The BSB Podcast

Last year, The Ringwald Theatre stepped outside the proverbial box and tried something new with the Ringwald Reprise production of Applause. The idea behind this piece of experimental theater was exciting for all parties involved: a week of rehearsals leading to a weekend of performances. It was fast-paced and intense for the creatives involved, but the final result was a show unlike anything I've...

The story of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Blvd. is a deep exploration into the psyche of Norma Desmond (Nicole Scherzinger) and Joe Gillis (Tom Francis), creating one of the most personal and off-putting musicals we've seen in recent years. While the story is incredible and the performances breathtaking, the true magic of the Tony Award-winning revival comes from Jamie Lloyd's revisioning of the m...

Andrew Lloyd Webber has created some of the biggest and prolific musicals throughout his long and lustrous career. From shows like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera, and Cats, Webber has composed works that have defined generations of theater-goers. His most recent revival, Sunset Blvd., made its way from the West End to Broadway this past theater season, with the ...

While the ghost-with-the-most might have his name emblazoned across the marquee, Beetlejuice Jr. is impossible to tell without the sweet, kind, and unfortunately dead, Adam and Barbara Maitland! This couple wants nothing more than a child and a family of their own; however, fate has a different plan in store for them. Stagecrafters has been working hard to bring Beetlejuice Jr. to its main stage,...

It's time to journey to Stagecrafters once again and step into the Netherworld, as their production of Beetlejuice Jr arrives in Royal Oak! Based on the film by Tim Burton, this musical adaptation follows Lydia Deetz as she struggles to find her place in the world after losing her mother, and the trouble the pesky demon Beetlejuice causes in her life!  We're stoked to see this show come to another...

We're so excited that Beetlejuice the Musical is returning once again to Detroit in what may be one of our most anticipated shows for this coming Broadway in Detroit season! This hilarious show captures the zany energy of Tim Burton's vision, heightened through the addition of music and, of course, the comedy styling of a demon from hell! We recently spoke with Matt Kurzyniec, a cast member on thi...

There are many benefits to the performing arts, but one that speaks to me the most is the ability it gives us to reflect on ourselves and the lives we've lived. Whether it is through another's work or a piece that we've created ourselves, those involved can learn a great deal about themselves as they bring a performance to life on stage. Michelle Murphy understands that rather intimately, as she p...

It seems like right now, with everything going on in the world, everyone needs a good laugh. Laughter helps us feel lighter, shedding the weight of all the bad things that are going on right now, bringing us back to the moment. Tipping Point understands that need and is bringing a healthy dose of fun to their Northville theater this summer with a series of shows featuring the talented Planet Ant H...

Why are so many fascinated with space? Is it because of its untapped potential as the final frontier? The vastness that extends past galaxies and superclusters filled with the promise of other planets with life just like Earth? Whatever it may be, so many people turn their eyes to the stars in wonder, a wonder that Rosedale Community Players are bringing in their sci-fi adventure stage show! The s...

As we continue our journey to the Emerald City, we'll turn our focus from the story and characters of The Wiz to some of the other aspects you can expect when the national tour arrives at a theatre near you. While the story may feel familiar to those who have visited the land of Oz before, there's much that makes this production of The Wiz unique, beyond Dorothy's adventure with her friends. From...

The Wiz has been entertaining people for 50 years and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon! This reimagining of the classic The Wizard of Oz follows the young Dorothy as she's thrust into the colorful world of Oz. Lost and looking for a way home, she sets out on a journey, making some friends along the way. There's such richness to the North American touring production of this iconic show that w...

OnOurOwn Productions has been hard at work, producing family-friendly shows in Fraser, Michigan! From classics, such as last year's Beauty and the Beast, to comedies, this theatre company has strived to make musicals accessible to all, regardless of age and stage of life they are in! This year, OnOurOwn Productions has jumped into the world of Dr. Seuss, with a production of Seussical the Musical,...

