HERITAGE
ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 2-C
www.heritage.com
July 1, 2010
Comedy coming to Chelsea By Sean Dalton Heritage Newspapers
Nathan Mitchell figured out early on in his acting career that he wanted to master choreographing the physical side of his craft. Now the 28-year-old Novi native has a chance to do so as the young director of the upcoming farce “BoeingBoeing.” As the Purple Rose Theatre Company’s fight choreographer for the 2009-2010 season, Mitchell said he finds a lot of people assuming that his work is all about fighting and acrobatics, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “A lot of it is working with body language,” he said. “Boeing-Boeing” isn’t a slapstick comedy, but there is a great deal of strong body language that is very important to the conveyance of emotion of the play’s main character when he gets in trouble with his three simultaneous romantic interests. “It’s not combat, but there is a lot of tension and threats … the set is designed specifically as a playground for the actors to work on,” Mitchell said. With a lot of shows, particularly period pieces, the set pieces are often off limits for actors to touch, but with the ’60s motif of “Boeing-Boeing,” Mitchell didn’t want anything on set that wouldn’t be missed if someone knocked it over. “The cast is going to be rolling around and using their bodies,” he said. “What we’re doing is dynamic movements used sparingly.” Mitchell received a vote of confidence in his ability to choreograph action from the Purple Rose, which sponsored him for the 30th annual Society of American Fight Directors national stage combatant workshop, where he was recognized as the best male advanced actor combatant. PRTC Artistic Director Guy Sanville said that he likes how Mitchell has applied his specialization in physical choreography to the production of “Boeing-Boeing,” and that
The stage play, “Boeing-Boeing” will be performed at Chelsea’s Purple Rose Theater through Aug. 28. he is impressed with him as a director. “Right now, with half a professional show under his belt, Nathan is probably better than 80 percent of directors out there,” Sanville said. “There are more bad directors than any other thing in theater. Good directors are rare. I’ve been a professional actor for over 30 years and I’ve worked with five good directors. Four of them have been in this building.” With a show like “BoeingBoeing,” both men said it’s important to get out of the actors’ way and let them do their thing. “Very early on there were
some very comical moments (in rehearsals) that are very exciting to see,” Mitchell said, adding that he thinks the cast has taken the show in a good direction by making it their own. Sanville agreed. “That’s what directors do — they help everybody. It’s not about putting your own mark on it. Theater is about the playwright and the actor,” he said. Another wrinkle of Mitchell’s directorial debut has been working with his wife — a learning experience that he jokes can be a little farcical in its own right. “Before we started on this show I was very adamant about how we would work as
if she’s just any other actress,” he said. “Once we got into the rehearsal process, none of that happened.” Sanville said it’s important to develop and foster an actors talent at the Purple Rose. “It’s a really important part of our mission here that we develop our own talent,” Sanville said. “When I started working with Nate I just knew that he would be a good director. It’s sort of an on the job training exercise. We’re all somebody’s project here.” Mitchell said he’s excited to complete his first production by bringing the audiences out to see it. “Everything that could possibly go wrong is going to go wrong,” he said about the play’s plot. “Circumstances are going to get all three of Bernard’s girlfriends into the apartment at the same time and it’s going to be fun.” One of the factors that played into Mitchell’s enjoyment of the production and, he hopes, will be enjoyed by audiences is the kind of character Bernard is — a womanizer who has it too good. “What makes this a farce is that we’re going to watch all of the legs come out from underneath him and everything crumbles,” Mitchell said. “His life is going to be in a state of panic. The more panic and pressure the harder he tries to manage it.” “Boeing-Boeing” was first launched on stage in Paris, France. The PRTC version is slightly different with the two main characters, Bernard and his best friend, being a couple of cheese-heads from Wisconsin. “We wanted to make it a little more Midwestern,” Mitchell said. “Because of the speech and the way it’s written you can tell where they’re from even though it takes place in Paris and the women are from all over Europe.” For a full schedule of performances visit http://www.purplerosetheatre.org/plays/boeing. shtml or call 1-734-433-7673.
Night Life
■ Live music The Ark 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor Telephone: 761-1451 Website: http://theark.org Tuesday: The Unthanks, 8 p.m., $15, English/ Australian/ Canadian. Wednesday: Open Stage, 8 p.m., $3. ■ The Blind Pig 208 S. First St. Telephone: 996-8555 Website: www.blindpigmusic.com Thursday: Monthly Episodes: One.Be.Lo $5/ under 21, $8, 18 and older, 9:30 p.m. Friday: Ann Arbor Soul Club with Robert Wells and Brad Hales, $5/under 21, $8, 18 and older, 9:30 p.m. Tuesday: Blind Pig Showcase Night: Trixy Disco, English, Sanctus, and Cavalcade, $3 cover, 18 and older, 9:30 p.m. Wednesday: Matt Jones & The Reconstruction, with Paleo and Chris Bathgate, $5/under 21, $8, 18 and over, 8 p.m. ■ Cavern Club Four clubs in one at 210 S. First St. Telephone: 332-9900 Website: www.cavernclubannarbor.com ■ Conor O’Neill’s 318 S. Main St. Telephone: 665-2968 Website: www.conoroneills.com Thursday: Brandon Calhoon, 9:30 p.m. Saturday: George Martha Band, 9:30 p.m. Sunday: Traditional Irish Session 7 to 10 p.m.; Stoos Karaoke at 10 p.m. Monday: Pub Trivia with
Barry Aherne, 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: Restaurant Appreciation Night. Wednesday: Music Trivia with Barry Aherne, 8:30 p.m. ■ Crazy Wisdom Tea Room 114 S. Main St. Telephone: 665-9468 Website: www.crazywisdom.net Tea and Tunes 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. No cover charge. Friday: Joel Palmer Saturday: The Potter’s Field ■ The Habitat Ultralounge The lounge at Weber’s Inn features dance bands 3050 Jackson Road Telephone: 665-3636 Website: www.webersinn. com Live dancing with the area’s best bands. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 8:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursday: Slice Friday, Saturday: Joy Ride Sunday: Starlight Sunday - Music by D.J. Mechial E. White Monday: Monday Night Groove –– music by Groovematist Mechial E. White Tuesday, Wednesday: Green Eyed Soul ■ Guy Hollerin’s at the Holiday Inn 3600 Plymouth Road Telephone: 769-4323 Website: www.hiannarbor. com/dining.php Saturday: No band for holiday weekend.
