VESTA ROTHFUSS 1911 - 2009

Vesta Rothfuss passed away on November 21, 2009. With her husband Guil, who died several years ago, they were stalwarts of the Jackson theater community. (Her daughter Holly Cogan often reviews Center Stage Jackson shows for The Brooklyn Exponent.)Memorial services are scheduled at Vista Grande Villa, 2251 Springport Road, Jackson on Wednesday, December 2, at 2 p.m. and at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Cambridge Junction, on Sunday, December 6, at 3 p.m.

Here is an exerpt from today's Jackson Citizen Patriot. Read the entire obituary by clicking here.

"They [she and her husband] worked in community theater for more than 45 years. Her particular interest in theater was providing properties and refreshments although she appeared on stage a number of times with Brooklyn Little Theater, Tecumseh Players, Clark Lake Players and the Jackson Civic Theater."

Special Offer for Little House on the Prairie - The Musical at the Fox Theatre

Click on the graphic to enlarge it!

Left of Center presents. . .

Because of unresolved issues with the new building, LOC was not able to open the theater in November. Unofficial word is that the show will run

Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19.

For many months Left of Center has been performing improv at The Bon Ton Room. Now they have found a new home in Brooklyn and are ready to present the edgy live theater the community has come to expect. The Late Henry Moss, which opens November 5th and runs Thurs, Fri, Sat. for 4 weekends, is the story of two brothers who come together after the death of their estranged father.

Thursday night performances are dress rehearsals and audience members can pay what they are able. Managing Director Barb Sexton explained, "We are trying to open up the live theater experience to a larger audience". Another way the group plans to do this by making ticket prices more affordable. Friday and Saturday shows are $15 per person and $10 for students and seniors. All shows begin at 8pm. The address is: 195 Irwin St. Brooklyn, MI.

Reservations: 517-592-2189. Sorry, they are unable to accept credit cards.

(Photo by Mike Reed)

CSJ presents THE STORY OF HANSEL & GRETEL

Youth Theater is presenting its musical production of The Story of Hansel and Gretel (Book by Vera Morris. Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur) this weekend November 20th, 21st & 22nd at the Middle School at Parkside. Performances are Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Tickets: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 12 and under. Available ONLY at the door.

Director is Jen Ann Guy.

Sent into the woods, Hansel and Gretel meet up with a number of peculiar characters. A fiery troll guards his little wooden bridge. Even more, an articulate owl, a forest sprite and two hobgoblins are in the service of an evil (but extremely funny) witch. She locks poor Hansel in a cage and feeds him nothing but cake! Everyone will cheer Gretel as she outwits the crone and sets free all the children who have been turned into cookies! Every dramatic moment is brought to life, from the night spent in the woods to the discovery of the candy-coated little cottage.

Center Stage Announces Open Auditions for The Diary of Anne Frank

Center Stage Jackson – Jackson’s community theatre group - is holding OPEN AUDITIONS for the play The Diary of Anne Frank, to be directed by Denise Weber.

Auditions will be held Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson, Michigan.

Production dates are February 12, 13, and 19, 20 at 8:00 p.m. and February 14 and 21 at 3:00 p.m. There are also two assemblies for the school on Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19 at 12:00 Noon. All productions, including the assemblies, require mandatory participation.

All performances will take place at the Middle School at Parkside.

For more information visit the center stage website by clicking here.

Lansing's BoarsHead Goes Dark

Founded in 1966 Lansing's BoarsHead Theater went dark on November 6th and canceled its holiday offering of Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. What will happen after that is unknown. Read the statement on their website here.