8/24-26 - 6:30 Thur/Fri; 10 am Sat - AUDITIONS (ages 8-18) for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, director: Kathryn Willis, 1120 N. Pennsylvania Ave. 48906 Youth interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes portion of theatre are encouraged to come to auditions to fill out an interest form! questions: FB message The Downeaster Theatre (faster) or email to artisticdirector@thedowneastertheatre.com - DT

8/26 - 8 pm The World Class City Band directed by John Dale Smith - OTL (see article below)

8/28 - PULSARS - 6 pm dinner/cocktails; 7 pm Ceremony in the back room — "The Stockhouse" — of Lansing Brewing Co.  "Separate Checks" with Jeff Bourgeois and David Winkelstern will perform prior to the Pulsar awards ceremony (6-7 pm) A limited menu (pizzas and appetizers) and cash bar will be available..No cover charge.. See Pulsar Nominees in City Pulse http://lansingcitypulse.com/article-15244-And-the-nominees-are-&hellip-City-Pulse-announces-2016-&lsquo17-Pulsar-nominees.html

September 2017

9/2-3 & 9-10 - 8 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun - Hoodoo Love, director: Rico Bruce Wade - IX 

9/7-10 & 14-17 - 8 pm Thur/Fri/Sat; 2 pm Sun - Moon Over Buffalo by Ken Ludwig, director: Mary Job - OTL

9/8-10 & 15-17 - 8 pm Fri/Sat; 3 pm Sun - 9 to 5 The Musical - OCP

9/10-11 - 7 pm Auditions for mostly African American adult actors for Bud, Not Buddy directed by Tom Ferris - details at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/auditions.html - RWT

9/14-16 - 21-23 - 7 pm - Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Hannah Center - ELCT

9/14-17 & 21-24 - 7 pm Thur; 8 pm Fri/Sat; 2 pm Sun - She Loves Me, director: Meghan Eldred - RWT

9/15-17 - 6:30 dinner 7:30 show; dessert matinee 9/17 only: dessert 1:30 show 2 pm - A Grand Night for Singing music revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein - STL

9/17 & 18 - 6 pm - AUDITIONS for Annie at the Delta Enrichment Center, details at http://www.bluelightplayers.com (Shows 2/16-24) - BLP

9/21-24 & 28-10/1 - 8 pmThur/Fri/Sat; 2 pm Sun - I Now Pronounce, director: Jordan Climie - PCTC 

9/21-10/22 - 8 pm Thur/Fri/Sat; 3 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun - The Taming by Lauren Gunderson, director: Lynn Lammers - WT

9/22 & 24 - Fri 9/22-7:30 pm; (no Saturday show); Sun 9/24- 2 pm - We Foxes, director: Marshall Pailet - Pasant Theatre - MSU & WTN

9/28-10/1 & 10/5-8 - 7 pm Thur; 8 pm Fri/Sat; 2 pm Sun - Master Harold and the Boys, director: Gabriel Francisco - Black Box stage - RWT

9/29-30 & 10/6-7 - 8 pm - Coyote on a Fence, intense drama director: Paige Tufford, Black Box 169 Gannon - LCC

October 2017

10/1-2 - 7 pm Auditions for The Emperor’s New Clothes directed by Lee Helder for adult auditioners - RWT

10/1-2 - 7 pm Auditions for Swingin’ on a Star music revue, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3383 E. Lake Lansing Road, directors: Susan DeRosa, Beth Webb & Jeff Richards - 

8/28 - Lansing City Pulse PULSAR AWARDS
Monday, August 28 at 6 PM - 9 PM
Lansing Brewing Company
518 E Shiawassee St, Lansing, Michigan 48912

13th annual Pulsar Awards. City Pulse will recognize the best in local theater. Look for this year's nominations in the Aug. 23rd edition of the paper.
We’ll be in the back room — "The Stockhouse" — of Lansing Brewing Co. A limited menu (pizzas and appetizers) and cash bar will be available. No cover charge.

Monday, Aug. 28
6 p.m. Cocktail/Dinner Hour
7 p.m. Ceremony

8/26 - The Lansing Theatre Community is still mourning the loss of backstage magician and all around asset to any show: Mark Mandenberg. His “memorial service” will be unusual - not backstage, but at his other favorite locale, the great outdoors.

