Ripples - June 2021 — Page 1

228 Museum Dr. • PO Box 12249 • Lansing, MI 48901 • 517-482-5700 • Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 am to 2 pm • e-mail: RWT@riverwalktheatre.com • web site: RiverwalkTheatre.com

What’s onat r i v e r Wa l k

from the Community Circle Players at

Riverwalk TheatreJune, 2021

Season 32 • Number 8

H Friday, June 18, 7 pm - BROaDWay-Jazz COn-neC TIOn - DJ Clarinet Combo - Doug Carleton and his jazz musicians - outdoors, Riverwalk parking lot seat-ing, byo chairs - $15 ($10 for RWT Members)

H Fri-Sun, July 16-18, 7 pm - LOuDeR THan WORDs Celebrating musical the-atre - Creative Team: Brian Farnham, angie schwab, Polly Bashore - emcee: Matt Ottinger - ensemble: Caila Conklin, Luka Pawsek, ny’kieria Blocker, Kayla Henry, John Henrikson, erin Biel - A celebration in lieu of the Barney Awards - outdoors, Riverwalk parking lot seat-ing, byo chairs $15 ($10 for RWT Members)

H Sat/Sun, August 21-22, 3 pm - aRTs In THe PaRK PeRFORManCe FesTIvaL - an uplifting hour of music, dance, poetry and more - Adado Riverfront Park Salt Shed Stage - admission by donation.

H Thursday, August 26, 7 pm - B.O.B. LIve! (Winner and runner-up of Virtual Battle of the Bands; see p. 3) Tell yo Mama and Our attic outdoors, Riverwalk parking lot seating, byo chairs $15 ($10 for RWT Members)

H MeMBeRs watch your email for notice of our vIRTuaL annuaL MeeTInG in July, date/time TBA. Electronic board ballot by email and via RiverwalkTheatre.com

After our COVID-shut down, and virtual shows, Riverwalk is returning to LIVE performance!

In the grand community theatre tradition of making it work on a shoestring budget, armed with not much more than duct tape, cardboard and a love of performing, we offer three parking-lot music events plus some TBA staged readings, while gearing up for indoor shows next fall/winter. Stay tuned!

Broadway Jazz ConneCtionWelcome the dJ Clarinet Combo (D.J. Car-

leton - Clarinet; Kurtis Young - Bass; Peter Schutt - Drums; Dylan Sterner - Guitar). This concert honors the centennial of jazz on record and celebrates the many jazz standards that originated in Broadway shows. Girl Crazy, the 1930 Gershwin Brothers show, yielded many classics: “Strike Up the Band,” “Embraceable You,” “Oh, Lady Be Good” and “I Got Rhythm.” Enjoy jazzy version of such classics as “My Favorite Things,” “Hello, Dolly,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and more.

See you in the

Parking lot

Friday! Bring lawn

chairs

Join us outdoors in front of the building between Riverwalk and Impression 5. Bring your own lawn chairs, and you will be seated within marked, six-foot “pods” in the parking lot. Masks optional. Parking opens at 6 pm; show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 members) at the door.

(In case of rain, cancellation will be called by 5 pm.)

Ripples - June 2021 — Page 2

REVIEW

WORKING; a musical video triumphWorking really “worked” in this COVID-

necessitated video format. Riverwalk’s previous virtual show, A Doll’s House, was remarkable in that it created the illusion of one unified room, despite actors recording remotely. Working was remarkable in that each monologue created its own unique location and perspective — unified not by place but by the idea of work and how it defines us. Each performer connected with the viewer in an up-close-and-personal way, offering insight into a wide variety of jobs.

Director Kelly Stuible-Clark jumped off the never-done-it-this-way-before cliff to help individual performers create interesting, active scenes. This fascinating two hours flew by and touched both brain and heart.

Music Director Nicole Martin, and Ac-companist/Orchestrator Kait Wilson (who also performed) with the help of Audio Engineer Levi Galloway, blended the “cast of thousands” (26) into uplifting group numbers, overcoming the challenge that each singer was recorded separately.

Kudos also to creative, complex editing by Matt Ottinger, and to Rita Deibler, who coordinated the many moving parts and tech-nologies needed for this remarkable musical.

When I first saw this show in 1985, I related most to the song “Just a Housewife”

which was my “job” in those days. Abigail Grill does a marvelous rendition of that still-moving song, complete with adorable “costar” son Korbin. These days, I think I relate more to “Fathers and Sons” (which could well be “Mothers and Sons?”) thought-fully rendered by Doak Bloss… or maybe “What I Could Have Been,” a great ensemble number. Kaitlyn Bess Riel sashayed her way

around the Woody’s Oasis restaurant “stage” with a style and aplomb I never had when I stumbled though waitressing back in the 70’s!

