Tom Klunzinger offered a first-weekend review of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at Peppermint Creek  — and now Mark and I have finally seen it and agree that, "It's a very dark, almost nihilistic work about the effects of killing (not just war) on those who survive." It invites us into the consciousness of ghosts, as they haunt the survivors. It wrings out the audience and actors and asks more questions than it answers. It is a depressing but fascinating search for meaning and/or God, in the literal and figurative fog of war. (Great, subtle smoky effect, creepy cage/rock/topiary garden set - Daniel Huston)

All the leads are excellent, from the philosophical predator tiger (Jeff Boerger) to the manic, over-the-edge Kev (Andrew Bailiff) the troubled and twisted Tom (Michael Banghart) and the tortured Musa (Brennan Hattaway) whose strained loyalties and impossible situations evoked both sympathy and horror. Todd Heywood was outstandingly creepy as Uday Hussein and even made some frightening sense. Sumar Marie, Ricardo Medrano and Cassie LIttle were fine in their supporting roles as various Iraqis.

The show was much enhanced by sound (Frank Malusek, David Michael Cooper, Zuwaib Razzaq, Jeff Boerger) and costumes - with realistic accessory blood - (Chanae Houska is probably doing as much laundry as sewing — and I'm told that Ray Kurtis is the master chef of washable blood.)

Not for the faint of heart, due to violence and adult language, and general despair, it is a powerful and timely drama that director Michael Hays can be very proud of. 
Continues one more weekend: 8 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 27; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 $16/$11 students & seniors Miller Performing Arts Center 6025 Curry Lane, Lansing (517) 372-0945, peppermintcreek.org

Thanks to Tom Klunzinger for this Guest Review; I won't be able to see this show until next Thursday, due to Young Frankenstein. Jane

The curiously metaphysical Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo might better be titled Ghosts of Baghdad or The Man with the Golden Gun since what plot there is involves the latter. And this, although beautifully written, is a difficult play to like simply because there is nobody to root for in this story about the U.S. presence in and around Baghdad some 11 years ago. It's a very dark, almost nihilistic work about the effects of killing (not just war) on those who survive. 
If you can get past that, you'll enjoy the excellent, professional-quality performances from a truly ensemble cast, with the standouts being (due to the demands of their characters) Andrew Bailiff and Brennan Hattaway, complemented by Jeff Boerger, Michael Banghart and Todd Heywood as a spectacularly depraved Uday Hussein. The multipurpose set (with topiary!) is excellent as well. Director Michael Hays can indeed be proud of this production which is well worth the trip to Peppermint Creek.

(CAUTION: There is lots of Bad Language, with strobe lights and gunfire. And much of the dialogue is in Iraqi. If those things bother you, stay away.)
TEK   

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
by Rajiv Joseph 
directed by Michael Hays
Sept 18 - 21 & 25 - 28, 2014
Thursday - Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pmwww.peppermintcreek.org

Below is Jan Lockwood's review of Young Frankenstein for "Ripples" - but the newsletter doesn't come out until next week when it will be too late for you to reserve some of the few remaining seats for the next and last weekend (Thur 7 Fri/Sat 8, Sun 2 - 482-56700 - Riverwalktheatre.com - I will be changing the verb tense, and saying, "I hope you saw it!"
Jane


The director's note for Young Frankenstein tells us that Mel Brooks just wants you to have fun! 

Well, that's exactly what you will have when you see Riverwalk's Young Frankenstein. Set in 1934 Transylvania Heights, there is nary a false note in the production, beginning with the marvelous Ensemble's The Happiest Town in Town all the way through to the Finale Ultimo. Opening the show, Mark Bethea is a terrific Inspector Kemp, accompanied by the charming village idiot Ziggy, Chris Bethea. With 3rd brother Cameron Bethea in the Ensemble, dinner time must be a hoot in that household. 

Leaving his grasping and hilarious fiancee Elizabeth (beautifully played by Veronica Gracia-Wing) behind in America, Josh Martin gives us a prim and proper Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ("that's Fronk- in- steen!") until he meets up with those crazy Castle kids, Inga, Igor and Frau Blucher (somebody restrain those horses!) aka the lovely and talented Kayla Green, James Houska and Jane Zussman. 

