from the Community Circle Players at

Riverwalk Theatre Season 33 • Number 1

July, 2021
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 on
at r i v e r wa l k
H Fri-Sun, July 16-18, 7 pm
- Louder than words
“Cardboard Concert”directed
by Brian Farnham RWT
parking lot seating, byo chairs
$15 ($10 RWT Members)
H Thur., July22, 7 pm -
STAGED READING of
ICHABOD a gothic drama by
Joseph Zettelmaier, directed
by Sue Chmurynsky - RWT
parking lot, byo chairs - ad-
mission by donation.
H July 31 at 1 pm. - MEM-
BERS for both fiscal year
20-21 and 20-22 watch
your email for the link to
of our VIRTUAL ANNUAL
MEETING (more info p. 3)
Louder Than Words is “the big one” — our and Polly Bashore on percussion.
three-night summer musical revue running this Friday, Says director Brian, “This is honestly one of the H Thur., August 5, 7 pm -
Saturday and Sunday, July 16-18 at 7:00 each night best casts I could hope for – they are all giving so STAGED READING of
(weather Gods permitting!) much of themselves to not only sing beautifully, but Vodka, a new play by Doak
Bloss directed by Mary Job -
It’s an inspiring collection of songs and commen- to sing with meaning.” RWT parking lot, byo chairs
tary that will guide you through the unprecedented Farnham adds that the show — painstakingly as- - admission by donation.
events and emotions of the past year, encouraging sembled over hours of playing pool with Angie — will
you to laugh and reminisce along the way. Join us as take audiences on an emotional journey. Expect to H Sat/Sun, August 21-22,
3 pm - Arts in the Park
we celebrate the return of the things we love, honor laugh, tear up, and have that goosebump experience Performance Festival
the things we’ve learned, and commit ourselves to only LIVE theatre can give! - an uplifting hour of music,
live with renewed purpose. The show will repeat all three evenings in front dance, poetry and more -
On the docket are sixteen musical numbers of the Riverwalk building on Museum Drive, with Adado Riverfront Park
spanning shows like Bye Bye Birdie, Spamalot, Ste- innovative staging and sound. Salt Shed Stage - admission
phen Sondheim’s Company, and modern selections This is a ticketed event, $15 for non-members by donation.
from Waitress, Avenue Q, Dear Evan Hansen, and and $10 for Riverwalk season 2021-2022 members. H Thur., Aug. 26, 7 pm - B.O.B.
Hamilton, all woven together in a meaningful, oca- Tickets will be available at the door an hour before Live! “Cardboard Concert”
sionally comedic, look at the last year and half – all the show begins (cash or credit card). Winner/runner-up of Virtual
aided by the charm of our esteemed emcee, Matt Bring your own seating – folding chairs, camping Battle of the Bands: Tell Yo
Ottinger (of Quizbusters and Barney emcee fame!) chairs, a blanket to stretch out on (limited grassy area Mama and Our Attic, RWT
Director Brian Farnham and Music Director Angie avaialable.) Masks are encouraged but optional. Note parking lot seating, byo chairs
$15 ($10 RWT Members)
Schwab have assembled an incredibly talented cast that the Riverwalk lobby bathrooms ARE available
of performers, both new and returning: Erin Biel, during these parking lot events. H Thur., Sept. 2, 7 pm -
Ny’kieria Blocker, Caila Conklin, John Henrikson, Come celebrate with your Riverwalk family as we STAGED READING of
Kayla Henry, and Luka Pawsek. Brian and Angie are start to “open up” and launch our 2021-2022 season. ERNIE’s LIFE, a new play
by Ayden Soupal directed
even lending their voices to the program! “Louder Than Words” is an event that you do not
by Rose Jangmi Cooper -
The live band includes Angie Schwab on keys want to miss! RWT parking lot, byo chairs
- admission by donation.
Ripples - July 2021 — Page 1
 REVIEW

The DJ Clarinet Combo were the brave,

first-responders to this summer’s shoestring-
budget events — called “Cardboard
Concerts” because they were created with
not much more than cardboard, duct tape
and a love of performing.
The balmy evening was a pleasant
backdrop for the group’s Broadway Jazz
Broadway Jazz Connection
Connection, an assortment of jazz standards, first “Cardboard Concert” in RWT’s Parking lot
featuring well known jazz favorites that
originated in Broadway shows.
DJ demonstrated not only his clarinet
chops, but a few vocals, as well. The combo
did a good job “warming up the parking lot”
for the two upcoming Cardboard Concerts,
as well as Riverwalk’s series of Summer
Staged Readings.
Attendees can bring blankets for the
grassy areas around the parking lot, or the
usual lawn chairs for seating.
We encourage everyone to become a
member of Riverwalk to support us into
our re-opening season as well as to qualify
for discounted tickets to the future Cardboard
Concerts July 16-17-18 and August 26. The DJ Clarinet Combo, featuring Peter Schutt - Drums;
Jane Zussman D.J. Carleton - Clarinet; Dylan Sterner - Guitar; Kurtis Young - Bass

