Evolve Theatrics’ Mary Poppins Musical Flies onto Grand Ledge Stage

With her signature umbrella and carpetbag, everyone’s favorite nanny, Mary Poppins, comes to the stage with Evolve Theatrics’ family-friendly musical production March 31, April 1 and 2 at the Grand Ledge High School Performing Arts Center. 

Audiences can expect singing, tap dancing, ballet, and even “flights” of fancy in this “practically perfect” musical based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film.  Chimney sweep Bert (Andrew Muylle) narrates the story of Mary Poppins (Caitlin Christianson) as she works her magic to help the troubled Banks family and show everyone that “anything can happen” if you let it. 

This production is a family show in every sense of the word, with nine family groups in the 35-member cast. Real-life husband and wife Josh and Nicole Martin play George and Winifred Banks; their two children (Jack and Wendy) are also in the cast. Lorena Krauss and Liam Grams (Jane and Michael Banks) are joined by their siblings (Lyla Krauss, Harper and Sawyer Grams) on stage. Other families include father/daughter (Marty and Jocelyn Snitgen), mother/son (director Helen Hart and Philip Franke), sisters (Hannah and Kayla Campbell), spouses (TJ Kelly and Carmen Zavala-Kelly), mother and children (Beatrice Maldonado, Bobby Maldonado, Beatrice Haman), and family (Scot, Mollie, Maddie, and Callie Muncaster). 

Performances of Mary Poppins will be held at the Grand Ledge High School Performing Arts Center, 820 Spring St., Grand Ledge. Showtimes are Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. 
 
Tickets are on sale now on the Evolve Theatrics’ website, www.evolvetheatrics.com. Adult tickets are $20; children (18 and under) and seniors (60+) are $15. Patrons can select their seats online; advanced reservations are encouraged. If you have questions or need ticketing assistance, please contact mailto:evolvetheatrics@gmail.com.

​

NEW DATE!
On Friday, March 24, the Audio Air Force will present “Acts of Love: A Night of One-Acts…of Love”. This will feature 6 original scripts by members of the Audio Air Force. The production will be at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot in East Lansing beginning at 7pm.

The Audio Air Force is a nonprofit organization that produces audio theater, both recreations of classic radio and audio programs, as well as original scripts. The plays are done live, on stage, using audio to create what is called “theater of the mind”. This is done with actors, music and live sound effects.

Tickets are $10 at the door; in advance online for $10 (plus handling) from .

Featured in the March 24 show will be:

“Ugly Earrings” – A funeral home is a very unlikely place for love to begin, but that’s just what happens to two strangers who happen to meet there.

“An Auto Odyssey” – It’s said that the limits of “artificial intelligence” are still unknown. Can an “A-I” computer actually feel love, or other emotions? A new car buyer finds out what the future interactions of humans and computers might be.

“The Pinkertons - Valentine Edition” – The Pinkertons returns to the Audio Air Force with an interesting look at the mysterious Cupid.

“Our Possible Pasts” – Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had just done something different in your past? If you would have made a different decision, how would your life be different? This one-act play explores those possibilities 
in a unique way.

“For Better or Worse” – Polls. We’ve all seen them on social media. You and everyone else votes on whether something is popular, is worth watching, or thousands of other topics that come up. What about a poll concerning love?

“Do You Wanna Dance?” – Two strangers meet at a wedding reception, and find the unexpected.


For more information contact Dave Downing at mailto:info@audioairforce.com or call 517‑881‑9746. Also listen to past shows, recorded, at http://www.AudioAirForce.com or connect on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/audioairforce

One Weekend Only

Don't miss Peppermint Creek's revival of the excellent musical DADDY LONG LEGS, a love story in the style of Jane Eyre and Downton Abbey, presented at Bestsellers Books & Coffee, 360 S Jefferson, Mason.
Tickets are available now for the limited revival run of three shows next weekend, March 24 - 26, with show times Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Reserve tickets at https://peppermintcreek.org/event/daddy-long-legs/ and plan to arrive early, as it is general seating.

​Bill Woodland was a big part of Lansing Civic Players over the years and also helped get Starlight Theatre off the ground, building beautiful sets. He and his wife, Judy have been longtime ushers and supporters of Riverwalk, too.

Funeral visitation is on Monday, 3/20, at 10am, and funeral service is at 11am at Tiffany Funeral home on West Saginaw. 

William Eugene Woodland
OCTOBER 12, 1934 – MARCH 12, 2023

Obituary of William Eugene Woodland
IN THE CARE OF
Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel
William Eugene Woodland (Bill), made his entrance into heaven Sunday, March 12th, in the presence of his family. He leaves his wife Judie after 67 years of marriage, his children: Lori (Gary) Mayes, Dan (Rina) Woodland, Jon (Kristy) Woodland, his awesome support group along with 7 of his grandchildren and 3 of his great grandchildren.

Bill attended Lansing Everett School from Kindergarten to 12th grade and went on to Alma College and then to MSU for his Masters Degree.

Music was all important in every aspect of his life. He started playing the baritone horn in the Everett High School band and was drum major during marching seasons. He went on to play in the Alma College Kiltie Band while completing his degree in Biology. He enjoyed concerts, musicals, and plays along the way.

Bill spent 13 years as a virologist with the Michigan State Department of Health, 3 years with the Microbiology Department at MSU, and 21 years as middle school science teacher with Lansing Public Schools.

Bill was enthusiastic for theatrical productions. He became the set designer and builder for Lansing Civic Players and later was active in the birth of Starlight Dinner Theater. He designed and built 80+ sets over a span of 55 years culminating with Camelot when he turned 80. Bill loved Wharton’s Broadway plays and was a member of Les Danseurs Ballroom Dance Club for 30+ years.

His hobbies included woodworking, carving, and feeding the birds. He loved building everything from small model buildings for a very detailed model railroad layout, to a house his family lived in for 35 years with an amazing 2 story garage where he had his workshop and office.

He loved people and would light up around his grandchildren and great grandchildren who often called him Poppi. Through his silly antics, he had an unique talent for making children and adults giggle and smile. A smile would always make his day.

A celebration of his life will be at Tiffany Funeral Home at 3232 W. Saginaw St., Lansing on Monday , March 20th at 11am. Visitation will be at 10am. Clive Ellis will be officiating. Donations can be sent to Bethel Baptist Church or EW Sparrow St. Lawrence Hospice House.

Lansing Community College Performing Arts presents
A staged reading of I Knock at the Door By Sean O’Casey, Adapted by Paul Shyre and Directed by Andy Callis

MOVED TO RIVERWALK THEATRE BLACK BOX STAGE (as a result of LCC closing for cybersecurity issues)
An enormous THANK YOU to the Riverwalk Theatre Board, Mike Siracuse and everyone else who helped make this possible!

Friday and Saturday, March 17-18
Showtime has been changed to 7 p.m. 
We will honor tickets already purchased, but will be unable to process credit cards at the door - so donations to benefit the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund are welcomed and much appreciated.

Similar to Kenneth Branagh's film "Belfast", I Knock at the Door is a story of a family being held together by a loving and strong mother while class and religious turmoil threaten to pull them apart. O'Casey's portraits of his family are deeply sympathetic, and his vivid memories are brought to life with equally vivid language. With Irish Music by Doug Berch — featuring Gini Larson, Caleb Tracy, and Molly Sullivan

https://www.facebook.com/LCCPerformingArts/

​Ixion Ensemble presents "Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin" March 17, 18, 24 & 25 at 8 PM

AT A NEW LOCATION:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ixion has changed locations for the upcoming performances of "Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin" by Qui Nguyen.  It will NOT be at the Mall.

The new location is :
908B W. Jefferson St.
Grand Ledge, MI 48837

Tickets are available online, https://our.show/begets, or at the door. For more information call 517.775.4246, email, mailto:ixionensemble@gmail.com, or visit the Ixion Facebook page.
This action-packed samurai play, set inside the halls of an all-American high school, tells the tale of Emi Edwards, a high school geekgurl fighting to overthrow the cruel shoguns of her school. But will Emi's own cravings for popularity and power corrupt her quest to save the school? Will she be able to establish a new world order? Or will violence just beget more violence?

"We can't wait to share another rock 'em sock 'em good time with Lansing audiences," says Ixion Artistic Director jeff croff. "This is the third of his scripts we have produced; the prior two were filled with pop culture references, stage combat and a serious dose of nerd humor and this one is no exception. It has been fun to see the faces of some of the cast that haven't done a Nguyen script as they realize all the references and all the humor."

