LCC’s traditional “Summer Under the Stars” has been forced indoors due to noisy construction around Dart Auditorium and the outdoor amphitheater — but free fun is still in the air — this week in the cozy Black Box stage, with The Tail of Peter Rabbit inspired by Beatrix Potter’s classic tale.  Set designers Bob Fernholz, Rebecca MacCreery, Chelle Peterson and Paige Tufford created a versatile mossy green set with softly painted bushes that served as handy hiding places.

Director Chelle Peterson’s also wrote the script (with Rob Roznowski for MSU Summer Circle, when she was a student 11 years ago.) It features tail-shaking, chase scenes, and goofy moments that keep kids engaged, while imposing a somewhat formal Victorian-era tone, involving a formal, British accent, and costume style (Ryan Henry and Sean Smith.) It’s not a full musical, but has several songs — and an uncredited piano accompanist (or could that have been a recording?)

The script also offers some philosophical debate on the value of rules and compromise that will engage older kids and adults. My favorite character was Cotton Tail (Amara Crosby) the curious sister, always piping up with alternate arguments challenging the rules-following directives of Mother Rabbit (Rose Jangmi Cooper) and Peter's smug sisters Flopsy (Katie Geer) and Mopsy (Leela Tanner).

Amirah Abaalkhail played the rebellious Peter and Jay Thompson-Linton was the beleaguered Farmer MacGregor, ever thwarted in his attempts to turn Peter into rabbit pie. He was funny with his slapstick antics and Scottish accent, but sometimes difficult to understand. 

Bryce Dunham was the all-purpose actor portraying Father Rabbit during the sad song of his demise (well sung by Mother Rose) as well as playing other brief roles: Sparrow, Mouse and Benjamin Bunny. Misty Potter was the cat charged with rabbit repelling — and she also operated puppets representing distant characters from behind the bushes. 

We took our 5-year old and 8-year old grandsons, who managed to focus and stay in their chairs for the full hour running time — and enjoyed participating when audience volunteers were recruited to portray flower pots and watering cans to hide Peter from Farmer MacGregor. They also enjoyed meeting the actors in the room next door after the show — along with cookies and punch and coloring pages. 

The Tail of Peter Rabbit continues through Sunday - 7pm Thur/Fri and 2pm Sat/Sun. LCC Black Box is in the Gannon Building; entrance on Grand Avenue, parking on Grand or the first floor of the Gannon Parking ramp. Plan to arrive EARLY since the space is small-ish so a limited number of free vouchers will be handed out to avoid overcrowding.

Going Medieval, two comedic plays from the 1400’s - will also be free of charge in the much roomier LCC Dart Auditorium July 22-26.

​Well, I do believe you’ll be “happier than a seagull with a french fry” to see the two-woman country-music fest that is Honky Tonk Laundry, the Musical by Roger Bean, at MSU Summer Circle. It is both a parody and a celebration of all things “country.”

The first act introduces us to the laundry owner and her newest, unlikely employee — and is largely a set-up for a country concert in Act II, complete with red satin, fringe, cowboy hats and plenty of sass. They “turn their good ol' laundromat into a bootscootin’ honky-tonk and exact a touch of revenge against those that done ‘em wrong,” as Director Adam Yankowy tells us in his note.

The cute Wishy Washy Washateria laundromat features seemingly working washer/dryers (thanks to sound and special effects) including helpful signage. (My favorite: “Irony is the opposite of wrinkly.”) 

The soundtrack is prerecorded and mics are balanced so it’s easy to understand the lyrics. Many (all?) are preexisting country songs. I recognized “Stand By Your Man” and “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’.” Dave Wendelberger music directed and Nicole Jenosky choreographed the cute dances in act II.
Gracie Duffy and Anastasia Breen shine in this show. Both have powerhouse voices. Gracie gets extra credit for singing while juggling myriad laundry props. Anastasia crackles with energy and presence as she ranges through emotions from rage to stage fright to show stopper star power.

Remember, Summer Circle shows are outdoors and free— but bring some cash for the 50/50 raffle, concessions and donations boxes — and, of course folding chairs and maybe a blanket; it can get chilly out there. (If it rains they go to the Arena stage downstairs in the Auditorium building.)

Honky Tonk Laundry, the Musical continues at 7pm through Saturday and 4pm on Sunday. Pre show Friday 5:45-6:15 is the Kids Camp Showcase highlighting campers’ newly learned theatre skills. Post Show “After School Special Improv” performs 9:30-10:15 Friday and Saturday.

As a cast member of Alive Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice last June, I was especially curious about MSU Summer Circle’s modern script Pride@Prejudice by Daniel Elihu Kramer, taking on this classic Jane Austen novel. I expected it to be a “spoof” bringing the story into the modern day and twisting it somehow — but it is not. It is a truly delightful, condensed, entertaining retelling that is true to the story — but enhanced by modern references and helpful explanations with a “a fresh and joyful lens.” 

The versatile cast of five, dressed in Regency-era costumes (Angie Wendelberger) instantly transformed into whatever characters were needed with the addition of a handkerchief, pipe, hat, fan, shawl,  glasses…. The set featured archways filled with paintings, some of which opened like cupboards to accommodate  props, as did the stage stool-type seats/bins. (Scenic design Shea Snow) Luis Guzman’s sound design offered period music as well as a variety of modern sound effects/music when breaking into the present.

The premise of modern day students studying the novel opened up Q&A sessions, blog posts, and chat room debates with fun/helpful explanations — ”What IS entailment?” These time-shift interjections were peppered throughout. 

Director Alexis Black writes “...five actors play over  25 roles and invite you into a world where the boundaries between character and performer are deliciously blurred.”

The cast was excellent: Rileigh Belle Wine was our earnest heroine Elizabeth. Karam Mawazini was a master of both the dignified Mr. Darcy and the dorky Mr. Collins. Samantha Dombrowski was Jane Austen and others (I approve of her appropriately DISapproving Lady Catherine.) Stephanie Kroschel was a giddy Mrs. Bennet as well as Charlotte and others. Chamang Yang was a myriad of men, including Mr. Bennet, Mr. Wickham and more. 

Pride@Prejudice continues at 7pm through Saturday, with a 4pm show on Sunday free of charge, at the wonderful (Thanks “Friends of Theatre”) outdoor amphitheater behind Fairchild Theatre; bring a chair and come early; bring food or buy concessions. (in case of rain, they go to the Arena stage downstairs.) I hope all my previous Pride and Prejudice cast members can see this show — but it’s also entertaining for those not already familiar with the story — recommended for age 9 and up.