At 7 pm Thursday, July 22, you Plan to attend all three

can find out what happened to Parking Lot Staged Readings:
Ichabod Crane 22 years after he Thursday, July 22, 7 pm - STAGED READING
was chased by the murderous of Ichabod, a new play by Joseph Zettelmaier
directed by Susan Chmurynsky - Cast: Sarah
Headless Horseman! Hayner, Kat Cooper English, Charles Sartorius
ICHABOD is a Gothic drama by and Joe Clark
Joseph Zettelmaier, an award-winning Thursday, August 5, 7 pm - STAGED READ-
Michigan-based playwright who’s had ING of Vodka, a new play by Doak Bloss
many scripts performed by Williamston directed by Mary Job. Three months into
Theatre. www.jzettelmaier.com what he fears will be a lifetime of sobriety,
“It’s a blustery October night in Tanner can’t stop dreaming about his old
1810. A tiny roadside tavern, just outside friend, vodka. In confrontations with the
of a the quiet village of Sleepy Hollow, estranged love of his life, his best friend,
is visited by a strange man with and the adult daughter he didn’t know
an even stranger tale. Twenty he had, he faces the consequences of
years earlier, this fellow had a one more sip. Cast: Connor Kelly,
ghostly encounter with the Head- Cassie Little, Ndegwa McCloud, and
less Horseman, and his story has Rachel Daugherty
now become legend. But not all
tales are told truthfully, and Ichabod Crane has returned to the town Thursday, September 2, 7 pm - STAGED READING of
that cast him out to finally get his revenge.” ERNIE’S LIFE, a new play by Ayden Soupal directed by
Sue Chmurynsky directs the talented cast of Sarah Hayner, Kat Rose Jangmi Cooper - Cast: Maureen Sawdon, Kam-
Cooper English, Charles Sartorius and Joe Clark. One night only so eron Going and others TBD.
don’t miss it! Admission by donation. (byo chairs or blanket; admission by donation)
Ripples - July 2021 — Page 2
 Spotlight on Superstar RWT Volunteers

Michele Booher-Purosky
…has been a volunteer with Riverwalk for the past nine, maybe ten, years.
In that time, she has been a superstar back stage director, producer, running
crew, actor, props mistress, and all-around helper for numerous productions,
as well as a board member and treasurer since 2014.
In addition to holding down a full-time job, Michele has dedicated herself
to our theatre with untiring activity.
(Program editor adds: When she is A.D./Stage Manager/Producer, you
can be sure all info for the show program is provided on time and proofread
to the last comma!)
On top of all the production activities, she serves on several committees,
and she is here every week to sign our checks going out to our vendors and
keeps our accounts payables current.
THANK YOU, Michele for all you do, and always with a smile and a
willingness to help!
Mike Siracuse

Re-opened
to the
Virtual Annual public!
Membership Meeting
Saturday,
July 31 @ 1 pm www.RwtCostumeshop.com
Thursdays,
4:00 - 6:30 pm
MEMBERS for both fiscal year 20-21 and 1131 May St. 48906
20-22, watch your email for the link to of our
VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING. Open by Appointment Only for the
You will receive an electronic board ballot by email month of July, but will return to open
and and also available at RiverwalkTheatre.com. hours Thursday 4 to 6:30 in August!
IF YOU WOULD PREFER A PAPER BALLOT,
Due to reduced operations over the past year,
contact Mike at the office - 517-5482-5700 - rwt@river- there is no longer a dedicated telephone for the shop.
walktheatre.com.
There will be no “Barney Awards” this season; we We are currently operating as “cash only” but
hope all members and friends will attend the Cardboard hope to take credit cards again, soon. Volunteers are
welcome during shop hours!
Concert this weekend LOUDER THAN WORDS as an
alternative celebration. (See page 1.) Currently, everyone is asked to wear a mask.