Kudos to all the performers — many talented new faces as well as some local favorites: Since there are royalties for this show (unlike A Doll’s House) it will not be re-broadcast later. If you missed it, you missed a gem.

Jane Zussman

The only time most of the cast actually performed together was here at Woody’s Oasis for the “It’s an Art” number by “waitress” Kaitlyn Bess Riel. Below, almost all were “onstage”

virtually, singing their hearts out. (Missing from the group below but very much present in their performances are Ben Cassidy and Cassandra Larieux)

Josh Martin Rose Jangmi Cooper Kameron Going Travis Williams Laura Croff

Nicole Martin Emily Kloc Kaitlyn Bess Riel Abbie Tykocki Kelly Sandula-Gruner

Jessica Donahue Sarah Hayner Erika Allen Kait Wilson Tricia Rogers

Saroopa Taylor Ayden Soupal Abigail Grill Dan Templin Maggie Dunn

Laney Soupal Doak Bloss Brian Farnham Rachel Mender Gordon Clark

Ripples - June 2021 — Page 3

The Production Committee is considering hosting a few staged readings this summer. If you are interested in participating (directing/acting) or have an

ORIGINal SCRIPT for consideration please send an electronic version of the script to lansingRWTProductions@gmail.com

“Tell Yo Mama” wins Virtual Battle of the Bands The Virtual Talent Showcase on

Riverwalk Theatre’s Facebook page Battle of the Bands is still available to watch, free! On Riverwalk’s Facebook page, find “video” under the “more” tab to watch this one, as well as the talent show and the comedy showcase.

Donations are welcome — and this is the perfect time to become a MEMBER of Riverwalk and be counted through the next fiscal year, June 30, 2022. https://www.riv-erwalktheatre.com/membership.html

The Battle features amiable emcee, Riverwalk Board Member and familiar WKAR voice, Scott Pohl, who gives us a little background on each group in this 42-minute video.

tom Heideman’s Peace on Earth is an uplifting, heart-warming Christmas party on your screen; the dangling Participles have mellow harmonies and interesting lyrics about Lake Superior and living 11 time zones apart; Jonathan Stars clones himself to cover all composing, singing, playing all in-struments and operating all tech on two clever

and touching original songs. our attic is an “indie/alt/chill” group boasting the soaring voice of Caila Conk-lin (pictured above, whom you may remem-ber from Piece of My Heart at RWT); ryan wells’ Bridge of aria includes the voice of

Spotlight on Superstar RWT Volunteers

erin Hoffman joined the Volunteer Resource Committee in the 2018-2019 season. Among her other contributions, she has repped the Holiday Cabaret for three consecutive seasons. Erin brings tremendous theatre experience, with nearly three decades perform-ing and volunteering around the Lansing community. A mainstay at Riverwalk, Erin’s considerable talents have helped to streamline the committee’s work over the last three years, including her sugges-tions for the committee charter

and name revision. We’re lucky to have Erin on the Volunteer Resource Committee!

Caila Conklin began working with the Volunteer Re-source Committee in the spring of 2019, balancing her time repping productions while performing in others like Hairspray and A Piece of My Heart, to name a few. Caila’s contributions have greatly influenced the direction of the committee, including supporting volunteer engagement and par-ticipation, and helping to identify best practices for the committee’s work looking to the future. We’re

thrilled that Caila is able to lend her immeasurable talents to our work with volunteers!

Shannon Bowen and Sarah Hayner, Volunteer Resource Committee co-chairs

Tell yo Mama Performing with Our attic Thursday, August 26, 7pm at B.O.B. LIve! - RWT parking lot byo chairs - $15 ($10 RWT Members)

rachel mender, another face you’ve seen on area stages - with a dramatic song and even more dramatic and highly produced video.

The winner, according to a tally of com-ments on Facebook, was Tell Yo Mama which offered a wild, psychedelic, funk-alicious video worthy of the early days of MTV.

Jane Zussman

Next Facebook Virtual Talent Showcase:a seLFIe CHaLLenGe! Anyone can participate! Show off your best selfie skills by sending us a shot of you as the hero OR villain in your favorite show, story or movie! Get creative and get to snapping. Submission deadline is Saturday, June 19, at 11:59 p.m. Send your pics to rora07@gmail.com.

