Friday, June 27, 2014

Update on the Situation at Performance Network #3


The Performance Network closed suddenly, mid-production, the end of May. Now the board has chosen new leadership to attempt to resuscitate the financially ailing professional theater. You can read a little about how the organization plans to move forward.

Earlier articles are HERE #2 and HERE #1.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Michigan Shakespeare Festival Opens 20th Anniversary Season July 17



Hamlet, Cymbeline & The Importance of Being Earnest to run July 17 - August 17, 2014

JACKSON, Mich. - The Michigan Shakespeare Festival will open their 20th Anniversary Season, July 17, 2014. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and Shakespeare’s romantic adventure Cymbeline will run in repertory for five weeks, July 17 - August 17, 2014.
 
Six discounted previews, sponsored by Jackson’s JTV and The Commercial Exchange, will begin each run, followed by Press Opening Night on the third performance of each production. Regular performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held at the Baughman Theatre, located in the Potter Center on the campus of Jackson College, 2111 Emmons Road, Jackson MI 49201. The 20th Anniversary Season is sponsored by the Weatherwax Foundation, the James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, MACI Youth Fund, Experience Jackson,Consumers Energy, Comerica Bank, Jackson Community Foundation, Anethesia Business Consultants, Jackson College, Samuel Higby Camp Foundation, Louis Glick Memorial Trust, Jackson Art & Literary Association, and the Hurst Foundation. 
 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Update on the Situation at Performance Network



The Performance Network closed suddenly, mid-production, the end of May. Now the board has chosen new leadership to attempt to resuscitate the financially ailing professional theater. You can read about it HERE.

You can read an earlier article for more background HERE.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Farmers Alley Theatre (Kalamazoo, MI) Announces 2014 - 2015 Season



Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo is also doing a production of Pasek & Paul's DOGFIGHT during their 2014 - 2015 Season. Guess I'l be seeing it twice this coming season! Here's the rest of their very interesting line-up.

THE SECRET GARDEN – September/October 2014Based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this whimsical and haunting tale tells the story of young Mary Lennox, orphaned and sent to live with her unknown relatives on the ghastly moors in England.  Once there, Mary tries to bring hope, life and spring back to the estate and her new family.  Book by Marsha Norman, Music and Lyrics by Lucy Simon & Marsha Norman.

AND THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND – December 2014Our Cabaret Series features the songs of one of the greatest songwriting teams in musical theatre history, the works of John Kander & Fred Ebb.  Composers of Cabaret, Chicago, New York, New York and many more, this evening is perfect for our intimate cabaret setup that has become our most popular time of the year.

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE February 2015The Tony Award Winner for Best Play in 2013, this hilarious comedy tells the story of a movie star sibling who comes home to her family with a brand new and much younger boyfriend.  From the twisted mind of comedic genius Christopher Durang, this riotous new work is a smart and savvy send up of the entertainment business while also a biting black comedy about family.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE – April 2015Farmers Alley Theatre’s first real foray into one of the classics of American Theatre is presented in season 7 with Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.  Now more popular than ever after its successful Broadway revival, come join us as we bring these unforgettable characters – Amanda, Tom, Laura, and the gentleman caller, Jim - to life this spring.

DOGFIGHT – June 2015A new musical from University of Michigan graduates Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Dogfight’s recent off-Broadway run was nominated for nearly every award available.  On the eve of JFK’s assassination in 1963, three young soldiers are about to ship off to Vietnam.  One of the boys meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress who rewrites the book of love and an unexpected love affair takes place.  Romantic and heartbreaking, this is a perfect show for audiences who love to be inspired and captivated.

THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL – July/August 2015Head back to Armadillo Acres as your favorite rednecks celebrate Christmas in July!  One of our most popular shows in Farmers Alley history is back – with a holiday twist!  Betty, Lin and Pickles are on hand to treat audiences to an all-new sequel where the Trailer Park’s resident Scrooge needs to learn a lesson about neighborly love.  Featuring all the beer-swilling, lawn-chair throwing antics that made the original such a hit!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Center Stage Jackson's Production of JOSEPH Opens


Introducing Michael Cicirelli as Joseph!

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. June 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 at Jackson College's Baughman Theater (in the Potter Center). Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students (with ID) and $10 for groups of 10 or more. Purchase tickets online at www.centerstagejackson.org or reserve over the phone at 517-796-2602!

Encore Musical Theatre (Dexter, MI) Announces 2014 - 2015 Season

Proudly announces their 2014-2015 Season! Check out their website HERE.

Spamalot! -The hilarious musical written by Monty Python alum Eric Idle - Opening September 18th, 2014!

A Christmas Caroled! A new Christmas Musical (conceived and written by Daniel C. Cooney and Dayle Ann Hunt), making it's World Premier on November 21st, 2014!

Guys On Ice: The Ice Fishing Musical Comedy (one for your favorite ice fishing guy or gal) - Opening January 29th, 2015!

On Golden Pond - The Tony Award Winning Drama comes to our stage! - Opening April 2nd, 2015.
South Pacific - A Classic of Musical Theatre! Opening July 23rd, 2015!

Auditions will be announced soon, so keep looking here for more information!

Friday, June 13, 2014

Breaking News from the Michigan Shakespeare Festival


Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s 2013 production of Twelfth Night, photo by Jeromy Hopgood
JACKSON, Mich. - The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is teaming up with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival (MSF) to expand its theatrical offerings by bringing special performances to Canton, MI next year. For three weeks in the summer of 2015, from July 29 - August 16, 2015, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival will present its 2015 Season lineup, which will consist of two Shakespeare plays and one classical comedy, to the Canton Community.

“I am thrilled beyond belief that the Michigan Shakespeare Festival will be expanding to the Canton Village Theater next year,” said Canton Arts Coordinator Jennifer Tobin. “The Festival will give our residents the opportunity to see professional Equity actors performing classic theatre in repertory - not an easy thing to find short of driving an hour or more. This will also be the opportunity of a lifetime for our resident arts groups to witness classical theatre being professionally produced - as they rub elbows with the best of the best in Michigan.”

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s official 2015 Season will be announced on opening night of the MFS's 20th Anniversary Season: June 19th, 2014. The Festival will begin the 2015 Season by rehearsing, previewing and opening performances at the Potter Center in Jackson, then moving the productions to The Village Theater at Cherry Hill.

“Our hope is that we develop a long term relationship with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival that serves to educate and enlighten our community,” said Canton Supervisor Phil LaJoy. “Ultimately, we would like to put Canton on the map as a Shakespeare lover’s destination and add this to our growing lineup of popular annual cultural offerings.”

“As the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, I think we have the responsibility to share these works with as many people as possible--and with the expansion of the 2015 Season to The Village Theater, we will be able to bring our amazing company closer to audiences in Southeast Michigan. We couldn’t be happier about our  partnership with Canton and The Village Theater at Cherry Hill,” said Michigan Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director, Janice L. Blixt.

Founded in 1995, The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has produced for twenty years in Jackson, Michigan. Starting as an outdoor festival in Ella Sharp Park, the company moved indoors to their current home at the Potter Center on the campus of Jackson College in 2003, thus allowing for higher levels of technical and professional performances, as well as audience comfort. That same year they received the designation as The Official Shakespeare Festival of Michigan by the State Legislature. The expanded season relies on a strong partnership with The Village Theater and connection to the Canton Township and outlying communities. The Michigan Shakespeare Festival looks forward to partnering with local businesses to weave itself into the fabric of Canton, while maintaining it’s longstanding loyalty to the Jackson Community that has been its home.

Ticket sales for the Canton performances of the 2015 Season, including season Flex Passes, will be announced this autumn and available through The Village Theater at Cherry Hill box office . A Flex Pass will include one ticket to each production, and show dates and times can be chosen at the time of purchase, or at a later date.

Founded in 1995, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre company operating under a League of Regional Theatres Letter of Agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association. The MSF is dedicated to entertaining and educating a broad-based audience through professional performances of Shakespeare’s works and other classic plays.

The Village Theater, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton, MI 48187, is a regional center for the arts that offers the magic of live theatre, soul-stirring music, the thrill of the dance, and the enjoyment of fine arts exhibitions and events, in addition to providing a home for serveral cultural organizations and community groups.

Peppermint Creek 2014 - 2015 Season Announced

Having loved Lansing's Peppermint Creek's production of Next to Normal (read my review), I was excited to see what their new season would be. No disappointments here.

What a challenging and original season! I am especially looking forward to Pasek & Paul's Dogfight. Other productions are Rajiv Joseph's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Jason Robert Brown's Parade, and David Ives' Venus in Fur.

You can read details of the season HERE.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Center Stage presents. . .


