Spring Roundup New shows on the New York stage, all with a Jewish connection. By Giacomo Puccini featuring the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra Alice Burdick Schweiger Special to the Jewish News Featuring: One of the most compelling operas ever written! Puccini's sensuous melodies and exhilarating orchestration propel this drama forward to its tragic, breathtaking conclusion. BROADWAY A merican Idiot, one of Broadway's hottest new shows, is a musical adapta- tion of the punk rock band Green Day's album of the same name. The book, with themes of teen angst, drugs and war, is by Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and director Michael Mayer, who won a directing Tony for Spring Awakening. The high-energy rock opera, gar- nering rave reviews, follows three American youngsters post 9-11 as they strive to make their mark in the world, taking them from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East. At the St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St. (212) 239-6200. Collected Stories, a revival written by Pulitzer Prize- winner Donald Margulies (Dinner with Friends), stars Linda Lavin and Sarah Paulson. This Linda Lavin comic drama tells in Collected the story of accom- Stories plished New York author Ruth Steiner and her young protégé, Lisa Morrison. As their relationship evolves, Lisa writes a book based on confidences told to her by Ruth. At the Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St. (212) 239-6200. Come Fly Away, a romantic musical set in a nightclub and featuring the vocals of Frank Sinatra, takes place during the span of one night and fol- lows four couples as they fall in and out of love. Choreographed and direct- ed by Twyla Tharp (Movin' Out), the musical features 15 dancers and a 19- piece band on stage. Pianist/conductor Russ Kassoff toured with Sinatra for 11 years. At the Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway (212) 307-4100. Enron, inspired by the real-life events of 2001, explores the infamous May 15-23, 2010 Saturday May 15, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday May 19, at 7:30 p.m. Friday May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday May 22, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday May 23, at 2:30 p.m. Giuliano Carella Conductor Antonello Palombi May 15. 19 22 Noah Stewart May 21. 23 Mary Elizabeth Williams May 15. 22 Tiziana Caruso May 19. 21. 23 Performed in Italian with English supertitle translation rertc. , ,ces TICKETS AS LOW AS $29 FOR TICKETS AND PRE - PAID PARKING CALL 313.237.SING or visit michiganopera.org FREE! Opera Talk with Dr. Wallace Peace, one hour prior to performance The Ida and Conrad H. Smith Endowment Fund Saturday May 22. Performance Sponsor 159E4310 Justin Bartha in Lend Me a Tenor Texas energy company scandal using music, dance and video. Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and Stephen Kunken (Frost/Nixon) star. At the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St. (212) 239-6200. La Cage Aux Folles, a revival with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, stars Kelsey Grammer. Based on the play of the same name by Jean Poiret (the film The Birdcage also follows the plot), it tells the story of a gay nightclub own- er's son who is engaged to the daughter of a conservative politician; when her family visits the fiance's unconven- tional family, hilarity ensues. At the Longacre Theatre, 220 W 48th St. (212) 239-6200. Lend Me a Tenor, another revival, tells the story of a famous Italian superstar who comes to Cleveland to make his debut with the local opera and then goes missing. The show's presenters plot to cover for the singer's absence. Set in the 1930s, this comedy stars Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub and 1996 West Bloomfield high School graduate Justin Bartha. Actor Stanley Tucci (Julie and Julia) directs. At the Music Box Theatre, 239 W 45th St. (212) 239-6200. Roundup on page 44 LNEINSTAGEI FINAL Underwritten by the MASCO Corporation Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League, he Ravitz Program for Confronting Anti-Semitism & DTE Energy he ewish Ensemble Theatre in cooperation with University's Hilberry Repertory Theatre a "After Stratford, Palmer Park has found its way home (with) stellar acting in an evenhanded lament for the end of Camelot." - John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press "A cautionary tale...with the flavor of an era. A special treat for Detroiters!" - Ronelle Grier, Detroit Jewish News 248.788.2900 • www.JetTheatre.org 6600 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, MI V= DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, WE WILL HAVE AN EXTRA PERFORMANCE AT 6:30 P.M.-SUNDAY, MAY 8TH-CALL NOW! May 6 • 2010 43