Ripples - July 2021 — Page 3

Season 32 Members - July 2021 through June 2022: Membership
runs July -
ANGEL June. and
Bob Purosky & Michele Mary Ann Sipher & Eric In Memory of Eric Lockwood
funds at least
Brian Farnham Booher Purosky Freedman Donald A. Young Kathy Lockwood & Niel Scott a quarter
Leon Green Jane & Mark Zussman Linda Widener Craig Young William Loftus of our show
Lee Helder Bob Mellor & Roger budgets as
Producer STAGE MANAGER In Memory of well as general
Marge & Jack Hetherington Rochowiak operations.
Ken Beachler Anonymous
Paul Reekie Anyssa Marvin
STAR Mrs. Robert Curry Wendy Allison
Brenden Gunnell Colleen McNamara
Without show
Jackie Borszich revenue
Susan Chmurynsky Facebook Fundraisers Tom Klunzinger Susan Messe Riverwalk
Jack & Susan Davis Tom & Carol Ferris Kate Dickenson depends even
Jane & Mark Zussman Sandy Norton
Betty Francis Ruth Sablich Marcus Fields more on you
In Memory of Pamela, Nancy & Minda for operating
Jeff Magnuson & Amy Bill St. John & Susan Nehf Charles Hoogstraten
Nyquist expenses to
Rickett Ron & Susan Swenson Paul Quayle Margaret Ingraham Bill & Gloria Purosky maintain our
Dan & Lisa Pappas Richard Weingartner Shirley Veramay Ken Beachler building and
Bob & Suzanne Robinson staff. We WILL
DIRECTOR TECHNICIAN In Honor of Janice Ruff be back live
Riverwalk Donna Aberlich Kameron & Taren Going Jan Lockwood’s Mike Siracuse onstage for
2020-2021 Officers Erin Hoffman Jurgen Skoppek “Act II”!
Edric & Brandi Haleen, Birthday
President, Jeff Magnuson Actor — $15-24,
Admin. VP, Darrin Fowler Judith Labovitz ACTOR Ken Beachler Penny Stump Ripples, voting on
Production VP, Rita Deibler Bernie Lucas Chance Boyd Elizabeth Boyd James Trebilcock board members &
Treasurer, Michele Booher- Members Choice
Purosky Scott Mandell & Maureen Matthew & Rachel Carnagie Leslie Brogan Kathy Wilbur
favorite show award.
Secretary, Brian Farnham Dyer Dan Curry Mimi Burpee Jane Wilensky Technician —$25-
2020-2021 Board Scott Pohl Marilyn Owens Marcia Fishman Ronald Uken & Suzanne 49, Ripples, voting,
of Directors Miel-Uken program listing
Zachary Pohl Saroopa Taylor Jim & Jan Fry Stage Manager —
Shannon Bowen
Liz Cooke Steven & Shirley Robinson Billie & John Harrison Connie & Michael $50-99, Ripples, vot-
Laura Croff Kelly Sandula-Gruner Lee Helder VanDerTuuk ing, program listing,
Dan Currie and one comp ticket
Kate Dickinson Audrey Lockwood with Jane & Mark Zussman Director — $100-
Kameron Going 249, Ripples, voting,
Leon Green Lin Norton, Jenny,
program listing, two
Sarah Hayner Danii, Bethany & Tara comp tickets
Bernie Lucas
Scott Mandel
Buchanan Producer — $250-
499, Ripples, voting,
Scott Pohl
program listing, four
Brett Robertson
Hope Rollins comp tickets
Cody Skalmowski Star — $500-999,
Linda Widener Salt Shed Stage Ripples, voting,
program listing, six
Jane Zussman
Ripples is published by Adado Riverfront Park comps, name on the-
atre seat
Riverwalk Theatre. Submit Angel — $1000+,
info to Editor Jane Zussman
(jszussman@gmail.com) or
3 pm Saturday Ripples, voting, pro-
gram listing, 12 comp
Riverwalk Manager Mike
Siracuse (rwt@riverwalk-
& Sunday, tickets, name on a
theatre seat and on
theatre.com) 517-482-5700
or at RiverwalkTheatre.com
August 21-22 the donor board in
the lobby

Music
Join or Renew:
MEMBERS

Experience an uplifting hour of hope, at riverwalk

Dancing
theatre.com —
optimism and reopening, with the click “more” then
following arts organizations: “get involved” to

• Habibi Dancers • Happendance Theatre get

join online...
Or just mail a
P.O. Box 12249
a
• Lansing Children’s Choir
LIVE!
Lansing MI 48901 check to Mike
discount at the office,
Next to Impression 5, • Curtainless Theatre • Riverwalk Theatre on P.O. Box 12249,
228 Museum Drive, south
Lansing 48901.
off Michigan Avenue, Admission by donation. Cardboard Concerts. We’re 501c3 tax
across from the See page 1 deductible.
Lansing Center

Supported in part by Michigan Council

for Arts AND Cultural Affairs
• National Endowment for the
Arts • Community Foundation •
arts council of greater Lansing
Ripples - July 2021 — Page 4