Michigan Shakespeare Festival
at the Hilberry Gateway
July 1 through Aug. 10
Hilberry Gateway - the STAGE
During summer 2025, Wayne State University’s Hilberry Gateway will proudly host the Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s (MSF) 30th anniversary season.
The 2025 season will take place July 1 through Aug. 10 and consist of Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” featuring festival favorite and Detroit’s own Rico Bruce Wade, and “Much Ado About Nothing” — both directed by Blixt. In addition, also featured will be the world premiere adaptation of George Farquhar’s 1707 “The Beaux’ Stratagem: A Comedy of Bad Manners,” adapted and directed by MSF Artistic Associate Robert Kauzlaric.
Tickets for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival are available for purchase at the Hilberry Gateway Box Office, online, by email or by calling 313-577-2972, and at MichiganShakespeareFestival.com.
Ticket prices are based on performance times and days. Discounts are available for seniors, students, teachers, veterans, nurses, and firefighters. Group discounts for six or more are available.
Tickets are now on sale.
Richard III
"Since I cannot prove a lover… I am determined to prove a villain."
Fourth in line for the Throne of England, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, uses his cunning intelligence, fearsome charm, and political wit to overthrow all rivals that stand between him and the ultimate power. One of the great villains of literature, Richard deftly manipulates his victims with fear, humor, and style bringing the audience along as accomplices to his worst crimes. A striking study of politics, power, and the ambition needed for both, Richard III will make you enjoy the horrible and cheer for the scoundrel - until you don’t.
Directed by MSF Artistic Director Janice L Blixt Featuring MSF Favorite Rico Bruce Wade
Performance Dates
- Tue. July 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Thurs. July 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. July 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sun. July 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Wed. July 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Fri. July 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Thurs. July 24, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat., July 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Fri. Aug. 1, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sun. Aug 3, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Wed. Aug 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Sat. Aug 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Much Ado About Nothing
"Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably."
The War is over and the soldiers have just come home. Now is the time for fun, frivolity and romance—until a disgraced soldier’s manipulations threaten the loyalty and friendship of army buddies and jeopardize the engagement of young lovers. Much Ado About Nothing is the romantic-comedy home of the “Merry War” between lovers Beatrice and Benedick and the intrigues of one of Shakespeare’s silliest pair of clowns: Dogberry and Verges.
Directed by MSF Artistic Director Janice L Blixt Featuring Artistic Associate Robert Kauzlaric
Performance Dates
- Wed. July 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. July 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Sun. July 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Sat. July 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Thurs. July 17, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Thurs. July 19, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Fri. July 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sun. Jul 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Wed. July 30, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. Aug. 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Thurs. Aug. 7, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. Aug. 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM
The Beaux' Stratagem
"S'twould be hard to guess which of these parties is the better pleased, the couple joined, or the couple parted; the one rejoicing in hopes of an untasted happiness, and the other in their deliverance from an unexpected misery."
Society beaux Archer and Aimwell are on the hunt for rich wives to help them live in the manner to which they have been accustomed. When they arrive in the city of Litchfield and meet Dorinda and Kate, the shenanigans begin with clever lovers, saucy servants, acerbic toffs, and a silly band of brigands. Written in 1707 by Restoration playwright George Farquhar, The Beaux' Stratagem, subtitled for this production with A Comedy of Bad Manners, is a delightfully bright country romp with layers of satire and social commentary.
World Premiere Adapted and Directed by MSF Artistic Associate Robert Kauzlaric
Performance Dates
- Thurs. July 10, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Fri. July 11, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. July 12, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. July 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Sun. July 20, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Wed. July 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Sat. July 26, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Thurs. July 31, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Sat. Aug. 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM
- Thurs. Aug. 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM
Ticketing Pricing for Michigan Shakespeare Festival
| Single Tickets | |
|---|---|
| Previews | $35 |
| Wednesdays at 3 p.m. | $40 |
| Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. | $45 |
| Fridays at 7:30 p.m. | $50 |
| Saturdays at 2 p.m. | $45 |
| Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. | $50 |
| Sundays at 3 p.m. | $45 |
| Discounts | |
|---|---|
| Senior Tix | $7 discount |
| Veteran/Teacher/Emergency Responder | $10 discount |
| Student (any student) | $20 |
| Season Flex Pass | |
|---|---|
| Season Flex Pass | $120 for three (3) tickets to the performance of your choice. |
MSF Ticket Information and Frequently Asked Questions
STAGE seating is reserved.
