silver screen and the stages of Vegas together. Even though they reached their height almost three-quarters of a century ago, their films and music are…

Hello! Do you have a minute to talk about our lord and savior, The Book of Mormon? No, not the actual book, but the wildly successful Broadway musical that has been a staple in the New York theatre scene since 2011! The Book of Mormon continues to delight audiences of all walks of life, with a satirical look at the power of religion and the communi…

It feels like Broadway is rediscovering the incredible work of Stephen Sondheim over the past few years, as one musical after another finds a home in New York City once again. From the gender-swapped Company and the more recent revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sondheim's easily identifiable music and lyrics are being exper…

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Book of Mormon arrived on Detroit's doorstep last week, ringing the bell of The Fisher Theatre, hoping to spread the word of how incredible this show is. There's truly nothing like this comedy on there, as The Book of Mormon explores the power of community and relationships through unbelievable satire fro…

Growing older is just an aspect of life that everyone has to come to terms with; however, growing up is something entirely different. Maturity can come with age, but other factors force adolescents to grow up faster than they should have to, trading their innocence for the reality of whatever situation they're living through. We see this all too of…

What would you do if you were face to face with your mortality? It's an interesting concept that most don't like to think about, as facing the possibility of your death is terrifying. However, if you're anything like Kimberly Levaco, you will squeeze as much joy as possible out of whatever time is left on this Earth. In the Tony Award-winning music…

Stephen Sondheim is a household name for theater nerds like us, giving audiences some of Broadway's most recognizable and prolific pieces. Works, such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Company, Gypsy, Sunset Blouvard, have stood the test of time, returning to Broadway many times over for audiences to enjoy. However, it's an earlier…

Friends, family, community —in whatever form it comes—is one of the most important things a person can develop in their life. It is having a group of people who are there for you through thick and thin, giving their unconditional support regardless of your choices. The sisterhood that sits at the center of Birmingham Village Players' production of …

When the global pandemic hit just a few years ago, the world came to a standstill. Everything stopped, leaving people frozen in place through necessity and fear. Broadway was no exception, with theaters closing and remaining empty month after month. When society began to open again, people flocked to the theater, welcomed by fan-favorite shows and …

Friendship is one of the most important bonds we can form throughout our lives. Whether we find our people at a young age or not until later in life, it's the family we develop along the way that provides so many of us with the strength we need to face difficulties. This bond is front and center in Vanities the Musical, which is making its Michigan…

Our time in Bikini Bottom is almost over, as the Bloomfield Players are in the closing weekend of their production of The Spongebob Musical. As the saying goes, don't be sad that it's over, smile because it happened! It's difficult not to smile profusely when you see a musical such as this one, as it's brimming with laughter, hope, and good vibes..…

Some things that might seem incredibly mundane are truly religious experiences. For some, it's taking that first sip of their morning coffee, letting it walk over them, melting away every worry. For others, it's a long drive on a nice summer day, blaring their music and letting the sun shine on their skin. However, for others, it's the act of gathe…

For as long as the cartoon has been around, Patrick Star has been Spongebob's best friend. They are inseparable in almost every aspect of their lives, staying besties through thick and thin (well, give or take a few episodes). So it only makes sense that when Bikini Bottom is under fire (literally) from the impending explosion of Mount Humongous, P…

While Parade might have left Detroit and moved on with its North American tour, this musical's impact will live in our minds forever. This timely story about the conviction and unjust murder of Leo Frank couldn't have come at a better time, as injustices in our country are becoming increasingly more apparent. It serves of a reminder of the treatmen…

Sandy the squirrel is truly a fish out of water in the world of Spongebob and the rest of his aquatic friends. A mammal from the warm land of Texas, Sandy ends up in Bikini Bottom, living in a space suit to protect her from drowning as well as the crushing pressure of the water. In the cartoon, she's built herself a beautiful life and seems relativ…

Broadway in Detroit has been a staple of the southwest Michigan theater community for decades, bringing the best touring Broadway shows to The Fisher Theatre and The Detroit Opera House. While we're still working our way through the current season, with shows such as The Book of Mormon and The Wiz still upcoming, those behind the scenes always thin…

The show must go on, no matter what...At least that's what must be going on in Pearl's head throughout the course of The Spongebob Musical. Set against the backdrop of impending disaster, this musical sees the star in the making, Mr. Krab's cheerleader daughter, decide to save Bikini Bottom from the exploding Mount Humongous in the only way possibl…

The Ringwald Theatre over in Ferndale, MI, has never shied away from the stories they tell, and their latest show, Cock, is no exception. An intimate look into sexuality and how attraction and love change over time, Cock shines a light on relationships of all kinds and how complicated they can be. Director Joe Bailey has created something special f…

It’s not every day that something from our childhood crosses over with our passion of Broadway, but every once in a while we find a show that mixes those two things together, creating a special night out at the theater. Those over at the Bloomfield Players Community Theater are looking to do just that with their upcoming production of Spongebob the…

There’s nothing on the Broadway scene quite like Parade, as this marries the concept of theater and art perfectly. There’s so much beauty in the tragic story of Leo Frank and the heinous acts of the Georgia government to wrongly convict him of murder. This isn’t escapism theater, but instead a musical that pushes those in attendance to think about …

