2024 Ferndale / Pleasant Ridge City Guide

By Ryan R. Ennis

Michigan Stage

Tim Paré, artistic director and CEO of Michigan Stage, says that his career path was decided in childhood.

Growing up in Warren, he danced and sang whenever he had free time in the backyard, often coercing his siblings into either watching or participating in his makeshift plays. After completing a B.A. in theater at MSU in 2007, he made the leap to New York City in pursuit of professional opportunities. However, his roots called him home.

Launching Michigan Stage in 2020 “has helped me realize my dream of bringing theater back to the community that shaped me,” explains Paré.

At Michigan Stage, Paré and his crew are passionate about tapping into the full potential of people. The organization’s mission is to open the doors of theater to as many individuals as possible, showcasing its profound benefits. Since the nonprofit’s inception, many theatergoers have been treated to a variety of compelling performances.

The organization’s inaugural youth Playlab took place at Go Comedy Improv Theater in 2021, infusing life into the Ferndale comedy venue during daytime hours. Nine talented actors, aged 7-13, joined Michigan Stage for a week-long journey, culminating in the creation of their very own play, “The Mysterious Murder of Uncle-mann,”; which they proudly performed for friends and family on the Go Comedy! stage.

In tandem, the Michigan Stage crew collaborated with the Ferndale DDA to bring Broadway to the ’Burbs in the summer of 2021, hosting a free community concert in Ferndale’s newly constructed parking garage. This event featured stellar performances by renowned artists like Kristen Jeter (“The Book of Mormon”), Ben Chavez (“Aladdin”), and Ruthy Froch (“Fiddler on the Roof”), alongside a vibrant ensemble of local talents.

Later in the Fall of 2021, Michigan Stage debuted the groundbreaking “Looking Back Through Stained Glass,” a rock-and-roll drag musical, at Planet Ant in Hamtramck. And in February 2023, Broadway in the ’Burbs made a triumphant return, boasting an all-star lineup including Ben Fankhauser (“Newsies”), Brittany Bohn (“Back to the Future”), José Monge (“Waitress” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), and Hayley Pulizzi (“Looking Back Through the Stained Glass”), in partnership with Ferndale High School.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY PARÉ AND HIS ASSOCIATES is Theater for All. The initiative presents exciting ways for anyone to engage with live theater, regardless of age, ability, or access. It helps community members forge social connections, pursue creative lifestyles, nurture a sense of belonging and pride, as well as establish pathways to a life enriched by the arts and humanities. Theater for All provides hundreds of local K-12th graders, plus 50-100 senior citizens access to the powerful social, emotional, and physical benefits of making theater, which blends storytelling, improv, and dramatization so that the participants can connect, reflect, and learn from one another.

“Our programs and productions reach more than 20k audience members annually,” says Paré.

This summer, “we will present a season of three professional shows, increasing opportunities for our audiences, students, and network of creative professionals to engage in the arts, driving economic growth in our region,” stresses Paré.

The shows will include a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a cutting-edge new comedy, and a Tony Award-winning musical. 

THE FIRST PRODUCTION IS “LOST IN YONKERS” by Neil Simon. Hailed by the New York Post as “the best play Simon ever wrote,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning story is a dramedy that delicately portrays the humor, conflicts, and heartaches of a Jewish family navigating life in Yonkers in 1942. Honored with the 1991 Tony Award for Best Play, the tale’s timeless resonance continues to captivate audiences. Performances commence from July 11 to July 20, promising a theatrical experience suitable for all ages.

The second is “Peerless” by Jiehae Park. The story is a riveting tale about a character referred to as D, whose scholarship provides him with an advantage at his dream college, triggering a fierce competition between ambitious identical twins named M and L, who will stop at nothing to usurp him. Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, Park’s witty and twisted narrative delivers a rollercoaster ride of comedy and suspense. With pacing akin to twin-telepathy, this unpredictable journey will have audiences laughing and gasping in equal measure. Performances run from July 18 to July 27, with a PG-13 rating.

The third is “Guys & Dolls,” with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, based on the story by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. This work is celebrated as the epitome of musical comedy. This award-winning classic immerses audiences in the thrilling world of Broadway, where love and luck intertwine. Featuring beloved hits like “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down You” “Rockin’ the Boat,” “Take Back Your Mink” and more, the show promises an unforgettable experience. Performances take place from July 25 to August 3, appealing to audiences of all ages.

IN ADDITION TO THE UPCOMING SUMMER PROJECTS, MICHIGAN STAGE PROVIDES Playlabs for students K-12 throughout the year. The sessions offer children and teens invaluable pro-social outlets and avenues for community building. The innovative approach to the Playlabs seamlessly integrates storytelling with performing arts, fostering collaboration among peers. Together, participants explore ideas, hone their collaborative social skills, and craft original plays, expanding the boundaries of theatrical expression.

“These semester-length after-school programs serve as safe havens for local youth during peak unsupervised hours,” explains Paré. “In collaboration with our local school districts, we ensure accessibility by offering these programs on a pay-what-you-can basis, ensuring inclusivity for all who wish to participate.”

To register for the Playlabs and receive more information about upcoming events, visit michiganstage.org. Recognized as “Humanities Champion of the Year” in 2023 and a current “Oakland Together 40 under 40 Honoree,” Tim Paré can be reached at tim@michiganstage.org.