There are five theater performances in the local area to start off the first weekend back to school.
"A Slight Exaggeration"
Written by: Robert J. Pickering
Performed by: Lansing Civic Players, a community theater group in the Greater Lansing area
Director: Winifred Olds
Actors: John Minsky, Marella Gore-Robinson, Gary Mitchell, Kristeen Pecora, Diane Cooke
Synopsis: The setting is a senior citizens' home. The play revolves around the mistaken identity of a new resident as a former famous professional golfer. The mistake is credited to a "slight exaggeration."
Where: Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, East Lansing
When: 8 p.m. Jan 14, 15, 21, 22; and 2 p.m. Jan 16 and 23
Tickets: $15 adults, $13 students and seniors, $8 for children 12 years old and younger
For further information, call (517) 484-9191 or reserve tickets online at lansingcivicplayers.org.
"Side by Side by Sondheim"
Music and lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Performed by: BoarsHead Theatre, mid-Michigan's professional theater group
Director: Geoffrey Sherman
Actors: Jeff Applegate, Shannon Locke, Sarah Elizabeth Wallace, Jeff Kressler, Dave Bacon with night by night Lansing media stars
Synopsis: It's a musical review. The show has no plot, but uses themes such as marriage to tie it together. It includes well-known, as well as obscure, songs from shows such as "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
Where: BoarsHead Theatre, 425 S. Grand Ave., Lansing
When: 7 p.m. Thursday showing, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday showings, 2 p.m. Sunday showings. The play runs Jan. 13-Feb. 6
Tickets: $12 college students, $25 to 33 adults (depending on the night)
Jan. 19 is a "Pay-What-You-Can Night"
For further information, call the box office at (517) 484-7805 or visit boarshead.org.
"Shakespeare's R&J"
Written by: Joe Calarco
Performed by: Sunsets with Shakespeare, a community theater group
Director: Todd Heywood
Actors: Nathan Loding, Braden Jahr, Andy Barnhart and Mark Peterson
Synopsis: Calarco's adaptation of William Shakespeare's play, "Romeo and Juliet," is set at a Catholic high school with four male students who are performing in the play. The boys find themselves inspired by the written word and find the strict world of Shakespeare's days similar to their own.
Where: Woldumar Nature Center's RE Olds Anderson Rotary Barn
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 14-16, 21-23
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students and seniors, as well as Woldumar Nature Center members
For further information, visit sunsetswithshakespeare.com or reserve tickets by e-mailing SunsetsTheater@aol.com
"The Magic School Bus - Live!"
Synopsis: Based on the Scholastic's book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen, characters from the books and TV show, such as teacher Ms. Frizzle, Arnold, Carlos and Wanda, make an appearance on the stage.
Where: Wharton Center
When: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 16
Tickets: $8-$16
For further information, call (517) 432-2000, 1-800-WHARTON or visit whartoncenter.com.
"Blue's Clues Live!"
Synopsis: It's based on the TV show. Blue and her friends are coming to celebrate her birthday, starring Blue's friend Joe.
Where: Breslin Center
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 14, 10 a.m. Jan. 15
Tickets: $16.50-$23.50
For further information, call (517) 432-5000 or visit breslincenter.com.
Sources: Lansing Civic Players, BoarsHead Theatre, Wharton Center, Breslin Center and Sunsets with Shakespeare
