G.L.U.T. News - Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre

Sweat opens "Bargain Thursday" at Riverwalk

9/29/2019

Don’t miss the powerful SWEAT, Pulitzer Prize Winning drama by Lynn Nottage, opening at Riverwalk on “Bargain Thursday” ($10/$8) at 7pm
(Adult Language)

From the Director’s Note:

"The American play that Sweat reminds me of is Death of a Salesman. When Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman in 1949 and called it a modern tragedy, he tapped into the American psyche and displayed the American Dream as something ultimately unobtainable and destructive. Willy’s fate is in part due to economic conditions and in part to his own character. The same is true of the characters in Sweat.“Ultimately, Nottage has crafted a play that humanizes the most pertinent issues of today-the loss of manufacturing jobs, the erosion of the middle class, race, and the opioid crisis in a way that is immediate and deeply relatable to the audience.
“I am proud to be leading an extraordinary cast comprised of top local actors in this heart-wrenching story of grit, friendship, and survival.” George Popovich

10/3-6 & 10-13
Call 517-482-5700 or reserve online at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
Tickets also available at the door.

Sites of Interest

9/26/2019

SITES OF INTEREST?

We KNOW (hope?) you LOVE the GLUT site:
http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net
for the show and audition calendars and compilation of past reviews/announcements…

but any avid theatre goer may ALSO be interested in:
https://glickarts.blogspot.comwhere Ken Glickman writes great reviews. Ken has been an arts columnist at Lansing State Journal since 1982, the same year MSU’s Wharton Center first opened. "During that time I've written about everything from Bob Dylan to The Cleveland Orchestra to "Lion King". Over the years, I've interviewed many celebs as well. I welcome your thoughts, so please add your voice to my blog in the comments section. These posts are also easily shareable on Facebook and Twitter. I am seeking to ignite an ongoing conversation about the arts community."

and
http://lansingtheatre.org where the amazing amalgam of Theatre Lover and Obsessive Organizer (as well as go-to video guy) Matt Ottinger has compiled his wonderful, searchable DATABASE of local community theatre. Search YOUR name! Figure out who played “x” in that show you can’t remember!

October GLUT Calendar

9/26/2019

October 2019

9/27-28 & 10/4-5 - 8pm Sunset Baby by Dominique Morisseau, Director: Deb Keller - Black Box 1422 Gannon Bldg. - LCC

9/27-29 & 10/4-5 - 7:30pm; 2pm Sundays- Neil Simon’s God’s Favorite - HGP

9/30-10/1 at 6:30pm - 8pm Auditions for North Pole Radio Hour at the Mason Historical Society Museum 200 E. Oak St. Mason, MI 48854 - GEN

10/3-6 & 10-13 - 7pm Thur; 8pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun - Sweat - Pulitzer-Prize-winning drama, director George Popovich - RWT

10/3-11/3 - 8pm Thur/Fri, 3pm & 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun - The Safe House by Kristine Thatcher, director Casaundra Freeman- Michigan Premiere - WT

10/11-20 - Fri 10/11-8pm; Sat 10/12-8pm; Sun 10/13-2pm; Tues 10/15-7:30pm; Wed 10/16-7:30pm; Thur 10/17-7:30pm; Fri 10/18-8pm; Sat 10/19-2pm & 8pm; Sun 10/20-2pm - Frankenstein by Quinn Mattfield, director Ryan Welsh - Pasant Theatre - MSU

10/17 & 18 - 7pm - Something Wicked: Halloween Dinner Theatre, Shakespeare edited and directed by Iris Raine Paul at Strange Matter Coffee East - CUR

10/17-19 - 7pm; 2 & 7pm Saturday – Frozen Jr., music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, director Veronica Hetke - MTC

10/18-19 & 25-27 - 6:30 dinner 7:30 show; Sunday 10/27 only: dessert 1:30 show 2pm - Something’s Afoot whodunit musical - STL

10/18, 19, & 20 - 6pm Fri & Sat, 2pm Sun -Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig - dinner show at the Eaton Area Senior Center - AND

10/21 -22 - 7pm - Auditions for Lion in Winter at Waverly East Intermediate, director Kristine Thatcher - STL

10/24-27 & 10/31-11/3 - 7pm Thur; 8pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun - A Piece of My Heart, true drama, director Diane Cooke - RWT

10/25-27 & 11/1-3 - 7pm Fri; 3pm Sat/Sun - Poe: Dreams of Madness - AECT

10/25-27 & 11/1-3 - 8pm Fri/Sat; 3pm Sun, Marvin’s Room - LEB

10/25-27 & 11/1-3 - 7pm; 2pm Sundays - 12 Incompetent Jurors by Ian McWethy, hilarious parody of 12 Angry Men, director Ted Wulfekuhler, at Sycamore Creek Church - GEN

