Preview: "In iPod We Trust"
Finally: Second City returns (but in Novi)
Since its unexpected departure from Hockeytown nearly a year-and-a-half ago, The Second City Detroit has pretty much fallen off the cultural radar. The art of improvisation, however, has been proliferating – thanks to its bastard stepchildren who have been multiplying like bunnies all over southeast Michigan.
But finally, after a few false starts, daddy's officially back in business this week – in a brand new location in suburban Novi, and ready to kick some comedic butt.
The question, though, is this: Will anyone notice?
"We are not forgotten at all," seven-year SCD veteran Topher Owen told Curtain Calls last week. "There's quite a lot of buzz around."
"Second City is the home of it all," added Margaret Exner, another longtime veteran of SCD and co-founder of the Planet Ant Improv Colony. "I don't think that any of the other endeavors trump Second City."
The troupe's 26th revue, "In iPod We Trust," opens Aug. 18 in a recently renovated facility it shares with the new Andiamo Novi and the Dirty Martini Lounge. Its location is in the Main Street Novi development, easily accessible from I-96.
And the parking is free!
"It's all really nice," Exner said. "We're very fortunate now to have such a gorgeous facility. We didn't have three malls around our old location, so killing time between shows is now a lot easier!"
Although the theater's location is new, Exner explained that the overall philosophy of the show is not. "Our approach is the same, but we're less surrounded by the local politics of Detroit. We still want to be politically and socially topical."
"And there's a healthy dose of meaningless fun, too," added Owen. "If political stuff isn't your bag, don't worry; we've got you covered!"
The move also signals the return to cabaret-style seating – a concept long missed by SC's performers. "It's much more comfortable," Owen said. "People have the freedom to turn around and look everywhere in the space, and in some scenes, that's essential. It's a fun setting."
Exner agreed. "Conventional theater seats give people the feeling that they're at a regular show or a movie. We want to encourage them to have a little more freedom. And to drink more!"
Also new to the production are a handful of new faces. "I knew there was a strong improv community here," said Jenny Hagel, who joined the cast from the Second City National Touring Company based in Chicago. "So I was definitely excited when [this] opportunity presented itself!"
It's a change – and a challenge – that both Exner and Owen find exciting.
"I think it's awesome to have Jenny come in, because the rest of us kind of knew each other, and she brought a lot of fresh stuff to the table. It helps us look at our area through an outsider's eyes," Exner said.
Hagel, too, benefits from working with five new improvisers. "Whenever you work with a group of people for a long time, you start to fall into traditional roles. So it was great to come into a group that didn't know anything about me. It gives me the freedom to try new things that I wouldn't try in front of people I've known for a long time."
The new 75-minute comedy, the three actors agree, will be an exciting night of live entertainment. "And it's not something you have to put on a tux for!" Hagel concluded.
"In iPod We Trust" runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning Aug. 18 at the newly opened Second City Detroit in Novi, 42705 Grand River just east of Novi Road. Tickets: $15-$20. A free improv set follows the final performance of the day on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. For tickets, call 248-348-4448.
Preview: "The Titus Andronicus Experience"
{HEADER} Violence as entertainment explored by Sunsets with Shakeapeare
If you want to make a point about violence in our cultural, why not create and stage an original play based upon a tragedy many experts claim is Shakespeare's most gruesome: "Titus Andronicus."
That's exactly what Lansing thespian Todd A. Heywood and his Sunsets with Shakespeare troupe are doing beginning this Sunday at East Lansing's Valley Court Park with their production of "The Titus Andronicus Experience."
"We're playing it as a comedy," Heywood told Curtain Calls a few weeks back. "It has had some pretty heavy modern adaptation to it."
And that's a good thing, since experts point out that the original script contains more than a dozen killings (nine of which happen on stage), six severed members, at least one rape and an act of cannibalism.
"If we're going to have a dialogue about why is our entertainment violent and why is that acceptable whereas sex and sexuality are not, you have to find a way to get people to look at it in a non-threatening environment. And comedy is one of the most powerful and potent ways to do that," Heywood said.
Not only is Heywood's script a comedy, its style evokes the cartoon comedies most of us have been exposed to since early childhood. "So we've got spoofs on Jerry Springer, and there are spoofs on slasher movies. All that sort of stuff is in there," he said.
Not everyone is thrilled with Heywood's PG-13 attempt at parody, however. Officials for the City of Lansing have refused Heywood permission to stage his play in one of its city parks, citing concerns about the script's violence.
"We know what's acceptable in a park," Heywood said, having produced his summer series for several seasons now.
Plus, he added, "Shakespeare is not a G-rated playwright."
Curtain speeches before the performances have traditionally warned his audience about the shows' content. Heywood will continue that practice with "The Titus Andronicus Experience."
"It's not my job to tell you what's okay for your family. Nor is it the City of Lansing's," Heywood concluded."
"The Titus Andronicus Experience" runs Aug. 21-24 & 26-29 at Valley Court Park in downtown East Lansing. Admission is free, but a $2 minimum donation is requested. For more information, e-mail http://www.sunsetswithshakespeare.com.
