Calendar

Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 30–Dec. 23. 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.

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Dec. 9 & 10. Shane Collins directs high school students and community members in the premiere of this play—about a girl who dreams of making music despite significant obstacles—that he co-wrote with assistant directors Cameron Graham and Quinn Strassel, and with the students themselves. Local artists, including Mark Tucker, the U-M art professor behind FestiFools, helped design and make the scenery. 7 p.m., Pathways to Success Academic Campus, 2800 Stone School Rd. $10. Preregistration required at showtix4u.com. 997–1237.

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Dec. 2–4 & Dec. 9–11. EMU theater professor Meriah Sage directs EMU students in Rick Elice’s 2009 Tony Award-winning musical. Adapted from Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson’s 2004 novel which gives a backstory to Peter Pan, the narrative follows the nautical adventures of pirates, spies, island natives, crocodiles, and three orphan boys. Aimed at theatergoers age 10 & up. 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), EMU Legacy Theater, 124 Judy Sturgis Hill Bldg., Ford St. (off Lowell from Huron River Dr.), Ypsilanti. Tickets $7–$18 in advance at emich.ludus.com & at the door. 487–2282.

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Dec. 9 & 10. This NYC-based Spanish American comic known for a monotone delivery followed by a quick smile deploys her dry sense of humor on such matters as familial relationships, dating, and pets. She’s been featured as a comic on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, and The Late Late Show. Preceded by 2 opening acts TBA. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $18 reserved seating in advance at etix.com and $20 general admission at the door. 996–9080.

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Every Fri.–Sun., Dec. 9–Jan. 1, except Dec. 25. Carla Milarch directs this seasonal holiday Panto comedy that she co-wrote with R. MacKenzie Lewis. Panto is a British pantomime that blends familiar children’s stories with a bit of vaudeville to create a raucous family entertainment. This popular show, an annual tradition, usually sells out. 7:30 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Theatre Nova, 410 W. Huron St. Mask & proof of vaccination required. Tickets $25 ($10 for kids under 17) in advance at theatre-nova.ticketleap.com and (if available) at the door. 635–8450.

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Every Thurs.–Sun. (except Dec. 10 & 17), Dec. 2–18. Amanda Buchalter directs the premiere of veteran local playwright Joseph Zettelmaier’s comic play about a man who returns to his hometown for a Christmas party after having disappeared for 10 years. Amidst spiked eggnog, snowstorms, and power outages, his old high school friends demand answers. 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.). Stone Chalet Inn, 1917 Washtenaw Ave. $15 (seniors 60+ $12). pennyseats.org, 926–5346.

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Dec. 9–11. Mirit Skeen directs this student theater ensemble in Paula Vogel’s 2015 play about the controversy surrounding the 1923 Broadway premiere of Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance, a production for which the producer and cast were convicted of indecency. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun), U-M Walgreen Drama Center Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $13 (students, $7) in advance at muto.umich.edu and at the door. facebook.com/umrudes.

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Dec. 8-11. U-M theater professor Geoff Packard directs students in David Farr’s 2011 reimagining of the Robin Hood story, wherein the band of Sherwood Forest outlaws steals from the rich but don’t think to give to the poor until after Maid Marian’s intervention–along with the actions of the wicked Prince John. 7:30 (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Power Center. Tickets $24–$30 (students, $13) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu, the Michigan League Ticket Office, and (if available) at the door. 764–2538.

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Dec. 8-11. David Andrews directs this accomplished town-and-gown company in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta about the romance between a young lady and a young man mistakenly apprenticed to an inept band of pirates when he was a boy. The ensuing madcap chaos is peppered with songs like “Poor Wand’ring Ones,” “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General,” and the pirates’ theme song, “With Cat-Like Tread,” better known as “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here.” 8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.), 1 p.m. (Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. $30 (seniors, $27; students with ID, $15) in advance at the Michigan League Ticket Office, muto.umich.edu, and at the door. 763–8587.

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Guest conductor Jayce Ogren leads the orchestra in a program of family-friendly carols and holiday hits. The orchestra is joined by members of the Pioneer and Huron high school choirs, the large local men’s chorus Measure for Measure, and the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale. 8 p.m., Hill Auditorium. Tickets $20–$70 (discounts for seniors & students) in advance at a2so.com & the AASO office (35 Research Dr., ste. 100), and (if available) at the door. 994–4801.

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An evening of acoustic music hosted by Geddes, a popular local folk singer who sings in a clear, strong voice. Her repertoire includes songs by everyone from Buffy Sainte-Marie and John Prine to Michael Nesmith and Lennon & McCartney. The lineup also includes All About Eve, the vocal trio of Geddes, Deb Wood, and David Vaughn, which specializes in close-harmony pop, folk, and gospel tunes, some performed a cappella. Also, Matt Watroba, the WKAR-FM (MSU) radio folk show host who sings lyrical songs and poignant ballads in a sweet tenor voice, accompanying himself on guitar and punctuating his performance with sharply humorous observations. In addition, a special guest TBA. 8 p.m., FUMC Green Wood Church, 1001 Green Rd. at Glazier Way. Tickets $20 in advance at greenwoodcoffeehouse.org and at the door. 665–8558. 

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State Theatre. Film screenings every Tues. & Thurs.–Sun. Mask required. Tickets $10.50 (children under 12, students, seniors age 65 & older, & U.S. veterans, $8:50; MTF members, $8; matinee $7.50) in advance online (recommended) & at the door. For updated schedule, see MichTheater.org.

Dec. 9. (Satoshi Kon, 2003). Animated Christmas-themed tragicomedy set in Tokyo about a homeless trio who find an abandoned child. Japanese, subtitles. 9:30 p.m.

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