Classic comedy opens at the Lebowsky Center on April 22
 
OWOSSO, Mich.–– Owosso Community Players will present Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite this spring at the Lebowsky Center April 22 – 24 and April 29 – May 1. Audiences are bound to laugh during this portrait of three couples successively occupying Suite 719 at the Plaza Hotel.
 
Written by Tony Award winner Neil Simon, this wonderfully funny and classic comedy features a not-so-happy husband and wife, a man and his high school sweetheart, and a couple of worried parents sorting through their relationship issues.  Audiences will find comfort in the sense that the three distinctly different scenarios portrayed by these talented actors have been played out in their own lives.
 
“In each uncomfortable moment, the embrace of comedy makes the awkward seem reasonable,” says director Michael Windnagle. “On the surface, you'll be entertained—but with a little digging and attention, you'll leave with ammunition for a discussion that is bound to take place soon.”
 
No matter the type of theatergoer, all audiences are sure to enjoy Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite.
 
Simon is widely known as one of America’s most popular playwrights, with many of his plays exposing human weaknesses and making audiences laugh at themselves simultaneously. He has received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer.
 
Plaza Suite is one of many Neil Simon shows OCP has performed over the years, along with Barefoot in the Park, Brighton Beach Memoirs and The Odd Couple.
 
“Obviously Neil Simon is brilliant, but what makes his shows so outstanding is the way they have you laughing all the way up to the poignant tears that are sure to come,” says Windnagle.
 
This show is full of strong leads with nearly all OCP veterans, save for a few newcomers. Cast members include Lyn Freeman as Karen, Artis White as Sam, Kelly Oginsky as both Jean and Mimsey, Quentin Brainerd as Jesse, Casey Voss as Murial, Timothy Ruwart as Roy, Connie Curran-Oesterle as Norma, and more.
 
Plaza Suite runs April 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m., and April 24 and May 1 at 3 p.m. at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and students and $7.50 for children 13 and under. Tickets are available by calling 989.723.4003 or online atwww.owossoplayers.com/tickets. Plaza Suite is generously sponsored by Comstock Inn and Conference Center.

This very funny yet very touching story focuses on the lives of four mentally disabled men who live in a communal residence under the watchful eye of a sincere, despairing, social worker. Audiences will be filled with laughter and compassion as characters experience every triumph and tear life throws at them.
8 pm Fri/Sat - 3pm Sun.

Tickets On Sale Now
Online at www.owossoplayers.com

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989.723.4003 

Play opens in celebration of The Arc Shiawassee’s 60th anniversary milestone on Jan. 15
 
OWOSSO, Mich.–– Owosso Community Players will present The Boys Next Door this January. Audiences can head to the Lebowsky Center Jan. 15 – 17 and Jan. 22 – 24 to be filled with laughter and compassion as characters experience every triumph and tear life throws at them.
 
This funny yet touching story focuses on the lives of four men with disabilities, Arnold Wiggins, Norman Bulansky, Barry Klemper and Lucien P. Smith, who live under the watchful eye of Jack Palmer, a despairing social worker.  The play, taking place over a two-month period, consists of brief vignettes and provides a humorous commentary on each of the men’s lives, with a few surprising turns.
 
Long-time OCP veterans Jerry Ciarlino, Michael Windnagle, Spencer Perrenoud and Artis White star as Arnold, Norman, Barry and Lucien. Quentin Brainerd rounds out the leading cast as Jack Palmer.
 
“This show speaks to me on a very personal level, as both of my handsome nephews and beautiful niece have autism,” says Windnagle. “We have never seen them as anything but blessings. That kind of love exists everywhere if we simply take the time to visit The Boys Next Door.”
 
Linda Keenan and Anna Owens both play a hand in the direction of the show.
 
“Being a part of the cast has definitely been an eye-opener and holds a special meaning for me,” explains Ciarlino. “I work as a school counselor with children of different abilities. This play has given me the ability to look through their eyes and see the certain struggles they experience every day.”
 
The Boys Next Door is presented in celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Arc Shiawassee County, a nonprofit that advocates and assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
“The individuals I work with every day are the most accepting, generous individuals I know,” says Lynn Grubb, executive director of The Arc. “I’m hoping that The Boys Next Door will bring more awareness about individuals with disabilities in our community and create a greater degree of acceptance.”
 
Director Anna Owens and the cast spent time with members of The Arc at their annual Christmas party on Dec. 14 to get a better sense of their upcoming roles.
 
“Our hope with The Boys Next Door is to create awareness of the joys and blessing that people with disabilities can add to our lives,” says Keenan. “The show is highly entertaining, extremely funny and incredibly poignant.”
 
