Theater

TheArts

Tuesdays with Morrie

Aug. 24–28 Kalamazoo Civic

This play is based on Detroit sportswriter Mitch Albom's memoir about his weekly visits with his former college professor Morrie Schwartz, who was then facing his mortality as a patient with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS.

The show will be performed by Water Works Theatre Company of Royal Oak at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, 329 S. Park St., and half of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan).

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24–27 and 2 p.m. Aug. 28, and tickets are $35, except for the $100 VIP tickets on opening night. Those tickets include a 6:30 reception with Albom, prime seating, and a post-show Q&A session with Albom and the show's actors. The regularly priced tickets for that night include the post-show Q&A.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call 343–1313 or visit kazoocivic.com.

Cowboys: Songs, Stories and Poems

Aug. 19–Sept. 24 New Vic Theatre

Dusty trails, life on the range and the work of cowboys will be highlighted in this original production at the New Vic Theatre.

The show will feature music, stories and poems that reflect this breed of men who have had a deep and lasting impact on U.S. history.

Show times are 8 p.m. Aug. 19, 20, 26 and 27 and Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24. Tickets are $30. For tickets or more information, visit thenewvictheatre.org.

THEATER

Rock of Ages

Aug. 9–21 Barn Theatre

The songs of 1980s glam bands like Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard underscore this tale of big dreams, big egos and big hair to be staged at Augusta’s Barn Theatre.

Rock of Ages is a comedic love story about a small-town girl and a big-city dreamer who meet on Sunset Strip and fall in love. It’s told through hit songs of the 1980s.

The show is rated PG and is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 9–13 and 16–20 and 5 p.m. Aug. 14 and 21. Tickets are $41–$49. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 731–4121 or visit barntheatreschool.org.

Young Frankenstein

Aug. 28–Sept 4 Barn Theatre

The crazy comic genius of Mel Brooks comes alive in the Barn Theatre's production of Young Frankenstein.

Based on the 1974 comedic film of the same name written by Gene Wilder and Brooks, the show lampoons the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures film Frankenstein and its 1935 and 1939 sequels, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein. It includes such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz."

Show times are 8 p.m. Aug. 23–27 and Aug. 30–Sept. 3 and 5 p.m. Aug. 28 and Sept. 4. Tickets are $41–$49. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 731–4121 or visit barntheatreschool.org.

Summertime Live Concerts

Various times Various venues

During the dog days of summer, the outdoor concerts sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo will fill the air with cool music.

• DJ Conscious, Courtney Moore, Mitchie Moore and Sherdizzil, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Bates Alley (between Pitcher and Portage streets), downtown Kalamazoo

• Kanola Band, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 5, Bronson Park, and 5 p.m. Aug. 5, Haymarket Plaza, 139 N. Edwards St.

• Serita's Black Rose, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5, outside of the State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St.

• Moonshot, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7, The Stage at Kindleberger Park, Parchment

• Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10, Bates Alley

• Jeffrey Cavataio, 7 p.m. Aug. 11, Celery Flats, 7328 Garden Lane, Portage

• Pinter Whitnick, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12, Bronson Park

• Gizzae, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14, The Stage at Kindleberger Park, Parchment

• Pinter Whitnick, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 17, Bates Alley

• Youth Talent Show, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 19, Bronson Park

• René Meave, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19, outside of the State Theatre

• Farmers Alley Best of Broadway, 4 p.m. Aug. 21, Bronson Park

• The Kari Lynch Band, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21, The Stage at Kindleberger Park, Parchment

• Yolonda Lavender, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24, Bates Alley

• Serita's Black Rose, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 26, Bronson Park

• Orchestra Jammbo'laya & Friends, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Celery Flats

• Corn Fed Girls, 6 p.m. Aug. 28, Flesher Field Gazebo, 3664 S. Ninth St., Oshtemo Township

• Out of Favor Boys, 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31, Bates AlleyFor more information, visit kalamazooarts.org.

Change Gonna Come

Aug. 29 Kalamazoo Bach Festival

The Bach Festival will present this biographical musical on the life and songs of soul singer Sam Cooke at 4 p.m. in Bronson Park. The concert is a benefit for Open Doors of Kalamazoo, a nonprofit organization that helps people overcome homelessness.

Baritone Jerome Collins, the founding member of the a capella ensemble Straight No Chaser, will portray Cooke, who had 30 Top 40 hits between 1957 and 1964, the year he was killed, at age 33. His hits included “You Send Me,” “A Change is Gonna Come,” “Cupid,” “Chain Gang,” “Wonderful World,” “Another Saturday Night” and “Twistin' the Night Away.”

Led by Bach Festival Music Director Chris Ludwa, the show will feature jazz instrumentalists and backup singers supporting Collins. The concert is free, and representatives of Open Doors of Kalamazoo will be on hand.

For more information, visit kalamazoobachfestival.org.

Art Hop

Aug. 5 Downtown Kalamazoo

A chance to see artists at work live is being offered at this month’s Art Hop, running from 5–8 p.m. in downtown Kalamazoo.

A number of artists working in various media will be creating work on-site for attendees to view during this free event organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. As usual, this month’s Art Hop will also feature a variety of artists’ completed works on display in downtown Kalamazoo locations as well as live music and the chance to visit downtown businesses.

The Arts Council has an app that provides a guide and map of Art Hop sites, information about participating artists, and walking directions. For more information or to access the app, visit kalamazooarts.org.

Ongoing Exhibitions

Photo Exhibition

Through Sept. 9 Portage City Hall Atrium

Intern Exhibition

Through Aug. 26 Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Stephen Hansen: You Are Here Through Aug. 28

West Michigan Area Show Through Sept. 4

Surrealish: The Absurd and Unexpected Through Sept. 11

Balancing the Cosmos: Works by Li Hongwei Through Oct. 2

Unveiling American Genius Through December

Mark Love

Aug. 23 Portage District Library

Local author Mark Love will talk at 7 p.m. about his Jefferson Chene mystery series and other novels he has written.

Love's most recent book, The Wayward Path, is the third in the series, which follows the investigative work of Detroit police officer Jefferson Chene. Love, who teaches at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, is the author of eight novels, including two mystery series, and has contributed to more than five short-story collections and anthologies.

As a part of his presentation, he will discuss his writing journey and the realistic details he puts into his work. Light refreshments and a book signing will follow the presentation.

For more information visit portagelibrary.info.

The Arts

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