On a lighter note - but not as light as I expected - we enjoyed the MSU Summer Circle's musical BABY tonight. As the program says, it "explores the despairing lows and comedic highs that accompany the arrival of a baby.” It presents a young, unmarried couple, a 30-something couple that's been "trying" for a long time, and an older couple with kids in college coping with a "bonus pregnancy" in their 40's. Lynn Lammers directed this entertaining show that covers a surprisingly wide range of experiences and reactions relating to pregnancy and babies — and how babies affect the lives/loves/plans/dreams of their parents.
The music was well balanced with the miked singers: Seth Burke as musical director and pianist with three other musicians — and all the voices were fine and expressive, with Eric Miller, Sarah Goeke and Zev Steinberg showcasing particularly stellar voices. Eric Miller and Lydia Hiller were charming as the too-young "not ready" couple coping with their choices, joys, fears and growing up. Zev Steinberg and Sarah Goeke were both wonderful as the "trying" couple demonstrating a solid yet sorely tested marriage. Anne Miranda and Gordon Clarke touchingly demonstrated complex reactions, compromises, identity issues as the older couple facing altered expectations. The "spare" people, playing myriad of fun roles, were Nick Reid and Katie Maggart. (Her strange fertility doctor was hilarious.) Bridgette Bechtel did both the set and costumes, both of which worked well. The set was traditional (ivy covered walls of MSU) yet versatile with movable boxes becoming the bed and any other needed furniture.
This entertaining, touching and thought-provoking musical continues Friday and Saturday at 8 (preceded at 6 pm by the funny family show, "Stop Copying Me")
http://theatre.msu.edu/index.php/productions/summer-circle-theatre/
The music was well balanced with the miked singers: Seth Burke as musical director and pianist with three other musicians — and all the voices were fine and expressive, with Eric Miller, Sarah Goeke and Zev Steinberg showcasing particularly stellar voices. Eric Miller and Lydia Hiller were charming as the too-young "not ready" couple coping with their choices, joys, fears and growing up. Zev Steinberg and Sarah Goeke were both wonderful as the "trying" couple demonstrating a solid yet sorely tested marriage. Anne Miranda and Gordon Clarke touchingly demonstrated complex reactions, compromises, identity issues as the older couple facing altered expectations. The "spare" people, playing myriad of fun roles, were Nick Reid and Katie Maggart. (Her strange fertility doctor was hilarious.) Bridgette Bechtel did both the set and costumes, both of which worked well. The set was traditional (ivy covered walls of MSU) yet versatile with movable boxes becoming the bed and any other needed furniture.
This entertaining, touching and thought-provoking musical continues Friday and Saturday at 8 (preceded at 6 pm by the funny family show, "Stop Copying Me")
http://theatre.msu.edu/index.php/productions/summer-circle-theatre/
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