You might not need time-travel abilities to catch all the theater the Greater Lansing area has to offer over the next two weeks, but it would help. Shows open at Riverwalk, Peppermint Creek, Williamston, Lansing Community College and Michigan State University — the latter having multiple shows from the Department of Theater and the College of Music.
Here’s a look at the shows opening in the coming days:
Riverwalk
Lansing’s downtown community theater is mounting a new take on a classic tale. “Little Women,” based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, has been adapted by Kate Hamill and is being directed by Mary Job.
The play centers around Jo March, a young woman struggling to become a writer and rejecting the traditional gender roles imposed by society in the Civil War era. In this version, Jo questions her gender identity while resisting societal pressures.
“This production is about growth — personal evolution, not just growing up,” said Job. “The characters explore who they are and who they want to become.”
The script stays true to the original story while exploring a fresh perspective. Anna Hill plays Jo and explained her approach to the character.
“Jo is determined to take control of her destiny, no matter what the world tells her she should be,” Hill said. “This is a story of growth, of change, and of family — it’s been incredible to bring that to life on stage.”
Hill is joined by Maria Berry as her older sister Meg, Storm Hawthorne as younger sister Beth March and Rachael Steffens as Amy March.
During the run of the show from Nov. 6-16, Riverwalk will collect donations of non-perishable food, personal essentials and money for the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Donations can be dropped off at performances, rehearsals or during regular business hours.
Peppermint Creek Theatre Company
Some of the most memorable family conversations often take place in the car on road trips. Peppermint Creek’s next show, “The Best We Could (a family tragedy)” explores the relationship between a father and daughter as they take a trip across the country.
Written by Emily Feldman and directed by Emily Clark, the show runs at Sycamore Creek’s Stage One on Lake Lansing from Nov. 7-16.
It’s a poignant play tinged with humor that delves into family histories, secrets, memory and love.
“This play is extraordinary in the way it illuminates tenderness, imperfection, humor and heartbreak through such simple and recognizable moments, said Chad Swan-Badgero, the company’s artistic director. “It asks us to look honestly at the people we love — and at ourselves — and to sit with the ache of wanting to do better, even when we can’t always find the words.”
The play is the second in a season themed “Based on a True Story,” in part because of its authentic portrayal of family dynamics.
“The title of this play suggests that we’re about to sit down to watch something super sad and, well, tragic. This is so far from the truth,” Clark said. “There are moments of joy, laughter, love, friendships and some sadness. Isn’t that what life is? And aren’t we all just doing the best we can? I hope people walk away from this talking to each other a little more, checking in on each other a little more and loving each other a little more.”
The show features actors Shannon Bowen, David Dunkel, Sarah Hayner, Jeff Magnuson and Amy Rickett.
Williamston Theatre
Lovers of literature, rejoice. Williamston Theatre has an early present for you to unwrap this holiday season.
From Nov. 13 to Dec. 21, it will produce “A Sherlock Carol,” a fun mystery combining the characters of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
In this version by Mark Shanahan, it is Christmas Eve and the adult Tiny Tim engages Sherlock Holmes to investigate the unusual death of Ebenezer Scrooge. The spirits of Christmas past, present and future return as the Great Detective is drawn into the tale of intrigue and suspense.
Creating the show are a mix of Williamston veterans and newcomers: Hallie Bee Bard, John Lepard, Patrick Loos, John Seibert, Samantha Dobrowolski and Karam Mawazini. The latter two are MSU students and they are joined by MSU professor Rob Roznowski as the director.
Lansing Community College
How is a young person to go about making a life in the Big Apple today? That’s the question explored in the musical “Island Song” that will be performed at LCC from Nov. 7-15.
Directed by Kelly Stuible-Clark, the musical focuses on a group of 20- and 30-somethings living in New York City. A new musical that premiered in 2016 with words by Sam Craner and music by Derek Gregor, it has a pop score and has been likened to a musical anthology.
Admission is free and the shows are held in Dart Auditorium.
Michigan State University
The classics are taking the stage at MSU, albeit with a few twists.
The Department of Theater performs Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy and deception, “Othello,” from Nov. 7-16 at Wharton’s Pasant Theatre. It’s a modern reimagining of the play that focuses on anger and fear, while not shying away from the original’s themes of violence, racism, domestic abuse, sex and death.
Directed by Ji Won Jeon, it features 11 performers and a production and creative team of more than 60 artists, designers and technicians.
“Beneath all anger and hatred lies fear,” Jeon said. “And how we face that fear is not just a personal issue — it reflects the wounds of our society.”
Right after “Othello” closes, the MSU College of Music will present its own uniquely staged production and reimagining of an American classic: the opera based on John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” It will be produced on Nov. 19, 21-23 at the Fairchild Theatre.
The opera, with music by Ricky Ian Gordon and libretto by Michael Korie, premiered in 2006. It follows the Joad family as they flee Oklahoma’s dust bowl in search of a better life.
Directed by Melanie Helton, the director of MSU Opera Theatre, it features the MSU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Octavio Mas-Arocas.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and audiences,” said Helton. “Ricky and I have been friends and colleagues for more than 40 years, so collaborating on this production is especially meaningful. Our cast and creative team are thrilled to bring this powerful story to life with music that captures both the heartbreak and the hope at the heart of Steinbeck’s novel.”
Gordon will be a guest artist in residence during the production and will join Helton for preview lectures held 45 minutes before each performance.
On those same days, the MSU Department of Theatre will be producing a comedic take on the Jekyll and Hyde story as part of the Storefront Theatre Series in which students create actor-centered shows on a limited budget with a short rehearsal period.
The Studio 60 Theatre will be the site of “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” by Lauren Wilson. Directed by Brad Willcuts, the adaptation is a darkly comic romp through Victorian England as Dr. Jekyll experiments in the nature of evil and plays with the idea that evil might be more entertaining.
Encore!
While theater is filling the calendar, there’s plenty of love to be shared with music fans:
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Dozens of shows hit area stages — from Alcott and Shakespeare to Steinbeck and Sherlock
Reporting by Bridgette M. Redman / Lansing State Journal
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