Let it officially be known that theatre lovers no longer have to travel to New York City for high-quality performances. Scattered all over the Mid-Michigan area, on college campuses and in tiny towns, are acting companies with only one mission: to provide people with the kind of quality plays and musicals someone would normally expect only to find in a booming metropolis.
Potter Center at Jackson Community College
2111 Emmons Road, Jackson
jccmi.edu/events, (517) 787-8600
The Potter Center in Jackson prides itself on its diversity of performances. From big ticket musicians like Leann Rimes and Brian McKnight to stand up comedians to Broadway musicals, there is something there for everyone.
"We try really hard to have a broad array for both students and members of the community," Potter Center Executive Director Cindy Allen says. Allen encourages people to buy tickets for performances early so as to get discounted prices. "If you buy early and put it on your calendar, you'll follow through" Allen says.
Crazy White Boys Tour: Mark Wills and Josh Gracin - Oct. 16
Forever Plaid - Oct. 24
NBC's Last Comic Standing Live Tour - Nov. 6
An Evening with Leann Rimes - Nov. 20
Leahy Christmas Show - Dec. 12
Brian McKnight - Jan. 15
Menopause the Musical - Feb. 5-6
New Shanghai Circus - Feb.18
Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show - Feb. 26
Flying Karamazov Brothers - March 12
7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience - March 26
In the Mood - April 9
The Cab Calloway Orchestra - April 16
University Theatre at Central Michigan University
333 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant
cda.cmich.edu, (989) 774-3177
The University Theatre located on the campus of Central Michigan University performs a full season each year consisting of eight major productions, all of which are faculty directed and choreographed. The season includes six theatre productions and two dance concerts.
Incorruptible - Sept. 8-11 & 12
Dead Man's Cell Phone - Oct. 13-16 & 17
Into the Woods - Nov. 10-13 & 14
Everyman - Jan. 27-30 & Feb. 3-6
Fat Pig - Feb. 23-26 & 27
Stone Girls Dreaming - March 23-26 & 27
Orchesis Dance Theatre - April 14-16 17
Broadway Theatre
216 East Broadway, Mt. Pleasant
friendsofthebroadway.org, (989) 772-2075
While Mount Pleasant is something of a Mid-Michigan destination due to Central Michigan University, as well as those hoping to strike it rich at the Soaring Eagle Casino, the Broadway Theatre, located in the downtown area makes for another excellent reason to visit the city. The Broadway offers everything from children's plays to movie nights to classical Shakespeare renditions. All Mid-Michigan arts lovers should consider an outing to the Broadway.
Sweeney Todd - Sept. 10-12, 17-18
School of Rock - Oct. 8
Rocky Horror Picture Show - Oct. 29-30
Kids Variety Show - Nov. 5-7
Michigan State University Theatre School
113 Auditorium, East Lansing
(517) 355-6690 // theatre.msu.edu
Of the Michigan State University Theatre Department, the Lansing City Pulse says "MSU's Theatre Department excels in risk-taking, making bold choices that are undoubtedly valuable for students." A quick glance at their upcoming season shows a diverse, yet fun-filled roundup of performances.
The Main Stage features everything from interpretations from renowned playwrites like Shakespeare and Arthur Miller, to zombies, to the American dust bowl. The season is without a doubt something no Lansing theatre fan should miss.
The American Clock - Sept. 22-26, Sept. 29-Oct. 3
Evil Dead: The Musical - Oct. 15-17 & 20-24
As You Like It -Nov.16-21
The Wizard Of Oz - Feb. 18-20 & 23-27
The Grapes of Wrath - April 6-10
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
East Lansing
whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982
The Wharton Center, located on the Michigan State University campus, is Mid-Michigan's premier destination for theatre and other performing arts. In past years it has hosted Broadway mega hits like The Lion King and Wicked, as well as orchestras, jazz ensembles, and just about every other kind of cultural entertainment one could hope for. This upcoming season will be no different.
