Along with your camp chair, bring a jacket and a lap blanket and you will be more likely to like As You Like It, the Shakespearean comedy under the stars at LCC’s amphitheater behind Dart Auditorium. (We blame our unpreparedness on the overheated weather that graced MSU’s outdoor shows we saw in recent weeks.)

Though my reception of the show ended a bit chilly, the warmth and energy of director Mary Job’s cast of 22 convincingly portraying the convoluted web of eventually requited romances. Sally Hecksel as Rosalind and Lewis C. Elson as Orlando were particularly convincing in their ridiculous but endearing courtship where Rosalind was “disguised” as a boy. 

This is a good script for schools since there are a lot of significant roles. Besides the compelling Sally and Lewis, I particularly enjoyed the coquettish Rachel Daugherty, overwrought Edward Heldt, lofty Steve Ledyard, eloquent Kameron Going, and down-to-earth Charles Hoogstraten.  Mary directed this show in LCC’s black box in December of 2013. I can quote my old review because the same compliment applies, “...despite my personal tendency to get muddled by Shakespearian language, the actors, well directed by Mary Job, each had a clear attitude and intent which brought the meaning through in spite of me.”

Be sure to read Director Mary’s program note which advises that As You Like It is "at its heart, is a play about finding where you belong” and gives an overview of the challenges faced and how characters find opportunities to grow in the mysterious Forest of Arden. 

Kudos to costume designer Chelle Peterson for her interpretation of the “setting/time” in which this production was set: “a here and now of our collective imaginations” — which took shape in ways that evoked “period” costumes without being period costumes — a lot of patchwork and motley, layered dress that felt appropriate and expressed character. Danni Bott was the “orchestra” standing by, singing a couple old English folk songs with her guitar and also useing it to create effective “fanfares” for notable entrances. Choreographer Laureen Mudry engineered the rollicking final dance number.

As You Like it continues through Sunday at 7 each night, free of charge, but bring a few bucks for the scholarship fund; they do pass the basket. In case of rain, it will move into the nearby Dart Auditorium. 
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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)(revised)[again] is a wild, multi-character rampage accomplished by only three remarkable actors (Ben Corsi, Oscar Quiroz and Rileagh Belle Wine) representing ALL Shakespeare’s plays. It was scripted (Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield) but it felt like improvisation. The latest version is packed with contemporary references. I saw a version done by Peppermint Creek many years ago — I don’t remember the specifics but I’m pretty sure it didn’t include any T-Mobile ad references, or questions about peoples’ pronouns.

Director Alexis Black's über-energetic cast performed extended-abridged versions of both Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, with twisted tidbits of Titus Andronicus, Othello, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Two Noble Kinsmen, combined and glossed over the “sucky” comedies and King shows. There’s a scene where they account for every script to have been at least marginally referenced.

The fun set (Kessler Jones) offered handy places to hide and peek and change costumes, with a “window” portrait of the Bard, that spent much of the show wearing a clown nose. The vast array of costumes/wigs were all quick-change (Angie Wendelberger) with many props flying (Julie Clampitt.)

The mood is mostly bawdy and slapstick. There is no fourth wall as actors relate to the audience — and those sitting close will experience various water squirts and sprays simulating vomit, etc… with a couple good-sport volunteers briefly sharing the stage. 

We did not stay for the post show entertainment (SCT Broadway Cabaret) Check out the website for a listing of pre and post show additions to the Summer Circle main shows.https://theatre.msu.edu/sct-2/
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)(revised)[again] continues at 7 Friday and Saturday and 4pm on Sunday.

[title of show] is a strangely inside-out, intimate musical about its own creation, brought to life with ensemble charm by Andrew Brown, Michael Bolaños, Reese Martin and Joie Culligan — with the vital musical assistance of music director Dave Wendelberger playing the incidentally adorable role of Larry, the mysteriously always available accompanist.

Andrew and Michael play the real playwright Hunter Bell and real composer/lyricist Jeff Bowen. The audience feels welcomed in with their collaborative friends Heidi and Susan. Each character is distinct and interesting and funny and relatable, all with excellent voices; their musical blend on challenging harmonies is outstanding.

