The Odyssey was a Deb-Keller-directed extravaganza, with wonderfully choreographed battles and liaisons unfolding against an evocative soundscape (also assembled by Deb Keller) that ranged from heroic to dance-club and beyond. The script by Mary Zimmerman was adapted from Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's Odyssey, and swept us through Odysseus's trials as he made his way home via Circe, Calypso, the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, the Cyclops et al.

The cast of 18 was continually transforming into gods, creatures, suitors, animals, etc. (with the help of simple but evocative costumes (Ashley Bryan) against a stylized background mural of mountain and sea with a dash of horses and fire (Fred Engelgau) and the dramatic use of acrobatic silks (especially by Meghan Malusek and Devin Faught) I particularly enjoyed Tobin Bates' performance as jovial swineherd Eumaeus and Joseph Mull as Hermes on his bicycle.

That said, this type of theatre is not really my cup of tea -- strikes me as overwrought, archaic, sexist, machismo -- but The Odyssey IS "fundamental to the modern Western canon, and is the second oldest extant work of Western literature, the Iliad being the oldest." (Wikipedia) so it deserves a little respect -- and this dramatic, two-hour-and-55-minute epic does bring it to life with a vengeance.

Hard to believe only a few weeks ago, we were sweating (and the actors sweating even more) at Schoolhouse Rock — yet tonight on LCC's same outdoor stage, we were shivering under a blanket. One more show, 7 pm Sunday, and the forecast is even chillier. Seriously, dress for a November football game.

http://www.lcc.edu/cma/events/

Charlotte’s Web blended humor and pathos in E.B. White's classic tale of friendship performed by Young Artisan Workshop at Riverwalk Theatre. This was the second year for this Riverwalk group, featuring actors aged 8 to 18, directed by Sadonna Croff. We were impressed by how much the workshop has "bloomed" beyond its black-box beginnings to fully inhabit the main stage — which also offers more room for the large audience of friends and family generated by a show featuring 22 young people! Kudos to Sadonna for managing such a large cast. 

Talented families on stage included the Carrolls, Colsons, Croffs, Nash's and Vicknairs. Kyra McComber shone as Fern, energetic champion of Wilbur the Pig who was endearingly portrayed by the “terrific, radiant, humble” John Henrikson. Alma Cooper gracefully combined strength and vulnerability as the master-weaver Charlotte. Young "veteran" actor, Forrest Colson displayed his sterling diction plus a bit of attitude as Templeton, the greedy but ultimately helpful rat. Kyle Van Zwoll, Grace Hinkley, Vivian Nash and Xavier Carroll were convincing as Homer, Martha, Lurvy and "Uncle"/Announcer.

Technical aspects of set and lighting are very well done - I imagine by the "special thanks" folks, Leroy Cupp, Ted and Tim Daniel, Ryan Thumser and Kyle Wolfe -- with the help of the student production crew.

This is a one-weekend-only show, continuing Saturday at 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., as well as Sunday at 2 p.m. 
Tickets $7 for those 16 years and over, $5 for children 

It's general seating, so get there early - esPECially during the daytime matinees when Impression 5 is open and parking can be tight. Additional parking is available behind the RE Olds museum beyond the "loop" at the end of Museum Drive -- and if you park on the river side of the public lot behind Omar's, it's a short walk down the river walk to RWT's front door.

Reservations call 482-5700; tickets at the door while they last -  or visit  www.riverwalktheatre.com

TUNA was well served once again as delicious casserole of laughs at Williamston Theatre - this time "doing Vegas."  After radio host Arles Struvie announced that he and his wife, Bertha, were heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows, half the town's colorful characters found zany reasons to join them.

This fourth character-juggling Tuna script written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, directed by Quintessa Gallinat, is the third one done at Williamston by the incomparable duo of Aral Gribble and Wayne David Parker. The two bring 19 wildly diverse citizens of Tuna (and Las Vegas) to life with in a nonstop kaleidoscope of character and costume changes and an energy that is hard to fathom. (The "dressers" got a well deserved bow at the end.) This is a well-oiled laugh machine with a warm heart and great chemistry between these two pros.

Don't miss this fun show, continuing through August 18. www.williamstontheatre.com

7/28 - ALSO -- one night only - Williamston favorites John Lepard and his wife, Emily Sutton Smith will do a fund-raiser staged reading of the touching script, Love Letters by A.R. Gurney, Sunday, July 28, 7pm, $15 per ticket, directed by Tony Caselli. This is the first time the couple will share the stage since 2004.517-655-SHOW (7469)www.williamstontheatre.com

NEXT TO NORMAL at Peppermint Creek was sensational - a tremendous, complex script/score, beautifully delivered by six excellent actor/singers who seemed to be plucked from a Broadway cast: Sandy Buchanan Sykes, Todd Tuchek, Matt Eldred, Emily McKay, Adam Woolsey and Andrew Gorney.

It's modern music but operatic in the way the emotion is woven through this mostly sung show. The orchestra, under the direction of Edric Haleen, was both dramatic and subtle, well balanced with mikes and sound so the words could be understood. The six musicians were incorporated into the artistic "house-divided" set (by Bartley Baurer) with sliding panels and two levels.

The show is about mental illness... and/or facing life... and/or how facing the many layers of life can be LIKE mental illness... how we cope... love and loss... how we communicate... or don't...

This was opening night, so there was a talkback. I wrote down some of the adjectives mentioned by the audience: intense, beautiful, mind-blowing, amazing, spectacular, intimate, dynamic... (See? It's not just me raving here.) Kudos to Director Chad Badgero both for directing and for persistence; he told us he applied 17 times before getting the rights to this Pulitzer Prize winning script.

I sometimes sit in an audience and think, "This show is really good; if other people stand up, I will, too." This time, there was no "if"; everybody was on their feet right away -- AND it was a full house (100-ish? It's not a big theatre) so MAKE RESERVATIONS and arrive EARLY (general seating) I predict sellouts.Miller Performing Arts Center, 6025 Curry Lane, Lansing, MI 48911
Continues through July 20 Thur-Sat at 8pm -- with a 2 pm Sunday matinee ONLY on the 14th.
www.peppermintcreek.org