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Best Theater In Suburban Detroit

While Detroit is home to some of the best-known professional theaters in the state, Suburban Detroit also boasts many fine performing arts companies. From the state's largest non-profit producer (Meadow Brook Theatre) to an intimate, gay-friendly storefront (Who Wants Cake? Theatre), Suburban Detroit theaters offer a diverse selection of shows for all ages, interests and entertainment budgets!  - Donald V. Calamia, EncoreMichigan.com 
The Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company
(credit: jettheatre.org)

The Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company

6600 W. Maple Rd. on the campus of the Jewish Community Center
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248) 788-2900
www.jettheatre.org

The Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company was founded in 1989 "to produce theater of the highest professional standards and to provide a stage for the exploration of ideas that confront issues of humanity and community from a Jewish perspective." JET serves as a force for Jewish continuity, a platform for new voices, and a bridge of understanding to the general community. JET produces on its main stage both award-winning plays and plays making their world premiere or their pre-Broadway debut. JET's Youth Education Services – JET/YES – is an educational outreach initiative developed for school-age children that has reached over 500,000 youngsters. The Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company operates under a collective bargaining agreement with The Actors' Equity Association regarding its employment of professional union-affiliated actors and stage managers.

Meadow Brook Theatre

207 Wilson Hall on the campus of Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 377-3300
www.mbtheatre.com

As Michigan's largest producing professional theater, Meadow Brook Theatre is committed to presenting the highest quality productions, and to inspiring, educating and entertaining the widest possible audience. Founded in 1966, Meadow Brook is dedicated to stimulating and challenging the imagination of its audiences, which includes thousands of students each year. The theater's outreach commitments include providing audio description for the blind, assisted listening devices, and American Sign Language interpreting throughout the season. Additionally, Meadow Brook provides hundreds of free tickets and transportation to students form at-risk, under-served school districts in order that they may attend our Educational Outreach programs and special student matinee performances. Meadow Brook Theatre operates under a collective bargaining agreement with The Actors' Equity Association regarding its employment of professional union-affiliated actors and stage managers.

Planet Ant Theatre
(credit: planetant.com)

Planet Ant Theatre

2357 Caniff St.
Hamtramck, MI 48212
(313) 365-4948
www.planetant.com

Planet Ant Theatre is an organization founded in 1996 on the principles of artistic freedom and artistic experimentation. As such, the intimate black-box theater produces a wide mix of programs, including American classics, contemporary dramas and original comedies. The theater is home to a young and creative troupe of actors, directors and writers, many of whom have gone on to become household names in popular entertainment, such as Larry Joe Campbell, Joshua Funk and Keegan-Michael Key. Planet Ant's season runs all year long and includes a Late Night series, The Ant Farm (a monthly staged reading series) and the Monday night Improv Colony. The theater also provides opportunities for both experienced and young-and-upcoming local playwrights to showcase their latest work.

Tipping Point Theatre
(credit: tippingpointtheatre.com)

Tipping Point Theatre

361 E. Cady St.
Northville, MI 48167
(248) 347-0003
www.tippingpointtheatre.com

Founded in 2007, the mission of Tipping Point Theatre is to foster human interactions and relations, creating a unifying, yet personal experience through affordable, professional theater performances and community outreach. Staging five shows a year, Tipping Point features a variety of comedies, musicals, new off-Broadway hits and classic favorites presented in an intimate setting with the audience surrounding the stage. In addition, the theater offers summer drama camps and classes for all ages. Located in charming downtown Northville, Tipping Point Theatre is perfectly situated among a wide range of dining and post-theater entertainment options. Tipping Point Theatre operates under a collective bargaining agreement with The Actors' Equity Association regarding its employment of professional union-affiliated actors and stage managers.

Who Wants Cake? Theatre
(credit: whowantscaketheatre.com)

Who Wants Cake? Theatre

The Ringwald Theatre
22742 Woodward Ave.
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 545-5545
www.whowantscaketheatre.com

Who Wants Cake? opened the doors to its resident home, The Ringwald, in May 2007 with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Located in fabulous Downtown Ferndale, the intimate storefront theater quickly became a mainstay of Detroit's theater community by producing a wide range of popular, well-reviewed shows all year long. Past productions include Southern Baptist Sissies, Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical, Killer Joe, The Bad Seed, The Book of Liz, Evil Dead: The Musical, [title of show] and the 2010 Wilde Award-winning Rent. Who Wants Cake? was named the 2008 and 2009 Best Theatre Group in a Vote 4 The Best contest, the 2009 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit, and Best Place to see Local Theatre in the 2010 Best of Detroit poll.

Other theaters to check out:

The Box Theatre

51 N. Walnut
Mount Clemens, MI 48043
(586) 954-2311

Broadway Onstage Live Theatre

21517 Kelly Rd.
Eastpointe, MI 48021
(586) 771-6333
www.broadwayonstage.com

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