Pioneer Theatre Guild didn’t just “do” Shrek The Musical. Rather, they were entrusted to test and design Shrek The Musical for other amateur theatre groups — in a process known as “workshopping” a show. Shrek marks the third time PTG has been chosen by Music Theater International for this opportunity... Full Entry

FestiFools 2013 was awesome — and, lasting just 60 minutes, also a blur. The weather was perfect, the amassed Fools were pumped and giddy, smiling faces abounded, music filled the street… (Also, every child under 12 got a free pony!) I was delighted to see so many friends and neighbors and... Full Entry

It was great to see so many veteran and first-time Fools participating in FoolMoon 2013. Their energy was amazing — enthusiastic, creative, welcoming, friendly, and, as always, totally Foolish! Also, the weather more than cooperated, which isn’t something we in Ann Arbor take for granted. I’ve said much more in... Full Entry

While at the fourth preliminary competition (Saturday, Jan. 12), I kept thinking that I was actually at the finals — I mean, the show was that polished! Unsurprisingly, the finals completely sold out well ahead of the event (get your sleeping bag ready for next year). What makes the FutureStars production... Full Entry

Left: Foolin’ at FestiFools Electric! Face-paint fright Dennis the Menace Middle: Climbing pines Clown + Nerd + Goth + Waldo = ? Throwback Charmer Right: Swami Fierce Ultimate player The young scholar Globetrotter wannabe   Some of my favorite “Relish” events during the first half of 2013: Pioneer Theatre Guild’s FutureStars Preliminaries: January 11 + 12 | Finals: January 19 Burns Park Players celebrates 30 years: Anything Goes February... Full Entry

Pioneer’s production of Ragtime closed several weeks ago — nearly eight weeks ago, to be precise. But to me it feels like it closed yesterday (and I’m not just saying that because I wished I’d posted these photos on November 12). Truly, my holiday rush period renders most of November... Full Entry

Max has not only become fixated on a TV show that debuted in 1959, but zealously promotes it to everyone within earshot. He’s enticed countless Ann Arbor grade-schoolers — and even a couple of Brooklynites [Iris and Nate, I’m talking to you!] — to join the cult of “Dennis the... Full Entry

I’m often apprehensive when taking large group portraits — positioning each person so the group has visual coherence, working quickly so no one loses patience, and getting everyone to face the camera at the same time (preferably with their eyes open). But no matter what I do, there always seem... Full Entry

It’s been a couple of years since I last blogged about Selma Café. In case you don’t already know, Selma Café is a weekly breakfast fundraising party that happens every Friday morning in the home of Lisa Gottlieb. Each week a different guest chef makes breakfast for 200-250 guests, using ingredients... Full Entry

Executive summary: Tomorrow. Last day of school. First day of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Glorious weather. YES! I can feel it. I can taste it. I can practically see it (although that may be retinal afterburn). For the past few weeks I’ve been awash in my favorite images captured at... Full Entry

Pioneer Theatre Guild: you did it again. You took an insanely ambitious musical — West Side Story — and surpassed everyone’s already high expectations. I photographed the last dress rehearsal, and I am in awe of the range of powerful emotions that explodes from every scene. Congratulations to the cast,... Full Entry