Arts Funding News:
Michigan Dept. of History, Arts and Libraries announces over $10 million in arts and cultural grants for 2007
LANSING – Dr. William Anderson, director of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, announced Sept. 20 that the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has awarded $10.089 million to a variety of arts and cultural projects around the state for fiscal year 2007. The 300 grant awards – for projects in 58 Michigan counties – were approved earlier that day by the council.
The $10.089 million represents a slight increase over the previous year's awards that totaled $9.8 million.
"As we continue our work to diversify Michigan's economy, grant dollars like these are important to the communities in which they're used. The arts and cultural sector, unquestionably, will continue to play a critical role in boosting Michigan's economy," said Dr. Anderson. "The arts projects funded with MCACA grants represent real people, real jobs and real social and economic benefit."
In addition to supporting Michigan's major institutions, the grants provide funding for the creation of the Cultural Economic Development On-line Tool to track the economic impact of arts and cultural organizations; 16 capital improvement projects – including renovation work on the historic Howell Opera House; an education program in Detroit focusing on new media; numerous free summer concerts and festivals; and a partnership with Michigan State University Museum to increase the profitability of the state's successful crafts industry.
"As Michigan works to redefine itself in the national economy, it is more important than ever that we embrace the value of arts and culture as both an economic driver and a powerful means of enhancing quality of life for our residents," said MCACA Chair Craig Ruff. "These MCACA-funded organizations and programs help create the vibrant communities where people want to live, work and visit, spending their time as well as their hard-earned dollars."
The council received 353 applications, requesting more than $20 million for fiscal year 2007. All grant applications were evaluated through a process of peer review. Panels, consisting of arts and cultural professionals from throughout the country, evaluated and judged each application based on published review criteria. This process resulted in recommendations for funding consideration to the council. Projects funded by MCACA must be completed within fiscal year 2007, which begins Oct. 1, 2006, and ends Sept. 30, 2007.
In determining grant awards, the 15 appointed members of the council consider panel recommendations, geographic distribution, diversity, balance among funding programs, under-served communities, access and delivery of quality programming and services to citizens and communities.
Grant recipients include a mix of schools, non-profit arts and cultural organizations and state-recognized Anchor Organizations – major institutions widely recognized as hubs of significant arts and cultural activity that have the capacity, both financially and institutionally, to implement multi-level programs.
Anchor Organizations
Among the 60 Anchor Organizations are several professional and community theaters. This year's grant recipients include: BoarsHead Theater (Lansing, $20,000); Circle Theatre (Grand Rapids, $21,500); Grand Rapids Civic Theatre ($20,000), Jewish Ensemble Theatre Company (West Bloomfield, $20,000); Michigan Opera Theatre (Detroit, $374,500), Wharton Center (East Lansing, $40,000), Millan Theatre Company/Detroit Repertory Theatre (Detroit, $21,500), Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit ($32,500), Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts (Detroit, $40,000), Performance Network Theatre (Ann Arbor, $32,500) and University Musical Society (Ann Arbor, $259,000).
Other Anchor Organization recipients include: Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra ($32,500); Cranbrook Educational Community (Bloomfield Hills, $122,700), Detroit Institute of Arts ($1,485,600); Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($506,300); Detroit Zoological Society (Royal Oak, $487,500); Flint Cultural Center Corporation ($40,600); Fontana Chamber Arts (Kalamazoo, $32,500); Lansing Symphony Association ($20,000); Michigan Theater Foundation (Ann Arbor, $65,000); Museum of African American History (Detroit, $89,400); St. Cecilia Music Society (Grand Rapids, $20,000) and Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (Grand Rapids, $21,500).
Other grant recipients
Among the hundreds of other grant recipients are (by county):
ALLEGAN: Saugatuck Center for the Arts ($35,000).
INGHAM: Williamston Theatre ($10,500).
JACKSON: Michigan Shakespeare Festival ($10,500).
KALAMAZOO: Opus 21 ($10,500); Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers ($14,200).
KENT: Actors' Theatre ($7,500).
LENAWEE: Tecumseh Civic Auditorium ($10,500); Croswell Opera House ($7,500).
