'The Odd Couple' Comes to University of Michigan's Arthur Miller Theatre May 24-27

Tickets for the classic Neil Simon comedy can be purchased online at www.emergentarts.com.

ANN ARBOR — The Emergent Arts Theatre Company will stage Neil Simon’s legendary comedy The Odd Couple at the Arthur Miller Theatre in Ann Arbor on May 24-27. The Odd Couple is a time capsule from a more innocent time, when America was on the verge of adulthood. The old ways were being trashed, families being redefined; even men were made to “discover themselves." In the middle of these topsy-turvy times, two former family men, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger, discover each other. The ensuing train crash of personalities becomes a perfectly damaged vehicle for the comic exploration of everything from suicide to the proper way to prepare a London broil. The play has inspired a television series, two movies, and a phrase/title that has …

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Chelsea Painters Fair Features 25 Washtenaw County Artists

The 39th annual event takes place June 2-3 at Silver Maples Retirement Community in Chelsea.

Chelsea Area Players Hold Auditions for 40th Anniversary Show

Auditions will be held on Saturday at St. Mary's Church in Chelsea.

CHELSEA — The Chelsea Area Players will hold auditions for its upcoming show, CAPtivating Rhythms: Lovers, Liars and Clowns on Saturday. The show pays tribute to CAP's 40 years of musical theater performances. Auditions for adults, teens and children will be held at St. Mary Church, 14200 E. Old US-12 in Chelsea. Auditions will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Individuals who plan to audition should sign up before 2 p.m. on Saturday. Auditioners will be seen in the order they arrive. You will not be asked to stay for the entire time. To audition, prepare 16 bars from one of the following musicals (or in the style of these shows): Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You, Godspell, Hello, Dolly!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair …

'Nunsense' Opens at the Encore Musical Theatre in Dexter on May 18

Tickets for the classic comedy are on sale now at the theater's box office.

The Encore Musical Theatre in Dexter will present Nunsense, written by Dan Goggin, beginning May 18. Led by director Barbara Cullen and music director George Cullinan, the five-woman cast of Nunsense tells the story of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, who discover that their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of their fellow sisters, and the convent is in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium. The characters include Rev. Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of the Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; …

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'The Avengers' Brings Its A-Game

Patch movie critic takes a look at the first of the summer blockbusters, "The Avengers."

The first big entry in the blockbuster sweepstakes this summer is setting a very high bar indeed. For lovers of comic book heroes, watching this Marvel team of a lifetime suit up, bicker, beat each other up and save the world is akin to geek nirvana. It is the very definition of BIGGER, BETTER, MORE! It is an explosion of egos, to be sure. They're like the dysfunctional family of superheroes, with one black sheep causing most of the trouble. Thor and Iron Man. Cap and Iron Man. Thor, Cap and Iron Man. How do they have the time and energy to fight anyone else when they keep beating each other to a pulp? It's as fun to see if they'll get along long enough to formulate a plan or find a way to work together as it is to watch the many and …

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Chelsea District Library Receives Grant from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

The library received $7,500 to help fund its artist-in-residence program.

The Chelsea District Library has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The grant will help fund the library's "artist-in-residence" program. The program brings artists from around the state to Chelsea in order to share their talent with aspiring artists in Washtenaw County. This year's artist-in-residence program focuses on screen arts. Filmmakers, including Ann Arbor’s Sharad Kant Patel, will provide their expertise and provide instruction and consultative services to the community.  “Electronic arts, including film and video, are increasingly becoming the preferred art and entertainment media of our time — impactful and with potential for a very wide reach. So, this year’s artist-in-…

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Dexter Community Band Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Concert on April 29

The band will perform songs written by Glen Miller, as well as classical pieces from Broadway musicals.

The Dexter Community Band will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special concert on April 29 titled 'Let's Dance!' The concert will take place at 3 p.m. at the Dexter Center for the Performing Arts, 2200 North Parker Rd. The concert is free and open to the public. The band will feature "Pineapple Poll," a suite from the ballet of the same name, written by Arthur Sullivan and arranged for band by Charles Mackerras. The band will also perform "Symphonic Dance Music" from West Side Story. This work includes a mambo, cha-cha and some hot jazz. Diane Telgen, the band's principal flute player, will perform "The Wren Polka" by E. Damare. Other songs include "the Waltz" from the play Masquerade composed by A. Khachaturian, the Armenian dance "…

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Encore Musical Theatre Plans Two-Night Concert Fundraiser in Dexter

Encore actors will perform songs from Broadway shows on May 5-6 to raise money for the 2012 season.

As if the Encore Musical Theatre needed another reason to draw patrons to Dexter, members of the company's cast and crew are putting together an intimate two-night concert showcasing some of Broadway's greatest shows. The concert will be led by Dan Cooney, the theater's co-founder, along with his wife Jessica Grove, and takes place May 5-6. "Jessica and I have been talking about doing a concert together since we opened the Encore in 2009," Cooney explained. "It's very challenging for both of us to have a free weekend together, so we're looking forward to putting all of our energy into this concert." Cooney and Grove are both veteran Broadway actors and will perform selections from Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Little Night …

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Award-Winning Authors Headline Annual Midwest Literary Walk in Chelsea

Authors will sign books and talk with aspiring writers throughout the afternoon on April 21.

CHELSEA — Nationally known poets and writers will read their work at venues up and down Main Street and greet fans in person during the Chelsea Center for the Arts' fourth annual Midwest Literary Walk on April 21. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Chelsea. This year’s authors feature poet Thomas Lux, performance poet Jeff Kass, Gravity and Consider the Oyster playwright, David MacGregor, and more. M.L. Liebler, poet and winner of the 2010 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, will emcee the event. All readings are free and open to the public. The Midwest Literary Walk is a joint venture of the Chelsea Center for the Arts, Chelsea District Library, and River Gallery, with support from Nicola’s Books. The …

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Purple Rose Theatre Holds Open Auditions for 2012 Season

Actors can schedule an audition appointment by calling the theater's administration office Monday through Friday.

CHELSEA — The Purple Rose Theatre Company will hold general auditions for roles in its upcoming 2012-2013 season from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7-8. Auditions will be held at 137 Park St., in Chelsea. Artistic Director Guy Sanville will review male and female actors over 21. If an actor is unable to attend general auditions, he or she may submit a current headshot and resume to Sanville. Actors will be asked to perform a one-minute comic monologue and should bring a current headshot and resume to the audition. Actors will be notified by phone if they are being invited to callbacks, which are not currently scheduled. The 2012-2013 season includes Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts, The Meaning of Almost Everything by Jeff Daniels, 33 Variations by …

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