Mark Mandenberg Celebration! 

Come spend time doing things that Mark loved to do and celebrate his amazing life.
    • Saturday, August 26th
    • Sleepy Hollow State Park

    • 7835 Price Road, Laingsburg

    • 4:00 until . . .


Let’s have a picnic! Two shelters on the beach are reserved for the event.
There are tables,but bring blankets and chairs for more comfort and space.
There will be roast BBQ pork –please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Also, BYOB, alcohol is allowed.
    • 4:00     Gathering
    * 5:00     Dinner buffet

    • 6:00     Remembrances

If you like, plan to share a prayer, story, reading, song, memory of our wonderful Mark.

Bring photographs that remind you of Mark to add to our memory board. It will be fun to see the wide range of experiences Mark had with friends and family.

Come earlier to play!  Bring games, Frisbees, croquet, and more. Go hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, visit with friends . . .  Overnight camping is available. ($20 per site) 
To reserve your site visit: https://www.midnrreservations.com/SLEEPYHOLLOWSTATEPARK

“Come join me. I am taking our ‘pop tart tent’ for Friday and Saturday night!
I recommend the north side with a path to the beach. Don’t wait, reserve today!”
~Joni

All are welcome!  Looking forward to seeing you there.
For questions contact Annamarie Bauer at 616-485-7559 or Joni Starr via Facebook message.

In case of inclement weather, we will relocate to an alternative indoor space. Watch Facebook (Joni’s and Mark’s) for notification of change on the previous Friday.

In Memory of Mark Douglas Mandenberg 
(What follows is a “Caring Bridge” Journal entry by Juliana Brownrigg; she sums up this unfathomable man, including and beyond the theatre-side most of us on the GLUT list knew best.)

Mark Douglas Mandenberg (October 1, 1952 – June 27,2017) was a man of many talents who loved life and lived it to the fullest! He worked for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources for 28 years, turning railways into trail ways that countless nature-lovers enjoy year-round. An avid outdoorsman, he preferred stories of the woods to stories on television. He kept the freezer stocked with fish, morel mushrooms and venison from his hunting, hiking and fishing trips.

Mark joyfully shared his artistry with others. He knew how to landscape a garden, operate all kinds of tools to build just about anything, and make one of a kind welcome home signs that always surprised others. He spent countless hours on al adder at Riverwalk Theatre, scene painting, designing in the scene shop, or building a set. When encouraged, he took center stage as a dancing, singing ghost, a rooster, and other unique characters that often brought down the house. 

Mark deeply valued spending time with friends. He was in a golf league, worked parking at MSU sporting events, eagerly joined buddies for a beer, and he loved inviting people over dinner. An amazing cook, “Chef Mark” reveled in selecting new recipes from all kinds of cookbooks, to the delight of everyone present.

Mark had a perpetual desire to be a better person. He accepted all people with curiosity and care, not matter their baggage or background. He found ways to be peaceful and joyful during challenging times. He was ready to brighten a room with his quirky sense of humor. He was strong, courageous, and kind.

Mark became an Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts of America atPeople’s Church. He graduated from East Lansing High School in 1970, before earning his degree in Landscape Architecture in 1974 at Michigan State University. Mark spent some time living in Arizona and Colorado, before returning to Michigan in 1982. He is dearly loved and survived by his wife, Joni Starr, his siblings, Craig, Lynne, Carl, and Christopher, and a wide and deep circle of friends.

He is greatly missed.

Donations in Mark’s memory can be made to: 

Michigan Fitness Foundation for a trail memorial for Mark. Details are still unfolding 
https://www.crowdrise.com/honoring-mark-mandenberg 

Riverwalk Theatre to continue the tradition of high quality productions Mark spent so many hours making.
    Send checks to PO Box 12249, Lansing, MI 48901 - put “in memory of Mark Mandenberg” in the memo line.
    Your name will be listed as one of his donors in Riverwalk main stage programs for a year.

