from the Community Circle Players at

Riverwalk Theatre Season 33 • Number 2

August, 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

Local performing arts groups celebrate What’s on

reopening in downtown Lansing! at r i v e r wa l k
3 p.m. both Arts in the Park will feature 12 performances, H Sat/Sun, August 21-22,
Sat. & Sun.,
enabling audiences to experience some of the area’s 3 pm - Arts in the Park
premier talent. “Imagine” will be sung and signed by Performance Festival - an
August 21 uplifting hour of music, dance,
the Lansing Children’s Choir, while Happendance
& 22, Salt
creatively interprets the music; Esmeralda’s dance poetry and more - Adado
Shed stage
from The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be recreated
Riverfront Park Salt Shed
Stage - admission by donation.
in Adado
by the Habibi Dancers while actors from Riverwalk
Riverfront
Theatre read from the novel; The Curtainless Theatre H Thur., Aug. 26, 7 pm - B.O.B.
will present songs and readings from Shakespeare as Live! “Cardboard Concert”
Park, Winner/runner-up of Virtual
Happendance brings them to life.
downtown “We have wonderful performance groups in the
Battle of the Bands: Tell Yo
Admission FREE, but donations are welcome to Mama and Our Attic, RWT
Lansing area, many of which had to stop in-person
support the participating organizations. parking lot seating, byo chairs
performances due to COVID,” states Ferris. “This $15 ($10 RWT Members)
Five Lansing-area performing arts groups are festival reminds the area that we are still here, we’re
banding together to create performances reflecting a coming back and we invite all to become involved with H Thur., Sept. 2, 7 pm - STAGED
message of hope, optimism and reopening at Adado our organizations as we return to live performances.” READING of ERNIE’s LIFE,
Riverfront Park this August. Riverwalk Theatre, a new play by Ayden Soupal
Happendance, Lansing Children’s Choir, The Cur-
Arts in the Park Participants directed by Rose Jangmi
About Riverwalk Theatre/Community Circle Cooper - RWT parking lot, byo
tainless Theatre and Habibi Dancers are putting on
Players: www.riverwalktheatre.com or call our chairs - admission by donation.
the Arts in the Park performance festival to celebrate
box office at 517-482-5700. A September 26 & 27, -
re-emergence from the past year. Coordinated by
About Happendance: http://www.happendance.org Auditions for All Together
Riverwalk Theatre, the festival will showcase singing,
About Lansing Children’s Choir: https://www. Now - Musical directed by
dancing, poetry and dramatic readings. Tricia Rogers - https://www.
lansingchildrenschoir.org/
Producer Tom Ferris says, “This is a collabora- mtishows.com/mtis-all-
About The Curtainless Theatre: https://thecurtain-
tive project. The groups combine to present dance together-now
lesstheatre.blogspot.com/
with poetry, singing and dramatic readings to show
About Habibi Dancers: http://habibidancers.net/ ® October 7-10 & 14-17 -
optimism and hope.” Doubt, A Parable by John
Patrick Shanley (DPS) Directed
by Bob Robinson
¯ November 12, 13, 14 - All
Together Now- A Global
Event Celebrating Local The-
atre - Directed by Tricia Rogers

