Yesterday's LCC Musical Scenes and today's Singers on the Grand "Toast of the Town" were both enjoyable celebrations of music on stage -- and sorry if you missed them, both short 2-day "runs" -- so just a little mini-review. Plan ahead for next April 25-26 when Singers will be back at Riverwalk. And I'm told that Janine Novenske Smith may be teaching the LCC big-stage version of this class next year -- probably around the same time. Stay tuned to the GLUT.

This year, Kelly Stuible directed/taught the LCC class that ended in "Musical Scenes". It was a customized variety-scene experience stretching each student-performer in directions he or she might not have gone before. Of course the experienced performers were outstanding (Joe Quick, Ben English, Racheal Raymer, Doak Bloss) and all were fun to watch in the intimate setting of LCC's Black Box stage. It was fun to see songs from new musicals many of which we have yet to see -- a refreshing mix. 

Singers on the Grand at Riverwalk was entitled "Toast of the Town," a tribute to the songs of the Ed Sullivan era,1948-1971. Their choral work is outstanding (Loved the "Ed Sullivan" song from Bye Bye Birdie) and of course, the Beatles medley. Various soloists offered a wide variety of songs, and some added fun characters (Dan Templin). Michael Chan again displayed his dance talents with graceful partner Rachel Ramsey. As always, the Grand Band provided great backup and Director Libby Brandon emceed with folksy, friendly background and introductions.

True West: The term "tour de force" could have been invented for this show -- with the emphasis on FORCE, as in "forces to be reckoned with." Barebones Productions did this "workshop production" as a vehicle for two stellar MSU acting students, Andy Head and Zev Steinberg, under the direction of Mark Colson with Acting Coach Deric McNish. It's been a labor of love over the better part of a year - fully inhabiting and abusing the remainder of the previous Frankie and Johnny set at Williamston Theatre.

It wore me out just to watch it. I can only imagine the choreography and concentration required to create such a complete illusion of being out of control. It's like a predatory ballet. The plot/message is debatable, in the mode of strange author Sam Shepard — fear, envy, competition, chasing each other's dream, coping with "father issues," spiraling into the primal testosterone of "the old west" -- surviving, or not, in the desert of their lives…? The show is absurdly funny as well as intense. It almost doesn't matter if you understand it; you will be swept into the experience.

Katie Maggert and Emily Sutton Smith are able acting allies in this project, which is also enhanced by dramatic lighting (Kenzie Carpenter) and added songs around the edges (Sound Design? Jason Painter Price).

ONE WEEKEND ONLY
True West continues Saturday at both 3pm AND 8 pm. Sunday at 2pm (with ASL interpreter).
General Admission Tickets $15
Student Tickets $5
517-655-7469
Williamston Theatre
122 S. Putnam Street, just three doors south of the Four Corners intersection of Putnam Street and Grand River Avenue, in the heart of historic downtown Williamston.

Peter Pan is a cross-cultural experience in many ways - from the nostalgia of my childhood — when Mary Martin's Peter Pan was one of the few special shows we were allowed to "stay up late" to watch on TV — to a dash of Bollywood with the exotic setting in colonial India at the turn of the last century. This makes the "Indians" TRUE Indians, and not the native American stereotype that is deemed culturally insensitive these days. Director Rob Roznowski brings novelty and historic perspective to an old favorite.

The British Flag and the flag of post colonial India are part of the many projections and elaborate shadow puppet effects in this imaginative production. I encourage all to read Dr. Jyotsna G. Singh's informative program notes. They also explain why the "pirates" are interpreted as a gang of funny, rowdy, rough English women, led by the deliciously vicious Captain Hook, Jacqueline Wheeler.

Peter Pan (Joshua Whitson) has the right blend of boyish charm and hero quality as he flies and flips on the elaborate flying system. Wendy (Whitney Bunn) is a demure adventurer, playing "mother" to the lost boys and displaying that hint of maturity that tells us she can't stay in Neverland forever. Hayley Tutt brings Tinkerbell to life with a lighted puppet, a fun whistle-voice, and a lot of "attitude." The MSU Bhangra Dance Team (playing the "Indians") was a big hit with their flashy dances and costumes.

I was impressed that the cast made a big effort to cater to children, inviting them on stage to play games and watch magic before the show, and also appeared in the hallway to meet and greet after the show. The only kid-unfriendly part was an extended, artistic, pantomime introductory section that was maybe meant to orient everyone to the exotic setting, but evoked a fidgety when-are-they-going-to-start-TALKing reaction from my 5, almost 6 and 8 year olds.

It was hard to tell where the "media" (Alison Dobbins) ended and the "lighting" (Shannon Schweitzer) began, but both/all were wonderful, and turned the minimal, physical set into a myriad of magical scenes. I'm sure Kirk Domer, scenic designer was part of that mix, too. The 14-piece orchestra, under the direction of Dave Wendelberger, was unseen, but did a beautiful job from wherever they were sequestered.

This culturally and physically "uplifting" Peter Pan continues through April 20 at the Pasant Theatre in the Wharton Center.Director Pre-Show Discussion April 13, 2014 at 1:15 PMPost-Show Discussion April 17, 2014 (following the Performance)http://theatre.msu.edu/

I am sometimes asked, "How can you write those reviews so late at night?" Well, if I don't write them right away... life happens and they get away from me. Such is the case with the worthy HOBBIT, which I saw on Sunday and continues this weekend at Riverwalk Theatre. (I gave myself a break, since the next performance isn't until Friday.)

I saw The Hobbit with my Lansing grandkids, 5, almost 6, and 8 -- and it's a credit to the show that they stayed focused, even though it is as long as a "grownup show" -- two full hours. (Think twice before bringing toddlers.) Fans of the book and/or movie will recognize favorite characters, and the youthful performers of All-of-us Express Children's Theatre (performing AT Riverwalk) do it up in style with a cast of 27 goblins, elves, dwarves, etc. and, of course, Bilbo, the Hobbit. (I like to see All-of-us on the Riverwalk stage, where they are so much closer than at their usual Hannah Center venue.)

Kalina Hertafeld did a wonderful job as Bilbo, with great diction, projection and believable emotions. John Miller-Purrenhage brought gravitas to Galdalf, with his deep, resonant voice. Samantha Marable was so strong and tough as Thorin Oakenshield, I checked the program, not quite believing she was a girl despite the long braid. Gollum (Jonathan Townley) was appropriately creepy with a strange vocal quality, difficult to understand, (but "the way he's supPOSed to sound" according to my 8 year old). Smaug, the dragon, was a creative group-puppet effort. I'm not sure whom to credit with puppet building (set?prop?costume?) but it was well done.

Gollum was enhanced by his creeping movements and exotic costume. ALL the costumes were well done (Cyntha Wright-Pratt and a large crew.) Various battle scenes featured impressive large-group combat choreography (Brett Eckhart.) The set was flexible, and efficiently changed, accommodating the wide variety of locales the script called for (Justin Brewer) and the whole magical experience was well orchestrated by director Morgan Lees.

One more weekend - Fri at 7, Sat at 2 & 4:30 and Sun at 2$7/$5 - GENERAL SEATING, (another reason to get there early -- particularly on Sunday when Impression 5 is open and parking is tricky. Remember, there is extra parking behind R.E. Olds Museum and you can park in the lot behind the Knight Cap etc... and walk along the riverwalk to the theatre entrance.

www.riverwalktheatre.com517-482-5700