Ripples - June 2021 — Page 4

Shannon BowenLiz CookeLaura CroffDan CurrieKate DickinsonKameron GoingLeon GreenSarah HaynerBernie LucasScott MandelScott PohlBrett RobertsonHope RollinsCody SkalmowskiLinda WidenerJane Zussman

Ripples is published by Riverwalk Theatre. Submit info to Editor Jane Zussman (jszussman@gmail.com) or Riverwalk Manager Mike Siracuse (rwt@riverwalk-theatre.com) 517-482-5700 or at RiverwalkTheatre.com

P.O. Box 12249 Lansing MI 48901

Next to Impression 5, 228 Museum Drive, south

off Michigan Avenue, across from the Lansing Center

supported in part by MICHIGan COunCIL FOR aRTs anD CuLTuRaL aFFaIRs • naTIOnaL enDOWMenT FOR THe aRTs • COMMunIT y FOunDaTIOn • aRTs COunCIL OF GReaTeR LansInG

angelBrian FarnhamLeon GreenMarge & Jack Hetherington

starSusan ChmurynskyJack & Susan DavisJane & Mark Zussman

IN MeMORY Of MaRGaReT INGRahaMKen Beachler

IN hONOR Of JaN lOCKWOOd’S BIRThdaYKen BeachlerElizabeth Boyd Leslie BroganMimi BurpeeMarcia Fishman Jim & Jan FryBillie & John HarrisonLee HelderAudrey Lockwood with

Lin Norton, Jenny, Danii, Bethany & Tara Buchanan

Eric LockwoodKathy Lockwood & Niel

ScottWilliam Loftus

Membership runs July - June. and funds at least a quarter of our show budgets as well as general operations. Without show revenue Riverwalk depends even more on you for operating expenses to maintain our building and staff. We WIll be back live onstage for “act II”!actor — $15-24,

Ripples, voting on board members & Members Choice favorite show award.

Technician —$25-49, Ripples, voting, program listing

Stage Manager — $50-99, Ripples, vot-ing, program listing, and one comp ticket

director — $100-249, Ripples, voting, program listing, two comp tickets

Producer — $250-499, Ripples, voting, program listing, four comp tickets

Star — $500-999, R i p p l e s , v o t i n g , program listing, six comps, name on the-atre seat

angel — $1000+, Ripples, voting, pro-gram listing, 12 comp tickets, name on a theatre seat and on the donor board in the lobby

Join or Renew: at riverwalk theatre.com — click “more” then “get involved” to join online...

OR just mail a check to Mike at the office, P.O. Box 12249, Lansing 48901. We’re 501c3 tax deductible.

STaGe MaNaGeRKate DickensonDale & Dianna DummerMarcus Fields Charles Hoogstraten Paul Quayle Shirley Veramay

TeChNICIaNKameron Going

aCTORChance BoydDan CurryMarilyn OwensSaroopa Taylor

IN MeMORY Of dONald a. YOuNG

Craig Young

IN MeMORY Of Paul ReeKIeBrenden GunnellTom KlunzingerJane & Mark Zussman

Season 32 Members - July 2021 through June 2022: Bob Mellor & Roger

RochowiakAnyssa MarvinColleen McNamaraSusan MesseSandy NortonPamela, Nancy & Minda

NyquistBill & Gloria PuroskyBob & Suzanne RobinsonJanice RuffMike SiracuseJurgen SkoppekPenny StumpJames TrebilcockKathy WilburJane WilenskyRonald Uken & Suzanne

Miel-UkenConnie & Michael

VanDerTuukJane & Mark Zussman

PROduCeRFacebook FundraisersTom & Carol FerrisJeff Magnuson & Amy

Rickett

dIReCTORDonna Aberlich Eric FreedmanEdric & Brandi Haleen,Judith LabovitzScott Mandell & Maureen

DyerZachary PohlSteven & Shirley RobinsonMary Ann Sipher & Eric

Freedman

riverWalk2020-2021 Officers President, Jeff MagnusonAdmin. VP, Darrin FowlerProduction VP, Rita DeiblerTreasurer, Michele Booher-

PuroskySecretary, Brian Farnham

2020-2021 Board of directors

get

a discount

on summer

parking-lot music shows. see page 1

Re-opened to the public!

Thursdays, 4:00 - 6:30 pm

1131 May St. 48906we will be closed the week if

July 4th and appointment only for the month of July, but we will return to open hours thursday 4 to 6:30 in august! (Due to reduced operations over the past year, there is no longer a dedicated telephone for the shop.) We are currently operating as “cash only” but hope to take credit cards again, soon. Volunteers are wel-come during shop hours! Currently, everyone is asked to wear a mask.

www.RwtCostumeshop.comM

eMBe

Rs

Arts in the PArk

PerformAnce festivAl

The Salt Shed in adado Riverfront Park 3 pm Sat/Sun august 21-22

Music/dancing/Theatre - lIVe!Experience an uplifting hour of hope,

optimism and reopening, with the following arts organizations:Habibi Dancers • Happendance

Lansing Children’s Choir Dwight Rich School for the Arts

Curtainless Theatre Riverwalk Theatre

Admission by donation.