The cast and crew of the Summer Circle Theatre prepare for one of the final dress rehearsals June 8th, 2015 for the opening production of "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play" in their new courtyard. Wyatt Giangrande/State News
The Michigan State Department of Theatre announced this year’s Summer Circle Theatre program theme is "Laughing Matters," and will be focused on various forms of comedy.
“This year’s theme was decided upon purely just based on how we could all use a good laugh once in a while." MSU Head of Acting and Directing Rob Roznowski said. "The shows selected are really an examination of many different kinds of comedy from highbrow to lowbrow. From spoof to dark comedy and everything in between.”
This will be the 59th season of the program.
The season begins next Thursday with “One Man, Two Guvnors”, a modern adaptation of the 1743 commedia dell’arte "The Servant of Two Masters." The show "follows the misfortunes of perpetually hungry Francis, who suddenly finds himself employed by two separate bosses." Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. on June 6, 7 and 8 and at 4 p.m. on June 9.
The next weekend of the season will feature the Oscar Wilde play “The Importance of Being Earnest," as adapted and directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Daniel T. Smith, a dramaturg and theatre historian. This comedy of manners satirizes the Victorian era. Performances are at 8 p.m. on June 13, 14 and 15 and at 4 p.m. on June 16.
The third week of the season will feature the musical spoof “Dames at Sea.” "This zany homage to movie musicals of the 1930s is a tap-dancing delight," the MSU Department of Theatre said in the press release. "With book and lyrics by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller and music by Jim Wise, the show is a perfect night out for the whole family." Performances are at 8 p.m. on June 20, 21, and 22 and at 4 p.m. on June 23.
Roznowski will present the premiere of the kid-friendly show “Comic Timing”, on June 7-8 and 14-15. "For those who want to make a night of it, the late-night slot includes the Second Stage Improv troupe on June 6, 7, 8 and 20 at 10 p.m. and an “adults only” pitch-black comedy, “How to Make Friends and Then Kill Them” by Halley Feiffer on June 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 10 p.m.," according to the press release.
“Last year’s season explored love and this year's, we just thought 'let’s make them laugh,'" Roznowski said. "This season we invite you to turn off the news, kick back and enjoy the summer with us. Because laughing matters.”
The Summer Circle Theatre performances will take place in an outdoor venue between the Kresge Art Building and the MSU Auditorium. Free parking is available across the street. In the event of rain, the performances will be moved into the Fairchild Theatre. Performances are free and open to the public.
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