OAKLAND: Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center ($14,200); Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra ($10,500); Detroit Chamber Winds ($14,200); Paint Creek Center for the Arts ($10,500).
WASHTENAW: Ann Arbor Art Center ($10,500); Kerrytown Concert House ($14,200); The Ark ($10,500); Wild Swan Theater ($14,200).
WAYNE: Matrix Theatre Co. ($10,500); Planet Ant Theatre ($10,500); Plowshares Theatre Co. ($14,200); Puppetart/Detroit Pupper Theater ($10,500); Rackham Symphony Choir ($10,500).
About MCACA
MCACA is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.
For additional information about MCACA or to obtain the complete list of grant recipients, log on to http://www.michigan.gov/hal.
Professional Theater News from Around Town:
Grand Rapids actress Kelly Carey stars in 'Shed a Little Light' at Mason Street Warehouse.
SAUGATUCK – Kelly Carey will return to Mason Street Warehouse this fall to perform in "Shed a Little Light: A Tribute to James Taylor." Mason Street Warehouse, in association with The Theatre Project, presents this exciting tribute to one of America's most beloved song writers Oct. 7 and 8.
For nearly 35 years, James Taylor has been making music and stealing the hearts of fans across the globe. The show will feature some of his biggest hits such as "Sweet Baby James," "Shower the People," "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got a Friend." Kelly and her team of top-notch musicians present each one with the warmth that you remember, but with a fresh edge like you've never heard. Created last year by Carey and friends, "Shed a Little Light" is made up of nine of the most talented musicians in West Michigan. Says Carey, "Each one was hand selected for the project based on their extraordinary talent and impressive list of credits."
Carey has appeared at MSW in "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe." Her numerous Grand Rapids appearances have earned her Grand Awards for her performances in "Bat Boy: the Musical," "Floyd Collins" and "Singin' In the Rain."
Featured vocalists are CiCi Gramer, Ryan Potts, Andrew Schneider, Kathy Wagner and Larry Young.
Gramer is a regular supporting player with Opera Grand Rapids. Schneider has worked with MSW both onstage and off, appearing in the 2005 production of "Urinetown." Wagner, a local cabaret performer and vocal professor, received the 2005 Grand Award for her performance in "Gypsy." Young, who is employed through Actors' Theatre of Grand Rapids, recently appeared there as Officer Lockstock in "Urinetown" and was seen in MSW's 2004 world premiere of "Wicked City."
The Theatre Project is a newly formed production company headed by Andrew Schneider and Jana Veldheer, both past MSW employees. Schneider says, "We hope that by producing 'Shed a Little Light' with MSW, The Theatre Project can enjoy some lakeshore name recognition and bring some of our offerings here to Saugatuck.
Mason Street Warehouse (Kurt Stamm, Artistic Producing Director and Ricki L. Levine, Managing Director) was founded in 2002 and is renowned for producing new and unique plays and musicals. MSW just finished its most successful season to date, smashing all previous box office and attendance records. "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and "Cabaret" sold out their three-week engagements earlier this summer. Most recently, MSW was home to the world premiere of Ed Dixon's "Scenery." The Stamm-helmed "Hunka, Hunka Burnin' Love" received its regional premiere as the 2006 season opener and will be making a transfer to Florida's Caldwell Theatre this October.
Mason Street Warehouse is a professional, Equity, non-profit 501(c)3 theater.
Tickets to "Shed a Little Light" are $35, with cocktails available before the show. Showtimes are Saturday, Oct. 7 ay 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
For tickets and information, call MSW at 269-857-4898 or log on to http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org.
'AIDA' comes to Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS – The newly conceived North American touring production of "Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA," the award-winning timeless love story, is coming to DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe, Grand Rapids, for eight performances Sept. 26 to Oct. 1.
Based on the story from the classic Verdi opera, "AIDA" is a new musical with Elton John's modern pop score. The professional, national Broadway touring production opens the Broadway Theatre Guild season and is sponsored by Gainey Corporation.
