MSU's Summer Circle, local musicians move outdoors for warm weather performances
Summer is here and that means music and theater have moved outdoors and Shakespeare is back in town.
Act I: Theater companies take to outdoor stages for June performances
Presenting in its beautiful outdoor stage adjacent to the MSU Auditorium, the Michigan State University Summer Circle has a reduced schedule this year — a single musical and a Shakespeare, accompanied by two Greater Lansing Ballet dance performances.
In its 61st season, the cherished tradition provides free, outdoor theater to the community, an opportunity for families of any income level to gather on MSU’s campus, bring a picnic and enjoy live theater.
This year, the season opens with four productions of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” directed by Katherine Clemons, choreographed by Stefon Funderburke and musical direction by Dave Wendelberger. It’s a musical that showcases the songs created in the 1970s to teach grammar, math, history, civics and science. Performances are at 7 p.m. June 15-17 and 6 p.m. June 18.
The following weekend, Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will fill the stage, directed by Thalia Pearce. The feuding fairies, mixed-up lovers and rude mechanicals romp through a midsummer night in a magical forest in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Shows are 7 p.m. June 22-24 and 6 p.m. June 25.
As a preshow performance, the Greater Lansing Ballet Company will dance for early arriving audiences from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on both Sundays.
And if “Midsummer” is not enough Shakespeare for you this June (and who can ever get enough Shakespeare), Lansing Community College is putting on one of Shakespeare’s lesser-done plays, the romantic comedy “Love’s Labour’s Lost” directed by Mary Job. This is also an outdoor production, performed in the amphitheater in the center of the downtown campus.
One of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies, it tells the tale of the King of Navarre and his three closest friends as they try to give up the company of women for three years so that they can study, fast and become better people. Then the Princess of France shows up with her ladies and their vows become difficult to keep. Shows are at 7 p.m. June 21-25.
Act II: Music fills the gardens at MSU
It’s been 150 years since the Beal Gardens first began to bloom and MSU is celebrating in a number of ways —including the annual concert series taking place on select Sundays from June until September.
The free family-friendly concerts take place in the gardens and explore a variety of musical styles, instrumentation and genres. In the interest of fusing music, art, science and sustainability, each concert starts at 1 p.m. with drop-in family-oriented art and science activities. After the 2 p.m. concerts, there are activities and gardening tips illuminating the interconnectedness of people, plants and place.
This year’s concert series, curated by the MSU College of Music, includes:
Spartan Jazz and the Garden’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, June 25
Clap7 Saxophone Quartet, July 16
Percussion Duo, Aug. 13
GeDeane Graham and Mengyao Zho performing “Medusa’s Vines,” a one-act opera, Sept. 10
Ignis Woodwind Quintet, Sept. 24.
Encore!
The City of Lansing is hosting weekly concerts in the park until Aug. 9. The Wednesday night concerts move from park to park and feature a range of genres. For information, visit https://www.lansingmi.gov/994/Concerts-in-the-Park.
The city of Williamston hosts Thursday night concerts at the McCormick Park shell starting at 7 p.m. through Aug. 17.
In Haslett, the Lake Lansing band shell will be home to Friday night concerts through Aug. 25.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU's Summer Circle, local musicians move outdoors for performances
