David Zinn's Sidewalk Art Book!

David Zinn (Paint Designer/Supervisor 2005-2011) has a new book out showing off his incredible 3-dimensional sidewalk chalk art, starring an alien of his creation, Sluggo, and his buddies around Ann Arbor. It's called Lost & Unfounded: Street Art By David Zinn, and is available for purchase (click here!).

From the website: It's "a must-have for fans of sidewalk chalk, street art, Michigan, aliens, mice, and flying pigs." :)

Joe Z's "Ebenezer" at The Tipping Point

Joseph Zettelmaier (Student Productions' Writing Mentor) has written another gem, this time a sequel to "A Christmas Carol" named "Ebenezer". Another PTG staff alum, Julia Glander (A Lie Of The Mind, On The Verge, & The Heidi Chronicles Director) directed "Ebenezer", which is playing at the Tipping Point Theatre in Northville.

This play checks back in with Ebenezer Scrooge on his deathbed 15 years after he was visited by the three ghosts of Christmas and he changed his life. Detroit Free Press writer John Monaghan wrote, "Far from a humbug, 'Ebenezer' offers genuine sincerity in a tiny, beautifully wrapped package."

Click here to read the great Detroit Free Press review!
Click here to read an interview with Joe Z about the show!

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Show details:

Ebenezer

Running through December 31st:
Thursdays & Fridays at 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm
Sundays at 2pm

Tipping Point Theatre
361 E Cady Street
Northville, MI
www.tippingpointtheatre.com

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The show premiered last December at the Williamston Theatre in East Lansing, starring PTG Alum Joseph Seibert (PHS 2008) as Tiny Tim!

Myra Klarman's "Pippin" Pictures

Local photographer Myra Klarman has again captured the magic of our fall musical Pippin on her blog, Relish!

To check out her photos: Click here!

PTG's "Pippin" Trailer!

PIPPIN runs through this weekend -
Friday, 11/15, at 7:30pm
Saturday, 11/16, at 7:30pm
Sunday, 11/17, at 2pm
At Pioneer's Schreiber Auditorium!

Get tickets: Click here!

Learn more: Click here!

(Thank you to PTG parent Amnon Steiner for making this preview!)

Andy Mientus in "Hit List"!

Andy Mientus (center) with Krysta Rodriquez & Jeremy Jordan

Andy Mientus (FutureStars 2008 Director) is performing in the musical concert "Hit List" on December 9th at 54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club! It's based on the fictional musical created on the NBC television show SMASH, which Andy starred in.

The press release for "Hit List" says it's “a modern fable about identity and the price of fame” that “tells the tragic love story of a wannabe pop singer who transforms herself to become a star and the hidden songwriter she uses to get there – but at what cost?”

To view the official "Hit List" page, Click here!
To read the NYTimes article about it from today, Click here!
To read an article about it from BroadwayWorld.com, Click here!

Max Kumangai in "Honeymoon In Vegas"!

Max Kumangai (FutureStars 2007 Director) is in the ensemble of a new show, Honeymoon In Vegas, featuring Tony Danza! Max happens to be playing alongside another past PTG staffer, Mara Newbery (Tommy Choreographer).

Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, NYTimes critic Ben Brantley thinks this show is Broadway-bound! To read his review, Click here! Frank Scheck of the NY Post called it "delightfully ditzy". :)

Honeymoon In Vegas is playing from September 26th-October 27th, 2013, at the Paper Mill Playhouse in NYC.

Elisabeth Evans Cast in "Once"!

Elisabeth Evans (FutureStars 2013 Director), a recent U of M MT graduate, has landed a role in the new Broadway musical Once! Check it out next time you're in New York City!

Mary Michael Patterson in "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway!

Mary Michael Patterson (Oklahoma! & Footloose Director) is playing Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway! She is only the 18th woman ever to play such an iconic role in NYC.

To see her bio on the Phantom website: Click here!
Her bio on her official site mentions her time at PTG! Click here!

To learn more about the show: Click here!

Jack Falahee Is In A Feature Film!

After graduating from Huron High School, Jack Falahee (PTG & Huron Alum '07) went on to study at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and has acted on several NY stages and in NY feature films. He is considered by the industry as a "actor on the rise", also appearing in television and films.

Now he's been cast to act alongside Nicolas Cage in the action-thriller "Tokarev" by Image Entertainment, according to The Wrap online. Click here to read the article! The movie is set to be released in early 2014.

Behind The Scenes Video of "Shrek"!

Amnon Steiner, parent of 4 past, present, and future Theatre Guild members, put together a video of the "Making Of" our production of Shrek! Enjoy!