Winner of four 2000 Tony Awards, "Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA" is a musical bursting with contemporary energy chronicling the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. "AIDA" is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal with an exhilarating Tony and Grammy Award-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice, their first collaboration since writing the music for the worldwide phenomenon "The Lion King."
The production features music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry Hwang. "AIDA" was originally directed by Robert Falls and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Big League Theatricals, Inc., who recently produced the acclaimed North American tour of "Miss Saigon," has conceived and developed this new touring production. Staging is by T.J. Young and choreography is by Sarita Allen. Design team for the new production includes Neil Patel (scenery), Emilio Sosa (costumes) and Charlie Morrison (lighting).
Tickets range in price from $32 to $67 and are available without a service fee at Broadway Theatre Guild, 122 Lyon St. NW, Grand Rapids; by calling the Guild at 616-235-6285; and at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices. They are also available at TicketMaster outlets, by calling TicketMaster at 616-456-3333 and online at http://www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information, go to {www.bwaygr.org}.
Toledo's Stranahan Theater presents 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
TOLEDO, OHIO – "Jesus Christ Superstar," the groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is coming to The Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio beginning Oct. 5 for six performances.
The first collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be performed on the professional stage, "Jesus Christ Superstar" is one of the most popular and enduring works ever created for the musical theatre. Featuring such notable songs as "Superstar," "Everything's Alright" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Jesus Christ Superstar" earned five Tony nominations.
Set in two acts, "Jesus Christ Superstar" tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. It dramatizes Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate and his ultimate crucifixion. Perpetually changing the face of musical theatre "Jesus Christ Superstar" will leave audiences captivated by its power.
As relevant and timeless as ever, "Jesus Christ Superstar," the rock opera vision of "the greatest story ever told," is perhaps more potent in today's troubled world than when it was first produced. Now, for the new millennium, this magnificent story comes once again vividly to the stage with Ted Neeley re-creating his unforgettable performance.
Internationally beloved star Ted Neeley, best known for his Golden Globe nominated role as Jesus in the Norman Jewison film of "Superstar," will be headlining this tour. While Neeley has enjoyed a distinguished career in resident theaters throughout America, appearing in a wide variety of productions from "Hair" to the works of Samuel Beckett, he is world renowned for the title role in "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Featured in the role of Judas will be Corey Glover, best known as the lead singer of the Grammy winning, platinum selling rock band, Living Colour ("Cult of Personality"). Glover has also issued albums as a solo artist and acted in television and movies, including Oliver Stone's "Platoon." "Jesus Christ Superstar" marks Corey's theatrical debut.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" will play at the Stranahan Theater Thursday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $23 – $50.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 419-474-1333 for easy, instant charge or at http://www.theaterleague.com.
Century Grille Launches ALL NEW Sunday Menu
DETROIT – The Century Grille Restaurant, located inside the Historic Gem & Century Theatres, announces an all new Sunday menu beginning 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.
The new menu features plated breakfast and lunch selections including pancakes, omelets, chicken & waffles, sandwiches and salads with an average entree price range of $8-$14.
The Century Grille is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on select Sunday evenings from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. prior to evening performances of "The Rat Pack is Back!" in the Gem Theatre. The restaurant is also open for dinner service Tuesday – Friday, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 5 p.m. – 9p.m.
Sundays @ The Grille will offer area residents the Century Grille's exceptional service and cuisine in the restaurant's historic, intimate, and charming dining room. The breakfast menu includes traditional breakfast items such as made-to-order eggs, omelets, pancakes & waffles, as well as the "Detroiter Chicken & Waffle" and hearty Steak & Eggs breakfasts. Lunch selections include steak, turkey, and club sandwiches, and The Century Grille's popular Maurice Salad and Chicken Salad Lavash.
On select Sundays, Sundays @ The Grille will also include The Century Grille's Football Feast, a traditional brunch buffet served in the Grille's banquet room from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. prior to every Lions home game for $19.95 per person. The Century Grille's Football Feast is available 9/24, 10/15, 11/5, 11/12, and 12/10.
The Historic Gem & Century Theatres and Century Grille are the gems in the heart of Detroit's entertainment district offering theatre packages, dinner, lunch, brunch, wedding packages, special events, boxed lunches, tours and more! The theater is located at 333 Madison Ave in downtown Detroit.
