Calendar

Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 21–June 3. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of Philadelphia-based African American playwright Quinn D. Eli’s drama about Melanie, a woman haunted by a voice in her head—the voice of her friend who was killed years ago. The friend was Black, Melanie is white, and questions about why the tragedy happened and who was to blame come into focus when Melanie is drawn into a new relationship. Adult language and content. Cast: Caitlin Cavannaugh, Rachel Keown, Rusty Mewha, Olivia Miller, Dez Walker. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $30-$48 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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June 1–4, 8–11, 15–18, & 22–25. Carol Gray, Rob Sulewski, & Graham Atkin direct students and local actors in an alfresco production of Shakespeare’s sharp-tongued comedy that begins in the valley and moves across the Arb to conclude in the peony garden. The high-spirited plot involves 2 pairs of young lovers. One couple, both disdainful of love, are tricked into acknowledging each other, while the other couple’s love is nearly ruined by a deception that, abetted by the paranoia of returning military heroes, leads to trumped-up charges of infidelity. The play is best known for its charged sexual banter and for the penetrating wit and often dark cast of its humor. This year’s production is the first not under the supervision of Shakespeare in the Arb founder Kate Mendeloff, who passed away from cancer this April. Audience members should be prepared for light weather conditions, periods of sitting, standing and walking. 6:30 p.m., meet at the Peony Garden entrance at 1610 Washington Heights. $25 (Matthaei-Nichols members, $20; students, $15) in advance only. Tickets go on sale May 22 (May 15 for members) at mutotix.umich.edu & the Michigan Union Ticket Office and are held at will call at the Arboretum Visitor Center. 998–9540.

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Four writers read selections of their work as part of the Center’s current group show by 24 artists in various media on the topic of maternity. Today: poets Jaimien Delp and Onna Solomon, novelist and short story writer Gina Balibrera, and poet and fiction writer Julie Cadman-Kim. 7 p.m., A2AC, 117 W. Liberty St. $8 at the door. annarborartcenter.org.

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Performances by 8 stylistically diverse touring professional and local aspiring stand-up comics. Alcohol is served. 7:15 p.m., 212 S. Fourth Ave. $12 in advance at aacomedy.com and at the door. 996–9080.

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Every Thurs.–Sun., June 1–25. This local professional theater company performs the 1980 Broadway musical adapted from the 1933 Busby Berkeley film musical about a talented young performer who gets her big break on Broadway. The vintage score, which features lyrics by Al Dubin and Johnny Mercer and music by Harry Warren, includes such favorites as “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” “We’re in the Money,” and “I Only Have Eyes for You.” 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), Encore, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. Tickets $57.50 (seniors 62 and over $55.50, youth 12 and under $28) in advance at theencoretheatre.org and at the door. 268–6200.

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Every Thurs. Popular weekly trivia fest. Come with a team of up to 6 people. Prizes. On June 8, during A2Zero Week, questions are focused on the natural world. 7:30 p.m. or so, Conor O’Neill’s, 318 S. Main. $5 team fee that goes to the winning team. 665–2968.

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Every Wed.–Sun., Apr. 21–June 3. Rhiannon Ragland directs the world premiere of Philadelphia-based African American playwright Quinn D. Eli’s drama about Melanie, a woman haunted by a voice in her head—the voice of her friend who was killed years ago. The friend was Black, Melanie is white, and questions about why the tragedy happened and who was to blame come into focus when Melanie is drawn into a new relationship. Adult language and content. Cast: Caitlin Cavannaugh, Rachel Keown, Rusty Mewha, Olivia Miller, Dez Walker. 3 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., & Sat.), 8 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.), & 2 p.m. (Sun.), Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $30-$48 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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Benefit party featuring soul, Motown, and jazz covers as well as originals by The 50 House Band, led by local jazz vocalist David Bigham of The Ones and Twos. Also, DJ Myint, classic arcade games on the historic stage, additional interactive games throughout the theater, along with a prize drop featuring gift cards and swag from local partners, a silent art auction featuring works by local artists, and a painting demonstration by muralist Gary Horton. Preceded at 5:30 p.m. by a dinner at the Michigan League honoring emeritus board members Jamie Buhr and Hillary Murt, emceed by journalist John U. Bacon. Cocktail attire requested for both events. Proceeds benefit Michigan and State theater operations. 8 p.m., Michigan Theater. $75 ($225 includes dinner) in advance only at michtheater.org/2023-spring-benefit. 668–8397.

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