"Pirate Adventures" is one of Mid Michigan Family Theatre's best. The two one-act scripts are funny and fast moving and now blocked further downstage so the kids are closer and easier to see and hear - most speaking loudly and clearly enough for us to get the many jokes. 

Of course, the littler kids are aDORable (prejudiced for my grandson, Anderson, as a pretentious frog, a fighting octopus, and a feisty, hat-stealing "Michael" brother to Wendy). Emma Elias was great as young Wendy, Paul McDaniel was an enthusiastic  Mr. Clunky Bones and Smee; Mason Cordell made a sassy Vinnie the Vulture and hot-shot Peter Pan. Nick Vogel demonstrated his range as the parrot, and as the unfortunate orderly at the Old Pirates' Home. Carlie Smith was a delightful Tinkerbell.

Adult actors led the way, notably David Brooks as both crazy Captain Cramp Hand and as an elderly, beleaguered Captain Hook. Melanie Barnard was a hoot (with Kahrynn Thomas) as Dee Dee the valley-girl mermaids and also as an elderly lady pirate in the Old Pirate's Home with Captain Hook. Jim Bunn and Bill Altimore were geriatric Blackbeard and Captain Blood - all "managed" by Nurse Red, Anita Barkley.

The whole cast seemed to be having a great time, and so did the audience. Mid Michigan is a great place for young (and old) actors to get their start. If you want to be in a show WITH your child/grandchild, or have siblings and want everyone included, Mid Michigan will do their best to get you all in, and rehearsals are only twice a week. mmft.net - and their info is in the Lansing Parks and Rec Guide.

"Pirate Adventures" continues next weekend 2/28 - 3/2 - 7pm Friday, 3pm Saturday and Sunday at Schmidt Southside Community Center on Wise Road (park on the south side of the building; enter at southeast door.) $7 adults $5 kids.

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

Mr. Toad's Mad Adventures at Mid Michigan Family Theatre featured a motley assortment of woodland creatures from Kenneth Grahame's  classic "The Wind in the Willows. Kyle Sodman was effusive and energetic as the eccentric Mr. Toad, given to assorted "crazes," the latest of which is driving in fast, red, motor cars. Friends Badger, Rat, and Mole (Destiny Dewey, Natalie Vogel, and Steven Wulfekuhler, respectively) are comparatively sluggish but devoted allies, trying to keep the errant amphibian out of trouble. Highlights included the three adorably animated mice, Lydia Kendall, Corinne Willliams-Hough and Phoenix Beaker -- and a pack of evil, giggling weasels led by Nick Vogel. As usual with Mid Michigan Family Theatre, several adult actors/parents joined in and families of performers were represented in this cast of 21.

Only two more shows: 3 pm both Saturday and Sunday. $5/$7 - Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center on Wise Road Wise Road runs parallel to Waverly Road west of Pleasant Grove, running between Miller Road on the south and Jolly Road on the north. 
www.mmft.net

Monster in the Closet, by Angela D. Stewart, at Mid Michigan Family Theatre is an ideal script in that it accommodates a large number of girls in the cast, as friends gather for a sleepover — and plot to capture the suspected Closet Monster. Unfortunately, many of these actors were difficult to hear/understand on the large stage at the Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center, and cues were a bit slow. This big venue — with plenty of seating and many "space advantages" — also challenges the actors to project their voices much farther than the tiny storefront in Frandor where Mid Michigan used to perform.

Thanks mostly to the articulate Bilbeys (parents David and Joy plus kids Luke, Molly, Sam, and Nate as the Title Monster) as well as Natalie Vogel, Destiny Dewey, Steven Wulfekuhler and Cheryl Kendal, the plot did come across. Closet Monsters are there not to scare but to watch over the children, and it's against the rules for them to sneak out and play their kids' video games. Tiny Molly Bilbey's chirpy "Yes, Your Majesty" answers to the ditzy Dream King elicited chuckles. My 4, 5, and 7-year old guests also liked the Toadies over-repeating the King's orders. Patti Vogel's costumes were fun.

Mid Michigan offers great opportunities for young actors to get their start in theatre, and enables families and actors of all ages to perform together under the direction of Bill Gordon.

Monster in the Closet continues through June 9, 7 pm Fridays, 3pm both Saturdays and Sundays.
www.mmft.net