from the Community Circle Players at

Riverwalk Theatre Season 34 • Number 3

October, 2022
228 Museum Dr. • PO Box 12249 • Lansing, MI 48901 • 517-482-5700 • Office Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 am to 5 pm • e-mail: [email protected] • web site: RiverwalkTheatre.com

fab·​u·​la·​tion: the act of inventing What’s on

or relating false or fantastic tales at r i v e r wa l k
This “fabulation” process takes us on a multi-
layered journey with an all-too-human protagonist
® October 20-30 - Fabulation
- or the Re-Education of
in this social satire about an ambitious, haughty Undine - SerioComedy by
African-American woman. Undine Barnes Calles’ Lynne Nottage, Directed by Rose
husband suddenly disappears after embezzling all of Jangmi Cooper - Main Stage
her money. Pregnant and on the brink of social and H 10am - Noon, Saturdays, Oct.
financial ruin, Undine retreats to her childhood home 29 and Nov. 12 & 26 - Free
in Brooklyn’s Walt Whitman projects, only to discover Workshops on Play
Writing for Emerging
that she must cope with a crude new reality. Undine Playwrights contest
faces the challenge of transforming her setbacks into (See page 2.)
small victories in a battle to reaffirm her right to be.
Director Rose Jangmi Cooper initially wanted to she was on the live stage, tackling the challenging A 7pm, Wed. Nov. 2 & 10am,
Sat. Nov. 5 Auditions for
direct Fences. Then not being able to get the rights role of “Faye” in Skeleton Crew for Ixion Ensemble. Lola/Simon & Angels in
turned out to be more a blessing than a curse, as it Rose’s “Fabulation Squad” includes multiple local KinKy Boots Directed by
led her to Fabulation. Once she realized it was a award-winning actors and crew, along with several Kelly Stuible (See page 3.)
Lynn Nottage script (she wrote Sweat, in which Rose new faces and returnees to the stage. Rose reports a ¯ December 8-18 - A YEAR
played “Cynthia” at RWT in 2019,) Rose was all-in. genuine feeling of open collaboration, each commit- WITH FROG AND TOAD -
ted to giving their all in telling this wonderful story. Family Musical by Arnold
This is Rose’s first main-stage directing gig at Lobel, Directed by Tom Ferris
Riverwalk, though she has lit up the local theatre “After the cast list was announced, many people
- Main Stage
said that I picked the ‘Black All-Stars of theatre in
scene in recent years, acting and directing with Ixion
Ensemble and playing “Othello” in The Curtainless Lansing.’ I beg to differ. I picked the All-Stars of A December 11-12 - Sun/
Lansing theatre.” Mon, 7pm - AUDITIONS for
Theatre’s The Play’s the Thing, followed by playing MISERY, Directed by Ayden
“Cynthia” in Riverwalk’s Sweat. We look forward to these actors’ returning in future Soupal
During the shortened-by-Covid 2020 theatre shows! (Vanessa Mazhangara, Wulf Hogan, Norrlyn-
Michael Allen, Janell Hall, Julian Van Dyke, Timetra
A Dec. 19-20 - Sun/Mon, 7pm
season, Rose directed the virtual play #Matter and - Auditions for Kinky
performed in Riverwalk’s virtual productions of EA Horton, Lorenzo Lopez, Jillian Tosolt, Ny’kieria Boots, remaining roles,
(Eater’s Anonymous) and Working. Last November Blocker, Teriah Nicole, and Jordan Taylor) Directed by Kelly Stuible
According to Rose, “Vanessa Mazhangara — our ® February 9-19 - Misery -
‘Undine’ — feels like a hidden treasure Thriller by William Goldman
that I uncovered, as breathtakingly based on the Stephen King
beautiful as she is deeply talented. I feel novel, Directed by Ayden
Soupal - Black Box Stage
blessed to watch her bring her magic to
her role. And witnessing her and Wulf
Hogan play off of each other, gives me
®PLAYS: (both black-box &
main stage) 7 pm Thurs.;
goose bumps. They take ‘chemistry’ to 8 pm Fri. & Sat.; 2 pm Sun.
a whole new level.” Fri./Sat./Sun. $15 ($12 sr/
Note: Fabulation contains strong student/military) Bargain
Thursdays $12/$10
language and adult subject matter.
It opens Thursday, October 20. Riverwalk
¯ MUSICALS: 7 pm Thursdays;
8 pm Fri./Sat.; 2 pm Sundays
requires our audience to be masked; - $24 ($20 sr/student/military)
Thursday, 7 pm shows are sold at half ($12 age 12 & under)
capacity for greater social distance. Plan A AUDITIONS - more info at
riverwalktheatre.com/
on arriving about 30 minutes early to auditions
Director Rose Jangmi Cooper (L) directs “Undine” avoid long lines and parking issues. Call H SPECIAL EVENT: More info at
(Vanessa Mazhangara) 517-482-5700 for reservations. RiverwalkTheatre.com
Ripples - October - 2022 — Page 1
 REVIEW

