Community Calendar

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.

Celebrate the culmination of 97 years of dance at Wayne State University at the 97th Annual Spring Dance Concert! Join our talented dance students and esteemed faculty for an enjoyable weekend showcasing their artistry. This cherished annual event presents a diverse program featuring captivating choreography by students, faculty, and guest artists. Experience a vibrant tapestry of dance styles set to a variety of music, promising an engaging and entertaining performance for the entire family. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the passion and creativity of our dancers as they bring their hard work to the stage.

It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence … if only the founding fathers agree to it! This musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince members of Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. With humor and a stirring score, the Tony® Award-winning musical presents the frustrations and triumphs of our founding fathers. Presented in partnership with the Midland County Historical Society, and in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States. 1776 brings a fresh look at the people, and the compromises that defined a revolution.

Directed by Susie Polito
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards / Book by Peter Stone

A charming and witty comedy about the relationship of Hollywood legends, Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner. Tipping Point Theatre presents the Michigan Premiere of "Gene & Gilda" by Cary Gitter.

It’s Hollywood in the late 1980’s and Gene Wilder is giving his first interview after the death of his beloved Gilda Radner. Although he states any discussion of Gilda is off limits, Gilda has other ideas and crashes the interview. The famous couple come to vivid life as we follow them from their first meeting through their personal and professional ups and downs, all the way to their poignant farewell. We celebrate an intimate portrait of two comic legends in love, and the lives they led beyond the laughter.

Runtime: ~90 minutes, no intermission

Showtimes are Wednesday - Sunday starting April 8 through May 3, 2026

David Sedaris will return to the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026.

His event, titled “An Evening With David Sedaris,” is part of his 2025-26 tour across North America and Europe.

Sedaris, whose works regularly appear in the New Yorker, can often be heard on the public radio show “This American Life.” He has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album.

He has published 14 books and essay collections, one in collaboration with his sister, Emmy-nominated comedian Amy Sedaris.

Tickets start at $79 per person.

Babes In Canyon with Celeste Allison and Camp Bedford

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Glow Hall, Kalamazoo

Tickets: $15 advance | $20 day of show

All ages

Schedule

7:00 PM doors

8:00 to 8:30 PM: Camp Bedford

8:45 to 9:15 PM: Celeste Allison

9:30 to 10:30 PM: Babes In Canyon

Babes In Canyon make their Glow Hall debut with a full headlining set. Built around layered synths, grounded songwriting, and an instinct for rhythm and atmosphere, the project moves easily between synth-folk, moody pop, and club-informed beats. What began as a spontaneous writing session during a winter blackout has grown into a focused and cohesive sound, rooted loosely in Americana but shaped by texture, repetition, and momentum. Babes In Canyon are currently touring in support of their debut album The New Loud.

Celeste Allison returns to Glow Hall for her first performance here since launching the Kalamazoo Artist Spotlight series. A self-made, independent artist deeply rooted in Kalamazoo’s music community, Celeste’s work moves between jazz, indie-pop, and soul, carried by songs that balance boldness and vulnerability with warmth and clarity. Her presence on stage has long centered connection and affirmation, making her return a meaningful part of this night.

Opening the show is Camp Bedford, a Midwest-based band touring in support with Babes In Canyon.

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.

The California Gold Rush sparked a movement that reached far beyond the West. This Historical Speaker Series program explores how local residents became part of the ‘49er migration, tracing their journeys from Michigan to California and examining what they encountered upon arrival. Presented by local historian Debbie Remer.

$5 for general admission | Free for members

Register at PackardProvingGrounds.org/Apr26-HSS-PPG