PAST PRODUCTIONS 2010-11

EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL (2010)

Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt, Music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris, George Reinblatt
Oct 8-Nov 31, 2010
at The City Theatre, Detroit, MI

Based on Sam Raimi's '80s cult classic films, Evil Dead: The Musical tells the tale of five college kids who travel to a cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force. The show is bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. As musical mayhem descends upon this sleepover in the woods, "camp" takes on a whole new meaning with uproarious numbers like Do the Necronomicon and Blew That Bitch Away. Expect buckets of blood and side-splitting (pun intended) laughs!

REVIEWS

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by John Quinn

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

PARAGON LIFE
Review by Stephanie Casola

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery

AWARDS

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominees
Lead Actor (Musical) - Mitchell Koory, Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre
Supporting Actress (Musical) - Christa Coulter, Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre
Supporting Actress (Musical) - Allyson Ortwein, Who Wants Cake? & City Theatre

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Directed by Joe Plambeck, Assistant Direction by Melissa Beckwith, Stage Management by Sandy Menzel, Set Design by Tommy LeRoy, Choreography by Jerry Haines, Light Design by Michelle LeRoy, Special Effects by Jen Hansen and Ted Hansen, Costume Design by Vince Kelley, Fight Choreography by Adam Barnowski, Music Direction by Michael Smith

SHINING CITY

by Conor McPherson
Oct 16 - Nov 1, 2010

Shining City is set in Dublin, where a guilt-ridden man reaches out to a therapist after seeing the ghost of his recently deceased wife. Wrestling with his own demons, the therapist can only do so much to help. Routine visits between the two men quickly become a gripping struggle to survive, changing both of them for the rest of their lives.

REVIEWS

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

AWARDS

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominee
Lead Actor (Drama) - Joe Bailey

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Directed by Jamie Warrow

CHRISTMAS ON MARS

by Harry Kondoleon
Nov 19 - Dec 13, 2010

In Christmas on Mars, Bruno and Audrey are investigating a potential apartment, with a swift marriage proposal and surprise pregnancy marshaling them along. When Bruno’s obsessed roommate and Audrey’s estranged mother arrive, careful plans for the future give way to head-shaking comedy and hilariously off-kilter dialogue. This strange, twisted and self-serving assortment of characters tries to live together as their overt and hidden agendas collide.

REVIEWS:

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by Donald V. Calamia

FERNDALE PATCH
Preview by Emell Derra Adolphus

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery

AWARDS

2011 Wilde Award WINNER
Best Actor in a Comedy - Joel Mitchell

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominee
Lead Actor (Comedy) - Joel Mitchell 

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Directed by Jamie Warrow; Assisted by Matthew Turner Shelton

CAST: Jon Ager as Bruno; Leah Smith as Ingrid; Joel Mitchell as Nissim; Jamie Warrow as Audrey

F$$$ THE HOLIDAYS: A SEASONAL RETAIL STORY

by Marke Sobolewski & Cara Trautman
Dec 3-20, 2010

A small business owner stuck in rut and a corporate climber blinded by her own ambition have two things in common: peddling paint and a shared misery for the holiday season. Twisting the candy cane thorn in their sides are their two crazy employees; a spicy senior and a jolly stoner. Will they go into the black this holiday season, or end up seeing red? Don’t miss this chance to laugh your way through the winter blues with F$$$ the Holidays: A Seasonal Retail Story.

REVIEWS:

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by Donald V. Calamia

THE ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

AWARDS

2011 Wilde Award Nominees
Best Original One-Act or One-Person Show
Best Performance, Actor - Original One-Act or One-Person Show - Joe Hingelberg
Best Performance, Actress - Original One-Act or One-Person Show - Melissa Beckwith

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominees
Best Original Production
Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) - Joe Hingelberg

Directed by Joe Plambeck

CAST: Cara Trautman as Kirsten; Joe Hingelberg as Andy; Marke Sobolewski as Jeremy; Melissa Beckwith as Eleanor

THE HOLLIE MOLLIES

Dec 19th, 2010

The Holly Mollies are Who Wants Cake?’s own awards ceremony celebrating the best performances and events at The Ringwald Theatre over the past year. The event also served as a fundraiser to help Who Wants Cake? raise money to supplement their 2011 season.