The self-conscious premise of being about itself offers a quirky canvas to explore creativity, ambition and friendship along with the question of what makes a “hit” musical. Is art a springboard to fame and money? What does it mean to be “original”?

This is a delightful musical, and the last show at MSU for the stellar Andrew Brown, who received his Lansing State Journal Thespie certificate as best supporting actor in a musical for his role in Spring Awakening, presented by Thespie Judge Tom Klunzinger after the show. Andrew is blessed with a cast up to his calibre in this charming show, continuing 7pm Saturday and 4pm Sunday at MSU Summer Circle.

We arrived just in time for the pre-show Summer Circle event: After School Special improv group, which also repeats post-show June 21. They were not miked, and people were somewhat noisy arriving and we found it difficult to hear, but the down-front audience enjoyed calling out premises when asked, and laughing at the results. Check out the website for a listing of pre and post show additions to the Summer Circle main shows.https://theatre.msu.edu/sct-2/

Remember, Summer Circle is FREE, in the lovely amphitheater between MSU’’s Auditorium and Kresge Art Center with free parking on Auditorium lane. (Donation boxes are available and Friends of Theatre sell 50/50 raffle tickets before the show.) Bring chairs and refreshments (great ice cream cookies at the snack bar) and arrive well in advance of 7pm main show time to get the best seats. Earliest to arrive and stay wins a free season ticket to MSU’s 24-25 season.

First of all — YAY — for MSU Summer Circle Theatre in its wonderful, still new-ish amphitheater setting between the Auditorium and Kresge Art Center. Fresh and Free and outdoors-y — but with good lighting and sound and no bugs with plenty of nearby free parking on Auditorium Lane lot. Make a point to check it out every June — now on its 62nd season. It’s free of charge but bring your folding chairs and a few buck$ for the donation boxes and the concession stand.  

MSUSC always features a variety of well done shows. The first this season is Digging Up Dessa, a relatively new script by Laura Schellhardt, directed by Dionne O'Dell. This four-actor play is 70 minutes of feminism and paleontology supported by a skeleton of trauma, loss, anger, resilience and more.

The show begins with a well staged car accident and segues into a campaign against the patriarchy, as long-dead paleontologist Mary Anning (Rileigh Belle Wine) mysteriously appears and Cayla Hadaway (Dessa) angrily takes up Mary's cause to restore her stolen fame as a woman palaeontologist of the 19th century.

The ghost guiding Dessa’s science project also has advice on life and “scientific” ways to examine and adapt to life changes, loss of father, an unwanted move to a new school… The play grows in complexity and humanity as as it progresses through its mere 70 minutes (with one intermission) — as the fascinating characters of Dessa’s mother (Katherine Clemons) and new friend(?) science-project partner Milo (Ben Corsi) appear. These two characters are delightful and funny and unique and sincere — each coping with Dessa’s persistent anger and delusion(?) of Mary Anning’s presence. Take note of all the diverse sound effects (Melina Rodriguez)

This show is appropriate for all ages, though too complex for really young children. Along with the programs and MSU season brochure, they hand out a cute little handbook aimed at older kids, explaining the story, and some history of paleontology and Mary Anning, with a useful glossary of terms. There are MSU Museum fossils on display, too.

Pre and Post Show Entertainment: I’m told that one post show act listed in the program has been cancelled and the others are being rescheduled to cover his dates — so check the website for new dates. The Summer Circle “third act” for tonight was the SCT Cabaret; an Evening of Broadway (which we missed because of coughing issues — ourselves, not the performers, who I assume were wonderful. 

Other “extras” include After School Special Improv; Buck’s Funhouse live filmed podcast with the fun of a game show;  Staged Reading of On the Other Side of the Sea lyrical humorous award-winning play by Jorgelina Cerritos about “documentation”; and Greater Lansing Ballet Company. Full revised schedule of when these “extras” occur is at https://theatre.msu.edu/sct-2/

Digging Up Dessa continues at 7pm through Satuday and then at 4pm Sunday. Title of Show (musical) is June 13-16 and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged, Revised, Again June 27-30.