8/24-26 - SPORTS FANS’ NEW FAVORITE MUSICAL
HOCKEY – THE MUSICAL!
    Thursday, August 24—Saturday, August 26, 2017 
    Thursday – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
    Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
    Pasant Theatre
    Tickets: Tickets from $35.00
    • $73.00 VIP ticket includes meet and greet with Mitch Albom

Ticket Office:     whartoncenter.com
517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON

EAST LANSING, Mich. ― Sports and theater fans alike will rejoice in the new musical comedy Hockey – The Musical!, by acclaimed author Mitch Albom. The first of its kind, this musical celebrates the beloved sport of hockey in the most unlikely way possible! Hockey – The Musical! skates into East Lansing on Thursday, August 24, through Saturday, August 26, 2017. Tickets are on sale now, and are available at Wharton Center’s official ticketing outlets: online at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office at Wharton Center, or by calling 1-800-WHARTON. 

The wacky, fun and hilarious musical tells the story of Stan – the super hockey fan – on a quest to save hockey after God deems there are too many unnecessary sports and wants to eradicate the one Stan loves the most! Through song and dance, Stan searches for five pure hockey fans who can help him convince God to save his sport. Will the die-hard hockey fan convince God to reconsider his decision to abolish hockey? To save the sport will take luck, perseverance and a feverish love for hockey.

Hockey – The Musical! features video appearances from fans’ favorite hockey heroes such as Red Wings legends Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Darren McCarty, one-half of the “Bruise Brothers” Joey Kocur, former Red Wing’s star Pavel Datsyuk, and coach and broadcaster Don Cherry. This unusual musical comedy has delighted long-time hockey fans with its unique songs, “When You’re A Wing,” “Kill Baseball,” and “God is a Canuck.” 

Creator Mitch Albom is recognized for his bestselling books The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Tuesdays with Morrie, For One More Day, and for his play Ernie (which opened Wharton Center’s 2015-2016 season), based on the life of Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell. 

Hockey The Musical is generously sponsored by the Marketing Resource Group

Make your voice heard! The Riverwalk board of directors wants YOU, our members, to choose a musical to be included in our 30th season on the Riverwalk stage. We've put together a list of shows we think would be a good fit for us, but if you've got a better idea- write it in! 

This opportunity is open ONLY to our members, if you need to renew your membership or become one for the first time- do it now before the survey closes at noon on Wednesday August 16th. 
(Renew online: http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/get-involved.html or see Mike in the box office) 
Your name MUST be included on the ballot, only votes from our current membership list will be counted and you may only vote once. Make sure you've entered the name that your membership is listed under, type it in the box within question #2.

Vote here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DBGFJHN 

Voting is open from now until noon on the 16th.

Riverwalk Theatre is committed to its community and values all input, but it's important to note that the winning title will still be subject to rights and royalty availability. Mid Michigan is full of great theaters and it's possible that the winning production's performance rights have already been secured by a different theater. In that event, we will select the next most popular voted title.


We're so excited to see what you pick for us, and we look forward to spending this season finding new ways to add value to your membership. 

There's always a role for you here at Riverwalk Theatre.

We saw two interesting New Original Works at the Renegade N.O.W. last night. Thought provoking futuristic script A Civilized World and the family/folklore/mysticism/baseball script Fernando. MORE new script readings tonight and tomorrow at the Red Cedar Meeting House, and NEXT THURS-SAT the Full Renegade in all its new locations.
Learn more at:
http://www.renegadetheatrefestival.org

​

​Peppermint Creek is in search of a young actor between the ages of 10-13 

...for the role of Jason in the upcoming production of Falsettos. The show runs from November 2 - 12 and rehearsals begin at the end of September. The typical rehearsal schedule is 6:30-9:30pm Monday through Friday, however not all cast members will be needed every day.

Jason is the son of the lead character, Marvin, and is a little snarky and very intelligent. In the second act the story revolves around the planning of Jason's bar mitzvah. The show is music heavy and does contain some more mature, maybe PG-13, content which can be discussed with parents.