Life is short, there's no denying that. Time is forever slipping through our fingers as we grow older, each day feeling like it's passing faster than the one before it. As we grow older, many of us attempt to squeeze every drop we can out of life, desperate for more time for all the things we want to do. However, for someone like Kim, time is even …

What would our childhoods have been like without board games such as Clue? Nothing quite brings families together like solving a murder and accusing one of your loved ones of doing it! We frequently visited Boddy Mansion in hopes of discovering the culprit before anyone else, bringing with it a healthy dose of suspicion and even more laughter. The …

Tipping Point Theatre is in its 17th season of bringing remarkable stories to Northville, MI, emphasizing family and how that can look different for so many people. What constitutes a family? Is it the blood bonds between people or are they unbreakable connections we build throughout life? In their upcoming show, English from playwright Sanaz Tooss…

With such a rich lore and vibrant board, the beloved game Clue is prime for adaptations, such as the stage play Clue Live on Stage! This show recently visited Michigan as a bonus show for Broadway in Detroit's 2024-2025 season, and we had a blast solving the murder of Mr. Boddy along with his distinguished dinner guests on stage! In this episode of…

Parade is a dramatization of the real-life trial and death of Jewish American Leo Frank in the early 20th century. This classic Jason Robert Brown musical revival just began its national tour and before its arrival in Detroit, we were able to speak with actor Griffin Binnicker, who plays Tom Watson. In this exclusive interview, Griffin Binnicker di…

As the premiere of Meadow Brook Theatre's romantic comedy The Angel Next Door quickly approaches, we sat down with the stars of the show, Chris Stinson and Olivia Ursu, who play Oliver Williams and Margot Bell. In this interview, Stinson and Ursu discuss their current and previous experiences working with Meadow Brook Theatre, what drew them to The…

Come From Away is one of those musicals that celebrates a bright spot in one of the darkest days in American history. It tells the true story of the little town of Gander in Newfoundland, which took in about 7000 passengers grounded during the September 11th attacks. While exploring such a heavy topic, the story and cast of Come From Away also wish…

The Glass Menagerie, the University of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play, arrives at the Marlene Boll Theatre on February 7th and runs through the 16th. Ahead of its debut at the Marlene Boll Theatre in Downtown Detroit, we spoke with director Joe Bailey, who is also the Art Director of The Ringwald Theatre i…

In the joint interview, Graham Stevens and Jeff Skowron discuss the pressure of playing such iconic and recognizable characters from CLUE, how they can put their own spins on the characters, and how they keep up the intensely funny energy for 90 minutes! Thanks for checking out the interview, don't forget to like, comment and subscribe to be alerte…

In this episode of The Cosmic Curtain, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on the global phenomenon of Six The Musical. Having journeyed outside of New York City, this musical is traversing North America and recently came to our neck of the woods, thanks to Broadway in Detroit, as a bonus show in their 2024-2025 season! Ha…

In this episode of The Cosmic Curtain, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical. What is their exposure to Neil Diamond before A Beautiful Noise? Did they enjoy the use of frame storytelling to move along the narrative? What did they think about the exploration of mental health? An…

Beginning on January 10, Footloose The Musical is looking to wow audiences in this incredible collaboration between professional playhouse Meadow Brook Theatre (Rochester, MI) and Oakland University's School of Music, Theatre, & Dance! Ahead of the show's premiere, we sat down and spoke with the director of Meadow Brook's production, Tyrick Wiltez …

Six the Musical is poised to return to Broadway in Detroit, and just ahead of its royal entry into the 313, we were able to sit down with Carlina Parker, an alternate on the North American Tour. In this exclusive interview, Carlina Parker talks about her time on SIX the Musical, how she prepares to take on any three of the queens at a moment's noti…

In this episode of The Cosmic Curtain, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the North American tour of Les Misérables! They explore their relationships with the musical (and films) prior to seeing the Broadway in Detroit show at the Fisher Theatre in Michigan, what aspects of the musical they were drawn to, and which performances and ac…

If you're in the Rochester, Michigan area and looking for some Christmas fun for the entire family, then be sure to check out Meadow Brook's 42nd annual production of A Christmas Carol, which runs from now until December 22! Beginning a few weeks back and running through December 22, A Christmas Carol is a staple holiday experience, one that we enj…

Matt Crowle plays Thénardier in the North American touring production of Les Misérables, who serves as a bit of comedic relief within the serious and tragic tones of the musical. In this exclusive interview, Crowle talks about how his past in comedy helped influence some of his character choices, what it's like to be touring for two years in the sa…

Join hosts RJ Miller-Zelinko and Brian Kitson as they talk about all things Wicked on this episode of The Cosmic Curtain! With both well-versed in the Broadway show, these two Box Seat Babes discuss how the film compares to the stage production, what they enjoyed about this film, changes that didn't sit well with them, and which moments stood out! …

Join hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko aka The Box Seat Babes, as they discuss all their thoughts on Mean Girls the Musical. How do they feel like it compared to the original film starring Lindsay Lohan & Rachel McAdams? Did they like how it was updated for a new generation of fans? Which songs impressed them, and which ones didn't? You can …

Mean Girls The Musical is currently on its North American Tour and playing at the Fisher Theater as part of the Broadway in Detroit series of shows from November 19 through the 24. Before its arrival, we spoke with one of its stars, Joshua Morrisey, who plays Damian! In this exclusive Cosmic Circus Broadway interview, Morrisey talks about his time …