We came here last week to see Jurassic Park the Musical. We are from Chicago, and this is the first show we've seen at Planet Ant Theatre. Jurassic Park the musical still has tickets available at the time of writing this review, so do yourself a favor and grab them! Fair warning, this show is not for children. Every aspect, every detail of this show was so well thought out and phenomenal with all of the original songs. I love how they gave the original Jurassic Park characters even more character depth. Anytime I'm in Detroit, I will check what shows are playing at this theatre. Great job Planet Ant, Clever girl! read more

A unique venue! 3 of us attended 7 castaways show - gilligan island parady. Absolutely hilarious! Possibly the hardest I laughed for 2 hours- ever . Street parking,fairly priced bar. Fun time ! read more

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The setting was very nice, parking is accessible via the street or the Hamtramck Public Library immediately next door. I attended the IWG show fundraising for RESCU and the staff were extremely kind and got me inside very very quickly. The next door bar is also super nice and was themed for Halloween with live music. I got the bartender's choice of a mocktail for me: she was quick and made it very delicious. read more

Came across improv by chance on eventbrite. $10 show (not counting processing fees ~$3). You have to place ticket orders at least 1 full hour prior to showtime or the site blacks out ordering. We missed the window but were able to buy tickets onsite with cash and no processing fee. The address led us to an unassuming building which had a handwritten note posted on the door directing us to go to the purple house across the street. We crossed the street, walked down a thin sidewalk along said purple house to the backside. Warning: it's a rinky dink place but don't runaway. We did arrive too early, 15 min before showtime and were asked to wait on the stairs outside the tiny dark theater, but still in the house. We went to our car instead since it's cramped. Came back at "showtime" but it didn't start til half an hour past advertised showtime so don't show up on time. We were offered free hotdogs and chips. That was unexpectedly nice. There were 3 groups with the show lasting 2+ hours. A guest team, another team, and the home team. The first two teams were iffy-okay but the home team was hilarious. They were much more seasoned. If you only came during the first half, it might not have been worth your time, but the later half was. Note: They are nonprofit and if you donate beyond your ticket price, it's a tax write off. read more

Planet Ant Theatre - Monday night improv - Performing Arts Near Me - Hamtramck, Michigan

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I love Planet Ant for burlesque. Such a great vibe, nice crowd & the bar is cool too. I'm always on the look out for events there. read more

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Uniquely fun times! Great atmosphere, good prices free street parking. Every one is welcome, you will not be disappointed! read more

We had 4 of us attend the great musical parody of the Castaways. Original and so funny. With a small theatre you are closer to the show.

Went to see a friend perform with her bf. It's a similar concept to Go, but a bit more run down than Go as far as the stage and setup. Still some interesting sets. Apples and oranges improv team were well paired and played well off of the other and were quite funny. The performance stage is across the street from where you would think in the yellow/gold building where it says anthill above the entrance. read more

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There's probably nothing more fun you can spend $5 to do. I have a love/hate relationship with improv from my days living in Chicago, but I don't hate anything about Planet Ant. I've only been the the Monday night shows, and they are all great. The opening team is hit or miss, but the home team never fails to make me lol. Arrive early! You might think it's a no-big-deal thing at first, but it is always packed. They do their best to shove people in, but you don't want to be on the floor ledge in the corner. There's some serious BYO opportunity here, but they also sell soda for a buck. Everyone there is always super into it, even when it's awkward and weird. That's the best part. Some downsides - no ventilation so super hot in the summer, bathroom tiny and janky, and just a bit crowded sometimes. These are tiny complaints as nothing could really dampen the mood in here. They also do actual scripted productions, so hopefully I'll get a chance to check one of those out too! read more

Located on Caniff Ave in Hamtramck this theater is the perfect place to get in (or out) some serious giggles. Know for their improv this local theater is one of the best local theaters around. check out their improv Monday's for only 5 bucks, where the audience suggestions are intelligently and hilariously weaved into entire scenes. This is an inexpensive and fun night out! The actors and staff at Planet Ant are phenomenal at what they do, some even associated with Second City, the home to many many infamous actors/comedians like Tina Fey or have the members of SNL. The theater is comfy and welcoming. In addition, to shows Planet Ant also offers improv classes to the public, including long form improv classes as well as character improv. For more info check them out on Myspace or on their website. read more

