Williamston Theatre is celebrating “Giving Tuesday,” —  the global day of giving that helps support charitable causes December 3 — by giving live storytelling readings at 11 am, 3pm and 7pm, no reservations, free of charge, but I’m sure there’s an opportunity to donate to the Williamston Theatre cause. https://www.williamstontheatre.org/giving-tuesday-play-thon

Riverwalk Theatre has a “Matching Fund” drive going for Giving Tuesday, where donations will be matched up to $10,000.https://www.riverwalktheatre.com I’m in on that one, because I believe in Community Circle Players at Riverwalk, having been a member since they were at the Okemos Barn back in the '70s and ’80s. Their longevity and investment in (and responsibility for) the building — and the new adventure of $upporting two new, excellent Office Goddesses, as our dear Mike retires — makes RWT a worthy investment in an institution that offers the widest variety of opportunities for local nonprofessional actors and techies.

But GLUT advocates for ALL local, live theatre. You can go to the GLUT website http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net and find a list of deserving local theatres; most accept donations online. My appeal is for every “GLUT-ster” (theatre participant or theatre audience member) to pick at least ONE theatre and chip in this “Giving Tuesday."

​Don’t forget Riverwalk’s Holiday Cabaret variety show  - one performance only - December 14. 

Director Sabrina Dahlgren has put together some of Lansing's most talented performers for an evening of vocal performances sure to get you in the holiday spirit this season. 

Pre-show reception with Clique Vocals (charismatic crooners Kelly Sandula Gruner & Dan Templin) and refreshments for purchase, starts at 6:30 P.M. Performance starts at 7:30 P.M. - 

 In addition to the lots shared with I-5, additional parking is available on Michigan Ave. and the Lansing Center parking garage. 

Only 19 seats left by my count. Easy to buy tix online with Riverwalk’s new system. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com - and click “box office”.

​Lansing Matinee Musicale Announces the Emerging Artist Award for Musical Theatre

Contact: Laura Stebbins, President, [email protected]


Lansing Matinee Musicale (LMM) is thrilled to announce the Emerging Artists Award for Musical Theatre! The LMM is seeking the best musical theatre artists who have begun their professional journey - those who need that one break to move their careers forward. The competition is open to all musical theatre soloists worldwide between the ages of 20 and 28 by the application date. This award is made possible by the Lee C and Mildred Richardson Scholarship Fund.


All awards will be cash:


First Prize - $2,000
Second Prize - $1,500
Third Prize - $500


A special bonus will be awarded if the winner has a Michigan connection.


For complete details and to begin the application process please visit our website -
https://lansingmatineemusicale.org/national-musical-theatre-competition/
DEADLINES are as follows:
• ●  January 31, 2025 - Applications and audition videos are due
• ●  April 19, 2025 - Virtual Semi-Final Round, online
• ●  September 6, 2025 - In-Person Final Round in Lansing, MI


The $50 application fee may be paid through PayPal, or by check. After completing the application form, you will be directed to Paypal/Credit Card secure payment processing.


Please be sure to submit payment at this time. Payment MUST be submitted to complete your application process. If you are paying by check please send to LMM, c/o Adkins, 6405 Old River Trail, Lansing MI.

Starlight Dinner Theatre reopens with Sherlock Holmes musical farce this weekend. Reserve TODAY for dinner; show-only tix available at the door.

Starlight is back to their original performance venue, Waverly East Intermediate School, 3131 W. Michigan Ave. 48917 - after a 4-year break due to Covid and school construction projects. The musical farce Sherlock Holmes and the Great Royal Goose Chase! is directed by Mike Stewart with Musical Direction by Ellen Hoard. Caitlin Christenson is the choreographer and Grace Williquette Peters the show Accompanist.  

You’ll laugh and cheer and maybe even become a suspect in this merry mystery, musical farce! “UPROARIOUS! – BroadwayWorld “Non-stop laughs!” – The Daily News

The meal is catered by James Avenue Catering consisting of Michigan Cherry Chicken ~ (Herb Roasted Chicken Breast with White Wine sauce and Dried Cherries); Cheesy Potatoes AuGratin
Michigan Salad with Feta, Dried Cherries, Red Onions & Pecans, Dressings on the side including Raspberry Vinaigrette; Dinner Rolls with Whipped Butter and a Lemon Cheesecake square.

Sherlock Holmes shows run November 15-16 & 23-24  - audience deadlines:

Friday, Nov 15 dinner and show reservations must be made and paid for by credit card no later than Tuesday evening, Nov 12.
Saturday, Nov 16 dinner and show reservations must be made and paid for by credit card no later than Wednesday evening, Nov 13.

Tickets for Show Only can be purchased at the door. 

Show & Dinner $40; $37 sr/student; $13 child 12 & under
Show Only $20; $18 sr/student; $13 child 12 & under
Sunday 11/24 Dessert Matinee $26; $13 children. 
Fri/Sat dinner 6:30/show 7:30; Sunday dessert 1:30; show 2pm.

 Call 517-599-2779 for reservations OR reserve tickets online. Reservations Agent Sherin explains how:

Go to http://starlightdinnertheatre.com. The Home page (gift certificate page), hover cursor over 'About Starlight' then click on 'Reservations, Pricing, Current Season'. The reservation page appears. Scroll down to get to the online reservation form. Note, the * are required fields. Click submit. If all the required fields are entered, you will get a Thank you….

Veronica Gracia-Wing is helping us tell our fellow Theatre Person, Gordon Hicks Clark, just how much he's loved - in light of his recent terminal diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.
Following the instructions below, submit your video message for Gordon by this Friday, Nov. 8. (Or Saturday morning at the LATEST)  to be included in a compilation video that will be delivered with permission privately to the Clark/Hicks family. 

Feel free to share this message to make sure everyone who needs to see it, can. 

Thank you for helping lift their whole crew up in love as they take this journey together. 🧡

Veronica Gracia-Wing is helping us tell our fellow Theatre Person, Gordon Hicks Clark, just how much he's loved - in light of his recent terminal diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease.
Following the instructions below, submit your video message for Gordon by this Friday, Nov. 8. (Or Saturday morning at the LATEST)  to be included in a compilation video that will be delivered with permission privately to the Clark/Hicks family. 

Feel free to share this message to make sure everyone who needs to see it, can. 

Thank you for helping lift their whole crew up in love as they take this journey together. 🧡
[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/2352946/posts/10126214372833524/?rdid=pw3h14RciOsvNJC9

Hello Theatre community! 

As many of you are aware, our beloved Riverwalk Theatre administrator, Mike Siracuse, will be retiring from his position with the Theatre at the end of the year. We are looking to send him off in a big and wonderful way, and we are looking for help from the community at large to make sure that this celebration goes off without a hitch. Many hands will make for lighter work, and if folks are willing to give a few hours ahead of the event to be able to assist with the various responsibilities, we would appreciate it. If you are interested in assisting with some of the planning and logistics of the event, please comment and we will be in touch with you. 

We are also reaching out to see about volunteers to help with the coordination efforts of the event itself. We are also looking for folks who would be willing to speak at the event as part of our “roast“ of Mike. We are particularly looking for stories that highlight the decades long dedication and hard work that Mike has given to the Theatre and this community. If you are someone who would like to share your story, please comment here and we will reach out to you with next steps.

Below we have detailed out specific items that require assistance: 

Make Siracuse Retirement Celebration Saturday, November 23 @ Riverwalk

DONE List:
•    Alcohol - Leftover from the Barneys

To Do List:
•    Food-4-5 people
•    Cake- 1 person
•    Non-alcoholic drinks- 1 person
•    Decorations- 4-5 people
•    Plates & utensils- 1 person
•    Sparklers- 1 person
•    Invites- 2 people
•    Find presenters- 6 needed
•    Find host- 1-2 people?
Timeline of events
•    6pm - Cocktail Hour
•    7pm - The Roast of Mike Siracuse
•    8:30pm - Cake & Conversation
•    8:50pm - 33 Raffle
•    9pm - Sparkler Send Off 
The Roast of Mike Siracuse
    Host: TBD
    Speakers: 6 needed

•    Introduction - Host - 5 Minutes
•    Opening set - performer - 10 Minutes
•    Transition - Host - 1-2 Minute(s)
•    2nd set - performer - 10 Minutes
•    Transition - Host - 1-2 Minute(s)
•    3rd set - performer - 10 Minutes
•    Transition - Host - 1-2 Minute(s)
•    4th set - performer - 10 Minutes
•    Transition - Host - 1-2 Minute(s)
•    5th set - performer - 10 Minutes
•    Transition - Host - 1-2 Minute(s)
•    Closing set - performer - 10 minutes
•    Final remarks - Host - 5 minutes
•    Mike’s set - Mike Siracuse - 5-10 minutes 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THESE, please message Shannon Bowen or Aaron Wittbrodt on FB Messenger for next steps! (or via email: Shannon  [email protected] or Aaronmailto:[email protected]
​

The Studio Performing Arts Center/East Lansing Theatre and Dance Company is looking for about five actors that "move well" to be the Pirates in our February Ballet production of "Peter Pan"! There are no lines - just movement, acting and possibly some occasional improv! The show is Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23 (matinees) at 2pm with February 19 and 20 reserved for the final tech/dresses at the theatre. 

Director PK Van Voorhees says: The Pirates should be fun, goofy and an audience favorite! Looking for great actors that like to play and can move well! Looking for adults with acting abilities that can also move - different types and character actors....doesn't really matter what sex - we have a couple of adult actors (2 women and 1 man) already but am looking for more! They should be goofy, fun and able to move around with fight moves and silly steps. 

Pirates will be in about 4 scenes for this production including an introductory "dance", the kidnapping scene, the fight scene and the finale!I would need them to rehearse on either Saturday or Sundays early afternoons for a few hours. I'm hoping it’s a fun experience for everyone - low stress - but my goal is for the Pirates to be something of a comic relief for the audiences for most of their scenes.

Rehearsals are on Saturdays or Sundays - an hour or so a week until we get closer to the show!  Show dates are February 22 and 23 at the EL Hannah Community Center Albert White Theatre with tech/dresses on February 20 and 21. Please call P.K. Van Voorhees if you are interested or have any questions. 517-336-4088 

Also - we are looking for a Costumer to organize our small costume room, possibly design a few costumes if needed, and organize the parents to help sew/compile a few costumes as needed. We have a lot to choose from for most of the characters in the show, but will need to work on the Pirates and Lost Boys (ripped and "dirty" clothes), especially. The Costumer will need to organize the costumes during the show, clean them up after the show, and pack them away in our now organized costume room. We have a lot to choose in our inventory from but just need someone to take charge of this task - $500!

The Studio Performing Arts Center
5015 Park Lake Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
1-517-336-4088
www.dancesingact.com
[email protected]

You may note that NOVEMBER and MARCH are the FULLest months on the GLUT Calendar. Everyone is finishing up before the Holly Daze, or starting rehearsals AFter them.


So EVeryone should be able to find some LIVE THEATRE that suits them this month! See you in a theatre lobby soon!

November 2024
11/1-10 - 7pm Fri; 3pm Sat/Sun - Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic - AECT 


11/1-10 - Fri 11/1@7pm; Sat 11/2 @ 2pm; Sun 11/3 @ 2pm & 7pm; Thu 11/7 @ 7pm; Fri 11/8 @ 7pm; Sat 11/9 @ 7pm; Sun 11/10 @ 4:30pm The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett American Legion Post #141 Lower Level, 3265 W Grand RiverHowell, MI 48855 - FCT


11/3 & 4 - 7pm - Auditions for Lustful Youth directed by Kait Wilson - RWT


11/6-8 - 7:30pm - Stomp - WTN


11/7-10 & 14-17 - 7pm Thur, 8pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun - Urinetown The Musical, Director: Brian Farnham - main stage - RWT


11/8-10 & 14-17- 7pm; 2pm Sundays - What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck directed by Chad Swan-Badgero - PCTC


11/8-17 - 8pm Fri-Sat; 2pm Sun & Sat 16th; 7:30pm Wed-Thu, A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of Great Lakes by Kate Benson, Wharton Ctr. Pasant Stage – MSU


11/8-16 - 7pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun - Cosplay by Blair Ingenthron, Director: Paige Tufford, Black Box Theatre - LCC


11/9 & 15 at 7:30 and 9-10 and 16-17 at 2:30 (the 16th is a sing-along-long) Disney’s The Descendants - PCP 


11/13 - 6:30-8:30pm - Audition Workshop to prepare for Little Shop of Horrors - $15 members; $20 non-mem. - AECT


11/13, 15 & 17 at 7, 11/18 at 3 - Mozart’s The Magic Flute sung in English with English surtitles. Conductor: Octavio Mas-Arocas; Director: Melanie Helton - Fairchild Theatre - Preview lecture 45 minutes before the performance - MSUO


11/14-16 - Thu/Fri 6:30-8:30pm; Sat 10am-12pm - Auditions Little Shop of Horrors (Age 11-18) Audition sign up required - AECT


11/14-16 - 7pm; 2&7pm Sat. - Honk! Jr. at Dwight Rich School of the Arts, 2600 Hampden Drive, Lansing, 48911 - MTC


11/14 - 12/29 - A Very Williamston Christmas directed by John Lepard - Thurs 11/14 @ 7:30 is Pay-What-You-Wish; first weekend:Thurs & Fri @ 7:30, Sat & Sun @ 2; remaining weeks: Thurs @ 2, Fri @ 7:30, Sat @ 2 & 7:30, Sun @ 2 (Note Thursday Thanksgiving matinee is moved to Friday, November 29; two shows that day) - WT


11/14 - 7:30PM - Of Equal Place: Rare Isotopes In Motion - WTN


11/15-16 & 23-24 - Sherlock Holmes and the Great Royal Goose Chase - musical farce directed by Mike Stewart; Ellen Hoard music director - Dinner 6:30; show 7:30; Sunday 11/24 only, dessert 1:30; show 2pm. Waverly East Intermediate School - STL


11/21-24 - 7:30pm Thu; 2pm & 8pm Sat; 2pm & 6pm Sun – MSU Unscripted, Improv Comedy, MSU Auditorium lower level Studio 60 - MSU


11/22 Friday @ 7pm - An Evening of Acting and Improv! Directed by Celina and Mark Ruhala. $15 reserved seating. - Ruhala Performing Arts Center

11/25-11/26: 6p.m. - Auditions for Crime and Punishment, director Andy Callis & Puffs, director Blake Bowen - LCC Black Box Theatre

11/29-12/1 - 7pm Fri; 1pm Sat; 3pm Sun. The Nutcracker Ballet performed by Children’s Ballet Theatre, a memorable event for the whole family. Three live shows at Eastern High School. There is also a virtual performance option. More info and tickets at cbtdance.org

Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatres
** AECT - All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre -
www.cityofeastlansing.com/allofus - 517-319-6957 - [email protected]
** AAF - Audio Air Force - radio shows - www.audioairforce.com - Dave Downing - 517-881-9746 
EVO - Evolve Theatrics - evolvetheatrics.com, [email protected], 517-490-4567 
FCT - Fowlerville Community Theatre - [email protected] - fowlervilletheatre.com & Facebook
* IX - Ixion - ixiontheatre.com, [email protected],
517-775-4246 
LCC - Lansing Community College Arts - www.lcc.edu/showinfo, 517-483-1122 
LEB - Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts - 122 E. Main St., Owosso, MI - LebowskyCenter.com - 989-723-4003
MTC - Midway Theater Company - midwaytheatercompany.org - 517-316-5272
MSU - Michigan State University Department of Theatre - www.theatre.msu.edu - 517-432-2000
MSUO - MSU Opera Theatre https://www.music.msu.edu/event-listing?category=11 - Tickets available online at www.music.msu.edu or at 517-353-5340
PCP - Portland Civic Players - portlandcivicplayers.com  - 231 Maple St. Portland, MI - Box Office: 517-647-4041 
* PCTC - Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. - www.peppermintcreek.org - 517-927-3016
RWT - Community Circle Players at Riverwalk Theatre,
www.RiverwalkTheatre.com, 228 Museum Drive
517-482-5700
STL - Starlight Dinner Theatre - 517-243-6040 www.starlightdinnertheatre.com • Reservations: 517 599-2779
WT - Williamston Theatre - 122 S. Putnam St. Williamston 48895 - 517-655-SHOW (7469) www.williamstontheatre.org 
WTN - Wharton Center for Performing Arts at MSU - 517-432-2000 or 1-800-Wharton or www.whartoncenter.com


* Performs at Stage One, 2200 Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI 48912
** Performs at E.L. Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road
East Lansing, MI 48823

Riverwalk Theatre is currently in rehearsals for its latest musical comedy, "Urinetown." This satirical spin on the "standard musical" is both zany and thought-provoking. The show opens on November 7th and runs through the 14th. 

Director: Brian Farnham  

SYNOPSIS: Set in a dystopian society dealing with a severe water shortage, citizens are no longer allowed to use the restroom freely. In order to relieve themselves, they are required to pay a constantly-increasing fee to the corrupt “Urine Good Company,” run by businessman Caldwell B. Cladwell (James Curtis). If they decide to “go” without paying the proper fee, they are carted away by authorities to the mysterious "Urinetown" for punishment. When a romance begins to blossom between Cladwell’s daughter Hope (Kira Elena Billard), and an idealistic custodian named Bobby (Robert Mueller), it incites the poor to finally take a stand against the corporation. This chaos leads both to some absurdly hilarious moments, and the raising of some important questions. Will the poor succeed in their uprising? How far are people willing to go to obtain an “ideal” future? And, most importantly, what is Urinetown?   

Cast:
Bobby Strong - Robert Mueller 
Hope Cladwell - Kira Elena Billard 
Caldwell B. Cladwell - James Curtis 
Penelope Pennywise - Meghan Malusek 
Officer Lockstock - Anthony Mandalari 
Little Sally - Xia Skowronek 
Josephine Strong - Lindsey Parr Hemming 
Joseph "Old Man" Strong - Aaron Wittbrodt 
Hot Blades Harry - Luka Pawsek 
Little Becky Two Shoes - Carmen Zavala-Kelly 
Tiny Tom - Tim Edinger 
Soupy Sue - Lizabeth Desmet 
Billy Boy Bill - Garrett Manor 
Bobby the Stockfish - Zoë Schultheiss 
Mr. McQueen - Adam Carlson 
Senator Fipp - Riley Hirai 
Mrs. Millennium - Ava Taube 
Dr. Billeaux - Beck Murphy 
Officer Barrel - Ron Meyer  
Dance Ensemble - Amanda Tollstam, Michael Palmer, Sarah Lehman  

Director Brian Farnham is thrilled to finally get the witty Urinetown off of the ground, after five years worth of cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and revolving venues. Farnham states that it was well worth the wait, and the irony of performing Urinetown post COVID-19 is not lost on the director. 


“Urinetown says so much about the importance of moderation in our political discourse, the importance of preserving the environment, and the dangers of extreme thinking…and it does so in a way that is incredibly funny. It’s the best of both worlds, and I feel like November 2024 is actually the perfect time to be putting up this musical, with our society having recently been through a natural disaster, crazy extreme politics, and finding the will to demand change (just like Urinetown).” 

Farnham also expresses how excited he is to be working again with his "dream team-" Elisha Smith, acting as assistant director/scenographer, and music director Angie Schwab. This efficient team last collaborated in May 2023 on the well-received Peter and the Starcatcher, and it's clear through their organization and cooperation how well the three work together and understand each other. 

Urinetown is full of many backstage secrets, but perhaps one of the more fun ones is that the complicated onstage romance between Cladwell and fee-collector Penelope Pennywise is portrayed by real-life couple James Curtis and Meghan Malusek! The two have excellent chemistry and, along with the rest of the experienced cast, bring a humorous, yet very real, aspect to their characters. 

This balance between drama and comedy is especially important to the director, who makes sure to convey this fluently to his actors. "A good comedy makes you laugh - but a great comedy makes you think while you laugh,” Farnham says. “It is very important that the audience be able to see themselves in these characters. So while other versions of Urinetown may have seemed a bit goofy, I trust that our production will strike the right balance between a satirical comedy and a post-apocalyptic warning against extremism.” 

The enthusiasm of each member of this cast and crew is evident. This, combined with the unique nature of the show's material, will make Urinetown an absolute must-see! All of these feelings can be summarized in a final quote from music director Angie Schwab: “It has been a privilege; both to pee and to work with such a fantastic level of talent."  

SHOW DATES: 
Thursday, November 7th, 7:00 P.M. 
Friday, November 8th, 8:00 P.M. 
Saturday, November 9th, 8:00 P.M. 
Sunday, November 10th, 2:00 P.M. 
Thursday, November 14th, 7:00 P.M. 
Friday, November 15th, 8:00 P.M. 
Saturday, November 16th, 8:00 P.M. 
Sunday, November 17th, 2:00 P.M.   

Standard tickets for this performance are $24. Senior/Student/Military tickets are available for $20, as well as Children's tickets (10 and under) for $12. 
Tickets can be purchased both in the box office, and on our website:https://www.riverwalktheatre.com