Calendar

Nov. 17–19. Megan Wright-Jones directs students ages 5-19 in a condensed production of Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan’s upbeat Tony Award-winning 1976 musical comedy inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Set in Depression-era New York, the plot follows the adventures of the plucky Annie and her faithful pup Sandy as they escape a Dickensian orphanage and find a home with the millionaire Daddy Warbucks, rubbing elbows with FDR along the way. Songs include “Tomorrow,” “We’d Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” and “Easy Street.” 6 & 8 p.m. (Thurs. & Fri.), 1 & 7 p.m. (Sat.), Liberty School Auditorium, 7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline. Tickets $15 (kids age 2 and under, free) in advance at pytmi.square.site & at the door. pytmi.com, 602–2966.

Every Mon., Thurs., & Fri. (except Nov. 24). All age 16+ invited to play Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. 6–8 p.m. (Thurs.), 6–10 p.m. (Fri.), & 5–8 p.m. (Mon.), Sylvan Factory, 2459 W. Stadium Blvd. $10. Preregistration recommended. info@sylvanfactory.com, 929–5877.

Nov. 17–20. Caroline Huntoon directs young local actors in the ambitious 1987 Steven Sondheim-James Lapine musical that uses the potent ingredients of Western fairy tales to explore the big questions of life. The show features one of Sondheim’s most eclectic scores, ranging in style from jazz to vaudeville to rhapsodic ballads and operatic duets and trios. 7 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.), 1 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. Tickets $15 (seniors age 65 & over and youth age 18 & under, $10) in advance at muto.umich.edu, and (if available) at the door. 763–TKTS.

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. 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.

Nov. 13–19. A week of events to bring attention to hunger and homelessness. Highlights: The “State of Homelessness & Affordable Housing Symposium” (Nov. 15, 8:30–10:30 a.m., Morris Lawrence Building, WCC) includes a speech by CNN contributor Abdul El-Syed, author of Healing Politics: A Doctor’s Journey in the Heart of Our Political Epidemic. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase fundraiser (see 17 Thursday listing) presents a set by Detroit comedian Andy Beningo. The week culminates with a Hustle for Housing March (Nov. 19, 10 a.m.–noon, starting at Liberty Plaza). Various times and places. 662–2829. annarborshelter.org/homelessness-and-affordable-housing.

Every Mon.–Fri. (except Nov. 7 & 24). Half hour program of stories and songs for kids ages 2–5 (with caregiver). Mon. 10:30 a.m. (Pittsfield), Tues. 11 a.m. (Downtown), Wed. 10:30 a.m. (Malletts Creek), Thurs. 11 a.m. (Traverwood), Fri. 1 p.m. (Westgate). Free. 327–4200.

Daily. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Sea Monsters (11:30 a.m.) follows a curious dolichorhynchops (an extinct species of marine reptile) as she travels through the most dangerous oceans in history, meeting long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles and fish, sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster of all, the mosasaur. 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. Mars: One Thousand One (1:30 p.m.) tells the story of what humans might face with the first manned journey to Mars. Various times, MNH, 1105 North University. $8. Limited capacity. 764–0478.

Every Thurs. (except Nov. 24), Nov. 3–Dec. 15. Six weekly lectures by prominent political scholars, presenting and explaining the current challenges to democracy both at home and abroad. Nov. 3: “The Four Threats to Democracy: Should We Be Worried.” Talk by Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) government professor Suzanne Mettler. Nov. 10: “The Hollow Parties: American Political Parties at the Precipice.” Talk by Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore) political science professor Daniel Schlozman. Nov. 17: “The Obstacles of Germany's Past Will Not Recede: Germany's Role in Contemporary Europe.” Talk by U-M comparative politics and German studies professor Andrei Markovits. Dec. 1: “Alignment: A Democratic Theory of Election Law.” Talk by Harvard University law professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos. Dec. 8: “Voter Turnout in 2022 and What it Means Going Forward.” Talk by Oakland University political science professor David A. Dulio. Dec. 15: “America Between Illiberal Democracy and Electoral Authoritarianism.” Talk by U-M Emerging Democracies professor Dan Slater. 10–11:30 a.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Preregistration required at olli-umich.org. $61 (members, $36) for the 6-lecture series. $10 per lecture for members. Membership, $25 a year. 998–9351.

Every Tues., Thurs., & Fri. All invited to play ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge (Fri. & Tues.) or a 499er game (Thurs.). 1–4 p.m. or so (arrive by 12:45 p.m.), City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave. $6 per person. If you plan to come without a partner, email kahanae@yahoo.net or ronmeade@comcast.net beforehand.

All invited to learn about and practice this Japanese style of flower arranging. Led by instructors TBA. Floral materials provided, bring your own container and tools. 1–2:30 p.m., U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. $20, metered parking. Space limited; preregistration required at a2ikebana@gmail.com. Info at ikebanaannarbor.org.