The boys and I braved the snow to see Mid Michigan Family Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL this afternoon. As always it was an inclusive production featuring families, adults and kids, sharing the stage. This production used much of the traditional Dickens language which can be hard for children to understand (but my grandkids were familiar with the Jim Carrey and Disney cartoon versions, so...) At any rate, the audience was mostly parent/grandparent-aged fans.

George Berghorn was a convincing Scrooge, and David and Joy Bilbey were good as Mr & Mrs. Cratchit. Tiny Tim (Phoenix Beeker) was adorable, of course, as was the radiant Lydia Kendall, as "Cratchit Girl," who only stopped smiling for a moment when she appeared as "Want" alongside Luke Bilbey as "Ignorance. " Spirits, Simone Harris and Riannon Sandford were fine, as was Nick Vogel as the pantomiming Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Tom Dewitt was lively as Fezziwig and Old Joe.

Mid Michigan is a great place for new actors to learn the ropes, and families to participate in shows together. The large cast of 28 also sang carols to cover scene changes.

One more show 3pm Sunday - $5/$7 - Schmidt Southside Community Center on Wise Rd.www.mmft.net

Joe Di Pietro's Over the River and Through the Woods was, of course, beautifully done by the professionals at Williamston Theatre — and it brought an extra tear to the eye when I realized that three of the four grandparents from Riverwalk's production (directed by Susan Chmurynsky just 10 years ago) are no longer with us: Judy Such, Merrill Wyble and Marilyn Steegstra. (I believe John Minsky is still jumpin' but I think he moved from the area; will wait for a Christmas card...) 

The show is heartwarming, food-filled, and funny - as two sets of Italian immigrant grandparents in New Jersey plead and plot to prevent their grandson from taking a job across the country. In the process, they dispense a load of laughs and some pithy wisdom about the importance of family and coping with change and loss.

Andrew Faber was perfect as Nick, the doted-over grandson, matched by a charming and down to earth Carolyn Conover as "the girl who will make him stay." The grandparents were all exasperatingly adorable: Arthur Beer (well remembered as last season's "Ebenezer") Mary Bremer Beer (real life spouse, I assume? A good start to portraying such a genuine, loving, onstage couple.) David Daoust (used to be Jones back in his BoarsHead days; I think I saw him as  "the kid" Ellard in The Foreigner maybe 30-some years ago, and here he is playing a believable grandfather to a 29 year old - time does fly....) And Gloria Vivalda, lovingly force-feeding everyone, had the best of a fine set of New Jersey Italian accents - maybe because she really DID grow up in New Jersey.

Kudos to cast and crew and director Tony Caselli. The show continues through December 29.
www.williamstontheatre.com
It's a small theatre - so reservations are a good idea. 
(517) 655-SHOW (7469)

Okay, I'm in trouble now: not only is this the dear Shakespeare that I'm always wary of -- but also, I lost my program, so apologies if I don't name enough of the right names. Many I've seen before and all gave the Bard a spirited trip across the intimate stage of LCC's Black Box in AS YOU LIKE IT.

(Oh, good, the press release includes names: "Students include Patrick Foster, Edward Vandervennet, Kendra Manciel, Bria Watkins, Scott Wheeler, Sam Feichtenbiner, Kelly McNabb, Clearie McCarthy, Amelia Rogocka, Ian Henretty, Ryan Thumser, Chelsea Bonofiglio, Joseph Mull, Danielle Lynch, Elizabeth Calloway and Katie Dufort. Joining the cast for some well-played support are faculty member John Lennox, LCC Theatre alumni Tod Humphrey, Adam Pruden, Kate Bristol and Devin Faught, as well as newcomer Tomie Shauver.  Original music for several songs was composed by LCC Musicianship Studios major Michael Houser.")

The good news is that 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. The setting is up-close-and-personal, giving the fight scenes greater impact, both literal and figurative. Noted fight choreographer John Lennox took an impressive turn on stage, and I'm surprised no bones were broken. The extra music and the fun dance number at the end (choreographer Roberta Otten) were very nice. Devin Faught has a lovely tenor voice.

