ONLY ONE CHANCE LEFT to see the sensational Songs for a New World collection of Jason Robert Brown songs at the NEW Peppermint Creek venue, Central United Methodist Church on Capitol Ave. downtown, right next to the Capitol building.

This is a “song cycle” which is a fancy way to say it has no plot, per se — but it “depicts people in moments of decision/transition from old to new” which relates the the new venue, and another round of evolution and challenge for the intrepid Peppermint Creek Theatre. 

These four singers (and John Dale Smith at the piano) are arguably Lansing’s musical theatre STARS: Adam Woolsey, Kameron Going, Sally Hecksel, Racheal Raymer. They will blow you away (with the help of Steve Edwards sound design/microphones.) The music is complex and exhilarating and they give it their all. My favorite parts are the soaring harmonies when all four lift us up together. Wow. 

The church ballroom/stage is BEAUTIFUL, but not air conditioned. Many well placed fans make it relatively pleasant, but dress light. The downtown location features a lot of curbside parking, and a covered parking ramp (enter off Seymour, behind the church) Admission is $20 at the door —and you can take that as a discount of $20 off your season ticket if you buy one at the show — a great deal to get Peppermint’s five shows for only $60 (or $38 if you are a 65+ senior or student.) 

This musical experience insistently soars with pathos, anger, purpose… and humor, too. The whole thing is only about an hour and a half, including the intermission. It is a powerful treat for your evening tomorrow! 

One More Show. Tomorrow/Sunday at 7pm, Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave, 48933
http://www.peppermintcreek.org

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is Young Artisan Workshop’s sassy answer-back to “normal” fairy tales, with many favorites twisted and turned on their heads, Little Red Running Shorts, Cinderumpelstiltskin, The Princess and the Bowling Ball, and more. It is playwright John Glore’s fun adaptation of the award-winning children’s book by Jon Scieszka. 

Leading the pack of 26 young actors between the ages of 8 and 18 is Ryan Dahl as Jack, the Narrator, (and sometimes Tortoise.) His engaging manner, and Giant-coping skills hold the show together, as the fairy-tale spoofs run over each other. (The Giant was roaringly played by Simon Rebeck, who also served as assistant director, stage manager, and helped director Sadonna with the scenic painting.)  

I enjoyed the saucy Foxy Loxy (Carlie Smith) who took over some narrating when Jack was indisposed. Camryn Cardwell was an adorable and cheeky frog, very accomplished for 8 years old; we are excited to see he has been cast in the upcoming Pippin, continuing his Riverwalk career. Lucy Ackerman was an insistent Chicken Licken; Beatrice Backhaus was a colorful and energetic Stinky Cheese Man.

My 11 and 13 year old guests particularly enjoyed Narrator Jack — and also the frenzied Cow Patty Boy, Trevor Mims. It might be helpful to instruct younger children on the definition of a cow patty before the show, so they can anticipate one of the “special effects” later in the show.

The set was an old-timey painted proscenium with alternating stone/castle/forest scenes on the turn-able periactoids. The costumes were a colorful melange of “people clothes” that suggested the various animal characters in an imaginative way. Foxy Loxy had a feather boa; the Tortoise shell was an umbrella. 

Director Sadonna Croff has created a magical community in her eight years of masterminding the Young Artisan Workshop. This free program not only supports the actors but many crew kids learning to build/paint sets, design/run lights, and make props and costumes. “Instructors” helping Sadonna were Tom Ferris on sets and Ted Daniel on lighting.

Get out to Riverwalk and enjoy this crazy collection of fun — with goofy parody songs tossed in. It runs about an hour and 20 minutes, which includes a 15 minute intermission. ONE WEEKEND ONLY - 7pm Friday and Saturday; 4:30 pm Sunday. Only $8 for kids and $10 for adults age 13+ - general seating. http://www.riverwalktheatre.com

THANKS, to our guest reviewer, Tom!

THREE FAIRY GODMOTHERS
by T.E. Klunzinger

Shows for children, if written right and performed with spirit, never really lose their luster and ability to charm. This is such a show, currently presented through Sunday in LCC’s Outdoor Amphitheater at 7 p.m.

Although the script by Jerry Twedt has been around for over 50 years, one can imagine the legendary Stan Gill seeing this as a youth and thinking, “I can do that” (which he did).  As directed by Paige Tufford, this show is light on plot but is fun, colorful and performed with gusto.

Having reached the mandatory retirement age of 800, the eponymous godmothers (Rachel Steffens, Olivia Hines, Edward Heldt) have been relieved of their wands and stumble into the kingdom of a blustering king (Quinn Kelly) whose annoying daughter Dulcie (Jo Schwitzer) is facing imminent marriage to the oafish Org (Daryth Lennox), son of the deliciously wicked Barabela (Keeley Robinson). Prince Royal (Caleb Tracy) shows up and helped by the three ladies, saves the day.  And that’s about it.

The fun comes from the broad playing style, frequent physicality and lack of audibility problems that sometimes plague outdoor theater. The costumes by Chelle Peterson are a particular delight.

While there’s never a lot of opportunity for character nuance in a kids’ show, the versatile Edward Heldt – who last month played various masculine superheroes – is completely believable as the dithering godmother Hoplandria. (OK, the names could be better.)

Given that the show is free, refreshments are handy and the playing time including intermission is only about 70 minutes, this is perfect summer-evening entertainment for all family members, particularly the younger ones. Bring a camp chair if you don’t appreciate the pleasures of sitting on concrete, which I found quite satisfactory. (In case of rain, the show will be downstairs in Gannon Commons.)