The Boys Next Door runs Jan. 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 17 and 24 at 3 p.m. at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and students and $7.50 for children 13 and under. Tickets are available by calling 989.723.4003 or online at www.owossoplayers.com/tickets. The Boys Next Door is generously sponsored by Welcome Home Assisted Living.

12/11-13 - The Owosso Community Players will ring in the holiday season this December with their annual performance of "Holiday at Lebowsky: Christmas in the Air" Dec. 11 - 13 at the historical Lebowsky Center in Owosso.

From extravagant scenic elements and beautiful lighting design, to the astounding talents of the ensemble, dancers and children's choir, this spirited show will delight families and audiences of all ages. The Owosso Community Players invite the community to enjoy a show full of holiday tunes and intricate dance numbers performed by some of the area's best performers. 

For more information about "Holiday at Lebowsky: Christmas in the Air" and the Owosso Community Players, visit www.owossoplayers.com. 

Musical opens in combination with relighting of historic marquee Nov. 6

OWOSSO, Mich.–– Owosso Community Players will breathe new life into Ghost the Musical this November. Audiences can head to the Lebowsky Center Nov. 6 - 8 and 13 - 15 to fall in love all over again with Sam and Molly - a couple whose love transcends earthly bounds - in this captivating musical.

The award-winning Broadway musical, based on the beloved 1990 movie of the same name, Ghost follows Sam and Molly after their relationship takes a shocking turn. Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.

Mid-Michigan theater favorites Adam Woolsey and Mary Maurer star as Sam and Molly. Joe Quick and Jenise Cook round out the leading cast as Carl Bruner and Oda Mae Brown.

“It’s always a fun challenge to put a new spin on a favorite,” says Woolsey. “People who love the movie will love the musical, but for new and different reasons.”

The cast is rounded out by local theater veterans and newcomers alike, including Josh Holliday as the hospital ghost; Brennan Hattaway as the subway ghost; Mike Windnagle as Furgeson; Anna Owens as Mrs. Santiago; Mary Jo Damm-Strong as Ortisha; Shelby Dawson as Clara; and Tiesha Bunkley as Louisa.

Lyn Freeman directs, with Garrett Bradley serving as artistic director. Nick Frederick music directs. Erica Bradley Duffield choreographs.


“We’ve assembled a dream team with this cast and crew,” says Freeman. “The unusual technical elements really require perfect harmony among cast, crew and musicians, and we’ve been lucky enough to find just the talent to do that.”

No strangers to demanding shows, OCP will highlight several unique and impressive technical elements.

“One of the main illusions we’re working on is well over 125 years old and still going strong,” says technical director Michael Jordan. “This time honored illusion is still with us because when done correctly, works so well. You’ll have to come see the show to see it in action!”

Opening night on Nov. 6 brings additional excitement as OCP looks to debut its newly restored and updated historic marquee, being relit after a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise funds.

Ghost the Musical runs Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 8, 14 and 15 at 3 p.m. at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students and $10 for children 13 and under. Tickets are available by calling 989.723.4003 or online at www.owossoplayers.com/tickets. Ghost is generously sponsored by Nelson-House Funeral Home.

Our Story
The near total facilities loss after a devastating fire in 2007 could have marked the end of the Owosso Community Players. Instead, with the blood, sweat, tears and dollars of many, many friends, OCP has quite literally risen from the ashes. We completed the primary phase of an extensive rebuild campaign in May 2014, which wrapped up the restoration of the Lebowsky Center. But we’re not done yet…

In this exciting final phase of the restoration process, we’re working to refurbish and modernize of the original iconic marquee, which has lit up Main Street Owosso since 1950. To keep up with the 21st century, the marquee requires a bit of a facelift. We'll reinforce the structure, improve drainage, replace electrical infrastructure and energy efficient lighting, resurface and install an LED display – all to ensure the marquee is lit for many years to come. 

The Project
The marquee will come to life on November 6, 2015, but only if we can raise the final $9,000 toward completing the project. We’ve got 900 light bulbs to illuminate in 30 days – that’s only 30 light bulbs at $10 each per day! That's where you come in - OCP is looking to our incredible and ever-generous friends to help us Light the Marquee and officially close this defining chapter in OCP’s history.

The historic marquee frame will be retained and updated with energy efficient light bulbs and an LED display will infill the original frame. Historic integrity is very important to us -down to every last detail - which is why the light bulbs will match the original 1950s design.

The Impact
The Lebowsky Center is anchored in the heart of downtown Owosso. A re-lit marquee is a key element in the development of Owosso, guiding in theatergoers and arts lovers from around the state.

A brightly lit marquee on a weekend says, “Downtown Owosso is open!” and provides visitors with a unique, nostalgic experience simply not common today. Stepping through the theater doors under that marquee is something families will want to experience together for years to come.

Go to our site and help us light up our marquee!!! https://www.patronicity.com/project/owosso_community_players_light_the_marquee#/