I have been here a couple times for their shows. My first time here I was like ehhh.... it looks really sketchy.. But it has definitely warmed up to me. I like how laid back it is here. I love the outer decor and how they have a tiny ant house model they use for raffles and whatnot. It is very homey and there are always some kind of event going on so if you are bored come on over. BYOB! They have improv classes. I am too busy for it but my friend LOVES it! Single bathroom. Nice and clean porcelain. read more

Very simple. Great people and tons of fun. Unless if you don't like comedy, music or any arts. Then please don't come, won't be the place for you. In real honesty, a great place to make meet new people and make new friends. read more

Went here with a group of friends Friday night. WOW, what a great night out! For 5 bucks, you get hours of entertainment. The place is small, but it really works for this setting. So maybe not ideal for big groups though since the seating is limited. There were 6 troops that all did a series of Improv skits. Then you're given a ballot to vote on the troop of choice. The last act of the night was the recently voted best of and it left my cheeks aching in from all the laughs. Leave the kids at home though, the comedy was 80% X -rated topics. Great fun! I'll definitely be back. read more

Planet Ant Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Hamtramck, Michigan

A staple in Detroit's improv scene along with Go! Comedy, Planet Ant Theatre boasts some of the finest talent in the Midwest. Second City cast members migrated to Go! and Planet Ant, and their skills come to the fore especially during their seasonal festivals. Only in Detroit will you be invited to a pre-show barbecue with the cast, who aren't too busy fielding phone calls, posting Youtube videos, and too drunk/high/depressed to bother with their fans. Show up an hour early on Mondays for your chance to rub shoulders with D(etroit)-list comedy celebrities. Throwing away all pretension, the Planet Ant theatre lives inside a rehabbed Hamtramck rowhouse across from the Hamtramck Public Library. In a strange coincidence, the outstanding Go! Comedy, a sister venue, is -also- located across from Ferndale Public Library. Just a coincidence or a reality that comedy all-stars are frequently broke and need free/cheap parking? You be the judge. Where else can you score seats to a brilliant show with some serious talent while only being set back $5-15? And how many of those places let you bring your own booze? Planet Ant, that's who. Screw a liquor license, they're all about Hamtramck traditions (more bars per square mile than any other US city) and expressing yourself through hoots, hollars, and drunken giggles. I for one thing the sound of a can opening or a swig of wine is a time-honoured nod to appreciated actors. You should too, as they're BYOB. The nature of improv is to be unscripted, sort of like a major weather television channel. Unlike the TV, though, you can feel good about laughing at other people's misfortunes, disasters, and innuendo. One act plays often focus on key events, like the Emergency Manager laws or Detroit's finances, which are as much tongue in cheek as they are scathing opinion pieces. Don't worry, not everything is high brow. Anything is fair game in improv, including prison relationships and your sister's addiction to Instagram, hipsters and Royal Oak parking tickets. Audience participation is often welcome. Planet Ant is small enough that you'll feel right there up close with the performers... or they'll be in the audience, pretending to be one of you. Either way it's a blast. The seating space is cozy and intimate with four banks of four seats on each wing. Large groups may need to call ahead, otherwise you might be sitting in one another's laps. Remember: laughs welcome. read more

FYI- This is a rating of Monday Night Improv. FYOI- To get inside, go into the gate and through the backyard. As long as I've been a Detroit City resident, I've always missed this place. I knew it was here, for years! I wanted to go, but I just never did. Why, I dunno? So finally last Monday I decided to go. And I came back last night as well. For $5, you can get 2+ hours of laughs. First show "away team" starts at 8, then the "home" team starts at 9. If there's enough people who want to participate in the "open jam" at 10, then stick around for that as well. The seats are chairs arranged stadium style and they're comfy. The stage is small, but the perfect size for improv. We came early and the Home Team was serving up hot dogs in the backyard. I don't think they serve drinks here, so if you'd like to BYO, make sure to stop at the party store down the street before you arrive. Seriously this is my new favorite thing to do on Mondays! Dont overlook the Planet Ant like I did for so many years! GO! BIKES::: bring yr bike into the bakyard and lock up! read more

