WAIT UNTIL DARK, XTIGONE, Scholarship deadline April 8
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Jane Zussman
Mar 31, 2016, 11:40:57 PM3/31/16
to Jane Zussman
Riverwalk's Wait Until Dark brings a classic thriller to the Riverwalk stage. Director Rita Deibler has combined challenging staging, lighting, fighting, and acting to draw us into this intriguing, convoluted tale of con artists desperate to get a drug-stuffed doll from a blind woman, who is not as defenseless as she at first seems.
Suzy and her amiable photographer husband Sam (Adam Bright) demonstrate a genuine, loving relationship in their opening scene together, but then he’s off on his business trip… We want to say, “Don’t go!". The con men move in, establishing three distinct characters. Josh Martin seems so clean-cut, helpful and friendly, we almost forget we know he’s up to no good. Micheal Phelps is imposing, and adds a note of humor, as another tricky conspirator. Spencer Perrenoud brings a squirrelly energy and menace to his double role as Harry Roat, Junior and Senior.
Kudos to new light designer Nick Eaton for artful management of tricky lighting and strategic blackouts crucial to the suspense. I also enjoyed the period costumes (Wendy Brandell) (love the plaid pants…) and furniture/props true to the 1967 era, thanks to Ray and Melody Kurtis. (My freshman roommate had that Herb Alpert Whipped Cream album…)
Wait Until Dark continues through April 10 - 7pm Thurs. 8pm Fri/Sat, 2pm Sunday
Suzy and her amiable photographer husband Sam (Adam Bright) demonstrate a genuine, loving relationship in their opening scene together, but then he’s off on his business trip… We want to say, “Don’t go!". The con men move in, establishing three distinct characters. Josh Martin seems so clean-cut, helpful and friendly, we almost forget we know he’s up to no good. Micheal Phelps is imposing, and adds a note of humor, as another tricky conspirator. Spencer Perrenoud brings a squirrelly energy and menace to his double role as Harry Roat, Junior and Senior.
Kudos to new light designer Nick Eaton for artful management of tricky lighting and strategic blackouts crucial to the suspense. I also enjoyed the period costumes (Wendy Brandell) (love the plaid pants…) and furniture/props true to the 1967 era, thanks to Ray and Melody Kurtis. (My freshman roommate had that Herb Alpert Whipped Cream album…)
Wait Until Dark continues through April 10 - 7pm Thurs. 8pm Fri/Sat, 2pm Sunday
Regular $15 ($12) - Bargain Thursdays $10/$8
Riverwalktheatre.com
517-482-5700
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Xtigone - MSU Arena
(guest review by T.E. Klunzinger)
Obviously in recent years I have missed a couple of things in the evolution of Modern Theater: first, the increasing use of Devised Theater, whereby you start with a basic script or concept and throw in whatever you can think of, such that every production of a given title is different; and second, you have the impulse to do a musical but the designated writer has no music (notes on a scale) to contribute, so you use rhythmic chanting, usually known as hip-hop, instead. (I understand “Hamilton” is very successful in this respect.)
“Xtigone” by the Chicago-based Nambi Kelley, MSU’s Global Diversity Play currently at the Auditorium Arena through this Sunday only, is the latest local example of these two trends. It helps a lot to read the preview articles in local media, so you come in knowing that this is an adaptation of the classic Greek play “Antigone” with which I am not familiar, now set against the gun violence of gang wars in Chicago, as this show is light on plot but heavy on allegory.
That said, an energetic multiracial cast brings this show to crackling life. Jenise Cook (late of Owosso’s “Ghost”) is the authoritative protagonist seeking justice for the murder of her brothers, breaking into song now and then. She is pitted against her uncle Marcellus, the earnest, ambitious, well-intentioned but clueless Mayor of the City played by Greg Hunter (one of the bright lights of January’s “And Away We Go.”) Hunter moves effortlessly between a high-toned politician and a faux-pastor leading a revival to rally the city behind him.
Teriah Fleming steals her scenes as the mayor’s lieutenant Le Roi, while Jacquese Steele impresses with her powerful singing voice (again, this is not a musical) as the mayor’s advisor Tea Flake. Kristy Allen provides strong support as the mayor’s seemingly stoic wife who is in truth the power behind the throne.
The rest of the dozen-plus cast functions mostly as Greek chorus, wearing matching black outfits emblazoned “Unearth the Truth.” Some of them play in the onstage three-piece ensemble, one of them plays “Summertime” on a saxophone and all of them excel at the choral chanting and foot-stomping choreography.
Again, it’s often difficult to distinguish between the written play and the interpolated contributions of director Shondrika Moss-Bouldin and her cast. Kelley is unsparing in her indictment of power structure, black or white. Much of the dialogue is in very real vernacular so the body mikes help. And the classic elements of Greek Tragedy are occasionally obvious, as with the Old Blind Seer and the somewhat over-the-top final scene. But overall, it’s certain you’ve never seen anything like this before.