10/25-31 – Fri 10/25-8pm; Sat 10/26-8pm; Wed 10/30-8pm; Thurs 10/31-8pm Haunted AUD – MSU

10/26-27, 11/2-3 Apples in Winter by Jennifer Fawcett Lansing, MI - IX

10/31-11/10 - 8pm 10/31, 11/1, 7-9; 2pm 11/2, 3, 10 - The Humans by Stephen Karam, director Emily Clark – PCTC

10/31 - 7pm - Halloween Night Suspense - Suspense On a Country Road, radio version of a movie with the same name from 1959, which starred Cary Grant and Ida Lupino. A story of mystery, and murder; The Lost Dog an original script written much in the spirit of the Twilight Zone for the Audio Air Force by Will Anderson, who is a professor at Central Michigan - and the final installment of Superman, Batman's Great Mystery - AAF

Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatres

AAF - Audio Air Force - live “radio shows” - http://www.audioairforce.com - Dave Downing - 517-881-9746

AECT - All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre - www.cityofeastlansing.com/allofus - 517-319-6957 - ecooke@cityofeastlansing.com

AND - Andromeda Community Theatre, Charlotte, MI - www.andromedaplayers.org - info@andromedaplayers.org - 517-303-4576

CUR - Curtainless Theatre curtainless.theatre@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/curtainlesstheatrelansing

GEN - Generations Community Theatre - www.generationstheater.com

HGP - Homegrown Productions, 517-930-1421 “Homegrown Productions St. Johns” Facebook performs at Wilson Center, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns, MI 48879

IX - Ixion - ixiontheatre.com, ixionensemble@gmail.com, 517-775-4246

LCC - Lansing Community College Communication, Media & the Arts - www.lcc.edu/showinfo -
517-483-1488 / 517-483-1122

LEB - Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts - 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

PCTC - Peppermint Creek Theatre Company - www.peppermintcreek.org - 517-927-3016

RWT - Community Circle Players at Riverwalk Theatre, www.RiverwalkTheatre.com, 517-482-5700

STL - Starlight Dinner Theatre - 517-243-6040 - www.starlightdinnertheatre.com

WT - Williamston Theatre - 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

Something's Afoot Whodunit Musical Comedy Dedicated to Judie and Winifred

9/22/2019

10/18-19 & 25-27 - Something’s Afoot coming to Starlight Dinner Theatre.

Something's Afoot, a musical whodunit, is a satirical poke on Agatha Christie's ingenious murder mysteries. It is sure to be loopy, entertaining fun. We welcome 3 newcomers to our stage: Matt Ottinger, Ty Schalter and Anthony Mandalari. We would like to welcome back these outstanding local performers: Jane Shipley Zussman as "Miss Tweed", Dan Templin, Kelly Sandula-Gruner, Carin McEvoy, Ben Holzhausen, Colleen Bethea and John Roche.

The story takes place at Lord Dudley Rancour's country estate, located on an island during a raging thunderstorm. Ten strangers are stranded in the old English Mansion as guests disappear one by one, knocked off by an assortment of devilish booby traps. There is murder, mystery, music and comedy as bodies pile up between delightful musical songs. See attached poster for additional information.

Lasagna dinner is on the menu and baklava will be the Sunday dessert.

This season is dedicated to two women who have greatly influenced Lansing community theater: Judie Town and Winifred Olds. Judie's family will be attending Something's Afoot on Friday, October 25th which would have been Judie's 82nd birthday. Winifred's family members will be attending the show on Sunday, October 27th. Her grandson, Dan MacLachlan, will be performing songs during the dessert hour. Due to the high volume of audience members that day, we will be opening the doors to the dining room at 1:15 rather than 1:30. We will be putting out "memory cards" on the tables every night for you to share some of your favorite memories of Judie and Winifred which will be given to their families at the end of the run of the show.

Call for reservations today (517) 599-2779
http://www.starlightdinnertheatre.com

Kristy at Stober's Reminder

9/22/2019

TOMORROW - MONDAY - at Stobers With Kristine Thatcher

Remember, the Kristine Thatcher Fund committee invites you to “A Night at Stobers with Kristine,” Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. at Stobers Bar, 812 Michigan Ave., Lansing. Admission is free.

This marks the Michigan premiere of Kristine's new play, "The Safe House," at the Williamston Theatre, and kicks off a fundraising campaign to help her with medical expenses as she continues to fight her battle with ovarian cancer.

Stobers has a real life connection to Kristine and her grandparents, Jacob and Katrina Schneider, German immigrants who bought the bar in 1935 and sold it in 1958. The main character in "The Safe House" is based on Katrina Schneider, who was also the bartender at the bar.

