MSU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE PRESENTS
SUMMER CIRCLE THEATRE – 2014
“MOVING FORWARD”

6/11 - 28 - MSU Summer Circle Theatre returns for its 54th season offering free professional theatre to mid-Michigan audiences.  We are excited to announce that Summer Circle is looking forward to getting a new permanent home! This year is special because it will be the last season that Summer Circle performs behind the Auditorium on the banks of the Red Cedar River! Through generous donations from audiences, patrons, the Friends of Theatre, current and retired faculty, The College of Arts and Letter and many more—the new outdoor theatre located in the courtyard between Kresge Art Center and the Auditorium Building is scheduled to open for the 2015 Summer Circle season. One thing is certain… Summer Circle is truly “moving forward.”

Our summer season offerings are eclectic in style but thematically linked by a sense of looking toward a brighter future. Shows offered include a world premiere, the latest contemporary drama, campy musicals, and family friendly fare. Please make sure to check the website for more information. All main stage shows begin at 8:00 PM weather permitting. Every Friday and Saturday there are late night performances at 10:00 PM (approximately) and children’s theatre performances at 6:30. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy free theatre in our new location. 

The season opens with A. R. Gurney’s gentle comedy What I Did Last Summer which takes place on the shores of Lake Erie in 1945. This coming of age tale explores the relationship between fourteen-year-old Charlie and his Bohemian teacher, Anna who tries to open his mind by teaching him about art and the world.   (Runs 6/11-6/14 @ 8 PM. Appropriate for ages eight and older) 

The second mainstage production is one of today’s most celebrated and controversial plays, Detroit by Lisa d’Amour. Ben and Mary see sudden signs of life in the deserted house next door.  When they meet the new neighbors they become caught in an urban nightmare adventure that will change their lives.  (Runs 6/18-21 @ 8 PM appropriate for mature audiences only.) 

The season ends with the hilarious musical Ruthless by Marvin Laird and Joel Paley. This campy musical spoofs “The Bad Seed”, “All About Eve”, “Gypsy”, “Valley of the Dolls” and more as it tells the story of possibly homicidal eight year old Tina Denmark and her desperation to play Pippi Longstocking in the school musical. (Runs 6/25-28 @ 8 PM appropriate for all ages.) 

The late night offering is The Weird by one of today’s hottest playwrights Roberto Aguirre Sacasa. It is a collection of short one-acts devoted to horror and suspense with visits from swamp creatures, vampires and Rosemary’s baby.  Spooky fun.  (Performs 6/13, 6/14, 6/20, 6/21, 6/27, 6/28  @ 10:00 PM approximately and is appropriate for ages 14 and older)

The children’s show is a new play by Rob Roznowski called The Summer Circle about friendship and theatre. A group of children meet one summer and learn about themselves through starting their own theatre… The Summer Circle Theatre.  (Performs 6/13, 6/14, 6/20, 6/21, 6/27, 6/28 @ 6:30 PM and is appropriate for all ages.)

6/1 - ALSO AT RIVERWALK ( on the Black Box stage) SUNDAY EVENING, 7 pmStaged Reading of a dark and thought-provoking original play SAM is Your Name, SAM is Your Story by Kyle Clark, directed by Janet Colson. Free Admission. Talkback with playwright and cast immediately following. Cast: Sam - Heath Sartorius;  Armadillo - Mark Colson; Abby - Hayley Mulcrone;  Tiffany - Judith Evans;  Yben - Joshua Clark; Nathan - Charles Sartorius;  Narrator - Tim Lewis

Great Escape Stage Company (GESC) in Marshall, Michigan, continues its 2014 season with the scamming, scheming, double-crossing hit Broadway musical, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS for ten performances over three weekends, from May 30 through June 14.

Based on the popular 1988 MGM Frank Oz-directed film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS centers on two con men living on the French Riviera - the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money; and a small-time crook named Freddy Benson, who, more humbly, swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health.  After a chance meeting, they discover that their small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. So they make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a young heiress wins the territory and the other must leave town. What follows are a series of schemes, masquerades, and double-crosses in which nothing is exactly what it seems.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS opened on Broadway in March 2005 to rave reviews.  Clive Barnes (New York Post) raved, "A knockout punch to Broadway's funnybone! One of the liveliest, funniest, best-performed musicals in years.  Super-smart and superior in every way."  And Terry Teachout (The Wall Street Journal) proclaimed, "I know funny when I see it, and this show is a perfect hoot!  A big hit." DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS was awarded 11 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. The show features a book by Jeffrey Lane and music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Full Monty).

Tickets for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS go on sale May 12th and are priced at $15.  (Students under 18 are only $12.) Performances are Thursday thru Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM – from May 30 through June 14.  For tickets and information call (269) 781-2700 or visit www.GreatEscapeStageCompany.com.

Great Escape is a small professional not-for-profit theatre located at 155 West Michigan Avenue (SE corner of Eagle St) in Historic Downtown Marshall.

Please be aware, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS contains adult humor.

