L O C A T I O N

DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY

Theatre is transformative. In the spirit of shared humanity and a concern for our community and the world at large, we at The Dio celebrate diversity and affirm our solidarity with those individuals and groups most at risk. We disavow all racism and hate speech or actions that attempt to silence, threaten and degrade others.

In theatre, we possess one of the most powerful tools for change – our art. As artists, we believe that the American theatre helps us to understand the experiences of others. We value self-reflection and imagination. Building on these, we hope to inspire empathy, social justice and an ethical framework in our community, in our industry and in our world.

Dio co-founders, Steve DeBruyne and Matt Tomich, are committed to supporting black artists, indigenous artists and all artists of color, and to fostering an environment that is free of bias, discrimination and harassment within the theater and in our broader community.

THE DIO HISTORY

The Dio was established in 2011 by co-founders Steve DeBruyne and Matthew Tomich. Originally titled Dionysus Theatre, our theater company is named for the Greek God Dionysus, who along with his Muses and followers, is credited in many circles as the creator of theatrical entertainment.

The Dio’s first production (under the name Dionysus Theatre) was our original Christmas musical, Home for the Holidays, which was presented in 2012 at the Hartland High School auditorium. Though the production received good reviews from patrons and critics alike, it was poorly attended. It became apparent that The Dio needed its own stage in its own building. It was also clear that most people could not pronounce Dionysus, and our name was shortened to The Dio.

In 2013 The Dio found its current home, located in downtown Pinckney, Michigan. Our historic building at 177 East Main Street was built in the 1800s and has been home to many things including its original use as a town hall and gathering spot where it played host to vaudeville shows and opera performers. Possibly its most memorable use for Pinckney residents was as the longtime Pinckney General Store. With our move into our permanent home, The Dio became Livingston County’s first professional theatre company, contracting actors from across Michigan, as well as Chicago and New York.

Since 2013, The Dio has offered live entertainment in the form of plays and musicals along with a delicious meal prepared in-house prior to each performance. The Dio’s signature fried boneless chicken is a staple of our menu after becoming an audience favorite during our first full production in our new home, the classic American play, Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon, presented in the Fall of 2013.

Our intimate space includes a 22 foot long elevated stage and our dining room, which seats 70 guests at 20 tables in four rows. With the addition of our elevator in September of 2016, our historic building became wheelchair accessible for the first time in its existence.

Since 2012, The Dio, our creative team members and our talented performers have been the recipients of multiple awards for their work in Michigan’s professional theatre community.

FUN FACT

When choosing the paint color for The Dio’s dining room, the first paint swatch that was pulled from the wall of colors was a shade of purple called “Success.” It was clear that replacing this color would mean the opposite of its title, and so we never considered any other color for our dining room.

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2012

Home for the Holidays – An Original Musical, December 7 – December 23

(presented at Hartland High School)

2013

Forever Plaid, July 25 – July 28

Lost in Yonkers, September 5 – September 28

Home for the Holidays – An Original Musical, November 29 – December 23

2014

Almost, Maine, January 30 – March 2

Country Roads, April 3 – May 11

The Dixie Swim Club, June 5 – July 6

Forever Plaid, July 31 – September 7

Dracula The Musical, October 2 – November 2

Home for the Holidays – An Original Musical, November 28 – December 31

2015

Bus Stop, January 29 – March 1

Violet, April 2 – May 17

The Last 5 Years, May 22 – May 24

Always a Bridesmaid, June 18 – August 2

The Drowsy Chaperone, September 3 – October 18

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, November 27 – December 31

2016

Proof, February 4 – March 13

Rock of Ages, April 14 – May 22

Greater Tuna, July 14 – August 21

The Last 5 Years, June 2 – June 18

Cabaret, September 22 – October 30

Home for the Holidays – An Original Musical, November 25 – December 31

2017

Barefoot in the Park, February 2 – March 5

The Bridges of Madison County, April 5 – May 21

Forever Plaid, June 15 – July 23

The Great American Trailer Park Musical, August 24 – October 8

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, November 24 – December 31

2018

Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, February 1 – March 4

Daddy Long Legs, April 5 – May 20

The Savannah Sipping Society, June 14 – July 22

The Wild Party, August 23 – October 7

The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, November 23 – December 31

2019

Steel Magnolias, January 31 – March 3

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, April 4 – May 19

An Act of God, June 13 – July 21

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, August 22 – October 6

Home for the Holidays – An Original Musical, November 22 – December 29

2020

It’s Only Murder, January 31 – March 1

*The remainder of our 2020 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic

PRODUCTION HISTORY