Starlight Dinner Theatre seeks help amid economic difficulties

Theater is one of Lansing’s strengths when it comes to the arts, and part of that strength comes from the diversity of the theater companies. Each has its own unique identity and mission, and Starlight Dinner Theatre is no different. Unfortunately, that identity has put Starlight in a tenuous economic position, forcing its board to do something that most people hate to do: ask for help.

In a recent letter to its supporters, Starlight’s board of directors outlined the financial circumstances jeopardizing the theater’s future. It explained that, following the challenges of the COVID pandemic, “years of shifting dates, changing locations, and uncertainty took a heavy toll. We lost audience members during the pandemic, and the lack of a consistent performance venue caused us to fall off the radar for many of our longtime patrons.”’

With the abundance of other theater companies in the area, it would be easy to shrug off Starlight’s peril and assume that if it shutters, other theaters will absorb its audiences. This is not likely, because no other company caters dinner or caters specifically to senior citizens, which is what sets Starlight apart. 

Founder, President and artistic director Linda Granger has great affection for her audience of predominantly seniors and wants to continue to provide a comfortable and convenient entertainment experience. 

“They’re not comfortable going to the artsy shows,” she said. “They tell me, ‘Linda, we’ve had enough death and sadness in our lives, we don’t want to see any more. We just want to come here and laugh and have fun.’” 

To that end, Starlight focuses on comedies, musicals and light dramas.

In full transparency, City Pulse theater critics have not always been the kindest when reviewing Starlight shows, myself included, because we measured them against shows with edgier material or higher production values. In retrospect, this was not entirely fair. Starlight has been true to its mission of providing a comprehensive entertainment experience for its target market. 

Granger is proud of Starlight’s role in the theater community: “We’re here to entertain. We’re not here to open your mind, because other theaters are doing that.” 

It’s that kind of plain talk and self-awareness that makes a conversation with Granger a treat. She is a bundle of energy, fluttering about from topic to topic yet singularly focused on Starlight’s mission and clearly dedicated to its continued success. While her sheer willpower might carry the company through this economic challenge, support from the community would be gratefully accepted. 

Starlight has had the perfect home at Waverly East Intermediate School, one of the few spaces in town with a stage and enough floor space to allow patrons to remain in the same seats for dinner and the show. In the past, the company could rehearse in the space for free and paid rent only during tech week and the run of the show, but following renovations at the school, a new rental fee structure was enacted that includes charges for all rehearsal time. 

Unable to absorb those additional costs, Granger has been forced to find other spaces for rehearsals, currently Dart Bank in Grand Ledge. While she appreciates that the bank has offered up its basement, it’s much more work for the cast and crew to commute out of town. 

When asked what Starlight needs to survive and thrive, Granger identified four key needs: a free and convenient rehearsal space, increased ticket sales, donations and volunteers. Granger has reached out to various nonprofit service groups to try to get assistance with volunteer work such as setup, food service and cleanup, to no avail. She often finds herself bussing tables. While Granger is purpose driven and chock full of energy, Starlight can’t be a one-woman show. One benefit of volunteering, she noted, is that volunteers can watch the production for free. 

In its 20 years, Starlight has been able to produce as many as five shows in a season, but Granger doesn’t see the company hitting that high in the future. She will be satisfied with two solid shows a year. The company will close out 2026 with the comedy “The Butler Did It” and open 2027 with the musical “The Fantasticks.”

Starlight’s board is committed to its survival. As the board notes in its appeal, “We refuse to give up on Starlight Theatre without a fight. We believe we provide an evening of dinner, theatre and entertainment that cannot be found anywhere else in the area.” Perhaps it’s time for new audiences to treat themselves to the Starlight experience.