In a celebration of arts and community, the Detroit ACE Office is teaming up with the Fisher Theatre to roll out a special ACE Family Night for the timeless Broadway classic "The Wiz." Slated for June 24 at 7:30 p.m., this show isn't just about easing on down the road; it's about providing an affordable theatre experience with a hefty side of pre-show festive activities starting at 6 p.m.
According to details published by the City of Detroit, discounts are up for grabs, helping to make this culturally significant production accessible to a wider audience. But the fun doesn't stop at the savings. Kids and their families can dive into games and prizes hosted by WDVD, get crafty with Arts N Scraps, enjoy free ice cream samples from Treat Dreams, and engage in a Q&A with cast members, all before the curtain rises.
Setting a scene of inclusivity and diversity, Detroit ACE's Director Rochelle Riley reminds us of the show's place in theatrical history, calling it a "ground-breaking show" and "an early example of Broadway's mainstream acceptance of works with all-Black casts." Riley urged Detroiters to show up not only for the grand opening night on June 17 but also to make a beeline for the June 24 event for the added pre-show spectacle. "The show comes as Broadway, and theatre itself, continues to embrace a wide variety of brilliant shows with great cultural significance and casts and creators of color," Riley shared with the public, as per the City of Detroit.
But this isn't just about "The Wiz" — it's about what this kind of collaboration signifies for the cultural landscape of Detroit. The Fisher Theatre, an architectural gem and venerable institution in Michigan's theatre scene, is opening its doors for an event that underscores the importance of arts and community, not to mention the ongoing support for Detroit's creative workforce. And Detroit ACE stands right there, facilitating the ability of local communities to weave artistic entrepreneurship into the very fabric of their daily lives.