Anyone interested, please contact the director Ben Cassidy at benj.cassidy@gmail.com and he will be happy to discuss any and all details!
_____________________

When you wish upon a star…

Disney Glee Song Workshop at Ruhala Performing Arts Center
1846 Haslett Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823
August 14-17 | 10:00am-1:00pm | $276  
Ages 7-13 

Explore the Disney library of songs as we sing and dance from our hearts! So many great songs to choose from- bring your favorites and work with a Broadway veteran to craft the sparkling performance! 

http://ruhalacenter.com/forms/class-registration/ 
Ruhala Center
517-337-0464
______________________

Mid Michigan Family Theatre presents...
Free acting workshop for those ages 8 – 14
 
Saturday, August 26, 2017
10:30 – 11:15 East Lansing Public Library
1:00 – 1:45 Haslett Capital Area District Library

Sunday, August 27, 2017
4:30 – 5:15 Okemos Capital Area District Library

Using the Actor’s Toolbox.
 
This workshop will talk about how to use tools that you already have to become a better actor.
There will be theatre games, vocal and movement activities, and more in this 45 minute workshop.
Please RSVP so the theatre can prepare necessary materials. If you don’t have time to do so, please come anyway.
 
Mid Michigan Family Theatre: mmftokemos@yahoo.com

Mid Michigan Family Theatre
2/42 Community Building
2630 Bennett Road
Okemos, MI 48864
http://mmft.org

Bill Gordon
(517) 339-2145 Business

8/10 - 19 - 30 free shows coming during free Renegade Theatre Festival 2017

Lansing, Mich.-- Audiences at this year's Renegade Theatre Festival will see plays from around the community and around the country over two weekends Aug. 10-19 in five Lansing-area neighborhoods.

Over 400 scripts were submitted to Renegade N.O.W. (New Original Works) with 12 selected for presentation Aug. 10-12 in the Red Cedar Friends Meeting Hall. Paige Tufford, Renegade N.O.W. coordinator, noted not only an increase in quantity but in quality. "They're a higher caliber this year," which makes the selection all the more challenging. Six 10-minute plays on the theme "Rogue Reality" and six 30- to 90-minute plays will be presented. The winning 10-minute play is Synthia by Rob Matsushita, about an outspoken android.

The overall 2017 winner is Power by Kate Danley in which a different power struggle unfolds nightly between actors depending on the numbers given them by the audience. "I've never read a play like this," said Tufford. "It's fresh, exciting, innovative." Director Katie Doyle, a Renegade coordinator, explained the numbers will determine the characters' status and relationship to each other, so each performance will be different. She said, "Power is a volatile issue in our world. This play makes it personal."

Power and Synthia will also be presented the second Renegade weekend, Aug. 17-19, when the festival spreads to five neighborhoods around town: Old Town, REO Town, Downtown, Eastside (Aug. 17-18 only), and East Lansing (Aug. 18-19 only). Festival co-artistic director Melissa Kaplan said, "Theatre is art for everyone, but it may not always seem accessible or even visible if you've never been to a play before. We hope this expansion opens the doors to newcomers who want to explore, and expands opportunities for everyone."

The second weekend features shows presented by the professional Williamston Theatre, community theatres including Audio Airforce, Blue Light Players, Downeaster, Generations, Mid-Michigan Family, Peppermint Creek, and Riverwalk, Michigan State University's and Lansing Community College's theatre programs, and independent theatre artists Rico Bruce Wade, Scott Crandall, Ray Goodwin, and Jim McEwan. In addition, there's an improv showcase presented by A Little on the Nose, a spoken word stage coordinated by Masaki Takahashi and Grace Carras of The Poetry Room, and Soap Box Speeches coordinated by Tom Helma.

For teens, a free day-long workshop is offered Saturday, Aug. 19 starting at 9:30 a.m. Participants develop an original play, then perform for the public at 5 p.m. in the MICA Gallery.

There'll be music nightly in Old Town at Turner Park, as well as all day Saturday to coincide with Old Town's annual Art Feast festival.

And the Writing Center at Michigan State University will be popping up at various locations to collect stories about life in Lansing.

Performance spaces include the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center and Impression 5 Science in Downtown Lansing; The Robin Theatre and the Blue Owl Café in REO Town; the Allen Neighborhood Center and Happendance Exchange on the Eastside; the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University and Scene Metrospace in East Lansing; and the MICA Gallery and the Red Cedar Friends Meeting Hall.

Detailed schedules may be found at  http://www.renegadetheatrefestival.org
Click the “Weekend 1” and “Weekend 2” buttons at the top right corner.