Bell Book & Candle a Magical Evening

Bell Book & Candle was a pleasure to
see on the Black Box stage.
To begin with, visually the smart set (set
designer Leroy Cupp, built by Leroy, Bob
Nees and Tom Ferris), was perfect. The set
was nicely dressed as well (Mara McGill)
with excellent paint choices (Scenographer
Ric Sadler), all enhanced by spot-on lighting
(father/son duo Ted and Tim Daniel).
Costumes, ranging from evening gowns
to lingerie, were a colorful feast for the eyes
(Amanda Macomber) and Leon Green’s
sound design/tech was solid. Intimacy Coor-
dinator Amanda Tollstam made certain those
scenes were believable, not always an easy L to R: Nick Lemmer, Margo Guillory, Caila Conklin, Lewis C. Elson, Jeff Magnuson
task. AD/Stage Manager Jan Ross made sure
everything moved smoothly. And who could blame her with such a
So with such a fine canvas, under Direc- romantic leading man? Riverwalk newcomer
tor Amy Rickett’s talented hand, her cast Lewis C. Elson brought great energy to the
couldn’t help but shine. Caila Conklin as stage as the ofttimes confused but most
the austere witch Gillian Holroyd gave us sincere Shep Henderson.
a multilayered performance as she fell in Aunt Queenie as played by another
love accidentally. newcomer, Margo Guillory, was delightful
and looked wonderful in the various gowns
she wore.
As Gillian’s warlock brother Nicky,
Nick Lemmer was both adult and adolescent
— you could see him changing all the traffic
lights to green to ease his journey. Love the
haircut too!
Jeff Magnuson was beyond charming
and funny as the tipsy author Sidney Redlitch
— I have to say he took focus when he was
all too briefly on stage. And last but not
least, kudos to Pepper who gave us a stellar
performance as Pyewacket the Cat. Such All in all, a magical evening.
round yellow eyes! Jan Lockwood

QR

Complete details are available

at the Riverwalk website
by scanning this QR code.
QR Code for www.riverwalktheatre.com/Emerging-playwrights

Emerging Playwrights is a play-writing Free Workshops on Play Writing:

competition sponsored by Riverwalk Theatre. * 10am - Noon, Saturday, October 29 at the Wilson Community Center,101 W. Cass Street,
The competition is open to high school students St. Johns, MI - This session will be led by Roger Rochowiak, Published Playwright
in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties.
* 10am - Noon, Saturday, November 12 at Mason High School, 1001 S. Barnes St.,
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to write Mason, MI - This session will be led by Mark Sundermann, Script Writing Teacher
short one-act plays and submit them to the com-
* 10am - Noon, Saturday, November 26 at Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive,
petition. Five plays will be selected for produc-
Lansing, MI - This session will be led by Janet Colson, Published Playwright
tion and each author will receive a $1000 prize.
Student may register at www.riverwalktheatre.com/emerging-playwrights
Ripples - October - 2022 — Page 2
 a u d i t i o ns Membership
still funds at
authors Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Pat: Officious office manager least a quar-
Fierstein, Lola/Simon (both young with a wild side. Lola’s love ter of show
and old) will be cast using BIPOC interest. - Gender: Female - budgets plus
actors, and our Angels will be male- Age: 20 to 40 - Vocal range: general operat-
identifying actors in drag. Bb3-F#5. Strong voice with ing expenses
Charlie Price: A bit confused, rock/pop sound to maintain our
a bit unfocused, a hero hiding Trish: Factory worker with a building and
Musical Comedy by Harvey under a victim’s mantle - Gender: husband and kids to worry over staff.
Fierstein, Music by Cyndi Male - Age: 25 to 35 - Vocal range: - Gender: Female - Age: 20 to We’re
C3-B4 - Rock tenor 40 - Vocal range: Bb3-D5 Strong
Lauper • Directed by Kelly Counting
S t u i b l e - C l a rk • Mu sical
Young Charlie: Charlie as a voice with rock/pop sound on YOU for
seven-year-old boy. Lost, quiet, George: Factory manager
a secure
Director: Carin McEvoy • reflective. Gender: Male - Age: keeping up traditions. Re-
future!
Choreographer: Karyn Perry 7 - Vocal range: G4-D5 served. - Gender: Male - Age:
Actor — $15-24,
• Stage Manager: Rita Diebler Lola/Simon: A prize fighter’s 30 to 50 - Vocal range: G#2-D4
Ripples, voting on
physique draped in satin. A tal- The Angels: The drag per-
Auditions for Lola/Simon ented drag queen with a killer formers who populate The Blue
board members &
Members Choice fa-
& Angels 7pm, Wed. Nov. 2 voice and winning ways. BIPOC. Angel Nightclub. Star dancers vorite show award.
& 10am, Sat. Nov. 5 - Gender: Male - Age: 30 to 35 - that sing well. These are actors Technician —$25-
Vocal range: E3-B4. Star singer that identify as male, in drag -
Auditions for Remaining
49, Ripples, voting,
with incredible stage presence. Gender: Male - Age: 20 to 30 program listing
Roles 7pm Sun/Mon, Dec. R&B/pop voice with ability to riff - Vocal range: Bari-tenor/tenor Stage Manager —
19&20 Young Lola/Simon: Lola as with pop/rock sound. Up to C5 $50-99, Ripples, vot-
a ten-year-old boy who already Mr. Price: Charlie’s father. - ing, program listing,
Shows: March 2-5 & 9-12 knows he’s destined to wear high Gender: Male - Age: 50 to 80 and one comp ticket
Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited heels. BIPOC - Gender: Male - - Vocal range: G2-F4 Director — $100-
his father’s shoe factory, which is on Age: 10 - Vocal range: G3-D5 Simon Sr: Lola’s father. An 249, Ripples, voting,
the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live Nicola: Charlie’s long-term girl- unforgiving tower of anger. - program listing, two
up to his father’s legacy and save the friend. Driven, uncompromising. Gender: Male - Age: 30 to 50 comp tickets
business, he finds inspiration in the - Gender: Female - Age: 20 to 30 Harry: A contemporary of Producer — $250-
form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer - Vocal range: E3-F#5. Strong belt Charlie’s but his opposite. 499, Ripples, voting,
program listing, four
in need of some sturdy stilettos. This Lauren: Beautiful, strong work- Successful, self aware and con-
comp tickets
unlikely pair finds more in common ing class girl - Gender: Female fident. - Gender: Male - Age: 25
Star — $500-999,
than they realized... and discover that - Age: 20 to 30 - Vocal range: to 40 - Vocal range: F#3-F#4
Ripples, voting,
when you change your mind, you can Bb3-F#5. Strong belt and pop Richard Bailey: Nicola’s program listing, six
change your whole world. influences. boss. An overtly attractive and comps, name on the-
We welcome all gender expres- Don: Lola’s nemesis. Burly hyper- successful man. - Gender: Male atre seat
sions, ethnicities, abilities, and body masculine bear of a factory worker. - Age: 30 to 50 Angel — $1000+,
types at our auditions. Please come Sings up to D5 for the finale - Gen- Ensemble: Hooligans, Fac- Ripples, voting, pro-
as your full authentic self! As we der: Male - Age: 20 to 40 - Vocal tory Workers, Pub Patrons, gram listing, 12 comp
