School of Rock is a true extravaganza for All-of-us Express — and I mean ALL of us/them — including adults cast in the adult roles. This is no “Junior” version, but the whole shebang, lasting nearly three hours. 

The script shares the challenge of many movie-to-stage stories with many short scenes keeping the lively stage crew on their toes throughout. Director Jocelyn France masterminded this busy crew plus nearly 60 cast members — several playing their own instruments on stage — supported by four-piece rock combo band. The band was great but there were some issues with volume and balance with singers’ mikes. 

Dale Wayne Williams as the failed, wannabe rock star Dewey Finn was appropriately not a singer’s singer, but what he may have lacked in pitch he more than made up for with energy, attitude and lovable underdog sense of leadership and “stick it to the man!". Kaitlyn Riel was his nemesis (but IS she?) the proper school principal hiding a rockstar heart and outstanding singing voice under her strict demeanor. Piper Liell was a charmer as the bossy, brainy Summer, manager of the band. Luis Lopez-Rodriguez earned his featured singer role. Ayden Soupal and Katrina Robinson were amusingly mismatched as the couple at whose home slacker Dewey was crashing. 

School of Rock is a hit — full auditorium at Hannah Center — continuing through May 7
7pm Fridays, 3pm Saturdays and Sundays. 
Tickets at the door or at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/allofus

I usually don’t attend high school shows and shows performed by all-youth… too many OTHER shows to see, and I get “showed out” — but occasionally I do catch one — and of course, fell in love with theatre in MY ancient high school days — so long live high school theatre! Forgive my sporadic coverage in the GLUT. 

Seussical at Eastern High School is a fun ramble through the quirky script by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, conglomerated from many Dr. Seuss stories, most notably Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg. 32 cast members frolicked/plodded/scampered across the stage under the direction of Mike Kinney, in fun costumes (Melissa Witmer) past rolling set pieces in the Seuss stye (Kevin Pfeifer.) Samantha Outwater produced and choreographed, with Kait Wilson as music director, using a prerecorded soundtrack.

Randy Donald was a personable Cat in the Hat master of ceremonies, helping Riley Leinbach as Jojo the “thinking” Who through the story of somber/loyal Horton the elephant (Julian Deines) guarding his clover which carried the Who-dust-speck — and the egg left to him by the self-indulgent Mayzie (Kaleigh Pfeifer). Clara Freeman had a strong singing voice and strong objections as Sour Kangaroo (and Ellie Pfiefer was super cute as her sidekick, Young Kangaroo.) Alina Levandowski was outstanding as Gertrude McFuzz, with great singing voice and articulation, dealing with her tail issues and sharing the happy ending with Horton.

Seussical has one more show tomorrow at 2 pm at Eastern High School; $10/8 at the door or at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/nofeb/63c6b6908e82410e4b142083/tickets

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Not sure I’ll get to see it but note that Okemos High School is presenting The Wizard of Oz April 28-29 and May 5-6 at 7 and 2pm May 7 - Directed by Chad Badgero, it promises to be a crowd pleaser. More info at: http://okemostheatre.com

The Play That Goes Wrong is a delightful disaster at Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Director Heath Sartorius has gathered a cast of largely Lansing talent to populate the set that is aptly labeled a death trap. (The two-story set was rented, and came with many props as well to facilitate the many mishaps.) 

This show was a hit on Broadway despite coming from un-famous origins with no “stars” — the script by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields is a wonderful spoof on the classic whodunit with actors’ nightmares woven cleverly throughout. It is a Tony and Olivier Award–winning comedy.

Note the show-within-a-show aspect as “The Murder at Haversham Manor” presented by the Cornley University Drama Society has a fun faux program included within the actual program. The actors’ real bios appear in later pages. It’s fun to arrive early and witness stagehands and techies fretting over set issues, and searching for a missing dog. 

Adam Carlson shines as Chris Bean, the unctuous director of this “drama society" — who also plays the officious Inspector Carter, trying to figure out whodunit, sharing great composure and timing with John Lerma as the corpse’s brother. I also loved Quinn Kelly as Butler Perkins, with his mispronounced lines written on his hand. Sarah Hayner is a delight as the put-upon stage manager trapped into understudying the glamorous and gushing Florence (Anasti Her) after the set knocks her out of commission. Rich Kopitsch is a hilariously abused corpse, and also did fight choreography for the ladies, since by the time Anasti regains consciousness, Sarah has evolved from tentative to tenacious in playing her role. Ian Whipp bumbles appropriately through his bad-actor roles as Cecil and Arthur the Gardener — and Steve Lee does not escape the mayhem as Trevor the techie in search of his lost Duran Duran CD set,

Don’t miss this slapsticky confection — but be warned it might prompt more than your usual occurrence of “actors nightmares.” 
The Play That Goes Wrong continues April 22, 28, 29 at 8pm and April 23, 30 at 3pm
Tickets at http://lebowskycenter.com
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Aladdin Junior Review:
by Guest Reviewer Sue Charron, Fowlerville Resident

The Fowlerville Community Theatre filled the stage with magic at the Alverson Center for Performing Arts during their opening night performance of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. on Friday, April 21. The cast, young people under the age of 18, brought youthful energy and amazing talent to their singing, dancing, and acting. The sets and costumes were beautiful and will quickly transport you to the enchanted city of Agrabah.

The show put a smile on my face and a song in my heart!  I would highly recommend taking time out of your weekend to see this delightful performance. 


There are only three chances left to see this show! There are matinees on Saturday, April 22nd and Sunday April 23rd at 2:00p.m. and an evening show at 7:00p.m. on Saturday April 22nd.Performances are held at the Alverson Center for Performing Arts at Fowlerville High School, 700 N. Grand Ave., Fowlerville, MI 48836. Tickets available at the door or online at http://fowlervilletheatre.com ​