Pretty Woman is another crowd pleaser at the Wharton Center. I never saw the movie, but almost felt like i had, as its Cinderella-ish story unfolded, reminding me of the recent delightful Hawlmark movie spoof at Williamston Theatre: We know they’ll end up together… but how? Movie scriptwriter J.F. Lawton teamed up with Garry Marshall to write the script and Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance came up with some powerful show-tunes to lift the plot to stage-worthy heights.

This is a feel-good plot of Vivian, the hooker with the heart of gold who belongs “Anywhere But Here” on the streets of Hollywood, and the uptight, ruthless business man, Edward, who needs his mind-set shaken up. It is a fun ride to witness their transformations. Jesse Davidson and Adam Pascal are both excellent, super singers and effective actors, convincing us to root for their unlikely relationship. 

Other standouts were Travis Ward-Osborne as “Happy Man” who was a great dancer/singer/actor and effectively transformed into several characters. The Bell Hop - I think listed as “Guilio” in the cast — was a ball of energy, a wonderful dancer, and a dash of charm every time he came onstage. I believe it was Jade Amber as “Violetta” who wowed us with her opera chops. And Jessica Crouch added humor and sass as Vivian’s roomie and streetwalking mentor.

Tech/set aspects seemed effortless through scene changes, and were “real stuff” not projections. Daniel Klintworth’s six-piece orchestra provided great musical support. Fun costumes were retro ’80’s — and of course the iconic song (Was that in the movie?) would have been retro, even in the 80’s. I remember stomping in the Kalamazoo Armory to the Roy Orbison version in the 60’s. (I’m old…)

This is the first national tour for Holt High School grad and erstwhile Lansing area talent, Em Hadick, as a “swing” (ready to take over lots of roles; in this performance Susan, Erica and Ensemble.) I recognized that face in many group scenes) —and is also Dance Captain and Fight Captain.

Pretty Woman continues in Wharton’s Great Hall through December 18. Tickets at http://whartoncenter.com

Riverwalk scores with a sweet, inclusive, diverse, family musical that will appeal to all ages (our 4 year old got a kick out of it - but it is a full, hour and a half musical with one 15 minute intermission… so I wouldn’t bring toddlers.) 

Connor Kelly shines as the irrepressibly cheerful Frog, delightfully devoted to his curmudgeonly cute friend (and real life brother) Toad (Quinn Kelly) Their chemistry, energy and comic timing are the heart of the show. Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books, Willie and Robert Reale created the book/lyrics and music, respectively. Yes, they are brothers, too!

The brotherhood of a wide variety of fun animals surrounding the special friendship of Frog and Toad expanded the family feeling. The costumes were a fabulous “animal-inspired-but-not-realistic” array with necktie-winged birds, bike-helmet lizard, bushy tailed squirrels, snowflakes and Toad’s notoriously “funny-looking-bathing suit." Costumagician Kris Maier was assisted by a crew of seven.

I particularly enjoyed the “backpack-roll” snail shell of the stylishly s-l-o-w snail-mail carrier, the charming Kat Koehn. The comic thread of her less-than-speedy-delivery tied the show together. Lorena Krause brought her angelic voice to Young Frog. (Where had we seen her before? Fun Home. Very talented.) Charles Hoogstraten brought to life yet another fantastic Adam Carlson Puppet Creation: The Large and Terrible Frog - just scary enough, and also cute, peeking around the edges of the set — a practical, storybook design by Tom Ferris, built by Tom, Leroy Cupp and Bob Nees, with nine set-building assistants and painters.

Tom Ferris, and co-director Linda Widener can be proud of this intentional motley cast, music directed by Kait Wilson and choreographed by Fran Ludington. Bring your family to enjoy this fun family of forest creatures.

Riverwalk is partnering with Preuss Pets to support the Panamanian Golden Frog Project. Sean Murphy will attend the Wednesday, December 14 RIF performance, and the Sunday, December 11 and 18 performances to present the education ambassador animals from Preuss Pets. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with their 80-year-old South American Red-Footed Tortoise. Sean will also present some information about Project Golden Frog and why the project exists to preserve the culturally significant golden frog of Panama as a flagship species for amphibian decline issues worldwide.

Frog and Toad performances are continue through December 18. Tickets at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/box-office or by calling (517) 482-5700.

Tickets for the Wednesday, December 14, 7 pm  performance may be purchased from RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) by calling (517) 755-4966. At this performance, each audience member under 18 will be able to choose a book to take home. 

Anyone in need of an uplifting dose of sparklejollytwinklejingley Christmas spirit will find it in Midway Theater Company Academy’s production of Elf the Musical, Jr. These kids are remarkably well directed (Katherine Dike and Anne K. Miranda) and choreographed (Chase Buher) Music Director Sean Duffy also led a wonderful little combo supporting all the songs and cheerily covering scene changes. Producer Christy Duffy can be proud of this show and this organization.

Fans of the movie will conjure visions of Will Ferrell in the outstanding performance of Cam Damesworth as Buddy the Elf. I’ve seen Cam as the Prince, in Cinderella, and as Laurie in Little Women — both well done — but the role of Buddy gives Cam license to pull out all the stops and “glee out” on Christmas in charming over-the-top ways unavailable to his previous characters — all while retaining his innocent charm and displaying his excellent voice. 

Elayna LaPeer was also charming as the at-first-dismissive girlfriend, Jovie, also with a wonderful singing voice — and ironically charming during the part where she was refusing to sing. I also enjoyed Damir Morris’s humorous take on Santa Claus - threatened by diminishing Christmas-Spirit power for his sleigh. John Agapidis was appropriately exasperated but redeemable as father Walther Hobbs, and Taylor Stallings and Kenyon Halsell were sweet as his wife and son, Buddy’s new family. And, of course, I loved my granddaughter Natalie Shipley as Deb, Walter’s secretary, one of the many seduced by Buddy’s charm and inadvertently setting him up for the paper-shredder incident. Her Palko Christmas Leg storybook suggestion was a hoot. 

Natalie’s involvement has given me a window into the organized, positive and encouraging system at Midway. They will be producing  Peter Pan, Jr. in May with Auditions January 17 and 21. Rehearsals are weekly on Saturdays until the final week of every-night. More info at midwaytheatercompany.org

Midway produces all-age shows as well as these Academy productions which feature performers aged 8-18. They have performed at Hannah Center but now call Grace Bible Church their home. It is on Canal Road, just south of the St. Joseph intersection.


Elf runs this weekend only, 7 pm Friday and 2 pm & 7 pm shows Saturday — all sold out online, but Producer Christy says there are a limited number of tickets available at the door - so get there EARLY and cross your fingers. 

There ARE tix available to this unrelated but also Christmas fun show next week:

A Midway Theatre Extra - One Night Only - sort of a “touring duo” I think? Anyway, sounds like fun:
A Christmas Carol?
December 10, 7:30 pm
Destiny Danielle Freeman plays Scrooge and Cory Phelps plays every. one. else. The show features improv, music, and audience interaction. Think A Christmas Carol meets Whose Line Is It Anyway?  This is a fast paced, cobbled together Christmas-mess full of hilarity and heart. It's an absolute extravaganza! More info at http://midwaytheatercompany.org