Anton Art Center brings live theater back to Mt. Clemens

Romeo

Romeo

Where art thou Romeo?

If Romeo is live theater, it’s coming back to downtown Mt. Clemens. A new, all-volunteer local acting troupe What’s That Smell Productions (named for the peculiar smell Mt. Clemens had in its bath house days) is looking for a home and wants to make it in the county seat’s city center. Its first shot will be at the newly restored Anton Art Center this weekend with a performance of “Sylvia“, a comedy by A.R. Gurney.

“The Anton Art Center is a good location for a small production,” says Arthur Mullen, executive director of the Mt. Clemens Downtown Development Authority. “The company hopes that a successful show will help convince a local landlord that they are serious and give them some space.”

If things pan out, it would end a nearly 20 year hiatus of live theatre in downtown Mt. Clemens. The Anton Art Center underwent a $1.6 million expansion and renovation last year. The building, 125 Macomb Pl., is in a former Carnegie Library that has been the city’s art center since 1969. It joins a number of other building renovations, new business start-ups and new housing that has been breathing new life into downtown in recent years.

“Sylvia” centers on a successful man depressed by the working world who finds a stray dog in Central Park. The dog’s unconditional love sets off a hilarious battle between his love for his wife and for Sylvia his dog.

The play will be open at 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $18 and are available at the Anton Art Center and Che Cosa Coffee Bar. Each ticket sold will lead to a $3 contribution to the Anton Art Center.

For information, call (586) 954-2677.

Source: Arthur Mullen, executive director of the Mt. Clemens Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke