About The G.L.U.T.
The Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre (G.L.U.T.) is a compilation of mini-reviews, news articles, audition notices, and performance calendars of many of the community and professional theatres in the greater Lansing, Michigan, area. The information contained on this website is published by Aaron Herrbach, and is re-printed from the e-mails collected by Jane Zussman.  Jane receives these user submissions and compiles them into her G.L.U.T. email that is sent out to over 1000 users.  To join this group, send your request to [email protected].

To submit news items to Jane's G.L.U.T. email list, send an email to [email protected].  To submit website specific content (i.e. "photographic memories") or updates and corrections, send an email (with attachments) to the webmaster, Aaron Herrbach, at [email protected].

All material is copyrighted by their respected owner and is only printed at the consent of it's owner.  G.L.U.T. is not responsible for typographical or clerical errors.  Always check dates and times of performances directly from the theatre before making plans to attend any event.

Our Humble Beginnings
The GLUT List began by accident and evolved by guilt.

As a sometime-actor/director, I used to send out "come see my show" e-mails to friends/relatives in a small, personal "group list." Then, in 2005,  I attended a very well done but very poorly attended show ("Shakespeare's R&J" by Sunsets with Shakespeare.) I thought, "It's a shame more people aren't seeing this," and sent out a mini-review to my "group." After I did this for a few other shows, cast members would spot me in the lobby and ask, "Are you going to send an e-mail on OUR show?" Soon I felt "guilted" into writing about every show I saw -- since, if I did NOT write something, people assumed I hated the show. (I know how delicate actors' egos are; I've got one myself... ;-)

So that's how a wimpy theatre lover like me got into being a "reviewer" of sorts; and that's why my reviews try to accentuate the positive and be gentle about the negative. Even a bad show represents a lot of effort for the people involved — and often limited options, and obstacles overcome, (which may not be evident to the audience) merit a grain of salt for whatever wasn't "professional" quality.

The List grows as people hear about the list and ask to be added to it. I'm encouraged that more people ask to be put ON than to be taken OFF — and the "off" ones are usually moving from the area. It wasn't long before other theatre people started sending me news releases and audition notices as if I were a real "media outlet."

I'm simultaneously proud of the list and burdened by it. I wonder if it has any effect on theatre attendance. Still, if I'm sorting out this info for myself — why not share it with you? Sad to say that "theatre people" are a too-small segment of the general public. It sometimes amazes me that live theatre survives at all, in light of the skillions of movies, TV channels, "on demand" viewing, dvd rental, and online movie options that have multiplied like crazy since 1972 when I first got involved in Lansing area theatre. (I challenge each of you to bring a non-theatre-goer WITH you next time you attend a show!)

Despite the many alternative entertainments, there is something special about a live performance. And there is something special about community theatre's ability to unite diverse people in a common cause. (Kalamazoo Community Youth Theatre was the first place where I felt socially appreciated, even though I was not a cool cheerleader or "the pretty sister.") Theatre needs clowns and witches as well as princesses; it's a diverse collection of young/old/fat/thin/bold/shy/ onstage/offstage people working together. I respect and enjoy professional theatre, but I LOVE community theatre.

Jane Shipley Zussman
The GLUT Lady