Jeff Croff directed the three refreshing and entertaining scripts — valiant survivors of Actress Fallout: Sue Chmurynsky deserves Extra Credit for stepping into her line-heavy Sandy/Grandma role with only two weeks’ notice, explaining and exploring her unique relationship to tornados. Oralya Garza Ueberroth stepped into the Abuela role in her own script. And with all due respect to the previous actress, I must say that Oralya brought just the right accent and a grandmotherly dose of sass.
Terry Palczewski’s "Enough Is Enough" was the first script, showing us a humorous triangle of translation where the Oracle of Delphi (Erica Beck) served as the diplomatic translator of the bitchy goddess Phoebe (Rikki Perez). Confused tourist with “daughter issues” (Sadonna Croff) tried to find answers and inadvertantly asked the right question to change the fortunes of both oracle and goddess.
Andy Head’s “Generations” featured three generations of women exploring their relationship with tornadoes and each other. The charming Isabella Croff played 8-(and a HALF)-year-old Elie, cheerfully listening to Grandma Sandy (Sue C.) spin her vortex of tornado tales. Lansing newcomer Rachel Wilder was excellent as the distraught mother who may well use the first show’s title to express her attitude about the twisters.
Bizarre and funny with a twist, O.G. Ueberroth’s “Family Traditions” introduced us to Tina (Rikki Perez, again) the eager young hispanic fiancee bringing her rich, caucasian intended, Morgan (Jacob Crosby) to have dinner with her Abuela (author, Oralya). The “too plain” dinner of rice and beans is spiced up with a traditional dose of poison and a dark layer of humor questioning whether he is “the one.”
With mothers in mind, all concession proceeds will be donated to the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Tickets can be purchased online before the show at eventbrite.com or at the door. They are encouraging everyone to bring a food donation for the Greater Lansing Food Bank. If you do, you'll save $5 off of the ticket price. Note that they can now accept credit and debit cards at the theatre.
Tickets are $15 ($10 with a food donation for the Greater Lansing Food Bank)
AA Creative Corridor, 1133 S. Washington Ave. Lansing, MI — Look for the address; there is no obvious sign. This is an easily-missed storefront on the east side of the street, just south of the open lot with the rocks and the colorful graffiti wall. Street parking available. The whole show is only about an hour and a half.
Mother’s Nature continues 7pm Sunday the 24th - 8pm Saturday May 30 and 7pm Sunday May 31.
To make reservations or for more information email ixionensemble@gmail.com or call 517.775.4246
www.ixiontheatre.com_