(734) 973–8424 (Cinemark), (734) 316–5500 (Emagine). Tickets $12.50 (except as noted) in advance at fathomentertainment.com/events and at the door. Cinemark (4100 Carpenter, Ypsi) & Emagine (1335 E. Michigan Ave., Saline). 

Oct. 1 & 8: “Spirited Away: Live on Stage.” Screening of a prerecorded 2022 Japanese stage adaptation of this Studio Ghibli anime (see below) featuring dazzling sets, musical numbers, and puppets. Japanese, subtitles. 6:30 p.m. (Cinemark) & 7 p.m. (Emagine).

Oct. 8–10. Known as a “clean” comic with a relaxed and homey style, Stevens features easygoing, observational comedy that ranges from the behavioral tendencies of older people to why Jesus was actually from Alabama. Opening acts TBA. 7:15 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 9:45 p.m. (Sat.), 212 S. Fourth Ave. $20 (Thurs., $15) in advance at aacomedy.com & (if available) at the door. (734) 996–9080. 

Oct. 8–11. Jennifer Felts directs EMU drama students in Mary Zimmerman’s 1996 adaptation of the 1st–century Roman poet Ovid’s epic masterpiece. Includes such familiar stories as “King Midas,” “Narcissus,” and “Orpheus & Eurydice.” Suggested for ages 13 & up. 7 p.m. (Thurs.–Sat.) & 2 p.m. (Sun.), EMU Legacy Theatre, 1031 E. Circle Dr., Ypsi. Tickets $20 (seniors, $15; students, $12; kids 6–12, $7) in advance at emich.ludus.com, at the box office (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.), & (if available) at the door. $5.80 parking pass required if parking on site. (734) 487–2282. 

Thurs.–Sun., Oct. 8–18. This local professional company performs Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, Glenn Slater, and Alan Menken’s musical based on the 1992 comedy film that starred Whoopi Goldberg as a Reno lounge singer who’s put under protective custody in a convent. The score draws on Motown, soul, funk, and disco. 7 p.m. (Thurs., Fri., & Sat.) and 2 p.m. (Sat. & Sun.), 7714 Ann Arbor St., Dexter. Tickets $39–$67 in advance at theencoretheatre.org & (if available) at the door. (734) 268–6200. 

Oct. 1, 8, & 15. Two structured improv events, both followed by a pay-what-you-want improv jam with a series of games and long-form scenes. Spectators welcome. Oct. 1 (7:30–8:30 p.m.): Reverse Draft Line. Members of the house teams are paired with teams of improv students. Oct. 8 (7:30–8:30 p.m.): Duoplicity. Experienced improvisers are randomly paired up to perform a 6-minute scene. Oct. 15 (7–8 p.m.): Super Fresh. Three improv teams perform new and experimental comedy. Various times, 2350 W. Liberty. $7.50 in advance at heardotsay.com/events & $10 (if available) at the door.

Oct. 8 & 9 (different locations). Christopher Tiffany directs staged readings of four of Chekhov’s short, sharp portraits of 19th-century Russian life in translation by Paul Schmidt. The comedies, although written early in Chekhov’s career, already showcase his astute insight into human vanity and folly, albeit with a lighter touch than his later works. They include The Proposal, The Dangers of Tobacco, The Bear, and Swan Song. 7:30 p.m., Cobblestone Farm (Thurs.), 2781 Packard, & Riverside Arts Center North Gallery (Fri.), 76 N. Huron St., Ypsi. Pay what you can, $15 suggested at benchmarktheatrecompany.org/general-5. 

Every Wed.–Sun., Sept. 24–Dec. 20. Rhiannon Ragland directs retired Detroit newscaster and playwright Devin Scillian’s family comedy-drama about a conflict between brothers—an aging country rocker and a buttoned-down finance guy—after their mother’s death. Adult language and subject matter. 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 3 p.m. (Sat. & Wed.). 137 Park St., Chelsea. Tickets $31.50–$52.50 in advance at purplerosetheatre.org, (734) 433–7673, & (if available) at the door. Discounts available.

Oct. 8–11 & 14–18. Vincent Cardinal directs musical theater students in Irene Sankoff & David Hein’s award-winning 2017 upbeat musical set in the week following the September 11 attacks, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the world, were diverted to the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland. Despite culture clashes and language barriers, the local people encourage the stranded travelers with music and an open bar, forming lifelong friendships, and even sparking romances. 7:30 p.m. (Wed. & Thurs.), 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), & 2 p.m. (10 Sat. & Sun.), Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 North University. Tickets $34–$40 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.

Oct. 1–4 & 8–11. Malcolm Tulip directs drama students in short works by this celebrated Irish playwright known for his verbal play, visual precision, and political imagination. The plays, written between the late 1950s and the early 1980s, include Act Without Words II, Play, Come and Go, Footfalls, Rockaby, Catastrophe, What Where, and Quad. 8 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.), & 7:30 p.m. (Thurs.), Arthur Miller Theatre, 1226 Murfin. Tickets $35 (students, $16) in advance at tickets.smtd.umich.edu & at the door. (734) 764–0583.