For reservations, a copy of the Sundays @ The Grille menu or more information, call 313-963-9800 or visit online at http://www.gemtheatre.com.
Performance Network awarded $32,500 from MI Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
ANN ARBOR – Performance Network Theatre of Ann Arbor has been awarded a grant of $32,500 from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The grant was awarded through the MCACA Peer Review Process and was one of hundreds of applications to compete for state funding.
Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars. Local support of Performance Network's 25th Anniversary Season includes Pfizer, The Ann Arbor News, Between the Lines, Kensington Court, The Earle, Abracadabra Jewelry, Arbor Brewing Company, Bank of Ann Arbor, TCF Bank, Weber's Inn and Logan among many more. Performance Network will seek to match the grant funds with the generous support of more than 600 individual donors and more than 1,200 subscribers and 300 volunteers from across Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland counties.
Artistic Director Carla Milarch stated, "We are honored to have received this validation from the Michigan Council for our mission to 'provide uncompromising leadership in the region by producing works that engage challenge and inspire audiences and artists. While MCACA funds make up only about 4% of our annual operating budget, our placement as one of the top ranked non-profits in our category is a testament to our staying power as we celebrate our 25th anniversary season."
In addition to its main stage shows, the Mosh Pit Theatre and its Children's Theatre Network, Performance Network participates each year in The Michigan Theatre Festival, produced by a coalition of nine regional theatres, that showcases 24 staged readings in five days and a 12-hour marathon of short plays. Performance Network is also a proud member of the National New Play Network, a coalition of 21 theatres around the country dedicated to producing new plays for the American Stage, Americans for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre.
The MCACA Peer Review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and cultural professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.
Performance Network competed in the Anchor Organization Program, which supports the projects and programs of regional and statewide, professionally directed major arts and cultural institutions. Anchor Organizations are recognized by the MCACA as major institutions with the capacity, financially and institutionally, to implement multi-level programs. Anchor Organizations are widely recognized within their region, or multiple regions, of Michigan as hubs of significant arts and cultural activity.
For more information and a complete list of grant awards around the state, visit the MCACA web site at http://www.michigan.gov/hal.
For more information about Performance Network's 25th Anniversary Season visit http://www.performancenetwork.org.
Theater News from Around America:
'Sixth Annual 24 Hour Plays On Broadway' hits the stage Oct. 23
NEW YORK – Working Playground, in association with Moxie Pictures and Gran Centenario Tequila, presents a 24 Hour Company Production of "The 6th Annual 24 Hour Plays On Broadway" on Monday, Oct. 23 at the American Airlines Theatre.
To date, participating actors include Emmy Award winner Jennifer Aniston, Elizabeth Berkley ("Hurly Burly"), Rachel Dratch ("Saturday Night Live"), Oscar nominee Rosie Perez ("Frankie & Johnny") and two-time Tony Award nominee Patrick Wilson ("Oklahoma!" and "The Full Monty").
"The 24 Hour Plays" is an annual benefit event at which entertainment's biggest names join forces to participate in an annual rite of extreme live performance: They will write, direct and perform six original short plays – all in just 24 hours!
The creative process of "The 24 Hour Plays" begins at 10 p.m. the night before the show, when a group of six writers, six directors, 24 actors and production staff gather at the American Airlines Theater. After everyone has been briefed, each writer will stay up all night and compose a ten-minute play. At 7 a.m. the following morning, the directors return, read the plays and choose their favorites to direct. The casts meet for the first time at 8 a.m. and quickly get to work rehearsing. Tech rehearsal runs from 5-7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7:45 p.m. At 8 p.m., ink barely dry, the new plays are performed for a live audience.
Additional casting, playwrights and directors are still TBA. The list of past participants includes Benjamin Bratt, Kate Burton, Billy Crudup, Alan Cumming, Giancarlo Esposito, Adam Goldberg, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Scarlett Johansson, Julianna Margulies, Andrew McCarthy, Matt McGrath, Julianne Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, Anna Paquin, Amanda Peet, Anthony Rapp, Christina Ricci, Sam Rockwell, Liev Schreiber, Ally Sheedy, Ben Shenkman, Brooke Shields, Fisher Stevens, Tracie Thom and Marisa Tomei.
Proceeds from the event benefit Working Playground, a not-for-profit cultural organization that uses the arts to educate, inspire and enrich the lives of youth in over 40 underserved New York City schools. Through a dynamic range of programs including playwriting, animated video production, instrument building, playwriting, science cartooning and spoken word, Working Playground helps youth develop the creative and analytic impulses that will serve them as students, professionals and citizens.
"The 6th Annual 24 Hour Plays On Broadway" takes place on Monday, Oct. 23rd at the American Airlines Theatre, located at 227 West 42nd Street in New York City.
Tickets are available by calling 212-868-4444 or at http://www.SmartTix.com.
For additional information, please visit http://www.24hourplays.com.
Community Theater Corner:
Peppermint Creek presents Michigan premiere of 'The Pillowman'
EAST LANSING – Peppermint Creek Theatre Company presents the Michigan premiere of "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh and directed by Chad Badgero Oct. 5 – 8 and 12 – 14 at the Hannah Community Center's Albert White Auditorium in East Lansing.
"The Pillowman" is McDonagh's exhilarating and viciously funny new gothic thriller about a fiction writer in a totalitarian state who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories, and their similarities to a number of bizarre incidents occurring in his town. Touching on issues of censorship, what it means to be an artist, ancestral destiny and media violence, "The Pillowman" will leave audiences breathless and captivated.
The play received the 2004 Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Award nomination for Best New Play, and London's Herald says that the show is, "Brothers Grimm rehashed by Quentin Tarantino."
Peppermint Creek is thrilled to be opening its 2006-07 season with "The Pillowman." Its all-star cast consists of Doak Bloss, Spencer Smith, James Ohngren, Tod Humphrey, Max Lund and Angela Mishler.
"The Pillowman" runs Oct. 5 – 8 & 12 – 14, 2006 at Hannah Community Center in East Lansing. All shows are at 8 p.m., except Sunday at 2 p.m.
"The Pillowman" contains adult language and themes, and is not appropriate for children under 14.
Tickets are $15 general admission and $8 for students and seniors.
For more information, call 517-719-3887 or visit http://www.peppermintcreek.org.
K'zoo Civic Theatre to present 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'
KALAMAZOO – The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre will present Shakespeare's delightful comedy, "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Oct. 6-21 in the Suzanne D. Parish Theatre, 426 South Park Street, Kalamazoo.
When Falstaff finds himself enamored of two married women from upper-crust families it's only natural that he assumes they are equally enamored of him. He arranges for clandestine meetings with both women in letters which are identical word for word apart from the names. When the two women find this out, they are understandably enraged, and plan all sorts of elaborate tortures for the corpulent lothario. So begins a series of wacky revenge plots which play out like an Elizabethan forerunner to episodes of "I Love Lucy." Complete with sub-plots and one-liners, this truly is a classic comedy for a contemporary audience.
Directed by Pat Daniels, the cast features Chuck Bentley as Falstaff, Antonio Royce Copeland as Ford, Heather Anne Cerridwen as Mistress Ford, Vincent Faust as Page, Janet Gover as Mistress Page, Ellie McIvor Baker as Anne Page, Bethany Banner as Mistress Quickly, Terrilyn Krueger as Rugby, Dave Emmert as Sir Hugh Evans, Carl Lemonds as Fenton, Bob Schellenberg as Bardolph, Brian McGee as Nym, Christian T. Parker as Pistol, Will Cole as Simple, Emily Deering as Robin, Andrew Robert Nichols as Servant and Jessica Alexander as one of the Fairies. Making their Civic debuts are Ben Jones as Doctor Caius, Robert Getz as Slender, Kevin Drzakowski as Shallow, Trevor Maher as Host and Liz Emmons and Courtney Frisbie as Fairies.
Tickets for "The Merry Wives of Windsor" are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Civic box office at 269-343-1313. Additional details can be found online at http://www.kazoocivic.com.