Thank you Amnon!

Myra Klarman's "Shrek" Pictures

Our talented and faithful photographer Myra Klarman posted an entry on her blog about our production of Shrek: The Musical with some of her amazing photographs!

Check it out: Click here!

I Fight Dragons' Kickstarter Campaign

Brian Mazzaferri's (Hair and Carousel Director) band, I Fight Dragons, is launching their upcoming album through kickstarter.com. They explain the endeavor in the following (amusing!) video:

Want to learn more or donate? Click here!

AnnArbor.com "Shrek" Photos

AnnArbor.com's Courtney Sacco took some photos of our performance of Shrek: The Musical from last Friday night.

To view the slideshow, Click Here!

Congrats to everyone who worked on the show!

"Shrek" Trailer!

Theatre Guild parent Amnon Steiner, along with his daughter, PTG Alum and current U of M student Shira, made this trailer for our spring musical:

Thanks for your hard work, Steiners! You can see Shira's three siblings in the show!

You can still see Shrek: The Musical this weekend - we have four performances left! Click here for ticket info!

"Shrek" Featured On Detroit's TV20!

Detroit's TV20 News aired a story about our production of Shrek on Friday!

Click Here to go to tv20detroit.com to see the clip and read the article!

AnnArbor.com "Shrek" Preview

Jennifer Eberbach from AnnArbor.com, wrote an article focused on our creative process being one of the first groups in the country to put on this version of Shrek: The Musical. 

An excerpt:

A large cast and crew in Pioneer High School Theatre Guild's production of "Shrek - The Musical," is hard at work rehearsing, building the set, sewing costumes, and making props. They are putting on the DreamWorks-animated-film-inspired musical on weekend days and evenings between April 27 and May 5.

To read the entire article, Click Here!

Theatre Guild On Detroit's FOX News!

Lee Thomas, of Detroit's Fox 2 News, ran a story on Theatre Guild's production of Shrek this morning!

Click Here to read the review online!
And Click Here to buy tickets!

Julia Glander in "Shirley Valentine"

Julia Glander (A Lie of the Mind, On The Verge, and The Heidi Chronicles Director) is staring in a one-woman play called Shirley Valentine at The Williamston Theater! Preview audiences have called it hilarious, moving, and touching.

Check out the preview:

Julia was recently interviewed by mlive about the show: Click here!

The show runs this Friday, March 29th, until Sunday, April 21st.

Ticket prices are:
Thursday evenings ~ $20
Friday & Saturday evenings ~ $25
Saturday & Sunday matinees ~ $22
Students (with valid ID) ~ $10

For more information about the show: Click here!

Check it out!

Zack Pearlman on "Community"!

Zack Pearlman (PTG Alum '06) will appear on NBC's comedy "Community" tomorrow evening (check local listings), in a lead guest appearance!

Zack has been very successful acting in Hollywood over the past several years! He was recently on an episode of Comedy Central's "Workaholics", has a reoccurring voice-over role in the Dreamworks series "Dragons: Riders of Berk", and had a lead role in MTV's 2012 show, "The Inbetweeners". He also starred in the 2010 film The Virginity Hit.

Last year, he also had a hilarious guest appearance on the Comedy Central sketch comedy show "Key and Peele". Check it out below (warning: this clip contains swearing):

:)

Danny Mooney's "Love And Honor"

Danny Mooney (PTG Alum '03) has a new movie coming out called Love And Honor!

Danny Mooney was one of the first members of Pioneer Theatre Guild's Comedy Troupe, and went on to get a Bachelors Degree in Film from The University of Michigan, with a Minor from the RC Drama Department.

Since acting on our stages, he has gone on with much success acting in the film industry, performing stand-up comedy, and doing animation voice-over work. Danny also has worked in several roles on the production side of movies, including Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Writer, and Editor. Love And Honor is Danny's feature-length directorial debut.

Love And Honor will be playing at the Michigan Theater starting on Friday, March 29th.  Parts of the movie were filmed here in Ann Arbor.

Click here for more information about the film and to watch a preview!

I Fight Dragons' Newest Video!

Brian Mazzaferri (Hair and Carousel Director) is lead singer and guitarist of the band I Fight Dragons, and last month they released a music video for their song "cRaZie$"!

This is their newest single off their album "KABOOM!", which is their first full length album. They have also produced two EPs, "Cool Is Just A Number" (2009) and "Welcome To The Breakdown" (2010).

For more info about them, check out their facebook page: Click here!

David Zinn's Graffiti Art

David Zinn (Paint Supervisor/Designer 2006-2011) has been recognized by the website Trend Hunter for his sidewalk chalk character Sluggo. Sluggo's adventures around Ann Arbor have been named in the "Top 100 Graffiti Art Trends of 2012". Sluggo is praised not only for his 3-dimensionality, but for his benevolence. :)

To read the article on TrendHunter.com: Click here!

Robert Hartwell Joins "Cinderella" Cast

Robert Hartwell (Urinetown Director) has joined the ensemble in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway! This is Robert's third Broadway show since directing at Pioneer - to read more, check out our previous post here.

Although the music for this show is well-known from the TV Movies, this is the first time the show has been on Broadway and has a newly written script. Previews started January 25th, and tickets are on sale now!

Watch Andy Mientus on "Smash"!

Andy Mientus (FutureStars 2008 Director) has a reoccurring role on NBC's "Smash" this season! For more information on his character, Kyle, read the NY Daily News article here.

Since working with us at Pioneer, Andy toured the country playing in Broadway's "Spring Awakening", and made his off-Broadway debut in "Carrie".  Check out his bio on NBC's website: Click here!

Jenni Barber In "Once Upon A Time In NYC 2"

Jenni Barber (Beauty & The Beast Director) performed last night in "Once Upon A Time In NYC", a concert series with original songs about New York experiences. She sang a charming song called "When I Was Young", written by Francesca Garrard. Check out the video above!

Since working with us, Jenni has acted as Olive Ostrovsky in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in NYC and Boston, and in The Performers starring Henry Winkler.  She's also done some Off-Broadway acting as well, in From Up Here and Cactus Flower.

Jenni is preparing for a role in the brand-new Broadway show The Nance starring Nathan Lane, which begins preview performances March 21st at the Lyceum Theatre!

Amongst the song writers was none other than Nick Blaemire, another former PTG staffer (FutureStars 2006 Director)! He wrote a song called "On The Subway", performed by Eric William Morris in the video below.

Nick is no stranger to song-writing. In fact, Nick composed, wrote lyrics for, and arranged the music in the Broadway show Glory Days, which ran in 2008. 

Nick's been keeping himself busy on stage as well as a part of the ensembles of Broadway's Cry-Baby and Godspell. His Off-Broadway work has included If You Give A Mouse A Cookie & Other Short Books and new 1960s-war musical Dogfight, which ran last summer.

In any free time he may have, Nick has also made his way onto several television shows. He's had reoccuring roles on "The Big C"and "Zero Hour". Keep your eyes peeled for Nick on the big-screen - he's got two movies in the works!

Mary Michael Patterson In "Cynthia & The Dreadful Kite"

Mary Michael Patterson (Oklahoma! and Footloose Director) is currently working on a new show called Cynthia And The Dreadful Kite at Snapple Theater Center. The show runs this Monday, February 4th, as a part of the Musical Mondays series, which is in its 14th year of presenting new musicals in NYC.

Kevin Munhall, who was Mary Michael's assistant director and choreographer on Oklahoma! and Footloose at Pioneer, recently finished his run in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes cast, where he played alongside Mary Michael!

Myra Klarman's FutureStars 2013 Review

Devoted PTG patron and photographer Myra Klarman has posted a blog photo review of FutureStars 2013 Finals!

Check out her dramatic and dynamic photos! Click here!

AnnArbor.com's FutureStars 2013 Photos!

photo by Courtney Sacco

AnnArbor.com's staff photographer Courtney Sacco wonderfully captured the drama and excitement of last night's FutureStars Finals competition!

To see the slideshow: Click here!

FutureStars 2013: Bigger Than Ever!

FutureStars 2012 Crowd, photo by Myra Klarman

AnnArbor.com previews our FutureStars 2013 singing and dancing competition, just in time for the preliminaries to start tonight!

Check out the article: Click here!

"Ragtime" Photo Review

Myra Klarman, local photographic artist, took stunning pictures of our fall musical "Ragtime". Check some of them out on her blog: Click here!

Kelcy Griffin Cast in "Memphis"

Kelcy Griffin (Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Wizard of Oz Choreographer) has recently joined the cast of the national tour of the award-winning Broadway musical Memphis. This is her second national tour, the first of which was Dreamgirls.

Bryan Langlitz (Willy Wonka and Miss Saigon Asst Director and Choreographer) was part of the ensemble of Memphis on Broadway during its 3-year (2009-2012) run. He's kept himself busy lately writing and acting in several projects. His most recent is an NYC production called The Mistakes Madeline Made with The Basic Theatre Project. The show runs from January 16th-20th. Click here for more info!