Doors open 1/2 hour prior to performance start time.
- I bought a Date Night Pass or a Season Flex Pass but I don’t have show dates. What do I do?
Contact the Hilberry Gateway Box Office at 313-577-2972 or boxoffice@wayne.edu or come to the box office. Please include your confirmation number, the performance dates and times, and any seating preferences or needs. Once you’ve selected your dates, we will send you a confirmation email with your selected performance dates and times.
- How many shows are included in Date Night Pass or Season Flex Pass?
The Date Night Pass includes six (6) tickets to the performances of your choice. Season Flex Pass includes three (3) tickets to the performances of your choice.
- What if I can’t make my performance? Can I exchange my tickets?
All ticket sales are final, and we do not offer refunds. Ticket buyers may exchange their tickets for a different date of the same or different production no later than 48 hours before the original performance date. Exchanging your tickets is easy: contact the Hilberry Gateway Box Office at 313-577-2972 or boxoffice@wayne.edu or come to the box office. Please note that single tickets exchanging to a higher ticket price will result in a fee, and exchanging to a lower ticket price will not result in a refund. There is no fee for exchanging a Date Night Pass ticket or a Season Flex Pass ticket. All exchanges are subject to availability.
- Is there a difference between being a Date Night Pass or Season Flex Pass ticket holder and purchasing a single ticket?
6 shows. Single ticket exchanges are subject to a fee when exchanging from a lower ticket price to a higher ticket price. Date Night Pass and Season Flex Pass ticket holders will not receive a fee when exchanging.
- Is there a difference between a Preview Performance and a show after opening?
Previews are considered rehearsals, the production team might make changes in between a Preview Performance and opening. Single tickets to preview performances are $35 and single tickets for regular performances range from $40 - $50 depending on the performance date and time.
- Can my tickets be mailed to me?
No, all tickets will be held at Will Call. Tickets will be available for pick up one (1) hour prior to curtain.
- What forms of payment do you accept?
We only accept Visa, Mastercard, and cash as forms of payment.
- Is seating general admission?
No, seating at the Hilberry Gateway on the STAGE is reserved seating.
- Can I add a donation to Michigan Shakespeare Festival to my ticket purchase?
No. If you would like to donate to Michigan Shakespeare Festival, please visit their website: https://www.michiganshakespearefestival.com/
- What if the performance is canceled?
In the unlikely event of a canceled performance, ticket holders are offered the option of attending another performance of the same production (pending availability) or exchanging their ticket for a different performance.
- When performances sell out, is there a waiting list line? What is the policy?
Cancellation lines in-person at one half hour prior to the performance form for sold-out performance events in the Hilberry Gateway lobby. Seats that become available are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plan Your Visit
Hilberry Gateway
4715 Cass Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(At the corner of Cass Avenue and W. Forest Avenue)
Accessibility
The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre & Dance is committed to making our productions accessible to the widest possible audience. Please contact the box office in advance to request arrangements.
Entrance: Guests attending performances in the Hilberry Gateway should enter via the doors on Cass Avenue. The Hilberry Gateway has a barrier-free entrance for physical accessibility.
Seating: Wheelchair-accessible seating is available on our ticketing website. Please contact the box office to request seats in advance for General Admission performances.
Restrooms: Restrooms are located at the north-end of the lobby with accessible and gender-neutral facilities available to the left.
Lift: An elevator is available to the upper audience level of the STAGE, and to both technical booths of the STAGE and the STUDIO. Please request arrangements from the box office in advance if possible.
Assisted Hearing Devices: We provide headsets for our hearing-impaired guests at all season performances. Headsets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at our box office.
Please contact the Box Office at 313-577-2972 or box office@wayne.edu with any questions.
Parking
Street parking is available in the vicinity of the Hilberry Gateway. Download the Park Detroit mobile app for convenient payment options for street parking. Please be vigilant of the posted street signs. If street parking is unavailable, we recommend using one of the following paid lots:
- Park N Lock (located on Cass Avenue between Forest and Hancock)
- Surface lot on the corner of Hancock and Cass
- Surface lot on Forest between Cass and Woodward
- WSU Parking Structure 8, located at 91 West Forest between Woodward and Cass
Parking rates vary.