Qui Nguyen is a screenwriter, director, playwright, and Co-Founder of the OBIE-winning Vampire Cowboys. He and his work, known for its use of pop-culture, stage violence, puppetry, and multimedia, has been called "Culturally Savvy Comedy", "Tour de Force Theatre", and “Infectious Fun” by the NY Times, TimeOut, and Variety.

Qui's currently with Walt Disney Animation Studios where he wrote Raya and the Last Dragon and wrote/co-directed Strange World. Other TV/Film includes Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC), The Society (Netflix), Incorporated (SyFy), Peg+CAT (PBS), and Marvel Studios.

As a playwright, notable plays includes Vietgone, Poor Yella Rednecks, Revenge Song, and the critically acclaimed Vampire Cowboys productions of She Kills Monsters, Soul Samurai, The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G, Alice in Slasherland, Fight Girl Battle World, and Living Dead in Denmark.

Ixion's Cast and Crew for this production are:

Jillian Tosolt playing Inside Girl
Storm Kopitsch playing Emi Edwards
Charlsie Cole playing Laura
Colton Bennett playing Patrick
Neysa Nohara playing Mary
Tobin Bates playing Trey/Sheldon
Rachel Steffens playing Andrea/Chantel/Thatcher
Laura Nguyen playing Counselor Theresa
Sara Frank-Hepfer playing Principal Parker
Kris Vitols playing Vice Principal Francone/Freshman 
Daniel Bonner playing DJ MC/Dustin
Steve Ledyard playing Dad/Geek
Julie Hartley playing Jillee Lee/ Kristy
Richard Kopitsch playing K-Dawg
Leo Poroshin playing Walter
Tatum Cho playing Krystal/Sarah
Holly Sleight-Engler playing Mom

Crew:
jeff croff, Co-director
Leo Poroshin, Co-director & Stage Manager
Micah Prince, Assistant Director & Assistant Stage Manager
Sadonna Croff, Costume & Make-up Design
Holly Sleight-Engler, Properties
Richard Kopitsch, Fight Choreographer
Julio Caceres Sound Design
Rose Cooper Lighting Technician
Ellison Lighting Technician 

​ 
 Williamston "Preview Performance” of Mrs. Harrison - bargain prices

Experience Williamston Theatre in a unique way!

The first four performances in a run are considered Previews. Though the play is fully rehearsed and ready for an audience, these are the first performances with an audience. Each Preview has a talk back with the production’s director and WT Artistic Director Tony Caselli to learn from the audience. We don’t have our “official” opening night, or let the critics in, until we have heard from you. Preview Performances are an economical way to see the show!

Pay-What-You-Wish: Thurs 3/23 at 8pm
$19 Preview Performances: Fri 3/24 - Sun 3/26

Read more about Preview Performances on our website here, and join us for one of the
Mrs. Harrison Previews.
Mrs. Harrison by R. Eric Thomas
Directed by Jasmine Rivera
March 23 - April 23

Mrs. Harrison
Winner of the 2022 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Drama - A Michigan Premiere
 
It’s a 10-year college reunion. Aisha is a Black, successful playwright; she’s on the cover of the alumni magazine. Holly is a white, struggling stand-up comedian; she’s here for the free drinks. They find themselves trapped together inside when a rainstorm interrupts the outdoor reunion. They know each other – or do they? Is this their first meeting or has it just been a long time? Truth and memory become intertwined as mysterious details emerge of their shared past. Featuring Janai Lashon and Alysia Kolascz.
Contains adult language and content.

Page to Stage Discussion at CADL: Tuesday, March 14 at 1pm
Official Opening Night: Friday, March 31 at 8pm
Military Matinee: Saturday, April 1 at 3pm
Conversation Sunday: April 16


Williamston Theatre
122 S. Putnam Street
Williamston, MI 48895
(517) 655-7469
williamstontheatre.org

​Evolve Theatrics is still looking for a few more people to round out our backstage crew for Mary Poppins performed at Grand Ledge High School. Crew members will be working under the direction of our Technical Director, Jenna Erbele. If anyone is interested in being part of the flight team, we have an opening on our flight crew as well. Flight crew training will take place under the direction of OnTheFlyProductions. The following are the dates associated with working on the crew. 


Anyone interested should send an email to: mailto:evolvetheatrics@gmail.com

MARY POPPINS TECH DATES

Sunday, March 19th: 4:30pm-9pm (optional)

Wednesday, March 22nd: 6pm – 10pm (only if part of flight crew)

Thursday, March 23rd: 3pm – 10pm (only if part of flight crew)

Friday, March 24th: 10am-Done (optional Set Build)

Saturday, March 25th 2pm-10pm (all crew)

Sunday, March 26th: 2pm-10pm (all crew)

Tuesday, March: 28th: 6pm-10pm (all crew)

Thursday, March 30th: 6pm-10pm (all crew)

Friday, March 31st: 5pm-11pm (all crew, with performance at 7pm)

Saturday, April 1st: 5pm-11pm (all crew, with performance at 7pm)

Sunday, April 2nd: Noon-until strike is done (all crew, with performance at 2pm)

http://evolvetheatrics.com


 

​Don't miss Madeline The Ballet: Stories for Everyone,  an original show created and choreographed by P.K. Van Voorhees and Elizabeth Williams.  

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, lived 12 little girls in two straight lines. 
In two straight lines they broke their bread, and brushed their teeth and went to bed. 
They left the house at half past nine. 
The smallest one was Madeline.” 


Inspired by the lovely children's book character spunky little Madeline, Madeline The Ballet: Stories For Everyone is a dance adventure through the streets of Paris, where an array of characters and a chance rescue by a stray dog, along with dreams about the Paris ballet, run-ins with a "bad hat" neighbor, a crazy chase of the travelling carnival troupe vs. Everyone Else, and ending appropriately with a "dance off" between the children's governess and the motherless Fortune Teller. 

There is no Madeline Ballet in existence, so Van Voorhees and Williams created this show, based on three of the six original stories of the Madeline children's book, written in 1939 by Ludwig Bemmelmans. Madeline is the spunky, youngest child in a Paris boarding school, run by Governess Miss Clavel. There are four "Stories" in the show, and most Cast members play multiple parts. They include:

Miss Clavel, The Governess                   Lisa Kong
School Girls:
    Antoinette                        Ellia Holm
    Fanette                                Amaia Aguirre
    Rosalie                                Jaselle Vierling
    Charlotte                                Kailey Holm
    Marie                            Olivia He
    Fleur                            Abigail Silverman
    Adrienne                                Ava Silverman
    Madeline                                Madeline Snyder
    Paulette, Madeline U/S                Catherine Shuck

Flower Seller, Older Madeline at The Paris Ballet, Maid 1, Knife Thrower                  Alyssa Forsyth
Daughter at the Plaza, Paris Ballet Dancer, Maid 2, Clown                                 Delainey Reome
Daughter at the Plaza, Paris Ballet Dancer, Pepita, Hula Hoop Dancer                         Kiyoka Humphrey
Daughter at the Plaza, Paris Ballet Dancer, Pepito                                     Annie Larzelere
Genevieve (The Dog), Paris Ballet Dancer, Reporter, Mime                                 Arianna Forsyth
Pickpocket, Paris Ballet Dancer, Photographer, Tightrope Walker                             Maggie Liang
Ballet Dancer (street), Paris Ballet Dancer, Assistant to the Ambassador, Nurse, 
Contortionist                                                                                  Savannah Frey
Narrator, Mother at the Plaza, School Trustee, Ambassador’s wife, Fortune Teller.    Danielle Jensen
Trustee, Spanish Ambassador, Ringmaster                                                 Bobby Maldonado
Gendarme, Butler, Strongman 1                                                             Christopher Smith
Gendarme, Butler, Strongman 2                                                             Sam Crandell


All of the Madeline stories have an underlying theme of “being open to adventure”. Coming out of a three-year pandemic, we all need to be open to the new experiences and adventures that await us! 
The Studio produces between three and five productions a year, with one Acting production of one-act plays and a large-scale Dance production, along with smaller productions and a studio-wide show in June. The Dance productions are usually original "world premieres" and a very unique privilege for the cast to be able to take part in the making of a totally original production, one based upon their particular talents and skill levels, with inspiration taken from their personalities, and written for the stage. This kind of experience is a wholly creative and unique experience, not often or widely available to everyone. 

Madeline The Ballet: Stories for Everyone plays March 11 and 12 at 2pm at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center Albert White Theatre. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased ahead at http://madelineballet.eventbrite.com. 
Don't miss this adventurous and fun theatrical show for all ages!

All the best,
P.K. Van Voorhees
The Studio Performing Arts Center
5015 Park Lake Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
1-517-336-4088
www.dancesingact.com
studio@dancesingact.com