This year’s awards ceremony was hosted by Who Wants Cake? and Go Comedy! favorite Suzan M. Jacokes.

“Last year, the Mollies were an incredible way for us to be able to honor the folks who work so hard to make sure that what we do is successful,” said artistic director Joe Bailey. “At the same time, it was also a nice way for us to raise some funds to ensure that we are able to continue doing what it is we do. This year we thought, ‘What’s better than a Christmas party?’ and the answer was: a Christmas party/awards show/David Sedaris extravaganza.”

THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES

by John Guare
January 14-31, 2011

The House of Blue Leaves is set during the Pope's 1965 visit to New York City, which brings the hope of answered prayers and a few unexpected guests to an apartment in Sunnyside, Queens. Described best as a farcical black comedy, The House of Blue Leaves features fussy nuns, a political bombing, a GI headed for Vietnam, a zookeeper who dreams of making it big in Hollywood as a songwriter, and his wife Bananas, a schizophrenic destined for the institution that provides the play's title.

REVIEWS

DETROIT FREE PRESS
Review by John Monaghan

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by John Quinn

FERNDALE PATCH
Review by Stephanie A. Casola

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery     |     Preview Video

AWARDS

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominee
Best Lead Actress (Comedy) - Lisa Jesswein

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Directed by Joe Bailey; Stage Managed by Diana Conte.

CAST: Dave Davies as Artie Shaughnessy; Lisa Jesswein as Bananas Shaughnessy; Melissa Beckwith as Bunny Flingus; Anne Faba as Corrinna Stroller; Jamie Richards as Billy Einhorn; Vince Kelley as Ronnie Shaughnessy; Joe Bailey as Head Nun; Joe Plambeck as Middle Nun; Cara Trautman as Little Nun

FATAL ATTRACTION: A GREEK TRAGEDY

by Alana McNair & Kate Wilkinson
Feb 18 - Mar 14, 2011

The show that started it all! Back in May, 2007, this was the play that opened our doors. It only had a brief two week run, though, and now it’s back for a full engagement! The plot of Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy loosely follows the Academy Award nominated film. When a big-time corporate lawyer has a one-night stand with a no-nonsense business woman while his wife is away, all hell breaks loose. This parody of the '80s classic tells its own story with a kinetic beat, a boiled bunny dance sequence, and numerous kung fu action scenes. Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy is the play that won’t be ignored!

REVIEWS:

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by Bridgette M. Redman

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery     |     Preview Video

AWARDS

2011 Wilde Award Nominees
Best Production with LGBT Themes/Characters
Best Performance by an Actor in a Production with LGBT Themes/Characters - Joe Bailey

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Directed by Joe Bailey; Stage Managed by Diana Conte.

CAST: Joe Bailey as Glenn Close; Jon Ager as Michael Douglas; Melissa Beckwith as Anne Archer; Tim Kay as Ellen Hamilton Latzen; Suzan M. Jacokes as Chorus #1; Richard Payton as Chorus #2; Joe Plambeck as Chorus #3; Dyan Bailey as Chorus #4

MY DULL FRIEND

by Margaret Edwartowski
March 4-13, 2011

WINNER OF 2010 GPS FESTIVAL!!

My Dull Friend tells the story of Eileen, a lonely-ish woman of a certain age who has a distinct fondness for her cats. Deciding to step out of her comfort zone, Eileen places an ad on a website and is hooked up with a fabulous new friend, Michael. After meeting (and discussing important topics like makeovers and boys) Eileen decides to put herself out in the world. Eileen soon realizes that, with her new Gay Best Friend at her side, her life will never be the same!

Directed by Gary Lehman

CAST: Emily Clark as Eileen; Brian E. Buckner as Michael; Brett Thurmond as Mark.

MERCURY FUR

by Philip Ridley
April 2-25, 2011

In a lawless ravaged city, Elliot and his brother Darren (played by real brothers Jon and Nico Ager) have been planning a party. The boys and their team survive by realizing their clients’ darkest fantasies. But as the light fades and the event spirals out of control, it becomes clear the success of this particular party will guarantee not just their safety but their salvation. Mercury Fur is funny, bleak, unsettling…and utterly unforgettable.