THINGS TO DO: REGIONAL CALENDAR CHELSEA
■ Artist Reception 4:30 p.m. Thursday: “Meet and Greet” reception for artists Marsi Darwin, Bill Darwin and Alex and Laurel Rostowski for Stained Glass exhibit at Silver Maples of Chelsea, 100 Silver Maples Drive. ■ Ice Age Mammals 11 a.m. Thursday: Eddy Discovery Center, Bush Road, Chelsea. Free. $6 vehicle entry fee. 475–3170. ■ Sounds and Sights on Thursday Nights 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday: Music and entertainment in downtown Chelsea. Free (fee for carriage ride). 475-1145. ■ Chelsea Ride 6 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m. Mondays: Meet at Aberdeen Bike & Fitness, 1175 S. Main St. Free. 1-517-285–6830. ■ “Boeing-Boeing” 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays ending Aug. 28: Purple Rose Theatre, 137 Park St. 433–7673. ■ Waterloo Area Farm Museum 1 to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday: 9998 Waterloo-Munith Road, Waterloo Recreation Area, Chelsea. $4 (age 62 and older, $3; ages 5-17, $2; ages 4 and younger and members, free). 1517-596-2254. ■ Great Books at the Senior Center 1 p.m. Friday: Chelsea Senior Center, 512 Washington St, Chelsea. Free. Pre-registration required. 475-8732. ■ Wolves, Coyotes and Foxes 11 a.m. Friday: Eddy Discovery Center, Bush Road, Chelsea. Free. $6 vehicle entry fee. 475–3170.
■ Native American Sand Art 11 a.m. Saturday: Eddy Discovery Center, Bush Road, Chelsea. Free. $6 vehicle entry fee. 475–3170. ■ Chelsea Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays: Park Street. Free admission. 475-6402. ■ Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., Saturday: 400 N. Main St. Free. 433-5499. ■ Chelsea Chess Club 3 p.m. Saturdays: Wendy’s, 1640 Commerce Park. Free. 475-1583. ■ Fourth of July Chicken Barbecue Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday: Chelsea American Legion Post 31. All invited. Proceeds benefit the American Legion. 1700 Ridge Road, Chelsea. $8. 4751964. ■ Movie Monday Noon Monday: “The Princess & the Frog.” Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free. 475-8732. ■ “Dungeons & Dragons” 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free. 475–8732. ■ Baby Time 10:30 a.m. Tuesday: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. Free. 475–8732. ■ LEGOS@McKune 2 p.m. Tuesday: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St., Chelsea. Free. Pre-registration required. 475-8732. ■ Summer Story Time 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesday: Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free. Pre-register at 475-8732. ■ Alien Invaders
11 a.m. Wednesday: Eddy Discovery Center, Bush Road, Chelsea. Free. $6 vehicle entry fee. 475-3170. ■ “Wild Wednesdays” 2 p.m. Wednesday: Baffling Bill the Magician. Chelsea District Library, 221 S. Main St. Free.
DEXTER
■ Story Times 11 a.m. Thursday and Monday; and 1 p.m. Monday: Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine, Dexter. Free. 426-4477. ■ Live Reptiles 11 a.m. Friday: Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary owner David Critchlow shows and discusses reptiles. Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter. Free. 426-4477. ■ Drop-in Duct Tape Art 2 to 4 p.m. Friday: Ages 10 and older. Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter. Free. 426-4477. ■ Summer Concert Series 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays: Gemini. Monument Park gazebo. Free. 426-0887. ■ Fireworks and Cookout 6 p.m. to after sunset Saturday: U of M Sailing Club. Barbecue and watch Portage Lake fireworks from the club’s docks. “Sailing Jeopardy” at 7 p.m., trivia game with prizes. Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Road. $5. 426-4299. ■ Draw Doubles Disc Golf Noon Saturdays: Hudson Mills Metropark, 8801 North Territorial Road. $5. $4 vehicle fee. 449-4300. ■ Fireworks at Hudson Mills 10 p.m. Saturday: Classicrock dance music by Big Pinky and the Joint Effort Band outdoors by the Activity Center.
Arrive before 9:30 p.m. Hudson Mills Metropark Activity Center, 8801 North Territorial Road. Dexter. