I missed THE BOYS NEXT DOOR when it was done at Okemos High School and got a lot of good buzz, so was glad to have the chance to see the current production at Owosso Community Players. It is a sweet, funny, touching show that does a delicate balancing act between humor and pathos as it romps through the challenges and joys of four mentally impaired men living in a group home. It’s comedy with a dash of tragedy that leaves us wondering how we “should” feel… which is probably a good thing. 

Jack (Quentin Brainard) is the likable but burned-out supervisor, somewhat exasperatedly introducing us to the apartment-mates, each with his own unique and engaging character. Jerry Ciarlino is wonderful as the hectic, obsessive compulsive Arnold, endlessly explaining himself. Mike Windnagle brings a chubby, lovestruck charm focused on doughnuts, keys, and his girlfriend Sheila, the endearing Jessica Hickey. Artis White is adorable as the childlike Lucien, who, at one point, steps out of his disability into an imaginary moment of articulate reason to let us know what is going on inside. Spencer Perrenoud is hilarious as the easily agitated schizophrenic golf-obsessed Barry — switching from comedy to tragedy with the visit of his long-absent, abusive father (Mike Cole).

This is a strangely touching play that gives us a peek into the world of mental illness and offers a sense of our shared humanity.

The Boys Next Door continues through January 24, 8pm Fri/Sat; 3pm Sun
www.owossoplayers.com

"Ghost: The Musical" opened at Owosso Community Players' Lebowsky Theatre in beautiful downtown Owosso, now officially lit up by their brand new marquee replaced with nearly $10,000 of private donations and matching gifts. Owosso clearly loves their hometown theatre and showed up last night in droves for the opening of Ghost, the musical adaptation of the 1990 Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze movie of the same name. 

The cast did not disappoint. Adam Woolsey's was the lead ghost, "Sam," as our protagonist and main love interest, who can't seem to find "the word" with Mary Maurer's "Molly." Mary recently wowed Owosso audiences as Elle in "Legally Blonde: The Musical." Joe Quick rounded out the three main characters as "Carl," the best friend. No spoilers here, friends!

Brennan Hattaway thrilled the audience with his Subway Ghost (and others!!) and attendees couldn't get enough of Jenise Cook as Oda Mae Brown. Josh Holliday rounded out the main ghosts as the Hospital Ghost, wowing us with his soulful voice.

Choreography, by Erica Bradley Duffield, was executed flawlessly by the cast of dancers and non-dancers alike. The set, designed by Greg Freeman and Michael Jordan, is another Owosso original, setting the bar for mid-Michigan again. A difficult score was directed by Mike Frederick and played very well by the pit! Director Lyn Freeman and returning Artistic Director Garrett Bradley have a lot to be proud of here, including some pretty amazing stage magic.

While opening night featured some opening night technical glitches and small issues throughout, those will get fixed and the show will tighten over its next six performances. Go see it. #supportlocaltheatre

Ghost the Musical runs Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 8, 14 and 15 at 3 p.m. at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students and $10 for children 13 and under. Tickets are available by calling 989.723.4003 or online at www.owossoplayers.com/tickets. Ghost is generously sponsored by Nelson-House Funeral Home.



THANKS to Guest Reviewer Joe Baumann for this great review. (Mark and I can’t see it until next Saturday’s matinee… to late for a helpful review.)
STAY TUNED for Guest Reviewer Tom Klunzinger’s take on The Colleen Bawn at LCC tonight or tomorrow.

We were once again wowed by the quality of Owosso Community Players' musicals directed by Garrett Bradley. THE ADDAMS FAMILY haunted the stage with spooky fun at  the beautifully renovated Lebowsky Center. It's well worth the drive to Owosso - easy to find, just one turn off M-52.

Again, OCP delivered the entire package - the venue, the performances, set, lighting, costumes, makeup, choreography, some fun special effects...and an excellent 12 piece orchestra under the direction of Matthew Meeuwse.

The inimitable Evan Pinsonnault was in his element as the suave charmer Gomez, passionately devoted to his wife, Morticia, (beautifully played by Alissa Britten) - facing assorted moral dilemmas involving conflicting loyalties to wife and daughter, Wednesday (Grace Rosen) who finds herself in love with a "normal" guy (Christian Wojtowicz, recently seen in RWT's Godspell) who proves himself ready to join the family in the fun number "Crazier than You."

All of the leads were excellent. Michael Crawford was a creepily cute Uncle Fester, falling in love with the moon. Evan Stehlik was an endearingly masochistic Pugsley, with a great voice. The mysteriously impish and rude grandma was played with relish by Kathy Kowalski. "Normal" parents Micheal Windnagle and Mandy Bashore were a hoot - especially Mandy's transformation after drinking a potion to bring our her "darker nature." Quentiin Brainard was the quintessential Lurch, only breaking into song at the end, with a voice worth waiting for.

The costumes were great -  especially the wide assortment of ghostly "ancestors," all in shades of gray and white. (Costumes were designed by a team of seven) Choreographer Erica Duffield deserves applause for some great dance numbers featuring these motley ghosts.

This standing-ovation performance continues
Friday/Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 3
through 9/14
tickets $20 adults ($18 sr. & student - $10 for 13 and under)

Get them while you can at:

www.owossoplayers.com
Lebowsky Center
122 E. Main Street
Owosso, Mich. 48867
Easy to find, and well worth the drive.