®PLAYS: 7 pm Thurs.; 8 pm
Fri. & Sat.; 2 pm Sun. Fri./
Sat./Sun.
$15 ($12 sr/student/military)
October 7-10 & 14-17, 2021 - Doubt, A Parable fine lines between suspicion, certainty and doubt. Bargain Thursdays $10/$8
by John Patrick Shanley - In this brilliant and pow- Directed by Bob Robinson. ¯ MUSICALS: 7 pm Thursdays;
8 pm Fri./Sat.; 2 pm Sundays -
erful Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winning November 12, 13, 14, 2021 - All Together $24 ($20 sr/student/military)
Drama, Sister Aloysius, a rigidly conservative Now, A Global Event Celebrating Local ($12 age 12 & under)
Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own Theatre - This is a fundraising opportunity for
A AUDITIONS - more info at
hands when she suspects the young and charismatic https://www.riverwalkthe-
theatres around the world to perform an exclusive atre.com/auditions.html
Father Flynn of improper relations with one of musical revue featuring songs from MTI’s beloved H SPECIAL EVENT: More info at
the male students. A gripping examination of the RiverwalkTheatre.com
Continued on page 2
Ripples - August 2021 — Page 1
SEASON 33 continued from page 1
shows,such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Company, Sister
Act, Songs for a New World, Les Misérables, Come from Away,
Guys and Dolls, and many more! Directed by Tricia Rogers.
February 10-13 & 17-20, 2022 - Lobby Hero by Kenneth
Lonergan - This dramedy thrusts four characters into the
moral uncertainty of modern life. Lobby Hero is a sensitive,
emotionally-subtle drama, mixing ideas about race, gender,
class, and corruption with moments of wit, comedy, and
romance. The successful Broadway revival in 2018 starred
Michael Cerra and Chris Evans. Directed by George Popovich.
April 21-24 & 28- May1, 2022 - Art - by Yasmina Reza - Winner
of the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the 1998 Tony
Award for Best Play, this raucous comedy is about stretching
or breaking the limits of friendship over a painting. It will
have you laughing your ART off! Directed by Scott Pohl.
June 9-12 & 16-19, 2022 - The Revolutionists by
Lauren Gunderson - During the French Revolution’s Reign
of Terror, playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte
Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel
Marianne Angelle team up for a grand and dream-tweaked
comedy about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism
and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters and how we
actually go about changing the world. It’s a true story. Or total
fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…
that ends in a song and a scaffold. Directed by Tom Ferris.
No season tickets will be sold, however Season Coupons from the
previous season will be honored. Shows are subject to change with
possible cancellations and/or additional shows, as the COVID
situation permits. Stay tuned on our website and Facebook page.
ERNIE’S LIFE
a new play by
Ayden Soupal,
directed by Rose
Jangmi Cooper
This new script ex-
plores four quarters of a person’s life being embodied by four different
characters. One Line embodies the years 0-18 of Ernie’s life, Two Lines
embodies 19-36, Triangle embodies 37-54, and Square embodies 55-72.
Each only holds the memories and experiences of their particular
section of life, but doesn’t know anything else, so each character must
teach the others about what happened during their time on Earth, and
how they changed over time.
The play is set between life and death: in the analyzing and re-
flecting stage. With introspection and humor, this young playwright
theorizes as to what it might be like to get older, and almost feel like
a different person entirely.
Director Rose notes: “As a person who likes to operate against
type, I appreciate — and took advantage of — the opportunity Ayden
allowed, in his notes regarding casting against type.” The “atypical”
cast includes: Maureen Sawdon, Kameron Going, Madeline Nash and
Charles Hoogstraten.
RWT parking lot, byo chairs (or rent one for $5) admission
by donation. CALL AHEAD (or email Mike) to reserve the VIP
pop-up tent with couch/chairs for only $15! Cold water, snacks,
RWT merch, and comfy seating for you and three friends (up to
four people total) First come, first served. Don’t miss your chance!
517-482-5700 or rwt@riverwalktheatre.com.

REVIEWS

LOUDER THAN WORDS Revue
Brings Back Live Theatre Thrill
This second “Cardboard Concert,” in our
parking lot was a wonderful hour and a half
of super talented singers delivering show
tunes that spoke to our experiences during the
pandemic—and our hope for future together-
ness in live theatres everywhere.
Director Brian Farnham led a wonder-
ful cast of SUPER SINGERS (Erin Biel,
Ny’Kieria Blocker, Caila Conklin, John
Henrikson, Kayla Henry and Luka Pawsek
- with directors Brian and Angie singing,
too.) Polly Bashore’s professional percussion
completed the Angie Schwab “orchestra.”
These talented folks delivered humor
and pathos via mostly newish songs from
Waitress, Dear Evan Hanson and the like —
with a couple “oldies” and even an operatic
number that blew us all away (thank you,
John Henrikson) The lineup was assembled
by cohorts Director Brian and Music Direc-
tor/Accompanist Angie Schwab. Emcee Matt
Ottinger tied it all together with his wit,
wisdom and warmth.
So sorry for you if you missed this one.
It was a true gem.
Ripples - August 2021 — Page 2
ICHABOD Offers Spooky Intrigue
In the July 22 staged reading of Joseph
Zettelmaier’s gothic sequel to Washington
Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Ichabod
Crane returns for revenge 20 years after
his ghostly encounter with the Headless
Horseman.
Audience member, theatre aficionado,
and playwright for the next Summer Staged
Reading, Doak Bloss, observed on Facebook:
“...the play was really good. It was a
sequel to the Irving story, a riff on the futil-
ity of revenge, and the redemption that fol-
lows. It was tight; it was sincere. The three
younger characters — each in some way
psychologically damaged by the privileged
Brom Bones — were creative variants of
Ichabod’s lonely, reviled victim/hero as he
tries to undo the very real malevolence of the
headless horseman. It just worked.
The four actors (Sarah Hayner, Charles
Sartorius, Joe Clark, and Kat Cooper English)
and Sue Chmurynsky’s direction deserve a
lot of the credit, of course. But they could not
have pulled it off without the elegant script
(by Joseph Zettelmeier, who was there for the
show). I hope the next one is half as good.”
High on VODKA
The staged reading of Doak Bloss’s
new script, Vodka, was delivered August
5 with style and dramatic energy by an
all-star cast and director. It was an intri-
cate and sometimes surreal portrait of
Tanner (charmingly portrayed by Connor
Kelly) and his relationship to his former(?)
friend, vodka, and how that relationship
affects his own evolving identity. What are
the consequences of one more sip?
Riverwalk Secretary/actor/director Brian
Farnham offered Facebook praise, “Lovely
to see another intriguing staged reading at
Riverwalk tonight! Excellent acting (Rachel
Christine Daugherty, Connor Kelly, Cassie
Little, and Ndegwa McCloud), some really
fantastic dialogue (Doak Bloss), and staging
which gave more than you’d expect from a
traditional staged reading (Mary Job). As
always, excellent sound from Chris Ordiway!
Really love the Summer series that
Riverwalk is doing this year and hope we
decide to do it again next year! Congrats to
all involved on a job well done!”
Don’t miss the next Summer Staged
Reading, September 2 at 7 pm - see above.
 Spotlight on Superstar RWT Volunteers

Jane Zussman Kelly Sandula-

has been an invaluable Gr u n e r r e c e n t l y
member of Riverwalk joined our Promotions
theatre since before it & Engagement Com-
began in 1989. (Under mittee and is making a
Bill Helder’s tutelage, big impact both on and
she designed the fund- offstage. You may have
raising brochure to reno- noticed some beautiful
vate the warehouse that is new design work on our
now RWT.) She’s acted, social media pages, the
directed, wrote a couple website, in Ripples, etc.
kids’-show scripts, been recently — that’s all due
board secretary, editor of to Kelly! We’re fortunate
our Ripples newsletter she’s lending her graphic
since 1999, and designed design skills to the theatre.
programs from 2000 We’ve heard nothing but
to the COVID pause. positive reviews of her
Jane can be counted on programs and beautiful
to remember historical poster designs. Stay tuned
details since 1972 when for some more exciting
Community Circle Players was at the Okemos Barn. After 22 years designs by Kelly in the months ahead, and we can’t wait to hear more
of service on the Board of Directors, she decided it was FINALLY of her lovely singing voice, as well. She wowed us in Working and
time to enjoy some well-deserved rest, but she is still active on our has performed in several Starlight shows. (Check out Clique Vocals
Promotions & Engagement Committee, Ripples, etc. Brava, Jane! videos on Facebook.) Welcome to Riverwalk, Kelly!
Kate Dickinson, Promotions & Engagement Chair

Notes from Our Treasurer on Our Budget and Financial Situation

Our recently-passed budget gives us an
idea of what we need to focus on for the
next year and beyond. Remember, cash in
bank doesn’t reflect our total assets (build-
ing, props, costume collection, etc.) which
have a value of approximately $787,000. We
operated at a loss during the pandemic shut
down but we have assets.
The good news is that even during
the pandemic, we have collected $68,500 in
donations and were able to bring in about
$30,000 in grant money, largely thanks
to Tom Ferris and Hope Rollins! We also
brought on four new volunteers to the Finance
Committee this year, one who is taking on
the lead of committee chair, and the others
jumping in and really helping with grant
work. Thank you so much to all!
More good news is that our employees
and volunteers cut costs by over $70,000 in
expected expenses which helped us A LOT.
We saved money for big ticket projects.
Several board members volunteered actual
Ripples - August 2021 — Page 3
money to cover these essential and expensive
items, such as the heat exchanger in the Black
Box – so much to be grateful for!
Overall we’ve done extremely well, and
shown real fiscal discipline and innovation.
Even though we will come out a little lower
than hoped, it is extraordinary for this year!
The approved budget for the 21-22 season
is not balanced, however. We are projecting
a $41,305 shortfall (more in expenses than
revenue). This is because expenses will go
back up when we open up the building, and
only producing five shows at reduced seating
capacity will not bring in normal revenue.
What does this mean?
Riverwalk is in solid financial shape but
still challenged by circumstances. We are well
positioned to thrive and improve and worthy
of investment from members.
Upcoming extra expenses include
$13,000 in parking lot repaving project,
adding air purification to HVAC for ap-
proximately $20,000, and $7,000 to update
fire-safety sprinklers.
How can you help?
Beyond raising your membership level,
some of you may also want to join the
Finance Committee, which is focused the
next several months on Grant Writing and
other Fund-raising efforts to continue to
bring in more revenue to support our beloved
theatre. If you’re interested in helping, please
text or call me at 517-862-3708.
Michele Booher-Purosky, Treasurer,
Community Circle Players at Riverwalk Theatre
Season 33 Members - July 2021 through June 2022: Membership
runs July -
ANGEL Bob Mellor & Roger Judith Labovitz Nancy Madtes In Memory of June. and
Brian Farnham Rochowiak Bernie Lucas Lynne Martinez Alan Labovitz funds at least
Leon Green Mary Murphy Clare Mackey Ron McNeill a quarter
Judith Labovitz of our show
Lee Helder Dan & Lisa Pappas Scott Mandell & Maureen Dyer Phyllis Nix
Marge & Jack Hetherington Bob Purosky & Michele Gordon E. Miracle Paul Quayle In Honor of budgets as
well as general
Doug Kempf Booher Purosky Robert & Diana Mitchell Rachel Schumann Jan Lockwood’s operations.
Janet Lockwood Bonnie & Dick Radway Bob Nees & Mary K Hodges Mary Jane Schuon Birthday
Robert & Janice Skabic Nees Sherie Veramay Without show
Ric Sadler Ken Beachler revenue
Rick Wendorf Anthony Sump John Irvin Nichols
Jane & Mark Zussman Althea Phillips TECHNICIAN Elizabeth Boyd Riverwalk
STAR Anonymous Leslie Brogan depends even
Scott Pohl
Susan Chmurynsky Producer Laura Potter Janet Anderson Mimi Burpee more on you
Diane Ashera Roger Belen Marcia Fishman for operating
Jack & Susan Davis Milton & Sue Powell expenses to
Betty Francis Joseph Baumann Bill & Darlene Berling Jim & Jan Fry
Zachary Pohl Billie & John Harrison maintain our
Jeff Magnuson & Amy Ken Beachler Greg & Denise Pratt James Brunk III
Lee Helder building and
Rickett Mrs. Robert Curry Shirley & Steve Robinson Kirk Domer staff. We WILL
Facebook Fundraisers Kameron & Taren Going Audrey Lockwood with Lin
Kelly Sandula-Gruner be back live
