Movie Review: Come From Away
I saw Come From Away in 2019 live on stage and let me tell you I was absolutely blown away. I had never heard of Come From Away before, and walked inside the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Michigan not knowing what to expect.
To my surprise it was based on the true story of 7,000 people stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after all flights into the US became grounded on September 11, 2021. And let me tell you, it’s the story we never heard and all deserved to hear.
Come From Away makes it’s global premier TOMORROW Friday, September 10, 2021 on Apple TV+, and it’s one film you don’t want to miss.
Come From Away on Apple TV+ is the filmed version of the award-winning Broadway musical, and it’s just as good watching it on my laptop as it was watching the performance live.
About Come From Away
Come From Away is a Broadway musical about 7,000 people who become stranded in the small town of Grander, Newfoundland when all the flights into the United States became grounded on September 11, 2021. The kind people of Newfoundland graciously welcomed the “come from aways” into their community.
Newfoundland didn’t have the hotels or capacity for the 7,000 people who suddenly became stranded. What they did have was beautiful hearts, and the people of Newfoundland actually took these strangers into their home.
Together the “come from aways” and locals processed what was happening in New York City on this horrific day they ended up finding laughing, love and new hope. Some of the “come from aways” met their forever mate and returned to Newfoundland for their honeymoon, others found forever friends and a new vacation. One thing was for sure, the people of Newfoundland didn’t have to do what they did, but they opened their hearts and the story is unreal.
Come From Away on Apple TV+ is directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley, who directed the original production. This live performance of Come From Away was filmed at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in New York City for an audience which included 9/11 survivors and front-line workers.
I can’t recommend Come From Away enough, and I hope you’ll check it out when it premiers globally on Apple TV+ tomorrow September 10, 2021.
Coming to Detroit: Pretty Woman: The Musical
Are you ready to fall in love all over again? Pretty Woman: The Musical hits the stage at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Michigan November 2-14 and it’s one show you won’t want to miss!
Pretty Woman: The Musical
November 2-14, 2021
Fisher Theatre
3011 West Grand Blvd., Detroit
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, is coming to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre as part of Broadway In Detroit’s 2021-2022 subscription season. Performances will run November 2-14 and tickets ($39 and up) are now on sale online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
Broadway superstar and Tony Award®-nominee Adam Pascal (Rent, AIDA, Something Rotten!) will once again step into the well-heeled shoes of Edward Lewis after thrilling audiences on Broadway for a limited set of performances in 2019. He will be joined by rising star Olivia Valli (Jersey Boys, Wicked)asthe charmingand charismaticVivian Ward.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is brought to life by lead producer Paula Wagner and a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood and Broadway. The musical features direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), original music and lyrics by Grammy®-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg, sound design by John Shivers, hair design by Josh Marquette, and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke.
Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired the iconic movie. PRETTY WOMAN the film (produced by Arnon Milchan – New Regency Productions) was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is“Big Romance & Big Fun!” (Broadway.com) and “Dazzles!” (Deadline). The Hollywood Reporter calls it “Irresistible! A romantic fantasy. A contemporary fairy tale.” And BuzzFeed News says, “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” The 3-time Audience Choice Award-Winner will lift your spirits and light up your heart.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL ended its 13-month run at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway on August 18, 2019. The musical began performances in Hamburg, Germany on September 24, 2019, and opened in London’s West End in February 2020 before COVID-19 shuttered theaters around the world. The London production reopened July 8, 2021 to great acclaim at the Savoy Theatre in the West End.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is produced on tour by Paula Wagner, Nice Productions, LPO, New Regency Productions, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions & Co., James L. Nederlander, Kilimanjaro Theatricals/Joshua Andrews, Roy Furman, Ambassador Theatre Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, deRoy Kierstead and John Gore Organization. Wendy Orshan and Jeff Wilson are the Executive Producers and 101 Productions, Ltd is the General Manager.
Atlantic Records’ PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING) is produced by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and is available on all DSP’s and on Vinyl and CD in stores nationwide.
For more information visit: PrettyWomanTheMusical.com
Facebook.com/PrettyWoman | Twitter.com/PrettyWoman | Instagram.com/PrettyWoman/
Performance times for PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL appearing November 2-14, at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 West Grand Blvd., in Detroit are:
• Tuesday – Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
• Open captioned and audio described performance on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL start at $39 (includes facility and parking fees) and are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For group sales (12 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com or call 313-871-1132.
Tickets for the open captioned and audio described performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0.
Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
Coming to Detroit: RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour
Have you heard the exciting news? BROADWAY IS BACK! Yes, i’m basically screaming it from the rooftops because I am SO EXCITED to have Broadway shows back in Detroit. Broadway in Detroit kicks off their 2021-2022 season at the Fisher Theatre October 19th with the Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour.
Catch the Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour
October 19-24, 2021
at the Fisher Theatre
located at 3011 West Grand Blvd., in Detroit
Broadway In Detroit is excited to announce that Broadway shows will return to the Fisher Theatre October 19 with the RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour with performances through Sunday, October 24.
“In October it will be 60 years since the Fisher Theatre reopened as a legitimate Broadway Theatre,” states Broadway In Detroit Executive Director Alan Lichtenstein. “And now, 842,400 minutes since our last performance, we’re ready to begin a new era of Broadway performances with one of Detroit’s favorite shows, RENT. Ring the bells, flash the lights, our intermission is coming to an end.”
