The Hilberry Theatre, a landmark cultural institution in the city of Detroit and the only graduate repertory training program in the country will present a season of classics from Shakespeare and Dickens, works from the timely American playwrights, David Mamet and John Guare, a free adaptation of a French drama--John Strand's Lovers and Executioners, and The Kentucky Cycle, the Michigan premiere of the 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Robert Schenkkan.

The 41st Season of the Hilberry theatre will open on October 4, 2003 with the Annual President's Preview gala featuring The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare playing October 3 - December 6. It's October 4th, 1965, the Pope is set to visit New York City, and zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy is a struggling songwriter, with an insane wife and a mistress. His son who just went Absent With Out Leave from the Army and is attempting to attack the pontiff at Yankee Stadium. The House of Blue Leaves is a thought provoking comedy about surmounting life's obstacles from the author of Six Degrees of Separation.

Next up is Great Expectations by Charles Dickens playing October 17 - December 13. The young and ambitious Pip is uprooted from his humble, working class beginnings, and sent to London to become a gentleman by an unknown benefactor. He leaves behind the love of his sister and her husband, who raised him from infancy. Pip's strange involvement with the mysterious Miss Havisham and an ill-fated infatuation with her pompous adopted daughter, Estella, forces him to come to grips with his position in society.

The third slot of the season belongs to Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet opening November 14 and playing through January 31, 2004. Winner of the 1984Pulitzer Prize, David Mamet's scalding dark comedy about small-time, cutthroat real estate salesman trying to force a living by pushing plots of land on reluctant buyers in a never-ending scramble for their share of the American dream. Glengarry Glenross is Mamet at his very best, revealing with brutal power the bitter life of bitter men who wheel and deal for a piece of the action. This play is for mature audiences. Strong profanity is used.

This exciting repertory season will continue with Macbeth by William Shakespeare running from January 9 through March 4. Touted as the unluckiest of the bard's dramas by theatrical tradition, Macbeth is a story of treachery and bloodlust steeped in illusion, fantasy, and mystery. The tale follows the man who would be king of Scotland as he falls into the depths of despair leaving a trail of murder in his wake. Macbeth is a chilling tale of the lengths to which humankind will go to achieve power and glory.

Following Macbeth is Lovers and Executioners by John Strand running February16 through March 20. Set in 17th-century France, this exciting work is both a gripping and hilarious tale of attempted murder and revenge. When Bernard uncovers evidence of Julie's infidelity, he abandons her on a deserted island to die. Lovers and Executioners ultimately establishes that happy endings have their human costs, that life and love are forever uncertain, that wounds leave scars, and that love is always worth the risks and the trials.

To conclude the Hilberry season is the Michigan premiere of The Kentucky Cycle, Parts I and II by Robert Schenkkan playing from April 1 through May15.

The Kentucky Cycle, a two-part production extravaganza, is a powerful, sweeping epic that tells the story of three families in eastern Kentucky and spans200 years of American history from 1775 to 1975. Schenkkan's stunning play cycle examines the myths of the American past that laid the foundation for the country we have become. The Hilberry's repertory style makes it a perfect match for this exciting contribution to American theatre, sure to become a classic.

The Historic Bonstelle Theatre building originally designed as the Temple Beth El by renowned architect Albert Kahn, marks its 100th year of continuous use in 2003. The celebration begins with William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing playing October 24-26 and October 31-November 2. Gallant Claudio loves sweet Hero because she's pure; sworn bachelor Benedick might love Hero's bantering cousin Beatrice - and she may even love him, but neither admits it. Don Pedro ignites a fast paced battle of the sexes when he agrees to help Claudio woo Hero and plans to trick Beatrice and Benedick into acknowledging their love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, driven by contempt for his brother Don Pedro, has hatched a plot of his own: to fool all into believing Hero is unchaste destroying the young couple's chance at happiness. All seems lost, and the comedic attempts to set things right include a formal duel, a scheming friar, a mock memorial and a gaggle of bumbling constables.

Next on the Bonstelle Season is It's a Wonderful Life by Frank Capra running December 5-7 and December 12-14. Let this enduring classic and its message of hope enchant you during the holiday season. George Bailey wants desperately to leave the town of his birth for a life of travel and adventure. He is called upon to put his dreams on hold to care for family and friends. Through tragic carelessness of a family member, George is threatened with public humiliation and jail, and through divine intervention he discovers the true value of life.

January brings the Black Theatre Production, Dream on Monkey Mountain by Derek Walcott playing January 23-25 and January 30-February 1. Nobel-prizewinner, Derek Walcott, brings us this fantastical dream. The play's representation of the hapless character, Makak, forces us to come to grips with the damage to the human soul caused by the heritage of colonialism. An Obie Award Winning-play from a master poet/dramatist.

Next up is the masterful drama, The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca opening February 27 - 29 and playing through March 5 - 7. A masterful drama from one of Spain's most famous writers. Death, hatred, jealousy, and envy are not kept out of the house that Bernarda Alba locked and sealed during an eight-year mourning period with the nails of her hate-filled heart. Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca claimed that this play, the third of his trilogy of rural plays, was a realistic "photo-documentary," and he subtitled the play "A Drama of the Women of the Villages of Spain."

The 100th Anniversary season concludes with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Stephen Sondheim, with music by Bert Shevelove and book by Larry Gelbart playing April 16-18 and April 23-25. A humorous story of love, lechery, manipulation and freedom. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum follows the antics of Pseudolus, a slave who will do anything to achieve his aim-including trying to woo a young woman from the courtesan house next door for his master! Songs like "Comedy Tonight" and "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" make this musical a treat for everyone and a wonderful ending to the season.

The Hilberry Theatre is located on the campus of Wayne State University at the corner of Cass and Hancock in Detroit. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. with matinees on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. The Hilberry Theatre also provides a season full of morning matinee opportunities for school groups. Ticket prices range from$12 - $20, with student rush tickets available the day of the performance for 50% off. Season tickets are now on sale and group discounts are also available. For tickets and further information, please call the Wayne State University Theatre box office at (313) 577- 2972.