Encore Michigan
Open Book’s ‘Too Heavy For Your Pocket’ reminds us that the history of racism keeps repeating
TRENTON, MI–There is a lore, perhaps, around the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s that could lead people today to think that all African-American people... Continue Reading
NYTimes: Detroit Opera’s ‘Malcolm X’ makes big splash
DETROIT — “When a man is lost,” sings Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X’s wife, “does the sky bleed for him, or does the sunset ignore his... Continue Reading
Encore starts the road for Lon Chaney musical
DEXTER, Mich.–Lon Chaney was a transformative actor and make-up artist in Hollywood during the years leading up to World-War 1, the war years and the... Continue Reading
Review: Sherlock Holmes’ third act at PRT is a taut and wile yarn
CHELSEA, MI–Will the real Sherlock Holmes please stand up. If he can, after shooting himself up with drugs. The Purple Rose Theatre opened its third... Continue Reading
The Band’s Visit, a small musical that may well charm you with its smallness
DETROIT, MI–The Band’s Visit, which had a pre-pandemic run on Broadway and has resumed a national tour, has a reputation of being a ‘dull’ show.... Continue Reading
‘The Actors’ brings dramedy to family and healing
ANN ARBOR, MI–Ronnie Larsen’s new play, The Actors, presented by The Penny Seats here, might also be called Irony. The premise is that Ronnie (Brandy... Continue Reading
‘The Cake’ at Williamston is filling with great writing and performances
WILLIAMSTON, Mich.–By now, most of us are familiar with the culture war between evangelical Christians and the LGBTQ community in which florists, bakers and venue... Continue Reading
The Addams Family Musical is all together fun at Detroit Mercy
DETROIT, Mich.–The Addams Family Musical presented by Detroit Mercy Theatre Company is billed as a “Dramatic Concert Version.” But it feels more like a hybrid... Continue Reading
‘Boeing Boeing’ at The Croswell opens doors to laughs
ADRIAN, MICH.–Don’t expect too much plot with a “doors comedy.” But that’s not what the genre is about. Boeing Boeing, a classic “doors comedy” is... Continue Reading
Waitress at The Music Hall is as delicious as really good pie
DETROIT, Mich.–There's nothing like a truly great piece of pie. And Waitress is as good as it gets for a night out a big Broadway... Continue Reading