The Safe House runs 10/3-11/3 - 8pm Thur/Fri, 3pm & 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun - director Casaundra Freeman- Michigan Premiere
http://www.williamstontheatre.org

(Note also that Kristine is directing Lion in Winter at Starlight Dinner Theatre, performing next March. Auditions for Lion in Winter will be held at Waverly East Intermediate at 7 pm October 21 & 22.)

God's Favorite coming to Wilson Center in St. Johns

9/21/2019

9/27-10/7 - Lights Up on Neil Simon Comedy in St. Johns
It’s a race to the wire. Eight actors are perfecting their lines. A team of electricians and a lighting consultant are hanging new fixtures. A backstage crew is building a set one piece at a time around ladders and tools scattered across the stage. Fund raising efforts  to reach the goals for matching grants are approaching their deadlines(http://patronicity.com/wilson). Every facet of the project must cross the finish line by the time the curtain opens on “God’s Favorite”, a comedy by Neil Simon.
Homegrown Productions presents this modern day interpretation of the story of Job under the new lighting system at the Wilson Center Auditorium September 27 – October 6.  Tom Webb directs Bob Murrell, Michael Nelson, Patrick Monroe, Marsha Brook, Monica Holland, Darryl Schmitz, Tyler Frease, and Sarah Craft.

The lighting project is the final phase of renovation of the Wilson Center Auditorium. Since 2006, a group of committed volunteers and generous donors has raised over $200,000 to restore and improve the auditorium to open it for wider use by the community.  Upholstered seats, enhanced sound, authentic color schemes, and energy efficient, digitally controlled lighting have polished this gem of a performance space.

The dust might still be settling, the technicians will be fine tuning the new technology, and the paint on the set may be drying during the opening performance, but the Wilson Center Auditorium Committee is excited to invite you to the premiere production under the lights.

Show time is 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28, October 6 and 7, and at 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 29. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for students age 10 – 18 and seniors age 55 plus; $15 for everyone else.

Wilson Center - 101 West Cass Street, St Johns
https://wilsoncenterauditorium.org

Sunset Baby coming to LCC Black Box

9/21/2019

9/27-10/5 - Lansing Community College Performing Arts
presents Sunset Baby
By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Deb Keller
8:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday, Sept. 27-28, Oct. 4-5, 2019
LCC Black Box Theatre
Room 1422 Gannon Building
411 N. Grand Avenue, Lansing 48933

Kenyatta Shakur is alone. His wife has died, and this former Black Revolutionary and political prisoner is desperate to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Nina. If Kenyatta truly wants to reconcile his past, he must first conquer his most challenging revolution of all – fatherhood.

The play was selected with LCC’s year-long celebration of 400 Years of African-American History in mind. Morisseau, a playwright from Detroit, is a McArthur Genius Grant winner and author of multiple plays including the Detroit Projects cycle and Ain’t Too Proud, a musical about The Temptations currently running on Broadway.

This show is intended for mature audiences – adult language and themes.

Kenyatta (Ndegwa McCloud), Nina (Miah Nash), Damon (Trvyn Friar) with music vocals by Ny’Kieria Blocker.

Cost $10 general admission, $5 students, at the door. Tickets available for purchase online at

http://www.lcc.edu/showinfo.
LCC Performing Arts Production Office, 517-483-1122
https://www.facebook.com/LCCPerformingArts/
LCC Performing Arts @LCCPerform

Plan now to see Trailer Park, Wolves, Bright Star

9/12/2019

9/12-22 - THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL at the Over the Ledge

“The Great American Trailer Park Musicalis a rollicking musical extravaganza portraying (and poking a little fun at) a quintessentially American community: the Trailer Park! With such songs as “The Great American TV Show” and “Storms-a-Brewin”, this show has something for everyone - hilarious one liners, beautiful harmonies, and toe-tapping dance moves!” reports director Brian Farnham.

The story centers around husband and wife Norbert (Bob Purosky) and Jeannie Garstecki (Ann Marie Foley). As a result of personal tragedy, Jeannie becomes an agoraphobic, daytime-TV-obsessed shut-in. When the sultry new girl (Ellie Weise) moves in next door, the sparks (and fur) start to fly! Further drama ensues when the jealous ex-boyfriend (Dale Wayne Williams) arrives to throw everything into hysterical chaos. Rounding out the cast is a trio of larger-than-life Trailer Park ladies who act as Greek Chorus and narrators (Charlotte Maybury Ruppert, Kayla Henry, and Adriana Flores). All are accompanied by a truly professional rock combo band led by Music Director Angie Schwab and including Polly Bashore (percussion), Charlie Slocum (guitar), and Rick Peterson (bass).