When was the last time you stepped back into the world of a childhood favorite? A story or a film that reminds you of how simple life is as a child and the joy that comes from fantastical adventures. As adults, sometimes we struggle to find that childlike wonder in our daily lives; however, every once in a while, we find it in spades. OnOurOwn Productions' Seussical The Musical is that reminder th...

When was the last time you've seen a show that challenged your expectations of theater? A production that took the Broadway rule book and threw it out the window? Shows that take a chance and do something different showcase a new perspective on what a theater experience can be. Tread the Boards is looking to subvert the traditional show with their production of Black Comedy, a show that comes to l...

When was the last time you visited the world of Dr. Seuss? This brilliant author has been bringing magic to children for almost a century, with over 60 published works featuring some of the most iconic characters in existence. From The Cat in the Hat to the Grinch, and every Who down in Whoville in between, there's no denying the impact Dr. Seuss and his creativity had on our childhood. While the...

There's nothing we love more than a theatre that's willing to push the boundaries with the shows they're telling, creating a unique experience for audiences. Tread the Boards, located in Waterford, MI, is doing just that with their production of Black Comedy. This show utilizes light and darkness to entice the senses of both those watching and the cast members on stage, making for a hilarious time...

It's time to roll out the red carpet and get ready to ride our horses of many colors into the Emerald City, as the North American touring production of The Wiz is almost here! As this iconic show makes its way to the Fisher Theatre as the final show of the 2024-2025 Broadway in Detroit season, we're excited to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the most Broadway way. Before its arrival, we spoke wi...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has made its way to Royal Oak, with a production from Stagecrafters that lives up to the legacy. This color musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber feels right at home at The Baldwin Theatre, with a cast and crew bringing this iconic show to life multiple times a week. A vibrant retelling of a biblical story, Stagecrafters has created something that audiences...

Cosmo Brown (played by Donald O'Connor) in MGM's 1952 classic Singin' in the Rain asks a fundamental question: "Don't you know everyone wants to laugh?" It's something that the cast and crew of Forbidden Broadway understand intimately, as they blend their love of theatre with the universal desire to share laughter with others. This Off-Broadway revue has been around since the 80s, parodying musica...

When we're younger, we're sold the idea that all love and romance is magical through fairytales and Disney movies. However, as we grow older, the rose-colored glasses come off as we discover the reality of love. A toxic side can creep into our romantic relationships, which can unfortunately seem exciting to many without the proper reflection and growth needed to escape broken patterns. This concep...

Meadow Brook Theatre is looking to end their 2024-2025 season on a high note, with the return of a local favorite, Shear Madness! This play blends the exciting aspects of a whodunit with elements of humor, creating a unique experience for all who attend. There's nothing quite like Shear Madness currently in the local Michigan theater landscape, utilizing audiences as a part of the show, bringing C...

Who's ready for a Roll in the Hay, or at least prepared to see Avon Players' production of Young Frankenstein? This musical adaptation of the classic Mel Brooks film is ready to make audiences roar with laughter! Being the last show from Avon Players' 2024-2025 season, the cast and crew are looking to go out with a bang, with The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein being the perfect production...

The vibrant life of the Emerald City is once again returning to The Fisher Theatre! The revival of The Wiz is coming to the 313 as the final show in the Broadway in Detroit 2024-2025 season, and the local theater world is buzzing with excitement! Celebrating the monumental 50th anniversary of the show, The Wiz is ready to ease on down the road and bring this iconic show to a new generation of audi...

It's Alive! IT'S ALIVE!!!!!! Avon Players' production of The Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein is coming together before its opening night this coming Friday, looking to electrify the audience. Based on the 1974 Mel Brooks film, this musical captures the wacky and zany energy that any Brooks work is known for. However, it infuses it with song and dance, creating a creature of its own, perhaps...

In the words of the iconic Viola Van Horn, played by the incomparable Michelle Williams, Don't say I didn't warn you! Warn you about what exactly? Well, just how addictive the new Broadway musical, Death Becomes Her, is! To say we're obsessed with this show might be an understatement, but hey, what's wrong with having a hobby? Having seen this show back in January, we haven't been able to stop tal...