In its 51st production season, Summer Circle Theatre will produce some old favorites along with exciting new works. In a decidedly comedic season many types of comedy will be explored: lowbrow slapstick, esoterically highbrow, colorful character-driven and poetic musical comedy. All productions will be held behind the MSU Auditorium along the Red Cedar River.
Gemini
8 p.m., June 8-11
By Albert Innaurato
Directed by Rob Roznowski
The season opens with one of Broadway’s longest-running comedies, Gemini, by Albert Innaurato. The story of a foul-mouthed working class neighborhood in Philadelphia in the 1970s features some of the most colorful characters you could ever meet. Francis returns to his Italian working-class neighborhood on his summer break from Harvard. When two of his Ivy League friends arrive unannounced, the insults and pasta starts flying. Running on Broadway for nearly four years in the early 1980s, this adult comedy is sure to leave you satisfied. Adult Comedy.
Boom
8 p.m., June 15-18
By Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
Directed by Brandon Piper
One of the best new plays in years is Boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb. Jo and Jules meet in a subterranean biology laboratory for a casual sexual encounter, but all is not what it seems. Is the end of the world imminent? Everything from the Big Bang to the Apocalypse is explored in this scientific comedy. Adult Comedy.
The Fantasticks
8 p.m., June 22-25
Book and lyrics by Tom Jones
Directed by Jane Falion
The enduring classic musical, The Fantasticks, by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones closes the Summer Circle season. The musical contains favorite songs like "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain" contained in a charming story of two families who build a wall to keep their children apart. Loosely based on Les Romanesques by Edmond Rostand this enduring classic is pure theatrical magic for the entire family. Family Musical.
The Commedia Project
6 p.m., June 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
Created and Directed by Andrew Harvey
On Friday and Saturday early evenings during the Summer Circle Season performances of the Commedia Project will take place on the outdoor stage. This hour-long original comedy is performed in the style of Italian Commedia Dell’Arte with a refreshingly contemporary twist. The stock characters and situations of Commedia will be placed in the year 2011 as Summer Circle explores the origins or slapstick and punch lines. Fun for the whole family at 6 p.m. every Friday and Saturday before the Main Stage performances. Family Comedy.
For more information, contact Julianne Fent at (517) 355-6692 or at fent@msu.edu.
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