Winter, 2006
We now have reached the midway point in the 2005-06 season.  It is proving to be one of our more successful ones, with solid runs of DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and the just opened ANATOMY OF A MURDER on the mainstage, and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER in the Studio.  All of them were artistic successes and enjoyed good ticket sales, and all of them drew from the talent pool that exists from other theatrical venues, including the Northwest Michigan College NMC Players, the West Senior High theater department (by far the best of the high school theater programs in Traverse), Riverside Shakespeare, and even David Avis and Turner Sato's improvisational comedy troupe, founded 5 years ago by "Princess" Laura Wilcock and continued by her successors, which have included Playhouse veterans like Jessica Cerruti and T.J. Berden, and our newest (and currently busiest) acting discovery, Ashleigh Hanchett.  In the case of DON'T DRESS, I enjoyed my first position as a Playhouse producer and am proud of the role I played in recruiting the cast and crew for this delightfully fast paced comedy.  A "stock company" inadvertently sprang up in this group that has been involved in every show since (Director, Stephanie Young, assistant director/stage manager Dan Jablonski, and actors Justin Harris and Ashleigh Hanchett all have roles in the next Studio show, THE FALLEN In COEUR d'ALENE as well as small parts in ANATOMY, and Ashleigh is an usherette in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW).    The multi talented Miss Hanchett also designed hair and make-up and the DON'T DRESS tee shirt, which was different from the poster, attractively created by Stacy Griffith, but very female in concept.  Linda Smith had one of her better roles here, and we welcomed Maria Larrance, a native of Siberia who now resides in Elk Rapids.  Tom Pritchard had an amusing cameo as Ashleigh's indignant husband.******** BEAUTY AND THE BEAST brought us a wonderful new leading lady, Andrea DiGregorio, who is now teaching theater classes with our TCCT children's theater.  Phil Callighan and Rob Stow were fabulous as Lumiere and Cogsworth, and onetime Soady brother (in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT) Steve Stenman did a likably evil turn as Gaston.  Tom Czarny, who doesn't often do musicals, was amazing as the Beast.The chorus included Lauren Snowday, a delightful talent and lovely person who isn't seen nearly often enough on our stage (parenting is her first priority).  West High's Chorale was well represented, with Jody Burns (my daughter in MAME, and one of our best juvenile dancers) doing some fancy stepping, and Juliana Kartsimas and Lauen Lockwood debuting as two of the charmingly silly girls, with young Hannah Rickard filling out the trio.  Interlochen's Cynthia Van Maanen also debuted very pleasingly as Madame de la Grande Bouche.      ************* ANATOMY OF A MURDER is going to be the last the last show directed for us by Mike Kelly (at least for a while), as he turns his attention full time to his own Theater North Company (currently rehearsing A---MY NAME IS ALICE, last done locally by Tempest Productions at the Opera House 2 decades ago; the new cast includes Nan Worthington, Christie Anderson, and Jenn Archibald).  Jan Dalton successfully recreates the old James Stewart role, and Joe Kilpatrick has a nice turn being George C. Scott.  Ed Mulcahy's first role for us was the guy on trial in INHERIT THE WIND, and he's the guy on trial here, with Susan Cockfield ably cast as his wife (with terrific make-up).  Our jury sits in the audience, a mixture of actors and ushers.  Margaret Anne Slawson debuts in the job of stage manager (she will assistant direct THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED and assistant produce all 3 one-acts later this season).  Newcomer Jill Erlenbeck, who has worked on every mainstage set this season, is set and lighting designer, putting her theater degree from Alma College to good use (she works in a bank during the day).    ****** THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW draws heavily from veterans of NMC's theater group and from past Playhouse performers.  Micha Thomas, who was delightful last fall as Sybil in PRIVATE LIVES in Northport (she and Bonnie Deigh even got to use their vocal talents singing introductory songs written by Noel Coward), finally gets her first Playhouse lead, Janet.  Chris Horvath will be Rocky.  Katie Slenk, who played a delicious bitch role in NMC's above average comedy production, MACBETH DID IT last fall (with Jamie Moyers doing a southern accent, Anthony Schwastek doing a Jewish one, and quiet Esme Bloomquist playing against type as a real "take charge" lady) has now followed buddy Ashleigh into our ranks, being a juror and now a ROCKY chorus member.  She is the tallest member of the latter group, and her face will certainly not be lost in the crowd.  *******  The Christmas Holiday period always brings a lot of TC's very own back from college or career pursuits, and this year was no exception.  T.J. Berden took in the New Year at Herge's In Kahootz Sports Bar (formerly Chianti's, and much earlier a Playhouse hangout, Conley's Irish Cottage) listening to Chris Cooke's band, EAST BAY BLUE (with Miriam Pico as female vocalist).  Meg Jamison, who long ago played Michael Blashill's love interest in BILOXI BLUES and later was Anne Marie Oomen's younger self in COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN, had a sort of high school reunion with old friends in the same bar.  Meg now teaches filmmaking  at a college in Ithaca, New York.  Last summer she shot a documentary, BURY MY GOLD IN EARTH on Old Mission Peninsula, and served as a Film Festival volunteer (Yes, there will be another one this year, with the time changed to a different week and filmmakers from everywhere making submissions; last year Michael Moore had to personally go out, hat in hand, and get 'em - NOT ANY MORE!).    *********** Heidi Vogl (now using the name, Heidi Cole), who played a doctor in WINGS in '02, is now a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles and co-author (with mom, Nancy) of a book spotlighting her African American son, titled AM I A COLOR, TOO?.  She has appeared in an independently made film and is seeking an acting career out there.  We wish her well in her not inexpensive pursuits, with many bills. Her mom was recently featured, along with new husband, David Strange and their new company, Cherry Tree Publications in Outlook Magazine.  *************  Baylee Miller, who had a brief role in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and was a regular in Central High musicals (SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and GUYS AND DOLLS) now is in the University of Michigan glee club, and returns with that group for a hometown weekend concert.  He has greater maturity in looks and personal style; his teenage persona (as everyone's eventually does) has been left behind.     

Hedges Macdonald

hedges@chartermi.net