Tickets ($39 and up) for RENT are now on sale online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For a quarter of a century, Jonathan Larson’s RENT has inspired us to choose love over fear and to live without regret. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. It has become more than a musical – it’s a cultural touchstone, a rite of passage and a source of joy and strength for millions. RENT has become a part of us forever.
The show received its world premiere off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on February 13, 1996, to ecstatic reviews and transferred to Broadway on April 29, 1996. RENT won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Whether you’ve never seen RENT or have completely lost count, you can’t miss it this time around – the 25th Anniversary “Farewell Season of Love” is your FINAL CHANCE to experience this celebrated touring production.
Based on original direction by Michael Greif (Tony and Drama Desk Nominations, RENT), Evan Ensign re-stages the 25th anniversary tour. Original Broadway creatives Marlies Yearby (Choreography), Angela Wendt (Costume Design), and Tim Weil (Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements) are joined by Jonathan Spencer (Lighting Design), Keith Caggiano (Sound Design), MiRi Park (Associate Choreographer), and Matthew E. Maraffi (adapting original scenic design by Paul Clay) to make up the creative team for the tour. Casting for the tour is by Wojcik | Seay Casting.
The RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour is produced by Work Light Productions whose other touring productions include the 2016 Olivier Award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and the upcoming tour of the TONY award winning musical Ain’t Too Proud.
Performance times for the RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour appearing October 19-24, 2021, at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 West Grand Blvd., in Detroit are:
- Tuesday – Saturday evening performance at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
- Open captioned and audio described performance on Friday, Oct. 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for the RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour start at $39 (includes facility and parking fees) and are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For group sales (10 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com or call 313-871-1132.
Tickets for the open captioned and audio described performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0.
Following the lead of Broadway and concert venues across the country, Broadway In Detroit theatre patrons will be required to show proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the performance date or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination before they will be admitted into the venue. Additionally, all patrons will be required to wear a mask while inside the theatre regardless of one’s vaccination status.
All ticket purchasers will receive a Broadway In Detroit Health & Safety Guide via email in the days prior to their performance. This guide will also be posted on the company’s website (BroadwayInDetroit.com) and available at the Fisher Theatre box office. It will have the latest information on the company’s health and safety protocols as well as information on what to expect when you arrive at the theatre.
Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
Best U-Pick Flower Farm in Metro Detroit
One of my favorite late-summer activities is heading to Van Houtte Farm in Armada, Michigan, and wandering through the beautiful sunflower/wildflower farm. Sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, and more as far as the eye can see. There are even two morning glory teepees that are fun to watch come to life.
This year I visited Van Houtte Farm for U-Pick Flowers nearly every weekend. Some weekends I would pick all pinks, while others would be all sunflowers, a mix of flowers, or just a bright bouquet of color. If you love flowers (and who doesn’t?) If you’re in the metro Detroit area I highly recommend heading out to Van Houtte Farm and picking your gorgeous bouquet.
I have been to various flower farms around metro Detroit and hands down Van Houtte Farm is the best u-pick flower farm in metro Detroit. If you’re looking to pick sunflowers at a reasonable price, look no further than Van Houtte U-Pick Flower Farm.
2021 Broadway In Detroit Announces Public Health & Safety Protocols
Are you excited to get back to the theater? I know I am! Broadway in Detroit just announced their public health and safety protocols in a time of Covid and I know many of you are big Broadway in Detroit fans like me, so I thought I would share. P.S. Can’t wait to see you at the theater this fall!
Broadway In Detroit announced today its public health and safety protocols for attending any of its live productions when venues reopen at 100 percent capacity this fall.
Following the lead of Broadway and concert venues across the country, Broadway In Detroit theatre patrons will be required to show proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the performance date or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination before they will be admitted into the venue. Additionally, all patrons will be required to wear a mask while inside the theatre regardless of one’s vaccination status.
This policy will be in effect starting October 10, 2021 and applies to all venues at which Broadway in Detroit presents shows, including the Fisher Theater, the Detroit Opera House, and Music Hall. The date was chosen specifically to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticket holders to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so.
All ticket purchasers will receive a Broadway In Detroit Health & Safety Guide via email in the weeks prior to their performance. This guide will also be posted on the company’s website (BroadwayInDetroit.com) and available at the Fisher Theatre box office. It will have the latest information on the company’s health and safety protocols as well as information on what to expect when you arrive at the theatre.
“We are really excited to welcome audiences back to the theatre, but we cannot open our doors unless we can provide a safe and healthy environment for audiences, performers and staff,” said Al Lichtenstein, executive director for Broadway In Detroit. “The overwhelming majority of theatre patrons across the country have warmly welcomed these kind of safety protocols. We feel most of our guests will respond the same.”
In preparation for a safe reopening all Broadway in Detroit venues have upgraded HVAC systems with MERV 13 filters, increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols, added sanitizing stations through the building, and will be offering cashless options onsite, including debit/credit cards and mobile pay. Additionally, all Broadway in Detroit event staff are required to be fully vaccinated and will be masked at every performance.
Any ticket holder who does not comply with any COVID-19 protocol may be required to leave the venue without any entitlement to a refund. Guests with protocol accessibility questions may call (313) 872-1000.
More information, including what theatregoers need to know when purchasing a ticket, can be found on the “Health & Safety Info” page of the Broadway In Detroit website, or broadwayindetroit.com/knowbeforeyougo.
Broadway in Detroit, The Ambassador Theatre Group and The Broadway League, along with its partners, are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and following the recommendations of local, state, and federal agencies to ensure safety of theatregoers, performers, and employees. We reserve the right to unilaterally change protocols according to updated public health guidance and applicable law.
Fashion meets Food 