While I hesitate to single out individuals, I must pause to marvel at the aforementioned James Houska and Jane Zussman. You would be hard pressed to find better performances on Broadway or in the West End.  And I've seen considerable  theatre in both those places. To see them play Igor and Frau Blucher is an absolute joy. 

Kudos to Mark Mandenberg as the departed Victor Frankenstein, Tim Beam as Mr Hilltop and Mark Zussman as the blind Hermit-his rendition of Please Send Me Someone was a revelation - such a beautiful voice. His skills as a host to the Monster, however, leave much to be desired... Speaking of the Monster, they have a great one - Chris Goeckel. The musical number Puttin' on the Ritz is to die for. 

The Ensemble was excellent. Hearty applause for Stephanie Banghart, Cameron Bethea, Jennifer Adams Corvera, Angela Dill, Mikaela Gould, Sarah Hayner, Marcus Herndon, Keenan Kangas, Mannon McIntosh, Ric Sadler, Tomie Shauver, Sophia Vitello and Angela Wright.

On the production side, a standing O for Director Tom Ferris, Music Director James Geer, Choreographer Fran Norton, Set Designers Bob Nees and Tom Ferris, Lighting Designer Ted Daniels (loved the lightning!), Costume Designers Kris Maier and Chris Kennedy (Frau Blucher's dress? Big wow!), Sound Designer Roger Nowland and all their teams**. Good work by Ass't Director Merialice Jensen, Stage Manager Rita Deibler, Ass't Stage Manager Daryl Thompson, Makeup Queen Susie Perazza, Hair/Wigs Mistress Rebecca Street  and artist Diana Rochowiak for the portrait of family patriarch Victor Frankenstein. Special mention needs to go to whoever created the great "Monster Lift" - no names are given, (sorry. Ditto for the 2 horses- beautiful work.  (Editor's note: Bob Nees was the engineer behind the monster-lift - and Kris Maier, I believe, for the horses.)

Have used up all my superlatives. Trust me: go see Young Frankenstein at Riverwalk Theatre.

Other Facebook comments:

Jane Zussman…memorable and outrageous performance as Frau Blucher - David Winkelstern

Young Frankenstein is simply the laugh-out-loud funniest show I've seen there in years, maybe ever.  - Matt Ottinger

Kayla, huge props on the yodel dang girl!... - Laura Johnson

Veronica was perfect as the narcissistic Elizabeth. James Warren Houska presented a hilarious character of Igor. His timing was superb. What a gift to be able to do comedy of this nature AND drama!  - Laura Stebbins

What a joyful, funny, zany, crazy production of Young Frankenstein - Jane Falion

I can't really "review" Young Frankenstein objectively from the inside, but hey... I CAN pass on some nice comments from Facebook. Make your reservations NOW!  (I don't even know Mary Dougherty, so she MUST be objective...??? Gordon and Jeff are friends... who I KNOW would never lie on Facebook - ;-}www.riverwalktheatre.com 517-482-5700

Tonight's performance was dedicated to noted director, actress, scenographer and all-around theatre icon Addiann Hinds, whose health is failing and is now in hospice. Cards may be sent to 1430 Lindberg Drive, Lansing, 48910.
 
Mary Ambrook Dougherty:
If you want to attend a really fun night at the theater, please go to Riverwalk Theater to see "Young Frankenstein, The Musical". I just left there and was still chuckling when I left. Usually the first night of a new show is the night when all the little blurbs happen. But, except for a couple that I noticed, this group had a near perfect first night, which is such a rarity. The one thing that happened that was hilarious to the audience was when the rat that was supposed to run across the floor literally attached itself to the leg of one of the guys in the audience. That brought a good laugh from everyone. All the players did an excellent job. Frau Blucher (neigh) was hilarious and perfect for the part. And I saw Diane Cooke doing her work as a techie, setting the stage. Great job, Diane and everyone on the crew. For one of our local theaters, it is well worth the money to go and have a great time at the theater in Lansing. You will laugh!

Gordon Hicks Clark:
One of the best evenings I've ever had at Riverwalk. What an absolutely wonderful production. Thanks and congrats to Tom Ferris and every one of the cast and crew for the extremely hard work. It's payoff time!

Jeff Boerger:
… saw Young Frankenstein tonight at Riverwalk. Totally entertaining!!! Make plans to see it if you haven't. Tom Ferris has put together a show that will have you laughing all night. Lots of good performances, but my buddy, James Houska's "Igor" is worth the price all  by itself!