March 5th-27th, 2010
Planet Ant Theatre

An original, multi-media comedy epic following one family through 300+ years of Detroit history.
by Shawn Handlon & Mikey Brown
Directed by Shawn Handlon

(left to right) Chris Jakob, Kennikki Jones, Jessalyn Brooks, Chris Korte,
Mikey Brown. Photo by Sue Hayden

Sure, everyone has heard of the Fords and the Fishers, but who in the hell are the LeMerdes? Jacques LeMerde arrived on the banks of the Detroit River with Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac in 1701 to establish Detroit as a trading post for beaver and other furs. LeMerde’s unsung progeny have been fighting the good fight in Detroit ever since.

Detroit Be Dammed: A Beaver’s Tale recounts the stories of the LeMerde family as they live through some of Detroit’s most famous historical moments. Planet Ant Theatre invites you to enjoy this world premiere multi-media spectacle featuring 10 original songs, animation, video and a cast of five of Detroit’s most talented actors: Jessalyn Brooks, Mikey Brown, Chris Jakob, Kennikki Jones and Chris Korte. The show is lovingly directed by Detroit Second City alum Shawn Handlon.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Sundays March 14 and 21 at 3pm and 6pm
$20 general admission.
$5 discount for students, seniors(60+) and Hamtramck residents
For reservation call (313) 365-4948

Planet Ant Theatre
2357 Caniff
Hamtramck MI 48212
313.365.4948
www.planetant.com

Amy Gutz as Amiga Gringa.
Photography by: Ryan Myers www.moveimagery.com

Written like final round slam poetry, In the Blood keeps it real in the “here and now.” Hester, a mother devoted to her 5 children struggles to find ways to feed them. Five actors play her 5 young children or treasures. The same actors also play the adults who only help her for a fee. Lovingly comical moments are juxtaposed by the harsh world of poverty in this modern masterpiece (an urban riff on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s SCARLET LETTER).



This urban theater project is a collaboration between 4TheatrSake, the 1440 collective, the Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, the Cedi Collection, Detroit film-maker Ryan Myers and Plowshares Theater Company. The idea was to provide an all-inclusive social theater experience where people would witness compelling performances by 4Theatrsake’s actors illustrating the true identity, and experiences of 11 Detroit people. Through our joint efforts we seek to empower other artists and residents of Detroit to look closely at what we can do on a micro-level to make a difference in our immediate reality. Art and “Detroit er from Detroit” T-shirts will also be on sale with some proceeds benefiting the Plowshares Theater Company. 



What makes this a social justice play? Following the performance, the actors will remain on-stage (in character) to allow the audience a chance to react to what they’ve just witnessed. Moderated by Oneita Jackson of the Detroit Free Press(www.freep.com/ostreet), this after-drama forum will focus on poverty, disease, human trafficking, race in a post-racial society, and what we can do to bring change. There are intervals at which the moderator will ask the audience for an opinion or challenge them on tough issues. This way of ending the performance makes full use of the controversial characters of Suzan Lori-Park’s IN THE BLOOD.

Kennikki Jones as: Hester La Negrita.
Bridal Gown by: Cedi Johnson www.cediatelier.com
Photography by: Ryan Myers www.moveimager.com

Named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Innovators for the Next New Wave,” Suzan-Lori Parks is one of the most exciting and acclaimed playwrights in American drama today. She is the first African American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for the Broadway hit Topdog/Underdog and is a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient, among her many other honors.



Who are we? The cast and crew of IN THE BLOOD represent Detroit artists from diverse backgrounds. Geared toward Michigan talent retention, these artists have come together to create new possibilities for themselves and future artists. 



Church-trained, Southern-bred reborn urban dread NADIR (meaning “rare” and “unique”) is a clear and resonant voice of cultural change. Singer/songwriter, producer, writer and activist Jonah Nadir Omowale brings us an undeniable musical message, steeped in both tradition and innovation. His music, called Distorted Soul, is a revolutionary soul music hybrid that incorporates elements of funk, soul, rock, jazz, folk and hip hop “in such a delectable manner that his musical renditions are sure to please any musical palate.”



Fashion designer, trendsetter, writer, entrepreneur, and native Detroiter, Cedi Johnson is the symbol of Metro Detroit style and sophistication. He keeps a busy schedule traveling to New York and Paris looking for the finest textiles, accessories and inspiration. The House of Cedi has dressed and styled local and international celebrities such as Anita Baker, Dwele and Vivica A. Fox.



Actor, Director, Writer Wyldchild L. Chemist was recently invited to join Plowshares Theatre Company’s new ensemble as an artistic associate. He will be participating in The Kennedy Center’s fellowship program for Theater Capacity Building in Culturally-Specific Organizations. 



Playwright: Suzan Lori Parks

Director: Wyldchild L. Chemist

Original Music by: Nadir Omowale of Distorted Soul

Original Costumes by: Cedi Johnson

Photography by: Ryan Myers 

Moderator/Facilitator: Oneita Jackson



Hester La Negrita: Kennikki Jones

Reverand D/ Baby: Edward Donaldson

Amiga Gringa/ Beauty: Alanna Gentry / Amy Gutz

Doctor/ Trouble: Doice John

Welfare Lady/ Bully: Carmen Adolphus

Information: 313-384-2233
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91580
Contact: Sean Rodriguez, 313-384-2233
seanrodriguez@4tsdetroit.com

Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center


311 E. Grand River – Detroit, MI – 48226

David Sedaris’ The SantaLand Diaries and Season’s Greetings

December 11-21, 2009; Thurs-Sat & Mon, 8 pm; Sun, 3pm 

Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward, Ferndale

Tickets: $20 Thurs-Sat; $15 Sun; $10 Mon.

Who Wants Cake? Theatre at the Ringwald offers up its traditional December treat: a double-header of sharply funny holiday tales by satirist David Sedaris.

www.WhoWantsCakeTheatre.com; 248-545-5545

Fri, Dec. 4-Sun, Dec. 20, 2009
10:30 PM Fri & Sat; 4:30 PM Sun.

The Real Housewives Heat Up the North Pole

Sweet Love Productions, in association with Who Wants Cake?, are excited to announce the debut of The Real Housewives of the North Pole at The Ringwald Theatre this Friday, December 4 at 10:30 PM. The party continues Fridays & Saturdays at 10:30 PM, and Sundays at 5:30 PM through December 20.

The Real Housewives franchise welcomes a new gaggle of gals this holiday season with the premiere of The Real Housewives of the North Pole. It’s amazing what a recession can do, even to the most wonderful place on Earth. The women behind the scenes of the world’s most famous workshop don’t disappoint in the catty, back stabbing, wig pulling, foul mouthed ways of their predecessors. You definitely don’t want to be tardy to THIS party!

Featuring: Dyan Bailey, Lauren Bickers, Christa Coulter, Cara Trautman, Jamie Warrow. Written by Marke Sobolewski & Cara Trautman. Directed by Marke Sobolewski.

The Ringwald Theater, 22742 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
Tickets are only $10 and can be reserved by phone at 248-545-5545 or at www.whowantscaketheatre.com!