I missed THE BOYS NEXT DOOR when it was done at Okemos High School and got a lot of good buzz, so was glad to have the chance to see the current production at Owosso Community Players. It is a sweet, funny, touching show that does a delicate balancing act between humor and pathos as it romps through the challenges and joys of four mentally impaired men living in a group home. It’s comedy with a dash of tragedy that leaves us wondering how we “should” feel… which is probably a good thing. 

Jack (Quentin Brainard) is the likable but burned-out supervisor, somewhat exasperatedly introducing us to the apartment-mates, each with his own unique and engaging character. Jerry Ciarlino is wonderful as the hectic, obsessive compulsive Arnold, endlessly explaining himself. Mike Windnagle brings a chubby, lovestruck charm focused on doughnuts, keys, and his girlfriend Sheila, the endearing Jessica Hickey. Artis White is adorable as the childlike Lucien, who, at one point, steps out of his disability into an imaginary moment of articulate reason to let us know what is going on inside. Spencer Perrenoud is hilarious as the easily agitated schizophrenic golf-obsessed Barry — switching from comedy to tragedy with the visit of his long-absent, abusive father (Mike Cole).

This is a strangely touching play that gives us a peek into the world of mental illness and offers a sense of our shared humanity.

The Boys Next Door continues through January 24, 8pm Fri/Sat; 3pm Sun
www.owossoplayers.com

Ixion Theatre is continuing its tradition of soliciting NEW scripts on a theme for a sort of “collective” production each season. They received an overwhelming 115 submissions this year, on the theme “Secrets” - and after a very difficult winnowing process, these eight short gems have been selected for readings, possible revisions, and full production of most/all of them this coming May, directed by Paige Dunckel. 

A small but enthusiastic audience was entertained/intrigued by these eight little “scriptlets" — and I encourage you to come see them — possibly somewhat reworked in response to audience feedback at tonight’s reading — performed by the talented Bruce Bennett, Cassie Little, Miranda Hartmann and a young man I didn’t know, and there was no program so I can’t remember his name (sorry!) Secrets were revealed in a wide variety of ways, mostly with humor, and fun twists. 

Ixion's SECOND reading of SECRETS scripts is Monday, February 15th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Capital Area District Library auditorium, 401 S. Capitol, Lansing, MI. The readings are free to attend and they look forward to hearing your comments and reactions.

Featured scripts are:
• "Small Talk" by David MacGregor--Is it a crisis when your significant other can't carry on the small talk needed to advance your career?

• "Pumps" by Brett Hursey--A woman struggles to break free of her high heels' control.

• "Aunt Rosa" by Ron Frankel--Jealousy and mistaken identities threaten lives at a fortune teller's shop.

• "Honestly" by Steven Korbar--If nothing is at risk, how honest can a relationship be?

• "Blind Date" by Ron Frankel--Is love blind?

• "Reunion" by David MacGregor--Class reunions always offer a little revelation.

• "Riding Lessons" by Brett Hursey--What happens when your invisible friend is not so invisible anymore?

• "An Understanding Wife" by David Berger-- How understanding can a wife be when asked to consider another woman's love for her husband?

Bob Robinson’s Director’s Note says it best, “All My Sons presents an intriguing mixture of some of life’s most powerful and crippling emotuons. In rapid succession, Miller’s characters confront greed, deceit, guilt, blame, justice, morality, ethics, courage and social responsibility”— all delivered though a powerful script (Arthur Miller’s first commercially successful play) with actors well equipped to deliver that power. (Be sure to check out the rest of Bob’s insightful “note” in the program.)

The show creeps up on the audience in the seemingly benign back yard of the Keller home in 1946. In the company of folksy neighbors Sally Hecksel, Mark Polzin, we meet the likable Joe Keller, masterfully embodied by Michael Hays, playing fun “police games” with engaging neighbor boy Bert (Steven Wulfekuhler). Joe's wife, Kate (Eve Davidson) is haunted by the son who is “missing in action” in World War II. 

The other son, Chris (Jeff Magnuson) is charmingly in love with his missing brother’s charming girlfriend Ann (Meghan Eldred) and working in his father’s successful factory, which has supplied defective airplane parts that have resulted in pilots’ deaths — but it was his business partner’s fault, or was it? The partner is the father of Ann, and her brother George (Joe Dickson) arrives mid-play with figurative cattle-prods of anger that escalate the conflict.

Greedy busybody neighbor (Sarah Hauck) and her doctor husband (Charles Sartorius) who can’t follow his dream of medical research because it doesn’t make enough money, provide the backdrop of societal pressures and moral problems of our society on which Miller focuses. 

As with his popular 12 Angry Men last season, Director Bob Robinson has demonstrated the power of drama in this tragic tale. 
All My Sons continues through January 17 — www.riverwalktheatre.com
517-482-5700