Mercury Fur, Philip Ridley’s fifth play, premiered in 2005 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and the play was deemed so shocking that audience members walked out each night. The controversy continued as Ridley’s publishers for decades, Faber and Faber, refused to publish the text. It set critics at odds with one another with some calling it “Degraded” while others called it “A play you need to see.” Since its explosive premiere, Mercury Fur has been performed throughout the world. As we enter a new decade, with all its unease and moral dilemmas, this brutal vision of love and violence is more relevant than ever.

REVIEWS:

DETROIT FREE PRESS
Review by John Monaghan

FERNDALE PATCH
Review by Liz Hill

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by Bridgette M. Redmann

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery     |     Preview Video     |      Audience Reaction Video

AWARDS

2011 Wilde Award WINNERS
Best Production with LGBT Characters/Themes
Best Lighting Design

2011 Wilde Award Nominee
Best Actor in Production with LGBT Characters/Themes - Jon Ager
Best Actress in Production with LGBT Characters/Themes - Cassandra McCarthy

2011 Rogue Gallery WINNER
Best Drama

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominees
Best Choreography - Dave Early
Best Supporting Actor (Drama) - Alex Hill

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Directed by Joe Plambeck, David B. Woitulewicz as Stage Manager, Katie Orwig as Set Designer, David Early as Fight Choreographer, and Frank J. Hampton as Theremin.

CAST: Jon Ager as Elliot, Nico Ager as Darren, Alex D. Hill as Naz, Vince Kelley as Lola, Patrick O'Connor Cronin as Spinx, Cassandra McCarthy as The Dutchess, David Legato as Party Guest, and Scott Wilding as Party Piece.

LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!

May 13 - June 6, 2011
by Terrence McNally

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, this big, generous comedy is simple at first glance: At a beautiful Dutchess County farmhouse, two hours north of New York City, eight gay friends hash out their passions, resentments and fears over the course of three summer weekends. Infidelity, flirtations, soul-searching, and skinny-dipping mix with monumental questions about life and death. According to the Village Voice, "Love! Valour! Compassion! is one of [McNally's] very best. Unshowy and quiet, it rings louder with authenticity than his satiric farces do with laughter."

REVIEWS

THE ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by John Quinn

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery     |     Preview Video

AWARDS

2011 Wilde Award WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Production with LGBT Themes/Characters - Joe Plambeck

2011 Wilde Award Nominee
Best Production with LGBT Themes/Characters

2011 Rogue Gallery Nominee
Supporting Actor (Drama) - Joe Plambeck

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Directed by Keith Paul Medelis; Choreographed by Ben Stange

GPS (GAY PLAY SERIES) 2011

June 17-27, 2011

Who Wants Cake? and The Ringwald Theatre are proud to announce the return of its wildly popular Gay Play Series (GPS). Last year’s inaugural outing was attended by hundreds of people over a single weekend. This year the festival will run over 10 days with additional programming and added festivities from June 17th through June 27th once again at The Ringwald Theatre in downtown Ferndale.

REVIEWS:

ENCORE MICHIGAN
BLOCK A Review by Donald V. Calamia

ENCORE MICHIGAN
BLOCK B Review by Michael Margolin

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND

By Nick Brennan
July 16 - August 15, 2011

It's just another day in Miami for those cheesecake-loving gals; that is until former N*SYNCer Lance Bass moves in next door and his rowdy all-night gay sex parties end up disrupting the girls' beauty sleep. When Dorthea demands that Bass cut it out, he challenges her to a bet: if the girls win the top prize in the Shady Oaks retirement home talent contest, he'll stop the parties, but if he wins the girls become his personal cleanup crew. What follows is a singing, dancing farce that could only derive from such an improbable situation.

REVIEWS

ROGUE CRITIC
Review by Carolyn Hayes

ENCORE MICHIGAN
Review by Donald V. Calamia

METRO TIMES
Review by The Wonder Twins

MULTIMEDIA

Photo Gallery     |     Preview Video

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Directed by Joe Bailey, Assistant Directed by Dyan Bailey, Set Design by Dave Davies.

CAST: Jamie Richards as Dorthea, Richard Payton as Blanchet, Jeff Weiner as Sophie, Joe Plambeck as Roz, Rich Wilson as Cubby, and Billy Dixon as Lance Bass.