Summer Session Starts June 9th
 Registration night- June 4th 3-7PM Save 10%- 1 night only!

Monday: 
Improv-a-Laugh 8-9PM  Teen/Adult                                        
Session 1: $75        Session 2: $90                                    
Improv-a-Laugh is designed to experience the fun of improvisation and comedy. Simple theater games, skits, movement games and other spontaneous drills will inspire your comedian to pop out.  Learn how to:
· Endow the scene with the 4 “W”s
· Play “Yes…and”
· Follow the body’s impulses
· “Let it happen” 
Beginner through Advanced actors can work side by side in this class where no-holds-barred! (well, not really, no offensive language or actions).

Tuesday: 
Scene Acting 101 6:30-8PM   Teen/Adult                            
Session 1: $90        Session 2: $108
Scene Acting gives actors a chance to focus on the specific skills of scene work. Actors pick scenes, work with assigned partners (outside class homework is required), and bring a strong performance to each class. Scenes ask for varied approaches and we discover through a highly imaginative process how to best bring our scene to life! Learn to:
· Choose a good scene
· Memorize with ease
· Bring positive energy to your acting
· Analyze and pick apart a scene
· Develop a character through specific behavior
· Let the scene fly... and see it on video!
Beginner through Advanced actors can take the work from where they are: beginners can learn the ropes, advanced actors can deepen their understanding & skills. Here’s an opportunity to work on great scenes you’ve always wanted to!

Tuesday: 
Audition Prep 8-9PM   Teen/Adult                                           
Session 1: $75        Session 2: $90                                    
Audition Prep will get you ready to audition for you next play, musical or commercial, be it at school, professionally or in the community. Learn how to have a successful audition & ask the questions you need answered about your audition skills. Don’t forget, no matter how good a performer you are, if you don’t audition well you will not get the part! Learn how to:
· Approach auditions positively
· Pick good audition material
· Show your best work in a short audition
· Perform a cold reading well
· Handle the results of your auditions
All levels welcome! Whether your first audition or a seasoned pro, this is an interactive class that allows you to perform each week. Come improve your odds!

Comedy Improv Camps – 1week camps
Mon- Thurs. 11AM-1PM July 14-17, August 11-14
 Ages 9-13   $150
 
Comedy Improv Camps are for kids who love to be funny & entertain! Bring your funny bone and be ready to play! Theater games and sportz highlight a week of zany, witty, silly acting! Develop your performing skills in a structured free-for-all.
 
You will learn:
· Basic rules to Improv games & skits
· How to deliver a strong “punch line”
· Comedic timing
· How to let your body get you going
· How to really ACT b4 you think
· How to put together your own comedy stand-up performance
· The four “W”s of a good scene
 
Come develop new characters, hone your familiar characters & make new friends! This camp will take you to the next level of your comedy acting! Ruhala Imrov has been training the best in the area for 10 years; be a part of this uniquely fun magic! Sign up today!

Intro to Acting Camps – 1week camps
Mon- Thurs. 11AM-1PM June 23-26, July 21-24
 Ages 7-13   $150
 
Intro to Acting camps are for kids who love to be dramatic and act out stories! Acting in front of others is fun and can be a great way to gain confidence and speaking skills. Taking on characters uses the imagination in uniquely creative ways. Start to learn a cool technique this summer!
 
You will learn:
· Basic warm-up exercises that are super fun
· Best ways to work with partners
· How to approach a script
· How to develop a character
· How to bring strong emotion to your scene
· How to memorize easily and quickly
 
Come develop characters, work on scripts and create dramatic scenes.  Let Ruhala Acting help you land your next audition! Sign up for a week of pure acting fun today!
 
 You can also register online! at www.ruhalacenter.com 

The Ruhala Performing Arts Center 
"Gateway to the Arts Through Transformational Energy" 
1846 Haslett Rd 
East Lansing, MI 48823
517.337.0464

Ixion will conclude its 2014-2015 season with original short plays exploring GODDESSES. Whether they are traditional goddesses of myth or domestic divas, we are looking for stories that celebrate the women in our lives or in our dreams.  Writers are encouraged to find inspiration wherever it strikes and craft a play that explores our relationship with goddesses. 

Guidelines:
No longer than 20 minutes
Single or no set requirements
No more than 6 actors
Original work (Not previously published or performed)
Author must be willing to participate in staged reading and editing process to develop the script for performance

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: September 30, 2014

Submissions can be e-mailed to ixionensemble@gmail.com. Please include “Goddesses” in the Subject Line.

Okay -- I can't believe I left out GODSPELL from the June "calendar"! (It can happen when a show starts in one month and ends in another and I blindly "copy" only the month in question; I've chastised my nonexistent secretary.)

Of COURSE Godspell is high on my radar. I have to wait until the 31st to see it (since I'm attending the board reception event for our wonderful Major Donors on the Riverwalk roof project which is now done - yay!)

I have special memories of the 1975 version I was in, directed by Ken Beachler at the Okemos Barn -- and this one promises to be that - PLUS new songs, tweaked script... re-energized for the new century.

