Riverwalk Theatre recently announced productions for the fall and beyond. Instead of its usual 12 shows per season, five are planned. The selections — and decision to reopen after shutting down 17 months ago because of COVID — came only after much thought and planning.
“We have had nonstop meetings and workgroups since March 2020 to understand the best, most current information,” Jeff Magnuson said. “Our production committee and reopening workgroup were determined to prioritize risk mitigation and safety.”
Magnuson is president of Riverwalk’s board of directors. He also acts and directs. The last time Magnuson was involved in a play was when he directed “Unnecessary Farce” in February 2020 — just before the pandemic hit Michigan hard.
“Actors were jumping in and out of beds while kissing each other,” Magnuson said. “It was definitely a different time, then.”
Riverwalk’s last indoor show was “A Hotel on Marvin Gardens.” It closed after only one performance in March 2020. Its next inside play, “Doubt” — directed by Bob Robinson — happens in October. The John Patrick Shanley parable was dropped last year because of the pandemic. Lansing audiences might know “Doubt” from a 2007 BoarsHead production, or from the Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman movie.
Like all of Riverwalk’s upcoming shows, “Doubt” is being presented in its Rotary Main Stage Auditorium. No Black Box plays will be featured and only one production will take place at a time inside the theater on Museum Drive.
“We are currently planning distanced seating with only 50% of the seats available,” Magnuson said. Only half of the Auditorium’s 200 seats will be sold for each performance.
The COVID-canceled Riverwalk musicals — “Once on This Island,” “Shrek” and “Sweeney Todd” — are not being rescheduled.
“With so much ambiguity around audience comfort and safety, it felt right to get some smaller shows under our belts,” Magnuson said. More expensive musicals are also hard to afford at a time of no ticket sales. “We will get there again,” he said.
In November, Riverwalk presents “All Together Now!” Magnuson called it “an exciting way for Riverwalk to have a musical revue.”
Music Theatre International is offering the rights and format for “All Together Now!” at no cost. All 50 states and dozens of countries are participating in the one-weekend event. Tricia Rogers will direct Riverwalk’s version, which includes songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Les Misérables” and other favorite Broadway tunes.
In February, George Popovich will direct “Lobby Hero,” Kenneth Lonergan’s 2001 dramedy about the moral uncertainty of modern life set in a high-rise in Manhattan. In April, Yasmina Reza’s “Art” comes to the main stage. The raucous comedy is set in Paris and will be directed by retired WKAR broadcaster Scott Pohl.
Riverwalk’s reopening season will close with “The Revolutionists,” by Lauren Gunderson. Tom Ferris — a Riverwalk founding member and familiar face in local theater — directs. The pandemic-rescheduled “The Revolutionists” is a dream-tweaked comic play about the French Revolution.
Magnuson remains hopeful that the 33rd season will be completed. “I’m not much of a worrier,” he said. “I am someone who prefers to focus on what we can control.”
Riverwalk is requiring all volunteers and staff who participate in their building to be fully vaccinated. A new air purification system has been budgeted. The five productions intentionally involve smaller casts and crew.
“We have made and continue to make the safety of our staff, volunteers and audiences the highest priority as we reopen,” Magnuson said. “We are the longest-running community theater in the area for a reason,” he said. “We are resilient. We will be here when the pandemic ends.”
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here