I'm happy to report that GODSPELL at Riverwalk is every bit the musical extravaganza that Facebook has been buzzing about since it opened on Thursday. I have a wonderful nostalgia about the show, since I was in it back in the dark ages.... and find it uplifting despite my agnostic-ish, new-age ideas about religion. It's the parables and teachings of the Gospel of Matthew, delivered in such a warm, lighthearted, melodious, fun-filled way, it can charm anyone. (My Jewish husband appreciated the Hebrew blessing before The Last Supper.)

This production is graced by a full set of excellent voices, supported and enhanced by a backstage choir of four MORE great voices, (Michael Garnett, Jessica Glaser, Spencer Ralph and Racheal Raymer) plus an excellent orchestra (John Dale Smith, Don Sovey, Yoshihiro Fukagawa, Jerry Krause, Johnathan Smith), fun, energetic acting — plus a creative, surprising set and dramatic lighting (both by Tim Fox).

Matt Eldred is a benevolent yet commanding Jesus, with an excellent voice. The ensemble was diverse in many ways which enhanced the message of inclusion and brotherhood. Their similarity was great singing voices. I was particularly impressed with Ben English, Abigail Grill and Tigi Habtemariam -- but all of them sounded great: Katelyn Curtis, Rachel Dalton, Zion Jackson, Stephanie Bebermeyer Lee, Mary Maurer, and Christian Wojtowicz. Director John Delaney has infused his merry band with a sense of love and playfulness that serves the show well.

This heartfelt GODSPELL is well on its way to packed houses but good tickets are still available - 2pm Sundays, 7 pm Thursday, 8 pm Fri/Sat -through June 8 - $20/18  - call 482-5700 or reserve online www.RiverwalkTheatre.com

A Wrinkle in Time (adapted by John Glore from Madeleine L'Engle's book) at Over the Ledge is a visit to another dimension. From the bright, balmy Fitzgerald Park we cross into a dark, black-lit expanse decorated with cosmic scenography (Abigail Grill) that extends beyond the stage and includes the audience in this mysterious world. A large backdrop screen shows shape-shifting projections and dramatic sound and lighting effects (Joe Dickson) complete the surreal environment.

The surreality continues with imaginative costumes (Alice Bristle) and puppet (Adam Carlson) which are inhabited by an energetic young cast. Ellen Wiese is the fearful/brave sister venturing off with her unusual brother Ian S. Henretty and friend, Brennan Hattaway, to save their father, Steve Ledyard, from the evil clutches of "IT". This necessitates a form of intergalactic time/space travel mode called "tessering," or wrinkling time, as a shortcut.

This is a young-adult-novel style adventure, a fantasy, but also raises real issues about love and self-sacrifice and being true to your own identity. It would be an exciting outing for younger audiences, but I would think twice about bringing preschoolers, as it could be too scary/confusing.

I was impressed with the extreme diversity of the multiple roles played by Amelia Rogocka and Grace Hinkley. You may easily be deceived that there are more actors on stage than are listed in the script. Director Ann Carlson has brought her fairy-tale imagination to this fun fantasy.

Continues through June 1 - 8 pm Thur/Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun.
www.overtheledge.org$10 ($8 senior - $6 student)
Bring a picnic and enjoy the park before the show; theatre goers do not have to pay for parking.

OLD LOVE by Norm Foster, is the kind of show that shines in Williamston Theatre's intimate space. The simple, elegant wood paneled set (Daniel C. Walker) hides props and costumes that help the two actors transition times, places and characters collecting various chapters from memory, becoming not only younger versions of themselves, but also portraying their previous spouses and other characters.

Both Ruth Crawford and Thomas Mahard are natural and engaging as they portray a couple fighting for and against a romantic relationship. The script fleshes out their histories through flashbacks describing a web of emotional/marital twists, turns and failures. As "Bud," Thomas is charming and very persistent; as "Molly," Ruth is also charming, but guarded — and both bring sincerity and pace to Foster's witty dialogue.

This play is a comedy, but also addresses the drama that clutters our histories. The story challenges the idea that people of a certain age shouldn’t be thinking about love, especially physical love. The challenge is to overcome personal obstacles and gather the courage to approach love from the heart and not from "what will people think?" Director Lynn Lammers has deftly choreographed these two fine actors slipping in and out of characters and back and forth in time to weave a darkly funny romantic comedy that can give us all hope for "old love" in our own lives.
Old Love continues through June 15www.williamstontheatre.com

Peppermint Creek has once again fulfilled their mission "to produce contemporary theatre that addresses vital issues in our society, raises awareness, and encourages dialogue while entertaining." Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris is a response to Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, and paints a funny, multi-layered portrait of people's prejudices and their effect on neighborhoods. In 1959, nervous neighbors lobby to keep the blacks out. Fifty years later, blacks resist gentrification of their neighborhood. The set design by Bart Bauer and Jeff Boerger cleverly allowed "urban decay" to set in over the course of intermission.

There was excellent acting by the entire cast. We felt like we were eavesdropping on real people, with all the (very challenging to memorize) overlapping arguments and believable characters. Sad that this is Jack Dowd's last show in Lansing before he and Emma move to the Portland Oregon area. His impressive stage presence will be sorely missed.Heather Lewis, Joe Dickson, Shannon Bowen and Scott Laban also shone in their double roles. Jenise Cook and Jerry Parker embodied the change in African American roles over the half century, and Devin Faught added a poignant note in his small role. Director Blake Bowen can be rightly proud of this cast.

Since I was "at the convent" last weekend in Nunsense, I saw this show a little late. Only ONE MORE SHOW, tomorrow, Saturday night at 8. Head south to Peppermint Creek for a thought-provoking evening of fine acting.
www.peppermintcreek.org