"Our performing arts season is about 40 performances ...with lots of diversity," said Communications Director Kent Love. "We have our [next] season book-ended with two mega-musicals: Disney's Mary Poppins and Jersey Boys."
Love also says the Wharton Center is dedicated to presenting numerous Michigan artists as well, citing the Detroit Symphony, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, and the Michigan Opera Theatre, all of whom will be performing this upcoming season.
Aesop Bops - Sep. 26
Tierney Sutton Band - Oct. 1
Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Oct. 7
Evil Dead: The Musical - Oct. 15-24
Pat Metheny: The Orchestrion Tour-Oct. 17
Somi - Oct. 28
Bayanihan - Nov. 4
Disney's Mary Poppins Nov. 4-21
As You Like It - Nov. 16-21
ABBA Mania - Nov. 28
A Chanticleer Christmas - Dec. 5
A Christmas Cabaret - Dec. 10-11
The Christmas Musical of Mannheim Steamroller - Dec. 11
9 to 5: The Musical - Dec. 15-19
Russian National Ballet Theatre: Romeo & Juliet - Jan. 7
Butch Thompson's New Orleans Jazz Originals - Jan. 21
STOMP - Jan. 21-23
Shrek the musical - Feb. 18-27
The Acting Company: Romeo & Juliet - Feb. 10
The Acting Company: The Comedy of Errors - Feb. 11
Ballet Hispanico - Feb. 15
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Feb. 18
The Wizard of Oz - Feb. 18-27
The Aluminum Show - Feb. 23
Yasmin Levy - Feb. 24
Spectrum: The Music of Motown - Feb. 25
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre - March 1
Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings - March 27
River North Chicago Dance Company - April 2
David Sedaris - April 4
Cyro Baptista - April 6
The Grapes of Wrath - Apr. 6-10
Chicago Apr. 8-10
Swingin', Stompin', and Rockin' 1 - Apr. 10
Michigan Opera Theatre: The Magical Flute - April 21
Peppermint Creek Theatre Company
Creole Gallery
1218 Turner St, Lansing
(517) 927-3016, peppermintcreek.org
For the past eight seasons the Peppermint Creek Theatre Company has drawn a lot of attention and cemented its position as leaders in the Mid-Michigan theatre community. Founder Chad Badgero likes to take risks with the plays his Company performs.
"We more than any other theatre in the area are taking on more current issues" Badgero said.
Some of those issues that the company has tackled include homosexuality, drugs, and race relations.
Badgero is happy to also have the opportunity to perform in the Creole Gallery in the hip, artistic neighborhood of Lansing known as Old Town. "Old Town is still creating itself just like us."
Caroline, or Change - Sept. 9-12 & 16-19
Reasons to be Pretty - Oct. 28-31 & Nov. 4-6
Equivocation - Jan. 27-30 & Feb. 3-5
Distracted - March 24-27 & March 31-April 2
The Pride - May 12-15 & May 19-21
Williamston Theatre
122 South Putnam, Williamston
williamstontheatre.org, (517) 655-SHOW
The Williamston Theatre is a rising star in the Lansing area theatre community. Having been around for only four seasons, the theatre has already had significant success in making Williamston, located 15 miles east of Lansing, into a destination for those looking for quality performances.
Williamston is a professional theatre and relies heavily on Michigan talent. Executive Director John Lepard says the theatre's audience has grown around 15% each season. Lepard also like to taut the town of Williamston as a convenient place for a night of dinner and theater. "Audiences only want to park once," Lepard said.
Blue Door - Sept. 23-Oct. 17
Greater Tuna - Nov. 11-14, 18-21, 26-29, Dec. 2-6, 9-12, 16-19
Oedipus - Jan. 27-30. Feb. 3-6, 10-13, 17-20
While We Were Bowling - March 17-20, 24-27, March 31-April 3, 7-10, 14-17
Eleemosynary - May 12- June 12
And The Creek Don't Rise - July 7- August 14
