EAST LANSING, Mich. — A spoof of the film noir spy movies of the 1930s and 1940s, a political comedy perfect for this election year, and a dramatic adaptation of a popular children’s book set in Denmark during World War II are among the plays to be performed this June on the banks of the Red Cedar River during Michigan State University’s Summer Circle season.
“Summer Circle Theatre is one of the department’s most important projects, since it provides our students the opportunity to work for six weeks in the summer in a true repertory company,” said George Peters, chairperson of the Department of Theatre. “Free theater on the banks of the Red Cedar has become an East Lansing tradition, and we are happy to welcome all theater lovers to our plays this June.”
The main stage season will open with Michael Hollinger’s “Red Herring,” June 11-14; continue with Howard Teichmann’s “The Girls in 509,” June 18-21; and close with Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars,” June 25-28.
Two edgy and provocative “Late Night” shows will follow each main stage performance on Fridays and Saturdays. One is a comedic update of the Greek classic “Medea” by Christopher Durang and Wendy Wasserstein, June 13, 14 and 27; the other features two off-kilter one-act plays by David Lindsey-Abaire, “Baby Food” and “The Other Person,” June 20, 21 and 28.
Shows will be presented at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the outdoor theater on the south (river-side) lawn of the MSU Auditorium Building.
Admission is free. Lawn and bleacher seating are first-come, first-served and early arrival is recommended. Blankets, folding chairs and insect repellent are also recommended.
A variety of refreshments will be available on-site. Performances are rarely canceled because of bad weather.
The 2008 Summer Circle Theatre company includes more than two dozen community and campus actors and technical support staff.
Summer Circle Theatre at MSU was founded in 1961 by Frank C. Rutledge, professor emeritus of theatre, who died earlier this year, and Gretel Geist, professor emerita of theater.
For more information about the Department of Theatre, visit www.theatre.msu.edu. For a history of the Summer Circle Theatre, visit www.summercircle.org.
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