St. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook will close out their season this year with the show-stopping 42 ND STREET. Come experience “theatre under the stars,” as this classic musical will be performed in the beautiful outdoor Greek Theatre, located right behind the St. Dunstan’s pavilion in Bloomfield Hills. This quintessential backstage musical comedy is the song and dance fable of Broadway, hard work, and the American Dream.
Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley 1933 movie, 42 nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown, Pa. home and comes to New York to audition for a new Broadway musical. When the leading lady breaks her ankle, Peggy takes over and becomes a star. With a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, you will be singing along and tapping your toes to songs like,Were in the Money,& Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo, and of course & 42nd Street.
This show requires “all hands-on deck” from the St. Dunstan’s volunteers. The cast and crew are working extremely hard to get everything ready for its June 2nd opening. Director, Jennifer Ward (Royal Oak), is no stranger to directing big musicals, but is excited to be making her directing debut in the Greek. “I just love putting on a big musical – and 42 nd Street certainly fits the definition! It’s big in every way, from the size of the cast and the number of costumes they wear, to the big splashy song and dance numbers. We have some fantastic dancers, some professional level singers and lots of great acting chops. We even like to think we have a few of that rare and beautiful theatrical creature known as ‘the triple threat’! My challenge is to make the most of everyone’s skills and experience so that the whole show shines…and I’m having a wonderful time in the process.” Ward is joined by a fabulous production crew, including choreographer, Roberta Campion (Southfield), who says “We are excited and working diligently to produce the most professional quality show we can.
For this production, we are learning some of the original iconic Gower Champion choreography (which is quite difficult) and adding & flairs and touches of our own.” Playing the lead role of Peggy Sawyer is Erin Johnson (Franklin), who is no stranger to 42 nd Street. Johnson received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan. After college, she pursued a career in professional theatre which included Broadway tours of 42nd Street and Thoroughly Modern Millie (each of which was seen at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit).
This production is rounded out by a stellar cast including: Kendall Doman (Bloomfield Hills) as Dorothy Brock, Katherine DiBiase (Oak Park) as Maggie Jones, Mitch Master (Bloomfield Hills) as Julian Marsh, Kyle Patrick (Ferndale) as Billy Lawlor, Jeff Foust (West Bloomfield) as Bert Barry, Brynn Ward (Royal Oak) as Ann Reilly, Sarah Kwas (Berkley) as Phyllis Dale, Angela VanKempen (Ypsilanti) as Lorraine Flemming, Elaine Parenteau (Ferndale) as Gladys, Stephanie Peltier (Royal Oak) as Diane Lorimer, Ryan Quinn (Clawson) as Andy Lee, Jay Jolliffe (Bloomfield Hills) as Oscar, Hoggie Amare (Troy) as Mac, Andrew McMechan (Birmingham) as Pat Denning, and Alan Binkow (Troy) as Abner Dillon. The incredible tapping and singing chorus includes Adam Bernard (Royal Oak), Andrea Sevonty (Detroit), Andela Nepa (Beverly Hills), Ann Vermeersch (New Baltimore), Craig VanKempen (Ypsilanti), Emma Lockwood (Ferndale), Erin Quetell (Pleasant Ridge), Maritoni Harte (Bloomfield Hills), Victoria Costantini (Bloomfield Hills), and Josh Kimball (Royal Oak). The ensemble is rounded out by Beth Egan DeGuise (Bloomfield Twp.), Heather Clement (Royal Oak), and Zoe Hecker (Royal Oak).
St. Dunstan’s will present 42 nd Street on June 2, 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, & 17. All shows begin at 8:00 p.m, Tickets are $20 each for adults and $18 each for students and seniors.
St. Dunstan’s is located at 400 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills. The Greek Theatre is located behind the St. Dunstan Playhouse at 400 Lone Pine Road, between Woodward & Lahser in Bloomfield Hills. Enter the St. Dunstan lobby to get to the Greek Theatre. Please allow time for walking. To order tickets, or for more information — including details on parking, and seating — visit www.StDunstansTheatre.com or call 1-844- DUNSTAN (1-844- 386-7826).
