ESCANABA IN LOVE

a World Premiere by Jeff Daniels

SEPTEMBER 28, 2006 – JANUARY 20, 2007

The hilarious prequel to Escanaba in da Moonlight is set in the Soady deer camp during World War II and outfitted with a whole new cast of Wacky Yoopers. Eighteen-year-old Albert Soady, Jr. is celebrating his final hunting season before he becomes a sharpshooter for the U.S. Army when he falls head-over-heels for the legendary Big Betty Balou. The question is, does she have what it takes to become part of Escanaba’s “royal” family?

Directed by Guy Sanville

CAST:

  • Will David Young
  • Paul Hopper
  • Wayne David Parker
  • Jake Christensen
  • Charlyn Swarthout
  • Set Designer: Daniel C. Walker
  • Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
  • Costume Designer: Ivan Ingermann
  • Lighting Designer: Reid G. Johnson
  • Sound Designer: Quintessa Gallinat
  • Stage Manager: Katie M. Doral

PRESS QUOTES

“Daniels brings back much of what made Moonlight appealing, but his growth as a playwright is also evident.”

–Between the Lines

“I worried Love would be a strictly ‘for guys about guys’ play; yet this warm comedy in a cold setting completely won me over …”

–The Ann Arbor News

“Bless you, Jeff Daniels, for taking us back to the Soady deer camp …”

–Jackson Citizen Patriot

THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES

an American classic by Frank D. Gilroy

FEBRUARY 8, 2007 – MARCH 17, 2007

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the NY Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Tony Award for Best Play, The Subject Was Roses is a subtle portrait of a small family in the wake of World War II. A son who left as a pampered boy returns from the war as a man in his own right. His parents compete for his affection while trying to mask the tension in their marriage. Finally, both mother and father must choose between clinging to their child and recognizing the man he’s become.

Directed by Quintessa Gallinat

CAST:

  • Grant R. Krause
  • Michelle Mountain
  • Patrick Michael Kenney
  • Set Designer: Bartley H. Bauer
  • Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
  • Costume Designer: Christianne Myers
  • Lighting Designer: Dana White
  • Sound Designer: Joel Klain
  • Stage Manager: Katie M. Doral

PRESS QUOTES

“In Quintessa Gallinat’s staging a pitch of the shoulders is there for a reason, a facial expression is rarely random, the lightness or heaviness of a tread on the staircase speaks pages.”

-Martin F. Kohn, Detroit Free Press

“… acting and design elements are top drawer. Krause in particular gives a fierce performance…”

-Jenn McKee, The Ann Arbor News

“[Grant R. Krause and Patrick Michael Kenney] became a well-oiled machine in Guest Artist, and they remain so in this production… Michelle Mountain perfectly navigates the various emotional minefields that exist between her and the men in her life.”

-Donald V. Calamia, Between The Lines

“… a splendid revival… Though written in the 1960s, Gilroy’s play should resonate with another American generation that finds itself at war… a classic, well-made play.

-Terry Pow, Jackson Citizen Patriot

“It would be hard to imagine a better production than this one… It would be a shame to miss this great play.”

  • -Robert Delaney, Detroit Monitor

WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON

a World Premiere by Brian Letscher

APRIL 5, 2007 – JUNE 2, 2007

A highly personal story with a little romance, lots of laughs and some intense behind-the-scenes football action. Tommy Leonard is a Division I football coach in the early years of his career, trying to keep his priorities straight as he desperately fights to recruit the star player who will save his job.

Directed by Guy Sanville

CAST:

  • Rhiannon Ragland
  • Brian Letscher
  • Jim Porterfield
  • Wayne David Parker
  • Phil Powers
  • Grant R. Krause
  • Michelle Mountain
  • Kathryn Ruth Mayer
  • Nicaolas J. Smith
  • Set Designer: Dennis G. Crawley
  • Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
  • Costume Designer: Vikte Jankus Moss
  • Lighting Designer: Dana White
  • Sound Designer: Quintessa Gallinat
  • Stage Manager: Stefanie Din

PRESS QUOTES

“…an excellent first staging…thanks to slick direction by Guy Sanville, who vigorously explores every nuance the playwright handed him.”

– Donald V. Calamia, Pride Source

SEA OF FOOLS

a World Premiere by Matt Letscher

JUNE 21, 2007 – SEPTEMBER 1, 2007

Set in the height of the McCarthy era, this riotous farce sneaks a peek at a company of actors who live in an elaborately constructed fantasy world. As they mourn the passing of their leader, an undercover FBI agent infiltrates the funeral in the guise of a gossip columnist’s assistant. The entire company freely admits to being “Commies,” and when Elia Kazan joins the party, it’s anyone’s guess what that actually means.

Directed by Matt Letscher

CAST:

  • Clyde Brown
  • John Seibert
  • Guy Sanville
  • Janet Maylie
  • Suzie Regan
  • Sandra Birch
  • John Lepard
  • Grant R. Krause
  • Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
  • Costume Designer: Christianne Myers
  • Lighting Designer: Reid G. Johnson
  • Sound Designer: Quintessa Gallinat
  • Stage Manager: Michelle DiDomenico

PRESS QUOTES

“Not only is Letscher’s first major effort as a playwright and professional stage director well conceived and expertly executed–his characters are especially delightful, and his blocking is well thought out–rarely do so many fine actors have the chance to be so bad–on purpose yet–and do it so well, that the outrageous fun all eight actors have on stage should almost be illegal.”

– Vincent Murray Hill, Between The Lines Newspaper