2014 Detroit Fall Theater Preview

Date: Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 2014

"Annie" arrives at the Fisher Theater this September and runs through October 4th. It's directed by lyricist Martin Charnin, and it's a new version of the classic musical to bring you favorites like "It's A Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and "Tomorrow." Young children ("babes in arms") are not permitted, and the Fisher also does group sales for groups of 12 or more. A special open-captioned performance will also be held on October 1st at 7:30 p.m.

Date: October 1-25, 2014

One might not think "musical" when they hear "Evil Dead," but "Evil Dead: The Musical" will be celebrating its fifth year this fall at the City Theater. The musical is based on Sam Raimi's 1980s films, and has the approval of both Raimi and the star of the film, Bruce Campbell. The first musical version was performed at the Just for Laughs Festival in 2004, and opened on off-Broadway from 2006-2008. A boy and his friends decide to go on a weekend vacation at an abandoned cabin, but instead he ends up unleashing evil spirits and his friends turn into demons; he must then fight until dawn to survive the night. Tickets are $29.50 and can be purchased online, at the Fox Theater and JLA box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com, or at Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (no service charge).

Date: Oct. 21 - Nov. 16, 2014

"Motown the Musical" comes into town in late October, and is here until mid-November. The story focuses on Motown founder Berry Gordy, and his transition from "featherweight boxer" to "music mogul." Gordy is known for starting the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and other performers. Children ages five and under will not be admitted to this musical, and an open-captioned performance will be held on November 9th at 7:30 p.m. "Motown the Musical" has a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Related: Best Community Theaters in Detroit

Date: Nov. 14 - Dec. 7, 2014

Created in 1927, The Players Guild of Dearborn was formed by an alumnae group from UM and the Men's Club of Christ Episcopal Church, and it has been performing in Dearborn for 85 years. "South Pacific" follows two parallel love stories, during World War II, that are in danger from prejudice and war. Nellie, an Arkansas nurse, falls in love witih Emile, a French planter. Nellie turns down Emile's marriage proposal once she learns that his children's mother was an island native. At the same time, Lt. Joe Cable refuses to entertain the possibility of a future with a Tonkinese girl because of the same prejudices. Emile accompanies Joe on a dangerous mission, and Nellie soon realizes that she must rise above her prejudices in order to be happy and have a future with Emile. "South Pacific" is directed by Brian Townsend, with Music Director Julie Malloy and Choreographer Laura Tyler.

Date: Sept. 11-14, 2014

The popular movie "Shrek" has been made into a musical, and will be performed by the Ann Arbor Civic Theater at UM's Lydia Mendelssohn Theater this September, for one weekend only. When Shrek figures out that Lord Farquaad has sent the other fairytale creatures to go live in Shrek's swamp, Shrek decides to confront Farquaad, and he brings his donkey friend along as well. Tickets are available on A2CT's website or at the box office, and range from $13 to $25.

Related: Best Theater for Kids in Detroit