NOISE blog

"Dog Sees God"

I promised director and Peppermint Creek Theatre Company founder Chad Badgero that I wouldn't start my write up about "Dog Sees God" with the words "Good grief" so see I didn't.

But in all honestly, good grief oddly enough (since it is a catch phrase of the beloved Charlie Brown) is a good way to describe the show "Dog Sees God."
The unauthorized story of the "Peanuts" characters all grown up finds Snoopy dead, Lucy in an institution and Charlie Brown (CB as he is called in the show) more depressed than ever. Despite teen pregnancy, drugs, alcoholism and suicide, you can still find humor in the show.

"Little Shop Of Horrors"

In her director's note Stephanie Banghart wrote "It's not ever day that you get to work on a production you started staging in your bedroom when you were 10 years old."
And I have to agree that it's not often that at almost 27 years old you get to enjoy a live version of the movie you loved oh so much as a kid.

The nostalgia along with the energy packed performance made the opening night of "Little Shop Of Horrors" at Riverwalk Theatre totally fun and enjoyable.

Sure, it may be sick to find humor in the story of a man eating plant, but trust me it's in there. The show had the audience laughing out loud many a times.

'Wicked' is wonderful

OK, I'll begin with the caveat that I'm no theater reviewer and my head is all foggy with cold medicine.

I took my musical-phobic husband to see "Wicked" last night at the Wharton Center and much to my surprise we both loved it. Judging by the packed-house standing ovation, we weren't alone.

Even if you're not too keen on musicals, there is so much to appreciate about this show. The costume design, lighting, set design and choreography were amazing. I especially enjoyed the flying monkeys and the gorgeous dresses. (I think I finally understand the princess dress phenomenon with young girls.)

Add to this a terrific story, songs and captivating performances by Carmen Cusack (Elphaba) and Katie Clark (Glinda).

"Avenue Q"

I never in a million years thought I'd see a puppet do it. (yeah, that it) but then last night at the opening production of "Avenue Q" at The Wharton Center on MSU's campus now through April 20, I saw just that.

Not only were puppets doing it on stage, they were swearing, drinking, coming out of the closet and more. All while teaching valuable life lessons to the audience of course.

"Rabbit Hole"

To comprehend the loss of a child is impossible unless it has happened to you.
That doesn't mean, however, that you can't sympathize or even be moved by the thought or the story of what one couple goes through after the loss of their 4-year-old son and that's just what happens during Peppermint Creek Theatre Company's newest show "Rabbit Hole."

The show runs today and Sunday and next Thursday to Sunday at Perspective 2 in Lansing's Old Town. Shows are at 8 p.m., 2 p.m. Sundays.

"A New Brain"

William Finn has a thing for non stop music, at least that's what I'm guessing after seeing two of his shows in one week.

Last night was "A New Brain," put on by the Peppermint Creek Theatre Company. And like "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," this show had no intermission and unlike a  lot of musical that mix dialog in with the songs, this show was pure music.

See the "Bee!!"

"At the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee...."
Not that you can tell because you're reading this but I'm actually singing those words, in fact I can't get them out of my head since seeing "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" last night at the Wharton Center on MSU's Campus.

What a fun show!!

And now for something completely different

But first, a proper introduction. I'm Aaron Foley, a copy editor here at the LSJ and half of the Quarter-Life Crisis column, which runs Wednesdays in the LSJ's Life section. Plug? Yes. Shameless? No. NOISE blog readers are already familiar with Emily Smith, the other half.

"Arts or Crafts"

What do you consider art? What do you consider craft? What's the difference?

If you'd ask me before last night's performance of "Arts or Crafts" by MSU's Rob Roznowski I would have at least been able to tell you that if it contains hot pink feathers it's a craft. But by the end of the show, which runs through Nov. 18 at the Wharton Center, I was considering a piece of work, that in fact contained hot pink feathers a work of art.

That's the goal of Roznowski's work, to make you reconsider what you consider art.

Facts about "Fiction"

Saturday night Matt and I went to see Peppermint Creek Theatre Company's show "Fiction."

Although I missed the first few minutes thanks to a meatloaf that would not finish baking (that's a blog for another time) the show was great!
I'll admit the subject didn't sound in the least uplifting, it's about husband and wife writers who swap diaries at the wife's request when she finds she has a brain tumor.
(See what I mean, not a topic for a rip roaring Saturday night) but it was so intriguing I couldn't pass it up.