Ann Arbor/Detroit's 2017-2018 Performing Arts Season
Experiencing the performing arts together can be a fantastic bonding experience for the entire family. Of course, not every performance is appropriate for everyone. Shows specifically designed for preschoolers will have 'tweens rolling their eyes. More mature subject matter or language isn't appropriate for the little ones, but it can spark wonderful conversations with teenagers. Studies (like this one, this one, and this one) show that taking in performances can make your kids smarter. How young is TOO young? Check out our article Take Your Child to the Theater, which is a handy guide with tips for experiencing the performing arts with kids.
Below, we have this season's listings for all of the performing arts that might be appropriate for a wide variety of ages. In addition to those for the younger set, there are many that aren't necessarily designed with kids in mind but that may engage your older kids and teens. The following descriptions note the ages for which the performance is appropriate, so pay attention. Now go score yourself some tickets and enjoy the arts that abound right in your own backyard!
Ford Community and Performing Arts
National Arab Orchestra: October 1
Dearborn Symphony Orchestra - Rhapsody in Blue: October 6
The United States Airforce Orchestra: October 8
The Snow Queen the Musical: October 15
Stan Barnes and Friends: October 21
Boo Bash: October 26
Dearborn Symphony Orchestra - Musical Explorations: November 17
Gata Rahe Mera Dil - A Musical Tribute To S. D. Burman: November 19
Russian Grand Ballet - Swan Lake: November 21
The Nutcracker Ballet With the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra: December 1, 2
Shopkins Live: December 13, 14
The Spinners: December 16
I Can't Make You Love Me: February 18
Dearborn Symphony Orchestra: February 25
Dearborn Symphony Orchestra - Best of Broadway: April 13
Trenton Village Theatre: Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center
Fall Show: November 10 - 19
Frosty Follies: December 15, 16
Spring Show: April 13 - 15
Gala: May 19
Tecumseh Center for the Arts
Discovering the Dutch: October 10
WTCA Radio Show: Fright Night at the TCA: October 20, 21
Matt Beilis: November 4
Guatemala - land of the Maya: November 14
The Nutcracker Ballet: December 7 - 9
Tis the Season - TCA Big Band and VocalAires Holiday Concert: December 10
Pearls of the Caribbean: January 9
Northern Europe Synopsis: February 13
Dueling Pianos: February 17
Exploration of the Colorado River: March 13
John King: March 17
The Highlands of Scotland: April 10
Mike Super: April 21
Voices of Swing - TCA Big Band and VocalAires Spring Concert: May 20
Canton Village Theatre at Cherry Ridge
School House Live, Jr. : September 28 - 30
A Bit ofBeethoven and Bluejeans: September 30
Zonbie Nights: October 12 - 15
Sweetest Day Dueling Pianos: October 21
Men Are Dogs: November 3 - 12
Keith Fields in "A Brit of Magic": November 4
The Underwater Bubble Show: November 25
A Christmas Story: November 30 - December 3
North Pole News: December 2
Glitz-Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical: December 7 - 10
Christmas...Always: December 9
Aaron Radatz Holiday Magic Show: December 22
The Detroit Circus: December 31
Central Park Experience Featuring Old Friends: January 20
An Afternon With Grouch Marx Featuring Frank Ferrante: February 3
Rock, Pop and Soul: February 10
Brady Rymer: February 24
Pocahontas: March 22 - 25
LoveFest: April 15
Warren Civic Theatre
James and the Giant Peach: Nvember 3 - 5
A Christmas Carol: December 8 - 10
The Lion King, Jr.: March TBD
Guys and Dolls: May TBD
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit
Only the Best - 25 Years of Mosaic Stories: December 8 -11
Mosaic Singers in Concert - Coming Up Taller: March 17 - 19
heartBEAT - A Story of Love, Hate and Rhythm: May 11 - 21
Tipping Point Theatre
Boeing Boeing: September 14 - October 21
Office Hours: November 16 - December 23
Every Brilliant Thing: January 18 - February 25
Ripcord: March 22 - April 22
Northern Aggression: May 17 - June 24
The Impossibility of Now: July 19 - August 19
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Back To the Future in Concert: October 4
Beethoven's Eroica: October 12 - 14
Harold in Italy: October 20, 21
Happy, Sad, Silly, Scary: October 25
Pops Open Rehearsal: October 26
Star Wars, Star Trek and Beyond: October 27 - 29
Rockoween/Halloween in Hollywood: October 28
The Legend of Zelda: November 1
Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances: November 4, 5
Romeo and Juliet: November 9 - 11
Jazz, Wiggle and Giggle/ Peter and the Wolf: November 18
Don Juan: November 18, 19
Music of Queen: November 25, 26
Russian Portraits: November 30 - December 2
Andrea Bocceli: December 3
Home Alone in Concert: December 13
Home For the Holidays: December 15 -17
New Year's Eve Concert: December 31
Ring Without Words: January 6, 7
The Nashville Songbook: january 19, 20
Jason Moran Plays Monk!: February 9
An American in Paris: February16
Carnival of the Animals: February 17
Debussy: La Mer and Faun: February 22, 23
Symphonie Fantastique: February 23, 24
Blockbuster Broadway: March 9 - 11
Tale As Old As Time: April 3
Strauss & Wagner: April 6, 7
Schumann's "Spring": April 12 - 14
A Symphony of Science: April 18, 19
The Music of Miles Davis: April 20
Dances & Nocturnes: April 28, 29
Beethoven's Third Concerto: May 3 - 5
Birthday Candles: May 10 - 31
The Doo Wop Project: May 18 - 20
Encore Musical Theatre
Sweeney Todd: September 28 -October 22
Anything Goes: November 24 - December 23
Million Dollar Quartet: February 1 - 25
School of Rock, Jr.: March 9 - 18
Big Fish: April 26 -May 20
West Side Story: June 21 - August 12
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
Seussical: September 7 -10
Cabaret: October 26 - 29
The Explorers Club: January 11 - 14
PuppetART Detroit
Sleeping Beauty: October 1, May 27
Kolobok: November 5, April 29
Banana For Turtle: December 3, March 25
Oh Ananse: January 28, February 25
Detroit Opera House
Rigoletto: October 14 - 22
Ballet Hispanico: October 28, 29
The Marriage of Figaro: November 11 - 9
Romeo & Juliet: February 8 - 11
27: March 10
Dance Theatre of Harlem: March 24, 25
Tosca: April 7 - 15
Paul Taylor Dance Theatre: April 21 - 22
The Summer King: May 12 - 20
Fox Theatre
An Evening With Alison Krauss & David Gray: October 4
So You Think You Can Dance - Live Tour: October 6
Peppa Pig Live!: October 28
PJ Masks LIVE! Time To Be A Hero: November 12
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Tour: November 15
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical: November 17 - 19
Joe Bonamassa: November 24
The Wizard of Oz: November 25, 26
The Illusionists: November 30
Cirque Dreams Holidaze: December 1 - 3
Celtic Thunder: December 6
Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday: December 10
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: December 16
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker: December 17
Elf the Musical: December 20 - 24
2Cellos: january 23
A Chorus Line: February 17
PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure: March 1 - 4
Stomp: March 16, 17
The Sound of Music: March 30, 31
The Illusionists - Live From Broadway: April 27, 28
The King and I: May 8 - 13