Fri 12/18-Sun 1/3/21
Near West Theatre is as much a community as a theater, where people of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexual and gender identities, and socio-economic backgrounds have found a home and a family of choice, regardless of their experience or skill level in performing.
For its next show, All Roads Lead to Home, it’s presenting — virtually of course — a production that draws on that history to generate some holiday spirit. Directed by Near West’s artistic director Trinidad Snider, the production will feature music, spoken word and storytelling by performers, alumni and others involved in the theater’s 50-year history, including founder Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek whose job Snider assumed on her retirement. Some are returning for the first time after many years.
“This year led people down many roads of self-awareness and discovery,” says Snider. “These are difficult roads to journey on, and 2020 is leaving everyone changed. But the one thing that has remained constant is the power of art to lift us up. Near West Theatre has always strived to be a home for those who enjoy celebrating the arts, whether as performers or audience members. This holiday season, we wanted to recognize that sense of home by creating a showcase filled with laughter, songs and more to raise all of our spirits.”
The show is described as finked with “heartwarming storytelling and nostalgic musical numbers,” including jazz, pop, musical theater and classical crossover numbers, as well as messages from Morrison-Hrbek, recently retired councilman (and life-long resident of the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood where Near West Theatre is located) Matt Zone, and his appointed replacement Jenny Spencer.
The show is available via on-demand streaming through Sunday January 3. It’s pay-what-you-an with a suggested donation of $15. To buy tickets go to nearwesttheatre.org.