Community Calendar

Chicago Steppin' dance event and workshop for adults

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was one of the most influential works of the American Revolution. The first edition was published on January 10, 1776, with an initial print run of just 1,000 copies; but within weeks demand soared. The students of Andy Murphy’s POLISCI 495 course co-curated the exhibition “Revolutionary Paine” to document the whirlwind caused by its publication. On view at the Clements January 16-May 8, weekdays from 12-4 pm.

From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND
Originally Directed On Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos

For mature audiences, aged 12+ - No babes in arms.

Attend the tale of a barber who returns from unjust exile, driven by vengeance and a hunger for justice. When he joins forces with Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful pie shop owner, the results are both horrific and strangely compelling.

Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Sweeney Todd blends sharp wit, chilling suspense, and a powerful score that ranges from haunting ballads to biting satire. Described as “one of the greatest musicals ever written” (New York Post) and “a nightmare of a show and in some ways a dream” (The Guardian), this tale of love, loss, and razor-sharp revenge continues to resonate.

Erin Shields’ Paradise Lost reinvents John Milton’s epic poem through a bold, contemporary lens. Satan, cast out of Heaven, seeks revenge by tempting humanity, setting the stage for a cosmic battle of free will versus divine power. Blending sharp wit, modern feminism, and classical mythology, Shields’ adaptation challenges traditional notions of good and evil while exploring oppression, rebellion, and knowledge. With rich language and a fresh perspective, this powerful play reimagines one of literature’s most profound stories, making it both deeply relevant and strikingly theatrical.

This exhibition honors the commitment of our members from SE Michigan and beyond, whose support plays a vital role in bringing our mission to life. We welcome the public to discover the unique artistic voices and styles of over 100 member artists.

Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was one of the most influential works of the American Revolution. The first edition was published on January 10, 1776, with an initial print run of just 1,000 copies; but within weeks demand soared. The students of Andy Murphy’s POLISCI 495 course co-curated the exhibition “Revolutionary Paine” to document the whirlwind caused by its publication. On view at the Clements January 16-May 8, weekdays from 12-4 pm.

Join Cranbrook Academy of Art at deSalle Auditorium for a free, public lecture with James Klein and David Reid on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6pm. Please enter through the Cranbrook Academy of Art Library; Cranbrook Art Museum’s galleries will be closed.

KleinReid was founded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1993 by James Klein and David Reid. A pioneer in the ceramic design and maker movements, the studio is widely credited with bringing an urban design aesthetic to American studio pottery; merging timeless art pottery methods and time-honored industrial techniques.

From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND
Originally Directed On Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos

For mature audiences, aged 12+ - No babes in arms.

Attend the tale of a barber who returns from unjust exile, driven by vengeance and a hunger for justice. When he joins forces with Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful pie shop owner, the results are both horrific and strangely compelling.

Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Sweeney Todd blends sharp wit, chilling suspense, and a powerful score that ranges from haunting ballads to biting satire. Described as “one of the greatest musicals ever written” (New York Post) and “a nightmare of a show and in some ways a dream” (The Guardian), this tale of love, loss, and razor-sharp revenge continues to resonate.

Erin Shields’ Paradise Lost reinvents John Milton’s epic poem through a bold, contemporary lens. Satan, cast out of Heaven, seeks revenge by tempting humanity, setting the stage for a cosmic battle of free will versus divine power. Blending sharp wit, modern feminism, and classical mythology, Shields’ adaptation challenges traditional notions of good and evil while exploring oppression, rebellion, and knowledge. With rich language and a fresh perspective, this powerful play reimagines one of literature’s most profound stories, making it both deeply relevant and strikingly theatrical.

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…

DISASTERPIECE: Prepare a five-minute story about a failure so epic, it became a work of art. A magnificent misfire. A glorious flop. Throwing spaghetti at the wall and failing upward. That last-minute improvisation that was mistaken for genius, so you just went with it. Whether it’s a community rallying after a natural disaster, a seeming setback that unexpectedly changed your life for the better, or an April Fools’ prank that sparked a reconciliation — paint us your disasterpieces!