Calendar

Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 30–Dec. 17. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of actor-playwright (and Purple Rose founder) Jeff Daniels’ comedy about America’s fastest growing sport. Four below-average players try to overcome their own limitations to achieve greatness in a game that has nothing to do with pickles. Daniels’ wife became addicted to the game, which Daniels described in a 2021 interview as “half-court basketball for elderly people.” Cast: Ryan Carlson, Kate Thomsen, Lynch Travis, Jonathan West, and Caitlin Cavannaugh. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.). Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $34–$52 in advance at PurpleRoseTheatre.org and by phone, and (if available) at the door. Discounts available for students, seniors, teachers, military personnel, and groups. 433–7673.

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Every Sat., Mon., Wed., & Fri. All invited to play various forms of the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. Intro to Magic: The Gathering (Sat. noon–3 p.m.), free. Commander Pods, casual groups of 4 players (Sat. 6–10 p.m.), free. Just Another Modern Monday power cards (Mon. 6–9 p.m.), $10. Casual Commander, the most popular form of the game (Wed. 5–8 p.m.), free. Friday Night Magic rotating draft (Fri. 6–10 p.m.), cost varies. Prizes paid in store credit. Various times. Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.

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Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Expedition Reef (11:30 a.m.) reveals the secrets of coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea” that are the Earth’s most vibrant and endangered marine ecosystems. The Sky Tonight (12:30 & 2:30 p.m.) is an exploration of the current night sky, with tips on how to find the cardinal directions, constellations, and planets on your own. Tales of the Maya Skies (1:30 p.m.) immerses viewers in the wonders of Mayan science, examining how Mayan scholars developed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics that enabled them to predict solstices, solar eclipses, weather patterns, and planetary movements. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.

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All invited on a nighttime adventure to look for and learn about local owl species and other nocturnal creatures. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight if you want one. The hike finishes beside a bonfire with cocoa, cider, and donuts. Two sessions. 7–8 p.m. & 8:15–9:15 p.m., Independence Lake County Park Beach Center Pavilion, 3200 Jennings Rd., Whitmore Lake. $5 per household program fee. Preregistration required for program #IL461100 at parksonline.ewashtenaw.org. $6 (nonresidents, $10) vehicle entry fee. For more info, contact shonerj@washtenaw.org or sigdaj@washtenaw.org.

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This Daytime Emmy award-winning host and reality TV star discusses her recently released memoir, Live Wire, an intimate look into her childhood, wide-ranging career, and family life. Ripa is joined onstage by her husband, soap opera star Mark Consuelos. 7 p.m., Michigan Theater. Mask required. Tickets $50–65 (includes a copy of the book) in advance at michtheater.org and (if available) at the door. 668-8397.

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Oct. 7 & 8. Sharp, dry observational humor from this acclaimed NYC comedian, whose previous work as a middle school teacher, symphony musician, and band director occasionally gets mined for laughs. 7:15 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $16 reserved seating in advance at etix.com, $18 general admission at the door. 996–9080.

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Oct. 6–9. An ensemble of musicians performs hits by brother-sister duo Karen and Richard Carpenter, the #1 American recording artists of the 1970s, featuring “(They Long to Be) Close to You” “Top of the World” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sun.), Encore, 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $48.50 in advance at theEncoreTheatre.org & at the door. 268–6200.

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This Django Reinhardt-influenced swing-era Gypsy jazz quartet from Ludington is joined tonight by Bowling Green (OH) violinist Grant Flick for “Memories of Montmarte,” a program of music and stories about French cafés, traveling Europe, and swing dancing to Hot Jazz. With guitarist Stephen Plummer, rhythm guitarist Kaedin Plummer, and bassist Tim Knific. 7:30 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Mask encouraged. $29–$50 (students, $19) in advance at  kerrytownconcerthouse.com and at the door. 769–2999.

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Thurs.–Sun., Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Ryan Dobrin directs U-M theater majors in Halley Feiffer’s 2019 Off-Broadway sendup of Anton Chekhov’s beloved psychological drama Three Sisters. While not deviating from the original story about 3 high-minded young women trapped in a turn-of-the-century Russian provincial village, Feiffer superimposes a modern, Western sensibility and vernacular, transforming the play, with hilariously devastating consequences, into a deftly comedic (and raunchy) exploration of unchecked privilege. Ages 17 and up; contains vulgar language and sexual situations. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.),  U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Tickets $30 (students, $13) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764–2538.

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Thurs.-Sun., Oct. 6–16. Torya Beard directs music students in Donald McKayle’s 1981 Broadway musical revue celebrating the music of the legendary jazz bandleader, Duke Ellington. With elaborate costumes and electric, swinging choreography to such tunes as “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “I’m Beginning to See the Light,” “Perdido,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and more. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat except Oct. 7), 8 p.m. (Oct 7.), & 2 p.m. (Sun), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets $29–$35 (students, $13) in advance at smtd.umich.edu and at the door. 764-0583.

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Philadelphia singer-songwriter whose music blends roots, folk, and country musical forms with socially conscious lyrics known for their disarming blend of clear-eyed honesty and humor. 8 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Tickets $15 in advance at greenwoodcoffeehouse.org and at the door. 665–8558.

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Sept. 29–Oct. 9. Readings of new full-length plays by Michigan playwrights. Tonight: A reading of RD Wakeman’s Divided Boxes, about a man who thinks he’s being controlled by someone outside himself. Note: The Festival begins on Sept. 30 with Quan Chambers’ Our Place. 8 p.m., Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $10 (Festival pass, $30) in advance at.theatrenova.org/michigan-playwrights-festival-2022 & at the door. 635–8450.

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One of the best pianists of his generation, the 68-year-old Schiff is known for a polished style that combines a joyous sparkle with an intuitive discernment that teases out musical details other pianists miss. Tonight he  brings both his considerable musicality and his pedagogical gifts to a performance that features works TBA by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, each preceded by insightful introductions.  8 p.m. Hill Auditorium. Tickets $12–$66 ($12–20 students) in advance at tickets.ums.org, at the Michigan League, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.

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(Gore Verbinski, 2002). 20th-anniversary screening of this well-received and atmospheric supernatural horror film. Naomi Watts. 9:30 p.m. State Theatre. Mask and proof of vaccination (or negative Covid test within 72 hours) required for all patrons over the age of 12. Tickets $10.50 unless otherwise noted (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8.50; MTF members, $8) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.

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