Detroit’s buried ghost waters revisited

Buried waterways still flow under the busy traffic grid of what is now downtown Detroit, and Matrix Theatre Company brings one back to the surface on June 25 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. as it presents the River Resurgence Pageant as part of the U.S. Social Forum. The pageant includes a parade with more than 100 participants who will follow the old Savoyard River’s path; and street theatre enactments help depict the past, present and future of Detroit’s rich ecosystem. To learn more about the project, or to find out how to participate in this exciting event, call the Theatre at 313-967-0999.

The pageant’s dancers, actors and puppets will stroll along the Detroit River’s waterfront carrying puppets representing fish, frogs and fowl unique to this region. Dancing and singing their way along the streets of Detroit, they will depict the ebb and flow of the River. A collaboratively-created monster dragon portraying the evils of pollution will join the group as it slithers its way along the route. Special performances will depict the coming of European settlers and the River’s eventual transformation into a sewer running below the city’s streets, where it remains today. The skits end on a high note showing a bright future for Detroit and its residents who live among the world’s most abundant fresh water supply.

The River Resurgence Pageant is part of Ghost Waters, a three-year project designed to re-imagine the rivers, marshes and ponds buried beneath downtown Detroit’s urban structures such as Cobo Hall, Comerica Park and Michigan Central Train Depot. Funded in part by The Erb Family Foundation, The Kresge Community Arts Foundation, and The Skillman Foundation, the project allows participants to learn about Detroit’s water history by engaging in specially-designed field trips, workshops and communal education activities. From these are created artistic stories, student showcases, workshops, street art and theatre pageants highlighting not only Detroit’s water history, but the importance of recycling, water-consciousness, water’s relevance to sustainability and the right of every human being to have access to clean running water.

Those interested in joining the near 100-person team that will make up the puppet river, its caretakers, inhabitants and buriers, contact Matrix Volunteer Coordinator Ken Srdjak at 313-967-0999, ksrdjak@matrixtheatre.org, or show up at Cobo Hall at 9:30 a.m. on June 25, 2010. Wear blue is you can! 

Matrix Theatre Company is a non-profit community-based theatre located in Southwest Detroit. Established in 1991, Matrix creates everything from scratch, from puppets of all sizes to over 90 original plays. Matrix Theatre Company uses the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community and foster social justice. It creates opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers and audiences of original theatre. For further information or to follow Matrix on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, go to matrixtheatre.org.

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What: Event: River Resurgence Pageant
Synopsis: The Savoyard River rises again with a parade of more than 100 people. The event is part of GhostWaters and U.S. Social Forum.

Where: Address: Downtown Detroit
Begins in front of Cobo Hall at the River
Tickets: Free and open to the public

When: June 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Matrix Theatre Company announces 2010-2011 season

Take a seat at Matrix Theatre Company. Family dysfunction, backstage chaos and laugh-out loud wedding mishaps are all part of the company’s nineteenth professional theatre season.

The season opens with the American classic “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, followed by the popular annual productions of “Haunted Theatre” and “Puppet Scrooge.” This year’s spring show is an evening of hilarity with the presentation of two locally-written one-act plays: “Backstage Passes” by Roger Kerson and “Para Siempre” by Maria Serratos.

This season also marks the third year of the company’s Inclusive Theatre Initiative (ITI), a commitment to accessible theatre for all people. With help from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), American Sign Language (ASL) and audio description are available for select performances. Key components also included are: assistive listening, large print and braille programs, accessible parking, seating and restroom facilities. All tickets are general admission. Average ticket price is $15. Group rates and discounted admission for youth, student and seniors are available. For further information go to matrixtheatre.org, or call 313-967-0599.

October is a busy month for Matrix. The taut drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams sensitively portrays family dysfunction and explores alcoholism and homophobia in a wealthy southern family. The production runs Friday, October 15 through November 14. Another October highlight is the popular Halloween weekend production of Haunted Theatre written, produced and “gorified” by Matrix teens. It promises to be a bonafide scarefest.

Each year Matrix fans look forward to Puppet Scrooge. This family holiday tradition puts a special Southwest Detroit spin on the classic tale where Scrooge owns the local check-cashing store and has plenty of puppet visitors to teach her a holiday lesson. Puppet Scrooge runs December 3-19, 2010.

Spring’s offering promises lots of fun, laughter and hilarity as Matrix highlights two local playwrights. Written by long-time Matrix participant Maria Serratos, Para Siempre is an adaptation of a vignette from Plaza Suite by Neil Simon where a stressed-out couple encounters mishaps as they try to get their daughter to Southwest Detroit’s Holy Redeemer. Recently retired from the UAW communications office, Roger Kerson’s play, Backstage Passes, is the hysterically funny rendition of a local theatre group’s fiasco during a production.

Matrix Theatre Company is a non-profit community-based theatre located in Southwest Detroit. Established in 1991, Matrix creates everything from scratch, from puppets of all sizes to over 90 original plays. Matrix Theatre Company uses the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community and foster social justice. It creates opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers and audiences of original theatre. For further information or to follow Matrix on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, go to matrixtheatre.org.

The plays:

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF - Oct 15 - Nov 14 - Tennessee Williams’ taut drama sensitively portrays family dysfunction in which alcoholism and homophobia ripple through a wealthy Southern family. 

HAUNTED THEATRE - Oct 28 - Oct 31 - Get ready to be scared silly as Matrix teens present Haunted Theatre, a wonderfully created production guaranteed to delight those who love to celebrate Halloween... a bonafide scarefest. 

PUPPET SCROOGE - Dec 3 - Dec 19 - This family holiday tradition puts a special Southwest Detroit spin on the classic tale in which Scrooge owns the local check-cashing store and has plenty of puppet visitors to teach her a holiday lesson. 

PARA SIEMPRE & BACKSTAGE PASSES - Apr 8 - May 1 - Two locally-written one-act plays promise an evening of laugh-out-loud hilarity as a couple tries to marry off their daughter and actors experience backstage mishaps in a show in which everything that could go wrong does. 

Plays will be performed at:
Matrix Theatre Company - 2730 Bagley Detroit, MI 48216

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will be performed at:
Boll Family YMCA Theatre - 1401 Broadway Detroit, MI 48226

Tickets: Box office - 313-967-0599. $15 average ticket price. All tickets general admission.

(Matrix Theatre Company’s Inclusive Theatre Initiative insures that Matrix productions are accessible to all. Services includes: Accessible parking, seating and restroom facilities. Assistive Listening devices available at all shows.)

Bees and Trees at Belle Isle Zoo this Saturday

Remember Bees and Trees? The event mixes our original play about Bees with activities for youth. Come and see what the buzz is about.

From Detroitzoo.org:

Come one; come all to the Belle Isle Nature Zoo for a Bee-rific day of activities on June 5, 2010. As the Belle Isle Nature Zoo’s bee hive is producing the first honey of the season, we will celebrate all things bee. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo bee keeper will “bee” on hand to talk about the Belle Isle Nature Zoo’s bees and what it takes to create and maintain a healthy hive. Ever wonder exactly how bees fit into the ecosystem and what bees are up to during all the seasons in Michigan? All those questions and more will be answered during Matrix Theater Company’s original performance of Bees and Trees on June 5, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. There will be a make-and-take activity and chances for one and all to “bee” a bee during the performance. It is sure to “bee” a lot a fun for the entire family, we hope to see you at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo.