Grumpy Old Men, the Musical - review

[Jane Zussman]

Starlight Dinner Theatre is serving up another heartwarming joke-fest with Grumpy Old Men. This musical version of the 1993 film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and Ann-Margret, was written by Dan Remmes with music by Neil Berg and lyrics by Nick Meglin. It adds catchy songs for the quirky characters in a homey, small-town tale of friend-foe-ship, and second chances at love.

We enjoyed the buffet dinner catered by James Avenue Catering and Bakery of Williamston: "Herb roasted chicken breast with sautéed mushrooms and Asiago white wine sauce, maple and honey glazed baby carrots, Michigan Salad: mixed greens, pecans, red onion, feta with raspberry dressing, homemade pull-apart rolls, pineapple sheet cake with cream cheese icing.” The little ice-fishing centerpieces by Mary Herrbach were adorable.

This is a charming show, but suffers the common affliction of a movie converted to stage play: too many scene changes. This is an extra challenge with the very limited backstage space at Waverly Intermediate’s small venue. I’ve been back there, and it is tight! Purple heart to the cast of 17 for juggling all those pieces as fast as possible, but the changes still hobbled what should be a very fast paced show. You don’t want too much time to think about some of those jokes!

It was great to see my original “prince” (Rumpelstiltskin 1990) Bob Murrell back onstage, evolved into mopey grumpiness as John Gustafson. His grumpy antagonist-friend Max Goldman was played by newcomer-to-me Ben Diebold. Both have great singing voices as does their love interest, Ariel (Jena Beal) another newcomer with warmth, charm and beauty.

The cast is filled with fun caricatures: the entertainingly injured mailman Paul Levandowski, the perpetually perky “Punky” (Helen Hart, who also assistant directed and choreographed) and Grandpa, played by the way-too-young to be such a dirty old man Phillip Franke. Mike Stewart — who also directed — played the avuncular proprietor of the “bait and tacle” shop. Leah Thelen and Rylan Bowman added youthful appeal as the younger, less grumpy couple. Caitlin Christenson was impressive as the sadistic IRS agent, Sandra Snyder.

Grumpy Old Men continues  

April 19 (Sun) 2 pm show, 1:30 dessert, no dinner)
April 24-25 (Fri-Sat) (7:30 pm show. 6:30 dinner)  April 26 (Sun) 2 pm show, 1:30 dessert, no dinner

Dessert Show Sundays: Pineapple cupcakes with creamy frosting and a cherry on top or chocolate caramel cupcake provided by “SandyBakes”.

Waverly East Intermediate School, 3131 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48917

NEW: Starlight is adding dessert-and-coffee option for an additional $7 for any performance, specifically for those who have not ordered dinner. 

Reservations: (517) 243-6040 or email starlightdi...@yahoo.com.  The website is not set up to take reservations currently. ALL FOOD needs to be ordered at the time of your reservation and cannot be purchased “at the door”. Prepayment either by check or credit card is required upon making your reservation.  
More info at https://www.starlightdinnertheatre.com/season-19.html

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

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