I love Planet Ant Theatre, especially Monday nights. Monday night is improv night; for $5, you can get over 2 hours of improv. Some of the home team members were mainstage cast members from Second City Detroit. To be able to see such amazing improvisers, for practically nothing, blows my mind. There is an improv jam after the home team finishes performing for anyone who wants to their hand at improv (it's a fun, judgement free environment). Oh - and it's BYOB. Always a good thing, in my book! read more

They have any kind of live performance you want to see. They have improv, Stand-up in the back room (The Independent Comedy Club) every weekend, live music, burlesque and drag shows frequently. The drinks are affordable and everyone there is friendly. It's the best place in hamtramck. read more

If you are looking for Second City, this isn't. BUT it's a funky little place where you can be decently entertained for $5. Couple that with a visit Yemen Cafe or some Pollonia (I'm biased, I love both places) and you have yourself a funky date night a la Hamtramck. We went on a night an acquaintance was performing. It was my first time, but I had passed by the place a number of times on Hamtramck outings. We had to go through the back door (typical?), and a few members of our small group of new friends were visibly concerned. Hey, welcome to Detroit. The performance was entertaining and engaging (volunteer participation anyone?) and during the break we got to chat up the folks that were performing that night. I hear they do classes if you want to flex your improv skills. BYOB? If I have a chance to go back, I am def taking advantage of this. read more

A great place to watch funny people do improv comedy and serious actors do theater. And just a ton of talented classy people.

I went for the Monday improv night and it was very funny. It's an intimate space with about four rows of seating around a black box theater. They started with one hour from the student team which exceeded my expectations, they were hilarious. Then there's an hour from the teachers who are obviously really good. The only bummer was there were only two of the teachers there when I went and I think it would've been better with more but still they were great. *tickets are only $5 *byob *entrance is in the back of the purple house, sorta hard to find if it's your first time going *no AC so a little stuffy in the summer Super fun and cheap night. I'll definitely go again! read more

My wife and I went here to see David Mamet's November. The theater has an intimate performance space (fewer than 40 seats to my eye, all of which are sturdy and movable). If we had been any closer to the stage, we would have been part of the play. The actors were of high quality and the whole operation feels like a bunch of sincere artists doing a lot with a little. We definitely plan to return soon. read more

I came in to Planet Ant last night with my fiance, his dad, and his stepmom to check out their play, "Seance 4," before it closed. I'd heard of Planet Ant before, and driven by it a few times, but never actually stopped in. I was glad to finally come by. I love Hamtramck, and I've been wanting to come here for a while. The cast was awesome, the one-act play was both creepy (seriously!) and hilarious, and the theatre is a quaint, cozy, and awesome place. I really enjoyed myself. The folks were all sweet and talented, and I just couldn't get enough. Tickets were $10, and well worth it. Definitely a must-visit! read more

I feel so lucky to have Planet Ant in my neighborhood. Monday night improv is totally worth your $5. The home team is just as talented as folks I've seen at the Second City or Upright Citizens Brigade, and you get to bring your own beverages! My first time at Planet Ant was a few years ago for a theatrical production, and I had very low expectations (based on experiences at other small theatres) but I was totally impressed! Planet Ant is a Hamtramck gem. read more

I finally made it out to Planet Ant for the first time and would HIGHLY encourage you to do the same. I saw a written sketch show called The Dogman Prophecies. The show surpassed my expectations- it was fun, clever, and every cast member was fantastic playing multiple characters. Really quality comedy no matter what show you see. The space is very versatile and comfortable. BYOB. The show I saw was packed so I would purchase tickets in advance. I bought mine in advance but for some reason my name wasn't on their list but they still allowed me in without a hassle. They have improv and sketch shows as well as classes and workshops- all worth checking out. read more

My girlfriend and I had a great time here. It's exactly the type of theatre space I love... quirky, cozy and intimate. The focus is on the performance, not the bells and whistles that a lot of larger art spaces employ. The audience was lively and (I could tell) very loyal... always a good sign that you're going to enjoy yourself. Also, kudos to Planet Ant for cultivating new works! It's great to see theatre companies in the Midwest that are still taking chances on untested plays... especially ones with a local theme (like the one we saw recently). Their season is also impressively diverse (includ. improv and short work), so we'll definitely be back. There's even a free new play reading series. Love. read more