Center Stage Jackson presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, June 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2014 Jackson College. 


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Summer Classes at the Ella


Among a fascinating array of summer classes being offered by the Ella Sharp Museum in Jackson, Michigan, are the following for those interested in theater! You can check out the entire list of classes, HERE.

Staging Stories
July 14–18
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Grades 1–6
Community Room
Member $135/Non-member $170
Register by July 7
Dive into fairytales and storybooks through the art of acting! Create characters and explore plot based on original stories. Perform for friends and family on the last day.

The Art of Improv
July 21–25
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Grades 7–12
Community Room
Member $135/Non-member $170
Register by July 14
Work as team to create original, live theatre through the art of improvisation and sketch comedy. Learn basic acting fundamentals and perform for friends and family on Friday!

Croswell presents. . .

 
The Croswell is proud to continue its 2014 Broadway Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical, Oliver! including an opening night gala which benefits the Croswell, and presents the Lenaweee Arts Award to Ken Thompson on June 13 at 8:00pm. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, at the Croswell Oliver! is directed by Betsy Lackey, with music direction by Wynne Marsh, and choreography by Allison Steele. The production continues with shows at 8:00pm on June 14, 20 & 21, and at 2:30pm on June 15, 21 & 22. Oliver! features seventeen area youth as workhouse kids and Fagin’s gang including George Mancy of Toledo, Ohio in the title role.

The perfect family musical, Oliver! is an unforgettable story of a remarkable boy looking for a place to call home. From the orphanage to the mean streets of London, the ever optimistic Oliver strives to survive meeting memorable characters along the way including the Artful Dodger (Paul Mallory), Nancy (Deveny Rosebrock), Fagin (Robert Yoman), Bill Sykes (Bryan Dryer) and Mr. Brownlow (Steve Antalek). Oliver! Memorable songs from the show include, “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” and “Where Is Love.”

Others in the cast at the Croswell include: Tom Hodgman, - Mr. Bumble, Kayla Henry - Widow Corney, Alex Drews - Noah Claypole, Jesse Monte - Mr. Sowerberry, Libby Edwards - Mrs. Sowerberry, and Becca Nowak as Charlotte. Ensemble members include: Jeff Adams, Michael Allen, Mollie Cardella, Lauren Carlton, Margaret Clark, Debbie Corbin, Robin Donaghy, Keith Filipek, Sarah Hodgman, Mary Margaret Hollstein, Alison Hunt, Mark Hyre, Sarah Matlow, Brittani McComb, Meg McNamee, Ashley Price, Benjamin Rosebrock, Taieshia Tindall, Nathan VanAtta, Dale White and Andrea Wozniak.

Orphans, street urchins and workhouse boys are portrayed by: Cooper Adams, Jon Antalek, Matthew Antalek,
Brock Boze, Cole Carrico, Anthony Contreras, Jayden Donaghy, Dominic Duncan, Kyle Haeussler, Tommy Hodgman, Halle Horwath, Jacob Hyre, Lauren Kapnick, Cameron Kuhn, Grant Long, and Arielle Osstifin.

On opening night, join the Croswell for a very special event! The Great Big Night, sponsored by many local businesses, organizations and individuals, is really three parties in one.  The pre-show event, called The Big T’Do will take place from 5:30pm – 7:30pm under a tent behind Adrian City Hall. The Big T’Do features dinner and a bar, a live auction and lots of great fun!  Immediately after The Big T’Do, the party moves to the Croswell.  At 8:00pm Ken Thompson will receive the Lenawee Arts Award, followed by the opening night performance of Oliver!  After the show, a dancing-under-the-stars celebration wraps up the night.  Called The Big Finish, the after-party includes a midnight buffet, desserts, a cash bar, the opportunity to meet, and dance with, the cast and much, much more!

Tickets for Oliver! range in price from $15 - $35 for adults and are just $15 for students aged 15 and under. Tickets to The Great Big Night are available for $125 to participate in all of the events, or just $100 to attend the show and either one of the parties. For information about tickets, call the Croswell at 517-264-SHOW (7469), stop in to the box office at 129 E. Maumee, Adrian, MI, Mon-Fri, 9-5 pm or visit www.croswell.org

For more information about Oliver! The Great Big Night, or to schedule an interview with a member of the cast or artistic team, please contact Jere Righter at 517-263-6868 or at jrighter@croswell.org.

Sunday, June 08, 2014