Calendar

Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demos for ages 5 & up. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (11 a.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. “Life: How Do We Find It?” (3 p.m.) examines the field of astrobiology and how scientists search for life on other planets. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.

Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

May 26 (7 p.m.) & May 27 (2 p.m.): Jenny Koppera directs young actors in Methe Bendix and Tomas Lagermand Lundme’s children’s play, a humorous look at competition that’s about 2 boys, living in an absurdist society where winning is the only thing that matters, who discover that there are other possibilities. Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Tickets $10 (kids & seniors, $5) in advance at spinningdot.org & at the door. hello@spinningdot.org.

Every Fri.–Sun. Three different audiovisual planetarium shows suitable for all ages. Did an Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs? (11:30 a.m.) looks at cosmic collisions across the solar system including the 6-mile-wide asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago. 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. Living in Balance (1:30 p.m.) explores native Anishinaabe stories of constellations and moons. Various times, U-M MNH, 1105 North University. $8 at the door. Limited capacity. 764–0478. 

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.

Every Sat. & Sun. Hands-on 20-minute family-oriented demos for ages 5 & up. “Shedding Light on Magnets” (11 a.m.) explores magnetism, magnetic fields, and what magnets have to do with cell phones. “Life: How Do We Find It?” (3 p.m.) examines the field of astrobiology and how scientists search for life on other planets. 11 a.m. & 3 p.m., MNH, 1105 North University. Free. 764–0478.

May 25 (7 p.m.) & May 27 (4 p.m.): Jenny Koppera directs teen actors in Ori Urian’s new children’s comedy about a group of teenagers on a field trip who decide to go off on their own, guided only by their cell phones. As they travel further into a desert, their cell phones stop working, so they must discover other ways to connect in order to find their way back to safety.  Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Tickets $10 (kids & seniors, $5) in advance at spinningdot.org & at the door. hello@spinningdot.org.

Film screenings every Wed.–Sun. 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.

May 3: “All About Eve” (Joseph Mankiewicz, 1950). This multi-Oscar-winning film features Bette Davis in one of her greatest roles as an aging Broadway diva who’s clawed her way to the top, only to be threatened by a fan-turned-parasite. With Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, and a cameo by Marilyn Monroe. 7 p.m. 

May 4: “Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope” (George Lucas, 1977). The film that started the wildly popular sci-fi fantasy saga. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness. 7:30 p.m. 

May 6: “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (James Adolphus, 2023). Documentary with unprecedented access to archival footage, covering Moore’s career as an actress, performer, and advocate. Mary Tyler Moore, James L. Brooks, Rob Reiner. 6 p.m. 

May 8: “Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back” (Irvin Kershner, 1980). The adventure continues as our heroes face down the Empire and Darth Vader, and Luke begins his Jedi training. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford. 7:30 p.m. 

May 9: “Man with a Movie Camera” (Dziga Vertov, 1929). Experimental Soviet silent documentary presenting life in Moscow, Kyiv, and Odessa. 7:30 p.m. Free. 

May 12: “Labyrinth” (Jim Henson, 1986). Musical fantasy about a teenage girl who has 13 hours to navigate a maze to save her baby brother from the evil Goblin King. The screening is accompanied by a live shadowcast, in which onstage actors create the world of the film in sync with the action on the screen. David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly. 7:30 p.m. 

May 14: “Paddington 2” (Paul King, 2017). Critically acclaimed sequel about the talking bear who lives with a London family. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson. Kids 12 & under, free. 1:30 p.m. 

May 15: “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi” (Richard Marquand, 1983). Conclusion of the original trilogy, which sees Luke and friends facing off against Darth Vader and the Galactic Emperor. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford. 7:30 p.m. 

May 20: “2001: A Space Odyssey” (Stanley Kubrick, 1968). The mind-bending adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s short story, about astronauts and a sentient supercomputer investigating a mysterious monolith on the planet Jupiter. Keir Dullea, Douglas Rain. 7 p.m. 

May 21: “National Theatre Live: Othello.” Broadcast of a taped 2022 National Theatre (London) performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy, suspicion, and betrayal, The first production of the tragedy at the theater by a Black director, Clint Dyer, it focuses on the play’s often elided themes of race and class. The Guardian reviewer called it “a thrilling production with a radical climax.” 5 p.m. $22 (University Musical Society members, $18). 

May 22: “Spaceballs” (Mel Brooks, 1987). Beloved, eminently quotable Star Wars parody featuring characters such as Dark Helmet, Pizza the Hut, and Princess Vespa. Cast includes Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman. 7:30 p.m. 

May 27: “Artie Shaw: Time Is All You’ve Got” (Brigitte Berman, 1985). Documentary about the Canadian clarinetist and bandleader, with a soundtrack of Shaw’s performances throughout his storied career. 5:30 p.m. 

May 29: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Joseph Kosinski, 2022). Thrilling sequel to the 1986 original, which revisits Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he trains a new generation of fighter pilots for a highly complex, risky mission. Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer. Military veterans, free. 7:30 p.m.

Prolific bestselling romance writers Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, longtime writing partners and best friends who write under the combined pen name Christina Lauren, read from and discuss their new contemporary rom-com about a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker who join forces to craft a perfect Hollywood love story that takes both of their careers to the next level. 6:30 p.m., WCC Morris Lawrence Bldg. Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Tickets $34 (includes a signed copy of the book) in advance only at schulerbooks.com/events-ann-arbor. 662–0600.

May 27 & 28. Forrest Hejkal & Emily Wilson-Tobin direct local teen actors in Ariel Dorfman’s 2008 off-Broadway heavy political drama, adapted from his 1983 novel of the same name, about a riverside village of peasant women whose husbands, sons, and fathers have all been taken by the region’s military dictatorship. When a disfigured dead body floats down the river into town, all of the widows claim it in protest of the army’s refusal to divulge the whereabouts of their men. Includes mature content. 7 p.m. (Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun), Riverside Arts Center, 76 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Tickets $10 (kids & seniors, $5) in advance at spinningdot.org & at the door. hello@spinningdot.org.

May 26 & 27. Stand-up comic from L.A. known for his edgy observational humor about contemporary culture and politics, as well as marriage and family life. 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 before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $20 general admission at the door. 996–9080.

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.

May 20 & 27. Performances by the company’s improv troupes. Preceded at 6 p.m. by short-form improv games (pay what you can) open to audience members. 8 p.m., Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (A2CT) Studio, 322 W. Ann Street. $15 in advance at a2ct.org & the door. 846–2492, civicimprov.org.

May 26 & 27. Stand-up comic from L.A. known for his edgy observational humor about contemporary culture and politics, as well as marriage and family life. 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 before 6 p.m. the night of the show; $20 general admission at the door. 996–9080.