Riverwalk Tom & Carol Ferris Sarah Hayner Norton, Jenny, Danii, onstage for
Mary Ann Sipher & Eric Bethany & Tara Buchanan
2021-2022 Officers Karen McGowan Freedman Erin Hoffman “Act II”!
John Putnam & Toby Powel Kris Maier Eric Lockwood
President, Jeff Magnuson Lonny & Judy Snow Kathy Lockwood & Niel Scott Actor — $15-24,
Admin. VP, Darrin Fowler Bob & Suzanne Robinson Dorothy Stark Holly Mayes Ripples, voting on
Production VP, Rita Deibler Ruth Sablich Sandy Norton William Loftus board members &
Treasurer, Michele Booher- Sandy & Bob Thomasson Bob Mellor & Roger
Bill St. John & Susan Nehf Bob & Sally Tubbs Cody Skalmowski Members Choice
Purosky Ronald & Agnes Thill Rochowiak favorite show award.
Secretary, Brian Farnham
Gordon & Connie Swix Abigail & Nathan Tykocki
Ron & Susan Swenson Kay Zakrajsek Anyssa Marvin Technician —$25-
2021-2022 Board Linda Widener Colleen McNamara 49, Ripples, voting,
Robert & Joan Trezise Nathan Wood ACTOR program listing
of Directors Richard Weingartner Susan Messe
Shannon Bowen David & Liane Zimny members listed on website Sandy Norton
Stage Manager —
Liz Cooke Carolyn White $50-99, Ripples, vot-
Laura Croff STAGE MANAGER Costume Shop Pamela, Nancy & Minda ing, program listing,
DIRECTOR Anonymous Nyquist
Dan Currie
Kate Dickinson Donna Aberlich Donors Bill & Gloria Purosky
and one comp ticket
Director — $100-
Wendy Allison Lee Helder
Kameron Going Margaret Bossenbery Colleen Bethea Bob & Suzanne Robinson 249, Ripples, voting,
Leon Green Carol Bray Susan Chmurynsky program listing, two
Sarah Hayner Jackie Borszich Sandy Norton Janice Ruff
Joan Brunger Mike Siracuse comp tickets
Bernie Lucas Joe & Connie Conley Althea Phillips Producer — $250-
Amanda Macomber Charles Calati & Kathleen Nancy A. Colflesh Ph.D Jurgen Skoppek 499, Ripples, voting,
Scott Mandel Johnston-Calati Jim DeLine In Memory of Penny Stump program listing, four
Scott Pohl Harlow Claggett & Diane Smith Paul and Anne DeRose Donald A. Young James Trebilcock comp tickets
Hope Rollins Gordon & Emily Clark
Cody Skalmowski Kate Dickinson & Joe Clark Craig Young Kathy Wilbur Star — $500-999,
Julian VanDyke Bruce & Diane Cooke Katheryn Elliott Jane Wilensky Ripples, voting,
Linda Widener Judith K. Dunn Marcus Fields In Memory of Ronald Uken & Suzanne program listing, six
Joyce & Bruce Fillmore comps, name on the-
Ripples is published by Larry & Mary Hennessey Paul Reekie Miel-Uken
atre seat
Riverwalk Theatre. Submit Romy Fitchen Charles Hoogstraten Brenden Gunnell Connie & Michael Angel — $1000+,
info to Editor Jane Zussman Edric & Brandi Haleen Donald & Elizabeth Kaufman Tom Klunzinger VanDerTuuk Ripples, voting, pro-
(jszussman@gmail.com) or Karen & Jerry Jennings Mary Elaine Kiener Jane & Mark Zussman Jane & Mark Zussman gram listing, 12 comp
Riverwalk Manager Mike tickets, name on a
Siracuse (rwt@riverwalk- theatre seat and on
theatre.com) 517-482-5700 the donor board in
or at RiverwalkTheatre.com
Tell Yo Mama performing with Our Attic the lobby
Join or Renew:
Thursday, August 26, 7 pm at B.O.B. Live! at riverwalk
theatre.com —
click “more” then
TellYo Mama won our virtual Battle Our Attic is a fresh, indie-alt chill “get involved” to
of the Bands with a psychedelic, funk- group with a progressive approach and join online...
Or just mail a
P.O. Box 12249 alicious video worthy of the early days of a unique blend of styles — boasting the check to Mike
Lansing MI 48901
M-TV — featuring The Voice contestant, soaring voice of Caila Conklin, one of the at the office,
Next to Impression 5,
228 Museum Drive, south Lucas Holliday (plus son of local faves stars who wowed us at the recent Louder P.O. Box 12249,
Lansing 48901.
off Michigan Avenue, Tom & Mary: Marty McLean, on sax!) Than Words musical revue! We’re 501c3 tax
across from the
Lansing Center deductible.
RWT parking lot • b.y.o . chairs • $15 ($10 RWT Members)

Supported in part by Michigan Council

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