She did it! 

48 years after seeing the legendary LCC outdoor performance of West Side Story with her then 9-year-old sister, Lori, the determinedly inspired Linda Granger masterminded her own Starlight Theatre outdoor production of this classic show — beautifully choreographed by that baby sister, Lori Arendson.

Assistant Choreographer Elizabeth Roderick helped Lori choreograph this large cast, both rallying untrained dancers and showing off some excellent featured dancers. The dancing and the balletic but violent fight choreography (Brett Allen Eckhart) were impressive. 

Jeff English was music director helping the cast mesh with a pre-recorded orchestral soundtrack. The lead singers voices were particularly good. Alex Cousins as Tony and Kayal Muthuraman as Maria were sweet as the star-crossed lovers. Jet leader Dale Wayne Williams lent a bully quality to Riff, threatened by Shark Bernardo, JJ Sanchez, and his gang. Edward Heldt was particularly convincing as “Action” exuding a consistent, tense, hyperactivity throughout. Tianna Leon was a fiery Anita, unwittingly augmented by Lugnuts fireworks sounds during her explosive “A Boy Like That” number. Thankfully the fireworks subsided for Maria’s lyrical “I Have a Love.”

The fireworks were only one of a myriad of outdoor challenges to overcome reinventing a “stage” in this setting. The backdrop of the fire-escaped building with balconies was wonderful, and the two rotating platforms painted with Jets and Sharks graffiti (artists Devin Wieferich and Julian Van Dyke) turned around to reveal Doc’s drug store, the dress shop and Maria’s room. (Set design Susan DeRosa, Linda Granger, Bob Gehrls with inspiration from Tom Ferris.) Actors are miked, with a few minor sound glitches. Lighting is a compromise between light stands, spotlight and the natural setting sun. Considering the large area, lighting was handled well (and extra props to Producer Susan DeRosa who climbed up something she probably shouldn’t have to adjust a light angle. She gets the mountain-goat award.)

It was a thrill to see this classic brought back outdoors — and also encouraging to see close to 300 patrons flocking in with their lawn chairs, braving this new venue and loving it. It is a large area, and there’s room for even more patrons, but no risers, so come early if you want a front row seat or maybe bring a booster seat?. Non-doors open at 7:30, (show starts at 8:30) and there was a lineup at that time, when we arrived. The location is on Grand Avenue between Kalamazoo and Washtenaw. There is street parking, free after 6 downtown, and various “permit only” parking lots that are empty after workers go home, so…? Feel free to bring food. There are porta potties on site and free bottles of water.

Kudos to Linda Granger and this dedicated cast and crew for overcoming many challenges to bring this street-gang show back to the street. 

Tickets are available at the door/gate but prepaid reservations put you in the faster line. 
RESERVATIONS: (517) 599-2779
http://starlightdinnertheatre.com

Okay, I’m one of the “spoiled” audience members who saw Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayers’ hilarious full length THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG farce on Broadway. This pared-down “one act” version does not include the spectacular disasters that only hydraulics and fly space can afford — but STILL, it is a wonderful evening mocking live-theatre dysfunction that will tickle the funny bone of anyone who has ever set foot onstage — and reassure non-theatre-participants that they’ve been wise to abstain.

Director Brad Wilcuts leads a delightful cast of ten through a cursed production of a typical British whodunit, juggling people, props and problems with acrobatic flair. SteFannie Savoy’s pre-show mantel-dismantling sets the tone, and Kim Seabright Martin’s pre-show speech further warns us that this theatre troupe may be a bit challenged. She then goes on to portray trusty Inspector Carter, who will solve(?) this murder case. 

Ural Grant is a hoot as the not entirely dead murder victim. Brother of the deceased-ish is dashing Christopher Eastland whose dignity and dexterity is challenged by wayward props. Butler Oscar Quiroz is similarly prop-challenged, and has written a few helpful words on his hands. Gushing Hailey Erikson swoons around the delightfully doltish and self-congratulatory Zach Deande. Techie Justin Harmon throws technical darts. Madison Lemieux and Lane Straub are part of the performing crew as the mishaps multiply.

This 90-minute farcical romp is fun for the whole family — well worth a fun night at Summer Circle. It repeats Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 6:30.

ALSO - reMEMber, the amazingly weird White Rabbit Red Rabbit — script performed as a cold-read by a different actor each time— is the 10pm show both Friday and Saturday. Only about 45 minutes but packs a wallop.

Summer Circle is free, but donations are appreciated. Located at the amphitheater behind the MSU Auditorium building; bring chairs or blanket.

It’s probably a good idea for me to see Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as a preparation for seeing West Side Story Friday. It’s a week for tragic love! LCC’s outdoor production, directed and adapted by Kevin O’Callaghan, adds interesting twists to the classic tragedy.

First, the time is “now.” The opening scene is a dramatic red-state versus blue-state confrontation that reminds us these “family feuds” are still with us. The set is… odd? Seemed a little random, and not of any “period” but as the play progressed, it worked very well and did not require “changing” which contributed to the fast pace (no “designer” listed). Costumes by Chelle Peterson were a motley assortment, each making its own statement. Director Kevin O’Callaghan and Stephen Vangel accentuated the reference to modern conflicts with contemporary music (and one of my old faves at the end.)

And the lovers were women/non-binary… not sure the correct label. All actors’ pronouns are listed in the program. Romeo is they/them and Juliet is she/her. Many traditionally male characters were well played by she/her people. The script was not altered so much that the sexuality of the young lovers was the reason for feuding, but it was an interesting modern-day lens to update our perspective on the original story. 

Evelyn Malfait’s Juliet was fun in her convincing, adolescent petulance, but that made it harder for me to take her devoted love seriously, (I ALways have that problem with any production of Romeo and Juliet; how can ANYbody fall THAT deeply in love THAT fast?) Rae Ocenasek was strong and devoted as the doomed Romeo.

Paul Molnar was excellent as Father Capulet, as well he should be. He’s LCC Artist-in-Residence and an Equity Actor. He graduated from the LCC theatre program 30 years ago and has had a successful career in professional and educational theatre. He was also fight choreographer, and offered workshops in Stage Combat.

Though this show didn’t cure me of my Shakespeare-o-phobia, the intent of the challenging language was generally clear, the pace was fast and it was a relatively brief two hours. Some parts must have been cut, but don’t ask me what.

Check out this updated classic at 7pm Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun at LCC’s outdoor amphitheater, behind Dart Auditorium. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, and/or food. The sun goes past the hill soon after the show starts so you will be in shade. It’s free of charge, but donations to the LCC Scholarship program are welcome.

Okay, it’s late — and TWO shows to review for MSU Summer Circle?! I’ll first cover the importance of bringing a jacket and/or blanket as it gets chilly and a little windy when the sun goes down - and you WILL want to stay for the completely unique theatrical experience of the “late show” White Rabbit Red Rabbit, which is only 45 minutes (again tomorrow, and also next Friday and Saturday) but well into the chilly time. MSU’s summer circle is a very nice venue — and free of charge — but outdoors is outdoors.

First, Distracted is a frantic, fascinating script by Lisa Loomer, both lampooning and sympathizing with the trials of the mother of an ADD (now ADHD) child.  Kim Seabright Martin is engaging as Mom, trying to meditate on the Prayer of St Francis in a world where “being an instrument of peace” is hardly possible. She is buffeted by a boys-will-be-boys husband (Christopher Eastland) along with nosy neighbors, cranky teacher, disagreeing doctors and disturbed babysitter. 

It’s funny, but I felt kind of “wrong” laughing, since I know these conditions cause real distress to real people. The suggestion seems to be that our whole modern society is “distracted,” and many of the ways we try to cope/fix are not helping? 

Director Ryan Walsh assembled an energized cast, introduced by some interesting, stressful sound (Thalia Pearce). The set by Jordan House accommodates many short scenes, with efficient “flip windows” changing the view/paintings on the wall to skip from scene to scene. All that flipping and whisking furniture in and out added to the distracted effect.


Distracted continues at 8pm Saturday, June 18 and at 6:30 Sunday, June 19th.

The 10pm Late Show is White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour, a one-actor performance that is a unique theatrical experience. It is a script being read by the performer for the FIRST TIME, not knowing anything about the story.

Tonight it was well read/performed by our Dad from Distracted, Christopher Eastland — with the help of quite a few audience members. (Yes, sit further back if you don’t want to be recruited.) 

Frankly, you don’t want to know too much before experiencing this unique production. I will quote Matthew Linley, “note taker” from one of the previous productions, "the play dissects the experience of a whole generation in a wild, utterly original play from Iran. Forbidden to travel (for not undertaking national service) he turns his isolation to his own advantage with a play that requires no director, no set and a different actor for every performance. It is quietly comic, joyously participative and frighteningly unnerving.” 

White Rabbit repeats  at 10 pm Saturday, June 18 and also Fri/ Sat June 24 & 25 after The Play That Goes Wrong.
Readers are 6/18 Mona Eldahshoury; 6/24 Oscar Quiroz; 6/25 SteFannie Savoy.
https://theatre.msu.edu/sct/