Island Song - review
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Jane Zussman
Nov 8, 2025, 11:05:43 PMNov 8
to Jane Zussman
LCC’s Island Song is NOT a leisurely tale of life on a tropical isle, but a powerful musical blast celebrating the “too much” of the island of Manhattan. Sam Carner and Derek Gregor’s script paints musical portraits of seven young-ish people seeking assorted varieties of “success” in NYC — along with an adorable gang of hipsters seeking… “eh”? (Brycen Dunham, Caroline Abaalkhail and Mya Johnson-Wade.)
This parade of heartfelt anthems reminded me of Jason Robert Brown musicals, since the bulk of the stories are told through song, with very little dialogue. And these songs are show-stoppers, delivered by magnificent voices, under the creative direction of Kelly Stuible-Clark. As Kelly writes, “It’s about the chance encounters and painful goodbyes, the wins a losses and the uncertainty that comes with following your heart. It’s about listening for something bigger than yourself, while also learning to trust the voice within.” Definitely anthem material.
As scenes/songs bounce back and forth we get to know an aspiring actor with an unsupportive dad (Andres Perez), a “waiting” waitress (Kaitlyn Riel), a frustrated creative temp worker (Lizabeth Desmet), a sexy power lawyer (Lyndsey Camp), a sensitive, searching romantic (NyKieria Blocker), a lonely architect at odds with the city (Terry Fulton), and an endearing, over-sharing searcher (Xia Skowronek). They are distinct and engaging characters tackling the perils and promises of The Big City, overwhelmed and inspired by the enormity of it all.
Mia Irwin’s scenic design is a versatile, multi-level cityscape that enables seamless scene switching with Matty Peeterson’s lighting design. Music Director John Dillingham plays piano with a great combo band (Yoshi Fukagawa - guitar, Molly Rebeck-cello, Don Sare-bass, and Tim Thelen-drums) enhanced by impressive bucket percussionist Lydia Castilhos, a talented street musician — and she also did a lovely job as the dream dancer.
Note that there is quite a bit of sexual innuendo and “inappropriate” but tasteful sexual simulations and references. Not a little kids’ show.
Island Song continues at LCC’s Dart Auditorium tomorrow (Sunday 11/9) at 2pm and at 7pm next Friday and Saturday. Admission is FREE but you must pick up a voucher at the box office to assure butts don’t outnumber seats. Oh, and you’re invited to bring a nonperishable food or personal care item for the Food Bank table around the corner from the box office.
This parade of heartfelt anthems reminded me of Jason Robert Brown musicals, since the bulk of the stories are told through song, with very little dialogue. And these songs are show-stoppers, delivered by magnificent voices, under the creative direction of Kelly Stuible-Clark. As Kelly writes, “It’s about the chance encounters and painful goodbyes, the wins a losses and the uncertainty that comes with following your heart. It’s about listening for something bigger than yourself, while also learning to trust the voice within.” Definitely anthem material.
As scenes/songs bounce back and forth we get to know an aspiring actor with an unsupportive dad (Andres Perez), a “waiting” waitress (Kaitlyn Riel), a frustrated creative temp worker (Lizabeth Desmet), a sexy power lawyer (Lyndsey Camp), a sensitive, searching romantic (NyKieria Blocker), a lonely architect at odds with the city (Terry Fulton), and an endearing, over-sharing searcher (Xia Skowronek). They are distinct and engaging characters tackling the perils and promises of The Big City, overwhelmed and inspired by the enormity of it all.
Mia Irwin’s scenic design is a versatile, multi-level cityscape that enables seamless scene switching with Matty Peeterson’s lighting design. Music Director John Dillingham plays piano with a great combo band (Yoshi Fukagawa - guitar, Molly Rebeck-cello, Don Sare-bass, and Tim Thelen-drums) enhanced by impressive bucket percussionist Lydia Castilhos, a talented street musician — and she also did a lovely job as the dream dancer.
Note that there is quite a bit of sexual innuendo and “inappropriate” but tasteful sexual simulations and references. Not a little kids’ show.
Island Song continues at LCC’s Dart Auditorium tomorrow (Sunday 11/9) at 2pm and at 7pm next Friday and Saturday. Admission is FREE but you must pick up a voucher at the box office to assure butts don’t outnumber seats. Oh, and you’re invited to bring a nonperishable food or personal care item for the Food Bank table around the corner from the box office.
Jane Zussman
G.L.U.T. List
(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)
cell 517-930-0932
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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