seek to honor the artistic intent of range: A2-F4 Photographers, Club Patrons tickets, name on a the-
atre seat and on the do-
nor board in the lobby
Thriller by William Car-accident-injured romance THREE ways to
Goldman, based on the novelist is rescued/imprisoned by join: go to river-
novel by Stephen King his “number one fan,” who forces walktheatre.com
him to write as if his life depended - click “more” then “get
Directed by Ayden Soupal on it. Three roles open to any race: involved” to join on-
novelist Paul, crazed fan Annie, line — OR phone Mike
Auditions: Sun. & Mon., investigating officer Buster. More with your credit card
Dec. 11-12, 7 pm - Shows: info at Riverwalktheatre.com/ info 517-482-5700 —
February 9-19, 2023 auditions Or just mail a check
to Mike at the office,
Perusal scripts for all shows are available at the Riverwalk office, Tuesday - Friday, P.O. Box 12249, Lansing
10 am - 5:30 pm. Call 517-482-5700 to check availability: [email protected] 48901. We’re 501c3 tax
deductible.
audition forms are available online at www.riverwalktheatre.com/auditions.html
Ripples - October - 2022 — Page 3
 Riverwalk
2022-2023 Officers
Exec Committee Report
Greetings from your new support to arts and cultural organizations whose pri-
President..........Brian Farnham
Admin. VP............... Kate Clark RWT President, Brian Farnham, mary mission is to provide an experience, including a
Production VP...........Shannon taking over after the seven- learning experience, that is based in a specific arts or
Bowen cultural discipline.
year reign of Jeff Magnuson.
Treasurer.................... Michele
Thanks, Jeff! Other officers Other grants pending. Stay tuned!
Booher-Purosky
Secretary............. Elisha Smith elected are Administrative VP The Arts Council rented Riverwalk on Tuesday,
Kate Clark, Production VP October 4 for the keynote speech in their Creative
2022-2023 Board Shannon Bowen, Secretary Placemaking Summit. This was a super cool opportu-
of Directors nity to bring some new faces into RWT. I was there to
Elisha Smith, and returning Trea-
Darrin Fowler
Leon Green surer Michele Booher-Purosky. give an introduction and let their attendees know about
Sarah Hayner I’m thrilled to announce our $10,000 GRIT grant our upcoming season.
Bernie Lucas from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. It’s no We kicked off our strategic planning process with
Amanda Macomber board members and certain guests (Tom Ferris, Leroy
Scott Mandel
secret that the arts and culture sector in Greater Lansing
Lauren Mudry was hit especially hard during the pandemic shutdown. Cupp, Joe Dickson, Liane Zimny.) Our goal is to have a
Scott Pohl The Arts Council of Greater Lansing was keenly aware five-year plan by January next. Making great progress!
Ayden Soupal of the struggles the arts community had been facing and The Board also approved our hosting longtime CCP
Julian Van Dyke
Rick Wendorf applied for and received a grant to create their Gaining member and playwright Roger Rochowiak’s staged
Linda Widener Recovery in Transition (GRIT) Grant Program, provid- reading of his new comedy, Social Distancing; or
Aaron Wittbrodt ing a total of $200,000 in recovery funds to Greater How to Kill a Party on October 8. Riverwalk stalwart
Lansing’s arts and culture community. Riverwalk ap- Tom Ferris directed a day-long process with local actors,
Ripples is published by preciates the work the Arts Council of Greater Lansing! ending with a public staged reading that was videotaped
Riverwalk Theatre. Submit We also got an $18,500 Operations Grant from for future promotion purposes. Thanks to Roger and
info to Editor Jane Zussman MACC (Michigan Arts & Culture Council) a producer Elliott Smith for accepting donations on behalf
([email protected]) or
Riverwalk Manager Mike competitive grant program that provides operational of Riverwalk Theatre.
Siracuse (rwt@riverwalk-
theatre.com) 517-482-5700
or at RiverwalkTheatre.com
Halloween at the Costume Shop find something
The Costume Shop, managed by Riverwalk, has just what you need to look your best
U n iQUe C

for Parties, Plays, Special Events, HALLOWEEN!

Each rental item is unique, selected and
combined for an individual customer.
Separate articles start at $10;
P.O. Box 12249
Lansing MI 48901 complete ensembles at $45. RWTCostumeShop.com
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Next to Impression 5, Stop by for personal 1131 May Street, PAIDLansing, MI 48906
228 Museum Drive, south service. Lansing,
Hours Monday. MI 48901
& Friday 4:00-6:30
off Michigan Avenue, Permit No. 633
across from the email costumes@ Visit RWTCostumeshop.com for more info.
Lansing Center riverwalktheatre.com

contains
strong
language and
adult subject
matter

Supported in part by Michigan Arts AND Culture Council • National Endowment for the Arts • Community Foundation • arts council of greater Lansing

Ripples - October - 2022 — Page 4