The set was minimal but evocative with some lovely forest projections. The costumes were "motley" beyond just the garb of the "fool" (the animated and charming Ian Henretty in a delightful madras sport coat and shorts.) Other costumes suggested social class and were said to have a 60's look... they were a little weird but oddly appropriate. Sorry I don't have the costumer's name.)

Kelly McNabb and Amelia Rogocka played a fun pair of cousins, with Kelly pulling off one of those "dress as a boy and no one recognizes you" bits, with Amelia a charming sidekick. "Orlando" was good, too -- but I'm not sure of his real name - sorry! Joseph Mull was cynically cool as Jacques, who served as a foil for all the star-crossed lovers, and did a great job with that classic "all the world's a stage" monologue - with his cigarette, loose tie and fabulous shoes.

ONLY TWO MORE SHOWS: 8pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday the7th and 8th. $10/$5 students) LCC's Black Box is room 168 Gannon Building. It's quickest to enter from Grand Ave; the smallish door is south of the circle drive. I think there are signs leading from the parking garage; there have been for previous BB shows.)

Okay, both FOUND the program AND got a correction email from the director. In LCC's As You Like It " Celia (the sidekick cousin)  was played by Clearie McCarthy, Amelia Rogocka played Duke Frederica. Orlando was Patrick Foster, & Audrey was played by Katie Dufort. Again kudos to these folks for enlivening the challenging Shakespeare.

ONE MORE SHOW:  2 pm Sunday the7th and 8th. $10/$5 students) LCC's Black Box is room 168 Gannon Building.

White Christmas at Riverwalk Theatre is a feel-good panorama of nostalgia — a 50's style musical extravaganza, with 74 participants onstage, backstage and in the orchestra, which is holed away in the adjoining Rehearsal Hall, directed by maestro/keyboardist John Dale Smith via video link. (This enables better balance between singers and orchestra using a mixer - thanks, Steve Edwards/Matt Ottinger.) The musicians showed up on stage to take their bow during curtain call, in case anyone assumed the orchestra was a prerecorded Broadway soundtrack.

Director Jane Falion has masterminded this well oiled machine of a musical, with considerable help from choreographer Karyn Perry. The group musical numbers and tap dancing were wonderful. Aspects that elevated this show and let its energy flow may have gone unnoticed: deft scene changes and lightning costume changes — and there were a lot of both. (Kudos to Costumer Kristine Maier and her large crew.) I'm sure the "show" backstage would have been impressive to see, as well!

The leads were adorable, the "stars" of Lansing theatre, Joe Quick and Adam Woolsey - with Racheal Raymer and Rachel Dalton bringing their own star quality, though the ladies haven't quite the list of leads as their gentlemen friends. All four "sang and danced their way into the hearts of America" in bright-eyed 50's style.

Kelly Stuible and Kyra McComber brought charm and humor, as well as a funny Ken Beachler playing against type. (It made me chuckle that his "real" mellifluous announcer voice was heard offstage in the elegant ballroom scene, while on stage, he shuffled and "ayupped" in overalls as Ezekiel.) Doak Bloss brought subtlety and heart as the crusty but lovable General for whom the show must go on.

White Christmas is not enTiREly sold out, as rumor has it (the center section probably is, but the show is well blocked for the sides, as well.) You DEFinitely should phone ahead for reservations and arrive EARLY for best parking. There is extra parking in the gravel lot behind R.E. Olds Museum at the end of the circle on Museum Drive. If you park in the lot behind Knight Cap, you can walk along the River Trail to the Riverwalk door.

7pm Wed/Thur; 8pm Fri/Sat; 2pm Sun -- PLUS added 7pm show on Sunday, Dec. 15
www.riverwalktheatre.com
$20/$18 student/senior/$10 for kids 12 and younger.482-5700 -- reservations STRONGly recommended

If you want to read a better review than this one, check out Teresa Dawe's much appreciated online rave:
http://lansingonlinenews.com/news/stone-soup-riverwalk-theatre-thrills-with-white-christmas/