2017 Summer Theater Guide

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MSU SUMMER CIRCLE THEATRE

All performances are free and take place in the Summer Circle Courtyard, located on Auditorium Road between the Auditorium Building and the Kresge Art Center. Free parking is available in the lot across from the Auditorium Building.

JUNE 7-10 | ‘SEE ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS’ MSU’s Summer Circle Theatre kicks off with a collection of small musicals of varying styles set at tourist destinations across America. Written by Brad Alexander with music and lyrics by Adam Mathias, this musical explores missed connections and new possibilities. Ages 11 and up. 8 p.m.

JUNE 14-17 | ‘PETER / WENDY’ MSU’s Summer Circle Theatre follows the second star to the right to bring the familiar story of Peter Pan to the summer stage. Written by Jeremy Bloom, this musical brings an inventive new twist on well-known characters like Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinker Bell. All ages welcome. 8 p.m.

JUNE 21-24 | ‘BIKE AMERICA’ The third installment in MSU’s Summer Circle Theatre brings the story of Penny. Written by Mike Lews, this play follows Penny, who finds clarity and direction in life during a cross-country bike trip from Boston to California. Mature audiences only. Contains profanity and adult situations. 8 p.m.

JUNE 9-10, 16-17 | ‘THE AMAZING AMERICA ROAD TRIP’ The Summer Circle Kids Show features a family driving across America in hopes of restoring their faith in the country after the challenging presidential election. Written and directed by Rob Roznowski, the non-partisan comedy showcases the best of the American spirit. All ages welcome. 6:30 p.m.

JUNE 16-17, 23-24 | ‘BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS’ The Summer Circle Late Night presents one man’s quest to be “a Great man”. Written by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, this dark comedy follows Bob on his journey across America in pursuit of happiness but instead reveals a fractured and warped American Dream. Mature audiences only. 10 p.m.

JUNE 19-23 | SUMMER CIRCLE THEATRE KIDS CAMP Summer Circle Theatre hosts its third annual free summer kids camp for 60 first through sixth grade Mid-Michigan students. The camp is taught by MSU Department of Theatre faculty and undergraduate and graduate students, teaching kids in acting, design, music and dance. The camp concludes with a free public performance on June 23. 1-5 p.m.

LCC SUMMER STAGE UNDER THE STARS 2017

LCC’s annual free performing arts festival features music, theatre and dance presented at LCC’s outdoor stage and in Dart Auditorium. All performances begin at 7 p.m. and take place on the outdoor stage unless otherwise noted. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/showinfo

JUNE 21-25 | ‘WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S LAND OF THE DEAD’ LCC’s Summer Stage Under the Stars kicks off with a fresh new take on the life of William Shakespeare. Written by John Heimbuch, the play transports the audience to the backstage of the Globe Theatre with Shakespeare and his acting troupe as they fight a zombie horde that’s taking over Elizabethan London. Ages 10 and up. 7 p.m.

JULY 19-23 | ‘FAILURE: A LOVE STORY’ LCC takes on a magical, musical fable about love and running out of time.

Written by Philip Dawkins, the musical is about the three Fail sisters, the man that fell in love with them and their untimely death in 1928. Best suited for older youth and adults. 7 p.m.

JULY 25-28 | ‘DANCE LANSING’ Local dance groups team up to present four nights of new dances. The collaboration, founded Happendance and LCC Performing Arts, now includes the Everett High School Dance Program, Fusion Dance Center, Greater Lansing Academy of Dance, MICA Gallery, Michigan State University Department of Theatre and MSU Orchesis. Ages 6 and over, though concerts may run up to two hours long. Dart Auditorium.

WILLIAMSTON THEATRE

Through June 18 | ‘Taking Shakespeare’ When a disillusioned college professor is asked to tutor her dean’s son through his freshman Shakespeare class, she finds it to be as much a test for her as it is for him. But as they explore the Bard’s “Othello” together, they learn more about each other — and themselves — than either is ready to admit. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $25-30/$10 students/$2 discount for seniors and military. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655- 7469, williamstontheatre.org.

July 13-Aug. 20 | ‘Murder for Two’ Williamston Theatre closes out its 2016-2017 season with a witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries. When a famous novelist is shot dead at his own surprise birthday party, a small town policeman must must find the killer among the oddball collection of party guests. Call or see website for showtimes and prices. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam St., Williamston. (517) 655- 7469, williamstontheatre.org.

RIVERWALK THEATRE

JULY 20-23 | ‘CORALINE’ Riverwalk Theatre’s Young Artisan Workshop tackles the Neil Gaiman’s story of a young girl who discovers a doorway to a strange parallel universe. Auditions for the play will be held May 21 and 22; call the theater box office for audition details. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 4:30 p.m.

Sunday. Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing. (517) 482-5700, riverwalktheatre.com.

MICHIGAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

This year’s festival, which runs July 6-23, features performances of the Bard’s “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Julius Caesar,” as well as Anton Chekov’s “The Seagull.” Single show tickets and three-show flex passes are available; see website for prices and show times.

Baughman Theatre, 2111 Emmons Road, Jackson. (517) 998-3673, michiganshakespearefestival.com.

RENEGADE THEATRE FESTIVAL

Lansing’s multi-venue theater festival showcases two weekends of live performances — Aug. 10-12 and 17-19 — ranging from comedy to drama and improv. The first weekend is dedicated to the festival’s N.O.W project, which features new original works, and the second features local theater groups. Schedule to be announced. FREE. renegadetheatrefestival.org.

OVER THE LEDGE THEATRE CO.

Grand Ledge’s Over the Ledge Theatre Co. offers three summer shows at the Ledges Playhouse. The 2017 season features “Elephant’s Graveyard” (July 6-16), “Moon Over Buffalo” (Sept. 7-17), and Jeff Daniels’ “The Tropical Pickle” (dates TBA). Keep an eye on the website for performance times and ticket prices. (517) 318-0579, overtheledge.org.

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