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Local and national theater opportunities abound in Monroe County. Products start now and continue through spring.
The River Raisin Arts Center and the Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College announced their upcoming season. Other local theatre companies, such as Monroe Community Players and Bedford Community Players, will announce their productions at a later date. MCP is currently developing a theater experience for readers called “The Best of Shakespeare.”
River Raisin Arts Center
Theatrical performances, local ballets and musical tributes are among the RRCA’s programming this season.
The theater, located at 114 S. Monroe St., kicked off the 2022-23 season last week with performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Malpass Brothers.
“We are delighted to be hosting the 2022 season,” said Claire Bechard, the new deputy director of the RRCA.
Bechard recently replaced Calley Duffey, longtime RRCA deputy director. Bechard studied ballet for many years at the RRCA’s River Raisin School of Dance. As a student at Wayne State University, she works with RRCA’s School of Performing Arts.
This is RRCA’s first full entertainment season since the pandemic began.
“Last year we basically halved our season. Eight shows sold a total of 3,575 seats. This season we’re going to have 12 shows in our main draft season,” Bechard said. “I’m most excited about the Canadian bluegrass band É.T.É. I’ve heard them perform in 2021 and think their sound is right for Monroe, where we have a strong bluegrass following, and French Canadian ancestry.”
The ETE Trio offers traditional Quebec music, a blend of folk, jazz, progressive rock and classical.
Other new shows this season include Mancini Music with film music and Alla Boara with Italian folk music. The Irish Walk House in March will feature Celtic songs and dances. Leslie McCurdy will perform a performance called “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” in February. Return of the Gambler, a tribute to Kenny Rogers, is set for Christmas.
“We’re including new shows to expand our audience and bring a different crowd to Monroe. It’s an interesting change for us this season,” Bechard said. “While our general audience has never heard of these new bands, they may be their next biggest fans. We’re excited to bring music from around the world to our corner of the Midwest.”
Two local ballets will be produced again, including the perennial Nutcracker for the Christmas season.
“I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but we’re bringing back the grand pas de deux in the first act. The Snow Queen’s senior role, danced by Evelyn Short and Elora Russell, is a technically challenging duet with the Snow King, performed by former dancer and trainer Gabrielle Gabriel Hileman dances,” Bechard said.
The spring ballet is Cinderella.
Local performers will also feature in “Spamalot” produced by River Raisin Repertory Co. under the direction of Tracy Glover.
“We haven’t produced this show since 2013, and this is our first River Raisin Rep show since 2019. It’s a fun show and we know audiences will love it,” Bechard said.
RRCA season:
For tickets and more information visit www.riverraisincentre.org.
October 28-30
Python’s “Spamalot”
$15-27
The local River Raisin Repertory Co. will perform Monty Python’s retelling of the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
November 5
“Memphis Night”
$15-39
Tribute to music legends Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
December 2-4
“The Nutcracker” Ballet
$10-27
River Raisin Ballet Co. will present its annual Christmas ballet featuring choreography and handmade costumes.
December 9
Alan Turner’s Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute Show
$15-39
February 18
The Spirit of Harriet Tubman
$15-39
Leslie McCurdy paid tribute to Tubman on a barren stage with just one box of costumes.
March 3-5
Spring Musical at St. Mary’s Catholic Central High School
$6-12
Title to be announced.
March 10
Ireland’s rambling house: Celebrating St Patrick’s
$15-39
Celtic and folk music is accented by the Irish step dance.
April 2
Mancini’s Music $15-39
Celebrating Mancini’s work, from his early work with the Glenn Miller Orchestra to music in films such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
April 8
That
$15-39
An original, lively interpretation of traditional Quebec music.
April 15
all boala
$15-39
Regional folk music from Italy.
April 28-30
“Cinderella” – Ballet
$10-27
River Raisin Ballet Co. will perform a ballet performance for this timeless fairy tale.
Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College
Monroe County Community College at 1555 S. Raisinville Road is planning a full season of entertainment at the Meyer Theater in the La-Z-Boy Center. One event even takes attendees to the bottom of the quarry.
Like the RRCA, the MCCC has had staff changes.
Among other responsibilities, Tom Ryder, who arranged events at the Meyer Theater, is retiring on September 1 after 36 years on the job. Looking for his replacement.
MCCC is also planning its first full season since the pandemic began.
“Last year, due to the pandemic, we started our season in December with 12 shows,” said Joe Verkennes, director of marketing and communications.
This year’s entire agenda will focus on local talent.
“We’re really excited to be able to focus our season on the wonderful arts and culture of our university, the local community and the region as a ‘cultural season’. We feature local and regional musicians and artists,” Verkennes Say. “We will be hosting a series of band concerts, Agora Chorale concerts, four Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts, dance recitations by MCCC’s Inside Out Dance Ensemble, two visiting artists (and more).”
In May, the Academy/Community Symphony Orchestra will perform at the local quarry. Band director Mark Feld originally planned for the concert in 2020, but it was canceled like other band concerts due to the pandemic.
“Due to last year’s COVID restrictions, the band has no performances scheduled. A joint gig with Agora Chorale on October 24 will mark the band’s return,” Verkennes said.
The Agora Choir has a new director this year. Jonathon Lunneberg succeeds Cathy Brodie, who retired last year. Lunneberg is associate choral teacher at Plymouth High School and president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Choir Directors Association.
Future MCCC seasons may add more performances once a new Community Events Coordinator is hired.
“We’ve budgeted for two to four additional regional or national shows that may be more like what we’ve traditionally done (comedians, tribute bands, ethnic shows, etc.),” Verkennes said. “If we do increase Any show, and that’s likely to happen after the beginning of the year. We’re excited to start a new chapter in programming at the La-Z-Boy Center, as someone else will soon be at the helm and take over where Tom Ryder left off. Tom passed for La-Z-Boy Bringing quality performances and ensuring all events run smoothly, the Z-Boy Center has played a key role in making MCCC the cultural and entertainment hub of Monroe County, for which we are forever grateful. As we move into 2023 and beyond , it will be exciting to see the future of theatre.”
MCCC season:
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/events.
October 24
University/Community Symphony Orchestra and Bazaar Choir Concerts
free
October 26
Art display by visiting artist Cassy Fallon.Her work will be on view until November 21st
December 6
Holiday Concert at Agora Chorale
free
December 12
University/Community Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
free
January 13
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
$10-30
February 2
Interview with artist David Hill
February 25
The Big Show: Monroe County’s Annual Black History Month Blues Concert
free
March 6
University/Community Symphony Orchestra and Bazaar Choir Concerts
free
March 17
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
$10-30
April 15-16
Soundtrack, performed by MCCC’s Inside Out Dance Ensemble
Fees to be announced
May 7
Quarry’s College/Community Symphony Orchestra Concert
Location and cost to be announced
May 8
University/Community Symphony Orchestra Concert
free
May 12
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
$10-30
June 16
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
$10-30
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