I recently came across a 1954 photo of my 5-year-old self staring at our first 12-inch round TV screen being initiated as part of "the first TV generation." "My Favorite Year" at Riverwalk pays homage to the wild-west chaos and fun of early, live TV in 1954. Before the show begins, we are treated to projected footage from early television shows, Sid Caesar, Red Skelton and the like, put together by Matt Ottinger.

The opening number "Twenty Million People" introduces us to the thrill of the live-broadcast show, and to the tremendously engaging Adam Woolsey as Benjy Stone, whose effortlessly beautiful voice and sincere presence draws the audience into the show - we share his loves, losses, and stresses, as he tries to control the uncontrollable Alan Swann (Mike Stewart) who does an excellent job portraying this larger than life character, drunk and sober. This is a physically demanding show with well choreographed swordplay. (Stage Combat Consultant, Zev Steinberg, "the first ever certified SAFD Fight Rabbi")

There are many fun characters swirling around these two stars in this fast paced musical. The show had a short run on Broadway and none of the songs is familiar, but the music and voices are generally good, backed up by a five piece orchestra, upstage, led by James Geer, his white head of hair rising like the moon above the NYC skyline nicely painted by Julia Purosky. Kudos to director Dan Pappas for managing such a huge show, with a 26 member cast, an even bigger crew and lots of scene changes, smoothly handled by on-and-off stage "floor manager" Tom Ferris and crew - and LOTS of costumes (Kris Maier & Co.)

It is an upbeat and nostalgic show, peppering us with various "types" (Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Eroll Flynn, and more.) It's a good old fashioned musical comedy, all about the entertainment — but it also has heart, offering insight into fathers lost and gained. 
My Favorite Year continues through June 9. www.riverwalktheatre.com
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Don't forget, AUDITIONS for Riverwalk's "Young Artisan Workshop" production of Charlotte's Web are being held for actors and crew aged 10 to 18 at 6:30 pm Sunday and Monday June 2 & 3. Email me (jszussman@gmail.com) if you want a copy of the script.

10:53 - What a strange title to Annie Martin's fresh new script at Williamston Theatre. It defies us to make assumptions... but knowing it is set in the hospital waiting room, I did assume it was about illness, death.... But no, it's about life  — and and coping with change and facing fear, bouncing between conflicting emotions, retreating, daring -- all dressed in a roomy hospital gown of human foibles and squabbles and relationships that are really very funny as well.

All four actors are excellent. Two from MSU, Julia Garlotte is the engaging Significant Other of newly "come out" lesbian/bisexual daughter, Zachara Wollenberg (fresh from her star turn as Fanny Brice at MSU.) These two are believably "a couple" with all the "meet the mother" awkwardness and mother/daughter tension, defiance and love. Williamston favorite John Lepard plays the mysterious "10:53" man with his characteristic charm and sincerity; nobody is more believable onstage than Mr. Lepard.

But is he "a weirdo"? One way or the other, aren't we all? The challenging role of Kathryn, the wife of a comatose, dying husband, holed up in her waiting-room refuge is played with gusto by the talented Sandra Birch. She rides a roller-coaster of moods and reactions that brings the audience with her through a swirl of conflicting emotions. Kudos to Director Tony Caselli for directing another hit.

The set was a very realistic hospital waiting room, complete with elevator (Bartley H. Bauer) - and the costume changes (Holly Iler) and strategic lighting (Daniel C. Walker) communicated the passage of time very effectively. Subtle but appropriate TV background sound was loud enough to be realistic but did not drown out the actors. (Michelle Raymond).

If any of you have yet to check out Williamston Theatre, it is well worth the drive and easy to find, just south of the four corners of Williamston. It is an intimate little theatre,  smaller than Riverwalk. You can really "see the whites of their eyes" and the quality is always professional.10:53 continues through June 16 - www.williamstontheatre.com - (517) 655-SHOW (7469)

I was unhappy to have to leave Fairy Tales and Other Stories at intermission, but one of my child guests was not feeling well and we thought potential barfing in the first row would not reflect our true opinion of this fresh and funny show directed by PK Van Voorhees. "Beauty Shop," by Christina Hamlett was a cute short skit involving the complicated lives of Goldilocks, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Alice (of Wonderland) and Rapunzel - and how the hairdressing services of the "Fantastic Frills Salon" saved the day. (Go Green!) 

"Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" by Don Zolidis was a sassy spoof of, and homage to, all 209 Grimm fairy tales. 43 characters were portrayed by 25 or so The Studio Performing Arts Center students. This witty mashup was a bit sophisticated for my 4 and 5 year old companions, but a hoot for older kids and adults. (Why doesn't Rapunzel's tower have stairs? My architect was drunk, the witch replies.) The script also sarcastically calls attention to the air-headedness of the trusting heroines who enter into agreements with questionable characters withOUT asking pertinent questions. A fun Hansel and Gretel bit involved audience sections chiming in with sound effects and advice, "Don't go in there!" Experienced actors Kaleel and Parker VanVoorhees brought energy, volume and various fun characterizations. Holden Santi, too, brought flair to The Devil, Prince 2, and the Talking Fish. My grandkids particularly enjoyed Rapunzel's (Danielle Holloway) vociferous, "Ow, ow, ow OOOWWW!!" whenever anyone climbed her hair. 

PK was RIGHT about these directions. A detour keeps you from turning east onto Auditorium Rd. from Farm Lane, so I was wrong about that being "the easy approach." The Arena is in the basement of the Auditorium building on the Farm Lane side.  Because of construction in the building, there is no handicapped access. Also, the East Lansing Art Fair will close down streets adjacent off of Grand River. So whether you come from east or west, you need to get to Bogue Street then turn west on Auditorium Rd. turn right, go to where road comes to a “t’ and is blocked (at Physics Rd.) turn right, and find the parking lot on left. Drive through the parking lot (at Physics Rd,) to the end of the lot near Farm Lane (directly across from the Auditorium Building) and walk across the lot to the theatre. The Physics parking lot is located on the north side of the Auditorium Building and directly across from the front of it. WhatEVer approach you take to "central MSU land" - allow extra time to follow detours and get a little more lost than usual. 

ONE MORE SHOW 2 pm tomorrow, Saturday. The whole show, with intermission, will last about two hours, I'm guessing. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased at the door prior to the show. 

I was a little afraid to see The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Riverwalk's Black Box -- because I'd had such trouble following The Cripple of Inishmaan, also by Martin McDonagh, at MSU's Arena due to fast-paced thick Irish accents. In this case, however, the story triumphed over the dialect. First time director John Roche led an excellent quartet of actors through this funny but tragic tale, and after about a page of getting used to the rhythms and speech patterns, the heart of the story took over. These articulate actors made the dialect a natural part of getting to know these people. I don't want to include any "spoilers" about the plot, so I'll just say Joseph Mull is adorably clueless, Jan Lockwood is an insidious insult to Mother's Day, you'll fall in love with Blake Bowen, and Abby Murphy will break your heart. The show has been close to selling out, so make a reservation and come early for best "general admission" seating -- three more shows Fri/Sat at 8 and Sunday at 2 - 482-5700 - www.riverwalktheatre.com $12/$10