Riverwalktheatre.com
517-482-5700
__________________
Xtigone - MSU Arena
(guest review by T.E. Klunzinger)
Obviously in recent years I have missed a couple of things in the evolution of Modern Theater: first, the increasing use of Devised Theater, whereby you start with a basic script or concept and throw in whatever you can think of, such that every production of a given title is different; and second, you have the impulse to do a musical but the designated writer has no music (notes on a scale) to contribute, so you use rhythmic chanting, usually known as hip-hop, instead. (I understand “Hamilton” is very successful in this respect.)
“Xtigone” by the Chicago-based Nambi Kelley, MSU’s Global Diversity Play currently at the Auditorium Arena through this Sunday only, is the latest local example of these two trends. It helps a lot to read the preview articles in local media, so you come in knowing that this is an adaptation of the classic Greek play “Antigone” with which I am not familiar, now set against the gun violence of gang wars in Chicago, as this show is light on plot but heavy on allegory.
That said, an energetic multiracial cast brings this show to crackling life. Jenise Cook (late of Owosso’s “Ghost”) is the authoritative protagonist seeking justice for the murder of her brothers, breaking into song now and then. She is pitted against her uncle Marcellus, the earnest, ambitious, well-intentioned but clueless Mayor of the City played by Greg Hunter (one of the bright lights of January’s “And Away We Go.”) Hunter moves effortlessly between a high-toned politician and a faux-pastor leading a revival to rally the city behind him.
Teriah Fleming steals her scenes as the mayor’s lieutenant Le Roi, while Jacquese Steele impresses with her powerful singing voice (again, this is not a musical) as the mayor’s advisor Tea Flake. Kristy Allen provides strong support as the mayor’s seemingly stoic wife who is in truth the power behind the throne.
The rest of the dozen-plus cast functions mostly as Greek chorus, wearing matching black outfits emblazoned “Unearth the Truth.” Some of them play in the onstage three-piece ensemble, one of them plays “Summertime” on a saxophone and all of them excel at the choral chanting and foot-stomping choreography.
Again, it’s often difficult to distinguish between the written play and the interpolated contributions of director Shondrika Moss-Bouldin and her cast. Kelley is unsparing in her indictment of power structure, black or white. Much of the dialogue is in very real vernacular so the body mikes help. And the classic elements of Greek Tragedy are occasionally obvious, as with the Old Blind Seer and the somewhat over-the-top final scene. But overall, it’s certain you’ve never seen anything like this before.
Xtigone continues at MSU Arena Theatre Fri 4/1-8pm; Sat 4/2-8pm; Sun 4/3-2pm (with director pre-show discussion Sunday at 1:15 pm)
Buy tickets at the box office on the Farm Lane side of the Auditorium building, then go downstairs to the Arena
$13 general ($11 student/senior)
_____________________
Riverwalk Scholarship application deadline April 8!
Do YOU know a theatre student who could use $2500?
AND don’t miss YOUR 1 in 200 chance to win $5000!
Only 200 raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each. You could win $5000 if your ticket is drawn at the 2016 Barneys!
The first $10,000 raised will be divided between the $5,000 prize and two $2,500 scholarships for performing arts students. The second $10,000 will support Riverwalk’s Building and Site Fund to improve and maintain our theatre.
Scholarship applicants must be accepted in a post-secondary performing arts program (theatre, theatrical design, performing arts management, dance or music) and have a history of participation in performing arts. Special consideration will be given for participation in Riverwalk Theatre productions. Information is also be available on the website.
Riverwalk Scholarship application deadline April 8!
Do YOU know a theatre student who could use $2500?
AND don’t miss YOUR 1 in 200 chance to win $5000!
Only 200 raffle tickets will be sold at $100 each. You could win $5000 if your ticket is drawn at the 2016 Barneys!
The first $10,000 raised will be divided between the $5,000 prize and two $2,500 scholarships for performing arts students. The second $10,000 will support Riverwalk’s Building and Site Fund to improve and maintain our theatre.
Scholarship applicants must be accepted in a post-secondary performing arts program (theatre, theatrical design, performing arts management, dance or music) and have a history of participation in performing arts. Special consideration will be given for participation in Riverwalk Theatre productions. Information is also be available on the website.
Raffle Tickets will be sold from September 1 through the Barneys intermission on June 18, 2016 (if they last that long!) At the Barney ceremony, a $5,000 prize will be awarded to one ticket holder who doesn’t have to be present to win. Two $2,500 scholarship winners will also be announced at the Barneys.
Tickets are available from the Riverwalk Theatre office, Riverwalk Board members and at:
www.riverwalktheatre.com/scholarship - which also has the scholarship application.
Tickets are available from the Riverwalk Theatre office, Riverwalk Board members and at:
www.riverwalktheatre.com/scholarship - which also has the scholarship application.
__________________
Jane Zussman
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