This show is rated PG-13 for adult content and language.
Tickets are a steal at $12 adult, $10 senior, and $7 student.
Performances run Thurs-Sat at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm September 12-15 and 19-22.
Tickets available online or at the door
http://overtheledge.org

All performances are held at the Ledges Playhouse in Grand Ledge’s Fitzgerald Park (address - 137 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge MI).

“Be prepared to laugh, guffaw, and clap your way to a great night of theatre!”

________________

9/14-22 - IXION ENSEMBLE presentsTHE WOLVESby Sarah Delappe

"Thrilling! THE WOLVES keeps you on the edge of your seat. The exhilarating brightness of raw adolescence emanates from every scene.” — THE NEW YORK TIMES, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

Left quad. Right quad. Lunge. A girls indoor soccer team warms up. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, the team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. A portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals.

The Wolves is directed by Jacquelyn Marks, who is making her Ixion directing debut. Most recently Ms. Marks was in Ixion's production of Hope and made her Ixion debut in Welcome to the White Room. Her assistant director is Sadonna Croff.

Featured in this production as the Soccer Mom will be award-winning actress Sara Frank-Hepfer. Ms. Hepfer will be joined by a cast of young performers new to the Ixion stage: Sommer Bouknight, Liz Croff, Katherine Hawthorne, Emily Herman, Heidi Kowynia, Katie McArthur, Neysa McGarrity, Rachael Steffens and Sarah Wietecha.

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the show layout, we have reduced the available seats for each performance. Seating has been reduced by about a third of usual capacity.

The Robin Theatre
1105 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48910
Saturdays and Sundays 9/14-15, 21- 22 - 8pm Sat; 2pm Sun

$15 Tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wolves-by-sarah-delappe-tickets-70345137199?ref=enivte001&invite=MTc1MTQwMzEvanN6dXNzbWFuQGdtYWlsLmNvbS8w &utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invitemodernv2&ref=enivte001&utm_term=attend
___________________
9/19-29 - Get Your Tickets Now For Peppermint Creek’s "Bright Star"
Opening Thursday September 19

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.

Propelled by a live bluegrass orchestra, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances from 17 of Lansing's most talented performers. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. Order your tickets today!

WEEK ONE (Sept 19 - 22): Thurs & Fri @ 8pm, Sat & Sun @ 2pm
WEEK TWO (Sept 26 - 29): Thurs - Sat @ 8pm, Sun @ 2pm
At our NEW venue - Central United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave, Lansing
Get tickets at:http://www.peppermintcreek.org/bright-star-tickets.html

Direct at Riverwalk - Deadline Oct. 15

9/10/2019

Riverwalk Theatre is opening submissions by directors for the upcoming 2020-2021 season.
Deadline for submissions is October 15. Each director may submit up to 4 submissions in total.

The season selection committee is suggesting five selections for directors that would not be part of that 4 show limit. IE: You can submit 4 PLUS any of these Five:
"Fences" - through Samuel French,
"Murder on the Orient Express" - Samuel French,
"Jesus Christ Superstar" The Musical Company,
"Once on this Island" Music Theatre Intl, and
"Sweeney Todd" Music Theatre Intl.

The Riverwalk Theatre has these scripts, you won't need to find them. Again, your deadline is October 15th Please plan accordingly. :)

Submission forms and further info at: https://www.riverwalktheatre.com/submit-a-play.html
Questions? 517-482–5700.

Kristine Thatcher at Stober's

9/7/2019

A Night at Stobers With Kristine Thatcher

The Kristine Thatcher Fund steering committee invites you to join them for “A Night at Stobers with Kristine,” Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m. at Stobers Bar, 812 Michigan Ave., Lansing. Admission is free.

The event will mark the Michigan premiere of Kristine's new play,"The Safe House," at the Williamston Theatre, and kick off a fundraising campaign to help her with medical expenses as she continues to fight her battle with ovarian cancer.

A bar may seem an unusual venue for a theater-related fundraiser, but Stobers has a real life connection to Kristine and her grandparents, Jacob and Katrina Schneider, German immigrants who bought the bar in 1935 and sold it in 1958. The Schneiders first ran the bar under the name of German Village, and later, Rustic Village. The main character in "The Safe House" is based on Katrina Schneider, who was also the bartender at the bar.

The Safe House runs 10/3-11/3 - 8pm Thur/Fri, 3pm & 8pm Sat, 2pm Sun - director Casaundra Freeman- Michigan Premiere
http://www.williamstontheatre.org

(Note also that Kristine is directing Lion in Winter at Starlight Dinner Theatre, performing next March. Auditions for Lion in Winterwill be held at Waverly East Intermediate at 7 pm October 21 & 22.)