Monroe County has plenty of local and national theater opportunities. Offerings begin now and continue until spring.
The River Raisin Center for the Arts and the Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College have announced the next season. Other local theater companies, such as the Monroe Community Players and the Bedford Community Players, will present productions at a later date. MCP is currently working on a theatrical experience for readers called “Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits.”
River Raisin Center for the Arts
Theater performances, local ballets, and musical tributes are among the season’s offerings at the RRCA.
The theater, 114 S. Monroe Street, opened the 2022-23 season last week with performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Malpass Brothers.
Claire Bechard, RRCA’s new Associate Director, said:
Bechard recently succeeded Calley Duffey, RRCA’s longtime Associate Director. Bechard studied ballet for years at the RRCA-based River Raisin Dance Academy. As a student at Wayne State University, she collaborated with her RRCA School of Performing Arts.
This is RRCA’s first full entertainment season since the pandemic began.
“Last year, our season was effectively halved. We sold 3,575 seats total for eight shows. “I am most excited about Canadian bluegrass band ETÉ. I thought it would suit many Monroes.”
The ETE Trio offers traditional Quebec music that combines folk, jazz, progressive rock and classical.
Other new shows this season include Mancini’s Music, which provides music for the film, and Alla Boala, which provides Italian folk music. Celtic songs and dances are performed at the Irish Rambling House in March. Leslie McCurdy will perform “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” in February. A tribute to Kenny Rogers, The Gambler Returns is set around Christmas time.
“We’re including new shows to broaden our audience and bring different audiences to Monroe. This is a fun change for our season,” said Bechard. “Our typical audience has never heard of these new bands, but they could be their next big fan. I am excited about it.”
Two local ballets are back in action, including the Christmas season classic The Nutcracker.
“I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but I’m bringing back the Grand Pas de Deux in Act 1. Evelyn Short and Elora Russell’s dancing Snow Queen starring is a technically difficult duet with the Snow King. Former dancer and instructor Gabriel Heilmann danced,” Bechard said.
The spring ballet is “Cinderella”.
Local performers will also feature in “Spamalot,” produced by the River Raisin Repertory Company under the direction of Tracy Glover.
“This show hasn’t been produced since 2013. This is the first River Raisin Rep show since 2019. It’s a fun show that we know our audience will enjoy,” Bechard said.
RRCA season:
For tickets and more information, visit www.riverraisincentre.org.
October 28-30
Monty Python’s “Spamalot”
$15-27
The local River Raisin Repertory Co. brings the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to life with Monty Python.
November 5
“A Night in Memphis”
$15-39
A tribute to music legends Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
December 2-4
Ballet “The Nutcracker”
$10-27
River Raisin Ballet Co. presents an annual Christmas ballet featuring choreography and handcrafted costumes.
December 9
Alan Turner’s Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute Show
$15-39
February 18th
“The Spirit of Harriet Tubman”
$15-39
Leslie McCurdy offers Tubman a one-woman tribute on a barren stage with nothing but the trunks of her costume.
March 3-5
St. Mary’s Catholic Central High School Spring Musical
$6-12
Title to be announced.
March 10
Irish Rambling Houses: Celebrating St. Patrick
$15-39
Celtic and folk music accented with Irish step dancing.
April 2
Mancini Music$15-39
Celebrate Mancini’s work, from his early work with the Glenn Miller Orchestra to film scores like Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
April 8
ETE
$15-39
An original and lively take on traditional Quebec music.
April 15th
Araboara
$15-39
Italian folk music.
April 28-30
“Cinderella” — Ballet
$10-27
River Raisin Ballet Co. presents timeless fairy tales in ballet.
Meyer Theater at Monroe County Community College
Monroe County Community College (1555 S. Raisinville Road) is planning an entire season of entertainment at the Meyer Theater at the La-Z-Boy Center. One offering guides participants to a quarry base.
Like the RRCA, the MCCC also has staff changes.
Tom Ryder, who arranged events at the Meyer Theater, retired on September 1 after 36 years of employment, among other duties. He is looking for his replacement.
MCCC is also planning its first full season since the pandemic began.
“Last year, we started our season in December and did 12 shows because of the pandemic,” said Joe Verkennes, director of marketing and communications.
This year’s entire schedule will focus on local talent.
“We are really excited to focus this season on the great culture and arts of our university, community and region – ‘culture season’. It features local and regional musicians and artists,” said Verkennes. “Features full his slate of band his concerts, Agora Choral concerts, his four concerts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, dances by MCCC’s Inside Out Dance Ensemble, two visiting artists (and more).”
A college/community symphony band plays at a local quarry in May. The band’s director Mark Felder originally planned this concert for 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was canceled, along with the rest of his concerts.
“The band did not have any performances scheduled last year due to COVID restrictions. The joint performance with Agora Chorale on 24 October will mark the band’s return,” said Verkennes.
Agora Corral has a new director this year. Jonathon Lunneberg replaced Kathy Brody, who retired last year. Lunneberg is an associate choir teacher at Plymouth High School and president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Additional performances may be added to the MCCC season in the future as new Community Events Coordinators are hired.
“We will budget for up to two to four additional acts of a regional or national nature, more than we have traditionally done (comedians, tribute bands, national country acts, etc.). “If we add a show, it could happen after the first of the year. We’re looking forward to starting a new chapter in programming at the La-Z-Boy Center.” Because someone else would soon take the helm and take over where Tom Ryder left off.Tom was pivotal in making MCCC the cultural and entertainment hub of Monroe County.La- We brought quality acts to the Z-Boy Center and ensured that all events ran smoothly, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for theater in 2023 and beyond.”
MCCC Season:
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/events.
October 24th
College/Community Symphony Band and Agora Chorale Concert
free
October 26th
Art presentation by visiting artist Cathy Fallon.Her work will be on display until November 21st.
December 6th
Agora Choral Holiday Concert
free
December 12th
College/Community Symphony Band Holiday Concert
free
January 13th
Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert
$10-30
February 2
Visiting Artist David Heil
February 25th
Big Gig: Monroe County Annual Black History Month Blues Concert
free
March 6th
College/Community Symphony Band and Agora Chorale Concert
free
March 17th
Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert
$10-30
April 15-16
Soundtrack, performance by MCCC’s Inside Out Dance Ensemble
cost will be announced
May 7
College/Community Symphony Band Concert at the Quarry
Location and cost to be determined
May 8th
College/Community Symphony Band Concert
free
May 12
Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert
$10-30
June 16th
Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert
$10-30
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