IF: Then

For three years now, Michigan's governor has touted "Cool Cities" as the panacaea for all that ails our economic sector and for the mass exodus of our residents. The premise being that businesses don't choose us, because their employees wouldn't want to live somewhere that couldn't entertain them.

On the eve of the next "Cool" conference, I'm wondering just how much people are thinking about the arts and culture when they look at a community. Are they really basing their final answer on the number of museums within an area? What about you? What facets of a community draw you to it or send you away? Why (if you do) do you stay in the Lansing area? What aspects of the community do you value? Which areas would you like more choices in? What keeps you from taking part in the vibrant entertainment options currently?

Building a theatre season is two parts archaeology, one part alchemy with just a dash of dumb luck.

The key to the entire process is finding the right script at the right time for the right season. While sometimes daunting, this search is for me the most exciting because I get to do this...

Icarus Falling announces its search for new and/or unproduced scripts for its 2006-2007 season. We are looking for either short or full-length plays, which follow the theme "Desperately Liberal." If the piece has been previously performed it can't have been performed in the mid-Michigan area within the last ten years.

We are looking for new or accomplished writers with something fresh to say. Please, no children's shows.

If you have a script you would like us to consider, then please email (the preferred method) to: scripts@icarusfalling.com or mail: Icarus Falling c/o jeff croff 802 W. Lapeer, Lansing, MI 48915. (Please, if you wish the hard copy returned, then provide a self-addressed envelope with the appropriate postage.)

I can guarantee I read everything that I receive, but I can't guarantee that it will be done quickly. The writers of those scripts selected for the season will be contacted in April 2006.

I look forward to seeing your submissions.

Sincerely,
jeff

While out hunting with his dog in a bucolic back woods Jed Clampett had little idea that he walked on a wealth of oil reserves. With a single missed shot he found himself surrounded by an unimagined windfall of black gold. The Lansing community is in just such a position, when it comes to theatre.

Now, I'm not advocating that everyone pick up their trusty Remingtons and start blasting gopher holes in the landscape, but with the simple act of opening the local paper anyone with a 7th grade reading level could find more theatrical options than there are nights in the week. Lansing is blessed with an abundance of theatrical companies of every type.

While most of these venues are represented as links to the left of this page, I wanted to list one more time our bounty to ease your search for something to do on a Saturday night.

Equity
Boarshead Theatre (www.boarshead.org)
Semi-Professional
Icarus Falling (www.icarusfalling.com)
Peppermint Creek Players (www.peppermintcreek.org)
Sunsets with Shakespeare (www.sunsetswithshakespeare.com)
Community
Bath Community Theatre Guild (www.bctg.org)
Lansing Civic Players (www.lansingcivicplayers.org)
Riverwalk Theatre (www.riverwalktheatre.com)
Educational
Lansing Community College (www.lcc.edu/hpa/theater)
Michigan State University (www.theatre.msu.edu)

I'm sure there are some that I've left off, but that is a quick hit list of places to see some pretty good theatre. In some instances, you'll see some damn good theatre. If I have omitted someone or you would like to recommend a show or company, please feel free to make comments to this posting. Much like theatre, this blog is only as vibrant as the community of participants.

In case you want a menu to choose from then please be sure to pick up either the City Pulse (www.lansingcitypulse.com), the Lansing State Journal (www.lsj.com) on Thursdays or the Noise (www.lansingnoise.com). All three continue to be wonderful supporters of the diverse and vibrant theatre community that Lansing has to offer. If you're going a little farther afield, then be sure to pick up Between the Lines (www.pridesource.com) for a comprehensive look at Southern Michigan's theatre offerings.

So, please, remember Daffy Duck as he dived and bathed in the treasure of Ali Baba reveling in the wealth. You too have such wealth within easy reach and can claim "Mine. Mine. All mine."

Okay, so now we know for sure that sex is always better with friends, a lot of friends. "Sex" by Mae West was well received and the best attended production we've had so far. Not to mention that our virgin search brought in over 70 neophytes to the IF experience.

Thanks to the support of the Greater Lansing Arts Council and the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs, we were able to revive a uniqe piece in the history of American theatre. This was the first play written by the silver screen siren and in many ways it set the tone for her future efforts and laid the groundwork for her persona. She created a brazen wanton who unapologetically goes for the brass ring, while chastising the establishment for its hypocrisy. Ms. West may have spent a little jail time for her show called "Sex", but as she said when she got out, "You've made me." She then went on to create numerous characters that wore their sexuality like diamonds and titillated the audience of the "talkies."

Thank you to everyone who joined us for "Sex." Thanks too, to the cast and crew that brought it to the stage.

We would also like to thank Mike Hughes for attending a "talk back" following the opening performance to discuss arts, entertainment and censorship.

We look forward to seeing you all in February as "Sex Sells" continues with a classic look at the power of love/lust and how much it costs. "Truculentus" brings a broad, bawdy and earthy take on a courtesan using what the gods gave her to a devastating and profitable effect.