"Pirate Adventures" is one of Mid Michigan Family Theatre's best. The two one-act scripts are funny and fast moving and now blocked further downstage so the kids are closer and easier to see and hear - most speaking loudly and clearly enough for us to get the many jokes. 

Of course, the littler kids are aDORable (prejudiced for my grandson, Anderson, as a pretentious frog, a fighting octopus, and a feisty, hat-stealing "Michael" brother to Wendy). Emma Elias was great as young Wendy, Paul McDaniel was an enthusiastic  Mr. Clunky Bones and Smee; Mason Cordell made a sassy Vinnie the Vulture and hot-shot Peter Pan. Nick Vogel demonstrated his range as the parrot, and as the unfortunate orderly at the Old Pirates' Home. Carlie Smith was a delightful Tinkerbell.

Adult actors led the way, notably David Brooks as both crazy Captain Cramp Hand and as an elderly, beleaguered Captain Hook. Melanie Barnard was a hoot (with Kahrynn Thomas) as Dee Dee the valley-girl mermaids and also as an elderly lady pirate in the Old Pirate's Home with Captain Hook. Jim Bunn and Bill Altimore were geriatric Blackbeard and Captain Blood - all "managed" by Nurse Red, Anita Barkley.

The whole cast seemed to be having a great time, and so did the audience. Mid Michigan is a great place for young (and old) actors to get their start. If you want to be in a show WITH your child/grandchild, or have siblings and want everyone included, Mid Michigan will do their best to get you all in, and rehearsals are only twice a week. mmft.net - and their info is in the Lansing Parks and Rec Guide.

"Pirate Adventures" continues next weekend 2/28 - 3/2 - 7pm Friday, 3pm Saturday and Sunday at Schmidt Southside Community Center on Wise Road (park on the south side of the building; enter at southeast door.) $7 adults $5 kids.

I regret going out to dinner after MSU's CYRANO - since you probably won't get this in time to get there for tonight's 8pm performance - and there's only one more at 2 pm tomorrow (Sunday)

This is a "classic" - as you know, not "my kind of show" and 3 hours long... but WOW.

This one was "Stratford quality" directed by Edward Daranyi, the Resident Teaching Artist for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival - and Mark Colson was stunning in the title role - with humor and pathos and, of course, panache.

Despite my confusion that comes with fancy 19th century language, French names and unfamiliar wars, the classic tale of unrequited love shines through. The large-nosed swashbuckler has profound love for the elegant Roxanne (Sarah Goeke) but believes she could never love him because of his over-large nose. He expresses his love by putting words in the mouth and in the letters of the handsome Christian (Eric Miller) whom Roxanne THINKS she loves, but...

The set is magnificent - a towering ruined courtyard/castle that serves as several locations, complete with wisps of fog, falling leaves, and falling snow (Matthew Imhoff) enhanced by impressive sounds of battle and evocative music (Jason Price) and impressive battle/sword-fight scenes (Christina Traister).

The beautifully remodeled Fairchild Theatre is much improved, with new seats, better acoustics... and the stage is taller and more open without the old proscenium. (Back entrance of the Auditorium Building on the corner of Auditorium Road and Farm Lane on MSU's campus.)

So... rush on down; you have 45 minutes to get there tonight... or plan for a stellar afternoon tomorrow at 2.
http://theatre.msu.edu/

All Shook Up by the Blue Light Players is a joyful evening of Elvis Presley songs — both a spoof of, and an homage to, the 50's. At first it seems just a silly and contrived framework for the popular songs but it also addresses some real issues: interracial dating/marriage and questioning one's sexual orientation. It's a refreshing blend of nostalgia, camp, and fun, with a surprising dash of "message."  The cross-dressing and mistaken-identity romance are reminiscent of 12th Night and other Shakespeare comedies.

Director Helen Hart tells me this is the "original" All Shook Up developed in 2004 which deals directly with the race issue. Apparently there was another version that tempered this as a "class" issue. Certainly the two African American actresses Traci Gibson and Cahlia Lanier were highlights of this show -- as were the Hart Franke brothers Philip and John-Weston as hip-swiveling roustabout and nerdy suitor, respectively.  Molly Ostrem was versatile and endearing as Natalie the mechanic and her alter-ego, "Ed." Rachel Mender was a hoot as the repressive, hot-pink Mayor, trying to enforce the Mamie Eisenhower Decency Act in a constant stream of talk, silencing her Sheriff sidekick (Jeff Warder) at every turn, as she hunted down her "wayward" son (Eric Figura).

Mark and I were pleased to see some Riverwalk Follies veterans:  David Mackson as the charming widower rediscovering his passion with a crush on the lovely, elusive Miss Sandra (Rachel Doriean) -- and Michael Chan, shining in the many ambitious dance numbers that managed to get everybody rocking, even those without Michael's grace and training. Kudos to the choreography team of Helen Hart and son John.

The music was prerecorded, and the scene changes, though quick, were done with full curtain pulling, which did bring in a few pauses - but the enthusiasm and energy rolled on, with 24 Elvis hits from Heartbreak Hotel to Can't Help Falling in Love. The ensemble included 22 adult and college-age actors plus a  children's cast of 10 added to select numbers.

ONE WEEKEND ONLY!7 pm Saturday4 pm Sunday
Hannah Center on Abbot Road, East Lansing

Tickets at the door $15.00/each or
Purchased Online Via Credit Card For $17.00/each - there is a link at www.bluelightplayers.com
Blue Light Players is a musical theatre group dedicated to raising funds for the families of fallen police officers. 

My "prelude" to LCC's Prelude to a Kiss was the wonderful version done at Riverwalk in 2004 with the dear departed talent of Bob Gras in the "Old Man" role, directed by Ken Beachler. This time, at LCC,  Ken was cast as the "Old Man". Though Ken has told me he had to approach this version anew - his love and understanding of the script showed through his sensitive portrayal.

This is a strange and challenging script where a young bride and an old man switch bodies in a magical kiss. It's both amusing and thought provoking: who ARE we, really? Our bodies? Our souls? What do we have to learn from a different perspective? (Floss!)

Garrett McCord and Katie Dufort both did a good job tackling the challenging roles of Peter and Rita, getting to know each other, awkward at first, working up to understanding and loving each other - then each coping with the body switch. Garrett was engaging, often breaking the fourth wall to share his story with the audience. Rita had two roles to play, the real Rita, and then the "Old Man" trying to "pass" as Rita.

The supporting cast was good, especially Rita's parents, Cassie Little and Jesse Frawley. The set (Thomas Schraeder) was an assortment of different "areas" that effectively represented six different locales with smooth transitions and no set changes. This helped the play flow, and kept it to a brief 90-minutes. Costumes (Kate Hudson Koskinen) were muted and blended well with the set, and were well choreographed, as Garrett made several costume changes during his monologues, without skipping a beat.

Kudos to director Andy Callis for masterminding this play as it opens new perspectives on the nature of love and the appreciation of life and health.

Prelude continues next weekend 8pm Fri/Sat and a 2pm Sunday show Feb 23 at LCC's Dart Auditorium. (but NOT tomorrow, the 16th. LCC is changing it's tradition, moving the one-Sunday performance to the second weekend instead of the first. Peppermint Creek does the opposite with its one-Sunday show - so those of you who like matinees, keep this in mind.)

$15 ($10 seniors LCC Staff & alumni; $5 LCC students
http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/