Shawn Handlon is Planet Ant Theatre's new artistic director.

New season, new artistic director at Planet Ant

Posted: Aug. 17, 2012 at 6:00 a.m.

HAMTRAMCK - Planet Ant Theatre's upcoming 2012-2013 season not only continues its mission to highlight local writers, directors and performers, the company also announces that long-time Planet Ant artist Shawn Handlon has been named its new artistic director.

Planet Ant is proud to reveal its 2012-2013 season. The theater's Main Stage shows are full-length original and published works with an 8 p.m. showtime Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. Late Night presentations feature one-act original and experimental material with a 9 p.m. showtime Friday and Saturday evenings.

Handlon has been with the Planet Ant since 1999, when he joined the cast of the theater's first sketch/play hybrid, "Sardines," under the direction of Josh Funk. He has written, directed or performed in more than 25 shows with Planet Ant and The Second City, including "Detroit Be Dammed: A Beaver's Tale," "Bottle of Red: Uncorked," "Cancer! The Musical," "Deceptions To The Rule," "25" and "BooHaHa" (later remounted as "BloodBath and Beyond"). Regarding his upcoming role, Handlon states, "I've seen a lot of great performers pour their hearts into this job, and in so doing, they've shaped the legacy of this theater. I am thrilled with the appointment to artistic director, I am honored to be in such esteemed company, and I am eager to see what my contribution will be."

Tickets for Planet Ant performances are $20 for main stage productions, $10 for late night presentations, and $5 for Monday Night Improv.

On-sale dates and casting for each production will be announced at a later date.

Planet Ant Theatre is located at 2357 Caniff in Hamtramck, MI 48212. It is a non-profit professional theater founded on the principle of artistic freedom and artistic experimentation, leading to the growth of community, to artistic fulfillment, and to artistic success. The theater has presented more than 80 professional productions, with a commitment to providing the best in theatrical productions, a philosophy that has brought it critical acclaim and awards across the region.

More information on Planet Ant Theatre is available online at www.planetant.com.

Planet Ant 2012-2013 Season

Sept. 21 - Oct. 13: The Main Stage Series season opens with "Hamtown Races" by Margaret Edwartowski, writer of last season's "Snowbound" and "The Do Over." Directed by Mike McGettigan, "Hamtown Races" takes place at the Al Ameer Cafe, a family business belonging to Lebanese immigrants that plays host to a colorful and diverse collection of characters, each representative of the varied and shifting cultures in Hamtramck.

Oct. 26 - Nov. 10: Kicking off Planet Ant's Late Night Series is an original show by Question Marky Mark, the winning improv troupe from the theater's Summer Colony Fest. Planet Ant Home Team improvisor Lauren Bickers will be the head writer and director.

Nov. 23 - Dec. 15: The Late Night Series continues with a new one-act comedy from the minds of Planet Ant's Improv Colony. The show will feature talents of improvisors from the Improv Colony Home Team, with Shawn Handlon as head writer and director.

Jan. 18 - Feb. 2, 2013: Planet Ant will feature a show from the director of the winning production from the "BoxFest Detroit 2012" as the third entry in its Late Night Series. "BoxFest Detroit" is an annual theater festival that showcases and creates opportunities for women directors. Proceeds from the event are given to two directors as a scholarship to help further their careers.

March 8 - March 30: Planet Ant Theatre's Main Stage series continues with "Action Sports News," an original comedy written and directed by Dyan Bailey and Mike McGettigan. "Action Sports News" follows a mediocre mid-level news anchor, Gloria Day, who has been stuck at a job she hates for far too long. When an overly nostalgic boss, a hot shot ex-Olympian, and a complacent crew all threaten to disrupt a potential opportunity, Gloria vows to stop at nothing to get what she's entitled to.

April 5 - April 20: Dave Davies and Quintin Hicks reunite for "Fish Dinner - A Second Helping," another original comedy in the Late Night Series. The duo won the 2011 Wilde Award for their original show, "Fish Dinner," presented at Planet Ant in April 2011.

May 10 - June 1: The Main Stage Series concludes with "Brimstone and Treacle" by English television dramatist Dennis Potter. Directed by Dave Davies, the play tells the story of a middle-class couple whose life has been catastrophically affected when an accident leaves their teenage daughter in a coma. The situation soon changes when a mysterious young stranger arrives at their door. Is he the answer to their prayers or a devil in disguise?

Monday Night Improv ($5) continues throughout the year at Planet Ant Mondays at 8 p.m. A guest team of improvisers opens the evening followed by the theater's Improv Colony Home Team. The evening concludes with an open improv jam where anyone can play.