Novi Civic Theatre Presents 'Beauty and the Beast Jr.'

Sixty-two young actors bring this classic Disney tale to life.

— Submitted by the city of Novi Tickets are now on sale for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. presented by the Novi Civic Theatre. The show opens Friday and tickets may be purchased online at cityofnovi.org or at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services office, located inside the Novi Civic Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice’s score is brought to life in the stage adaptation of the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast. Based on Disney’s Academy Award winning animated film, the stage version of Beauty and the Beast tells the story of the winsome Belle and her ferocious captor. The 1991 Disney movie became the first animated film nominated for Best Picture. In New York, the Broadway…

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Novi Middle School Presents 'Once on This Island' Musical

The one-time show begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Once on This Island, the original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid, garnered eight Tony nominations during its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score. Now, the community can see the show locally at the Novi Middle School auditorium on Friday at 7:30 p.m. More than 50 middle school students are involved in the production, whether in painting sets, acting or technical support. "We want to get to the point where it's all student-run," said director and Novi special education teacher Lori Burkhardt. "We want to train the students to be independent." In almost non-stop song and dance, the show tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a …

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Civic Center Gallery To Feature Art by Novi Students

High school students will be displaying their work this month.

—Submitted by the City of Novi The City of Novi is thrilled to partner with Novi Community Schools to present the third annual Novi High School Select Art Show in the Civic Center Atrium Gallery May 4-28. This juried, multimedia exhibit highlights the creativity of local teens through a variety of media including painting, ceramics, photography, metal work and digital media. “This is a unique opportunity for high school students to display their artwork in a professional public gallery. We are honored to have such talented young adults and very proud to have this opportunity to display their work. Many of the featured students plan to go on to art school and pursue a career in visual art,” said Erin Harbar, Novi High School art teacher. An…

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Southfield Theater's Final Production Features Novi Resident

SRO Theatre, which closes its doors this month, presents the first full production of 'A Little Work'.

As SRO Theatre in Southfield prepares to launch a new comedy, one Novi resdient will be the star for the community theater's final production.  Farmington Hills resident Maureen Mansfield directs A Little Work by Anita Diamant and Stephen McCauley, which opens Friday, May 4 and will run weekends through May 20. SRO presents the first, full-scale production of the scalpel-sharp comedy about the pleasures and pitfalls of marriage, friendship and facing 50. The story centers around best-selling, self-help diva Kitty Fenochetti, who visits her college roommate, Mia Brown, and turns the household upside down with bandages, banter and a nutty nurse with an unusual obsession. Although Kitty's the one in town for "work,” everyone else is forced to…

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Home and Garden

Designers' Show House Showcases Pewabic Tile

Want a glimpse of Detroit's artistic past? Check out the stunning, several-decades-old tile work during the Detroit Junior League's stylish house tour in Grosse Pointe Shores.

Soon, the Junior League of Detroit (JLD) will open the doors to its 2012 Designers’ Show House, located at 22 Webber Place in Grosse Pointe Shores. The massive 10,304-square-foot house, which was built in 1928 as the home of Oscar Webber, nephew of Joseph L. Hudson, is undergoing a magical transformation, thanks to design specialists who hail from everywhere from Ferndale, South Lyon, Plymouth, Royal Oak and Birmingham to Rochester, Clinton Township, Grosse Pointe and Troy. For several weeks, dozens of interior designers, painters, electricians, power washers, boutique staff and more have been working at the renowned home, designed by architect Leonard B. Willeke. Open to the public May 5-20, the Show House features seven bedrooms, a third…

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Behind-the-Scenes Peek at One Magnificent Mansion

Metro Detroit interior designers and volunteers aplenty prepare to wow tourgoers this May at the Junior League of Detroit Show House.

In a couple of weeks, the Junior League of Detroit (JLD) will open the doors to its 2012 Designers’ Show House, located at 22 Webber Place in Grosse Pointe Shores. The house will also feature fully landscaped gardens, a boutique, café and a greenery garden area, with items for sale.   For several weeks, dozens of interior designers, painters, electricians, maintenance professionals, boutique staff and more have been coming and going at the massive 10,304-square-foot house, which was built in 1928 as the home of Oscar Webber, nephew of Joseph L. Hudson.  The home will be open to the public from May 5-20; admission funds go toward programs for the JLD. Renowned architect Leonard B. Willeke designed the mansion. Tourgoers can view seven …

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What Did You Think of 'Legally Blonde' at Novi High School?

Share your thoughts on the students' musical performance.

Novi High School's spring musical Legally Blonde premiered last night in the auditorium, and two more shows will be performed Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. If you've seen the show already, let us know what you think! Did you enjoy it? Did the performers do a good job? What was your favorite part of the show? Let us know in the comments. And if you took any photos of the show or the cast, upload them to this article by clicking "Upload Photos and Videos."

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Aaron Martinez

10:11 am on Friday, April 20, 2012

Novi High has done it again. Elle Woods, played by senior Brooke Meisel, captivates the audience from the moment she hits the stage. Her angelic voice and quirky persona strike the perfect mix to bring her character and her Delta Nu girls to life on the stage. NHS has assembled a wonderful, engaging cast for their musical and it's sure to be a standard to meet for musicals from here on out.   more ›