So anyway, GODSPELL OPENS TOMORROW at Riverwalk, Thursday at 7pm -- and I am 100% sure it will be amazing. I have seen a little video and gotten a "taste." There will be some surprising, creative set/lighting effects (Tim Fox) and this is a cast of exceptional voices and energies. I have seen six of the ten cast members in other shows and each of them has been a "star" in all previous roles. I have faith the new folks will rise to the inspiring performance levels of their "star" peers.

As Kathleen Lavey's interview said, "Delaney [the director] has been corresponding by email directly with [author] Schwartz, who has offered some input into Delaney's ideas for the production, which will be set in an abandoned theater.
"Delaney said the show will begin with a rarely-used prologue called the "Tower of Babel." In some numbers, an eight-voice choir will augment the cast.
"Another rarely-used number, "Beautiful City," that focuses on rebuilding from wreckage -- a song Delaney says took on a new poignancy after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"In addition, Delaney's production will change up some of the dialogue, removing cultural references that younger audiences might not be able to relate to.
"John Dale Smith is the musical director, and he's coaching the singers through some reworked harmonies that are both beautiful and challenging, Delaney said."

Here's the "press release" :

The wildly successful Broadway musical, Godspell comes to Riverwwalk Theatre (May 29- June 8). Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early '70s, featuring Jesus Christ (Matt Eldred) as a wandering minstrel.  This production is also a modern-day version of the gospels, opening with John the Baptist (Christian Wojtowicz) calling a group of characters from their workaday lives to follow and learn from Jesus. They form a lively and roving acting troupe that enacts the parables through song and dance, comedy, and mime.  With a sparkling new score from Stephen Schwartz, each scene and number is done with great enthusiasm and flamboyance.

Director John Delaney has assembled a cast of stage veterans and newcomers, they include: Abigail Grill, Rachel Dalton, Benjamin English, Tigi Habtemariam, Zion Jackson, Stephanie Lee, Mary Maurer and Katelyn Curtis. The music director is John Dale-Smith.
Dates:  May 29-June 8, 2014.
Times: Thurs at 7 p.m., Fri-Sat at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ticket Prices: $20 regular price, $18 for seniors 55+ or students
Location: Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing, MI 48933.

For additional information on Riverwalk Theatre productions and ticket information, please call 482-5700 or visit the website at www.riverwalk.com.

Stop by City Hall between now and the end of October and see a Historical Society exhibition of home town products. And one of those "products" is THEATRE, via Riverwalk. Thanks to Tom Ferris who set up a display of costumes, photos (and I think/hope we'll have Season Brochures there by now) with the help of Susan Chmurynsky, Carol Ferris and Danny Ferris.

Riverwalk is also proud  once again to be voted City Pulse's "best" theatre - as well as displaying Lansing pride at City Hall.

I'm setting my DVR (since I missed the Friday, May 16 show) to record the Monday morning at 5am and 6am #6ThisMorning show of Evan Pinsonnault's TV6 interview with Tony Caselli. I heard it was fascinating. Evan says, "For all my theatre friends, especially those from Williamston Theatre, I had the pleasure to feature the courageous and creative Tony Caselli in my #TMSG story that airs tonight at 5pm on WLNS-TV (that was Friday; we missed it) and then again Monday on #6ThisMorning! From a near-death experience to a determined recovery to a triumphant stage return, he shows us all why we should join 'Team Tony' !"

Here's Ripples.... I almost forgot!Gear up for GODSPELL at Riverwalk (opens May 29) Promises to be a profound and joyful experience with a diverse fabulous of great singer/actors.

5/22-6/1 - A Wrinkle in Time opens next weekend at Over the Ledge in Fitzgerald Park, Grand Ledge
adapted from the book
written by Madeleine L'Engle
directed by Ann Carlson

May 22nd - June 1st, 2014

A Wrinkle in Time is the story of a sister and brother, Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, who rescue their father from captivity on the planet of Camazotz—and in the process save the universe from the clutches of an evil power called IT. They are aided in their struggles by Calvin O'Keefe, a friend who travels with them across the universe.

The novel introduces an entertaining cast of characters, many of whom exist only in the realm of the imagination.

Odd as some of these characters are— the three strange old ladies, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which, who guide the children through the galaxies; the tentacled monster, Aunt Beast; and IT, a disembodied human brain—both the characters and the plot seem believable.

A Wrinkle in Time is much more than an intergalactic adventure story. L'Engle examines such issues as the nature of good and evil, the meaning of love, and the importance of self-sacrifice. She wishes to show readers what constitutes noble and admirable human behavior, yet her story is never a sermon. It is, instead, a chance for the reader to watch Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace face challenges, overcome them, and grow as a result of their tests.

CAST:

Ellen Weise
Ian S. Henretty
Grace Hinkley
Amelia Rogocka
Brennan Hattaway
Steve Ledyard
Tickets online: www.overtheledge.orgor at the door $10