I was privileged to sneak into the dress rehearsal for Starlight “Dessert” Theatre’s Red Carpet Melodies saluting award-winning songs from the American Film Institute’s Top 100: Moon River, Over the Rainbow, As Time Goes By, 42nd Street, Singin’ In the Rain, Luck Be a Lady, All That Jazz… If you’re like me, it will be hard to keep from singing along.
It is a charming revue, with great voices, enhanced by movie clips and projected posters, as well as special dance accents by Choreographer Fran Ludington, and Dancer Michael Chan (Lansing’s Gene Kelly) Every song a nostalgic hit - but my fave was a little more recent: a spirited “Hakuna Matata” by Colleen Bethea and her adorably beastly son, Chris.
The rest of the featured singers are Kelly Bitz, Bill Henson, Ellen Hoard, Alaina Humphrey, Elizabeth Johnson, Charlie Martin, Kelly Sandula-Gruner, David Sincox, Dan Templin and Martin Underhill.
Directors Dan and Kelly were also performers, shining with extra stage-presence in Cheek to Cheek, Don’t Rain on My Parade, and Somewhere.
Keyboardist James Geer led a talented combo: Kristen Lare, flute; Jack Mumma, upright bass; and James Flanagan, drums.
Along with the main dessert of ice cream sundaes, movie style popcorn will also be available, made fresh on site, along with theatre candy (rumors of a “cigarette girl” delivery system…)
Friday and Saturday: Box Office opens at 6:30. Dining Room opens at 7:00; dessert 7:00–7:30. Show begins at 7:30.
Sunday: Box Office opens at 1 pm. Dining Room opens at 1:30; dessert 1:30 – 2 pm. Show begins at 2:00
Waverly East Cafetorium, located at 3131 W. Michigan Ave. Lansing, 48917 (parking lot and door are on the east side of the building.)
$25 for show and dessert; $18 for children 12 and under.
FOR SHOW ONLY: $20; $18 seniors 62+ and students age 13–22; $13 children 12 and under
Dessert is not available without “reservations” Call 517-599-2779 to inquire — or just show up! Tonight has good seats available. Saturday and Sunday are filing up, but tomorrow (tonight?) Friday still has quite a few open tables.
www.starlightdinnertheatre.com