L. Murray News

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 2017/18 Season.

WSU's Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance has announced its 88th annual Spring Dance Concert, entitled Come Together, today March 3rd and Saturday March 4th at the Bonstelle Theatre. Come Together celebrates a range of cultural influences that define our artistic diversity.

WSU's Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance has announced its 88th annual Spring Dance Concert, entitled Come Together, on Friday March 3rd and Saturday March 4th at the Bonstelle Theatre. Come Together celebrates a range of cultural influences that define our artistic diversity.

There's something for everybody in this raucous and hilarious CINDERELLA: plenty of glitter and stage magic and romance (lite) for the kids, but also cat videos, a Tshirt slingshot, a killer drag rendition of Joe Cocker's “You are So Beautiful” and even a poop emoji blanket. It's a really smart show that hews to the moral center of the old fairy tale but steers entirely clear of stuffiness.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) presents the back-by-popular-demand production of Cinderella.  This rambunctious musical originally created by CTC brings together the heart-warming, classic story of Cinderella's transformation, a Victorian Christmas party with lavish period costumes, grandiose sets and holiday carols, with brand-new, clever pop culture references, shameless physical comedy, audience participation, and gut-busting gags.  

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) presents the back-by-popular-demand production of Cinderella.  This rambunctious musical originally created by CTC brings together the heart-warming, classic story of Cinderella's transformation, a Victorian Christmas party with lavish period costumes, grandiose sets and holiday carols, with brand-new, clever pop culture references, shameless physical comedy, audience participation, and gut-busting gags. 

Conflicts due to race, immigration and gender... you would think this turn-of-the-century story would seem like ancient history but instead it feels fresh and relevant as today's headlines. RAGTIME plays through Oct. 23 at Theater Latte Da and stars a new local actor, David L. Murray, Jr., whom we get to know in 6 Questions & a Plug.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) will present the audience favorite Cinderella, starring CTC Acting Company member Traci Allen Shannon in the title role. The entire CTC Acting Company stars as well with Reed Sigmund and Dean Holt playing Cinderella's stepsisters, Dorcas and Pearl, Autumn Ness playing the Stepmother, and Gerald Drake playing Lord High Chamberlain. CTC's 15/16 Performing Apprentice China Brickey will perform as the fairy godmother. David L. Murray,Jr (upcoming Theater Latte Da's Ragtime) will debut at CTC as Prince Eric.

Saint Michael's Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the June 21 opening of the Playhouse's 2016 summer theater season with the five-time Tony-nominated musical Sister Act, the sparkling smash hit musical comedy that the New York Post called 'ridiculously fun.'

?Highlighting the works of world-class dance faculty, guest artists, and emerging choreographers, the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance Spring Dance Concert presents “Shifting Encounters” at the Bonstelle Theatre March 3?& 4?. The concert features nine dynamic works, all of which have been adjudicated and chosen by faculty to grace the stage.

?Highlighting the works of world-class dance faculty, guest artists, and emerging choreographers, the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance Spring Dance Concert presents “Shifting Encounters” at the Bonstelle Theatre March 3?& 4?. The concert features nine dynamic works, all of which have been adjudicated and chosen by faculty to grace the stage.

The Wayne State University Dance Company is proud to present It's Not How People Move It's What Moves Them tonight, December 5th, as part of the Noel Night festivities in Midtown Detroit. The work will be performed at 6:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at the Allesee Dance Theatre, located on the third floor in Old Main. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (313) 577-2972, visiting the Hilberry Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock Street, or ordering online at wsushows.com

The Wayne State University Dance Company is proud to present It's Not How People Move It's What Moves Them on Saturday, December 5th, as part of the Noel Night festivities in Midtown Detroit. The work will be performed at 6:30 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at the Allesee Dance Theatre, located on the third floor in Old Main. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (313) 577-2972, visiting the Hilberry Theatre box office at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock Street, or ordering online at wsushows.com

Wayne State University is proud to present the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance December Dance Concert on Friday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 7th at 2:00 p.m. The December Dance Concert highlights the work of renowned guest artists, faculty, and select students. Performances are at the Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward Avenue, in midtown Detroit. Tickets range from $10-$20 and are available by calling (313) 577-2960, online at Bonstelle.com, or at the Hilberry Theatre box office, temporarily located at 4841 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock Street on the 3rd floor of Old Main.

Timothy Sheader's critically acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess which ends its strictly limited run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre on 23 August, draws on talent from both sides of the Atlantic, Rufus Bonds Jr plays Porgy and Nicola Hughes plays Bess, with Phillip Boykin as Crown, Cedric Neal as Sportin' Life and Olivier Award-winning Sharon D Clarke as Mariah. Check out highlights from the production below!

Last night, Monday 28 July, was the Opening Night of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess which runs at Regents Park Open Air Theatre until 23 August. After the show, cast, creative team and invited guests enjoyed a summer drink of Canard Duchene Champagne on the lawn of Regents Park Open Air Theatre, accompanied by Belly Pork Croquettes with Roasted Corn Cream and Lemon Cone Trees. Check out the photos below!

Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray. Check out a first look at the production below!

The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, ends on a high note grossing $1,030,014 for the week closing July 20, 2014, making it the highest-grossing week on the tour. More than 15,000 people attended the show in Charlotte.

Though the weather was stormy on the opening night of the MUNY's presentation of the American Repertory Theater's 2011 update of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, and believe me I drove through some heavy downpours as I made my way to Forest Park, somehow the rain held off and allowed this wonderful show to proceed. Purists have been in an uproar over the fact that the original show has been altered, and while I certainly understand what all the fuss was about, there's no denying the fact that this new interpretation is a moving and compelling production that's definitely a winning crowd-pleaser.

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess will run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre from 17 July to 23 August with Opening Night for press on 28 July. Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray.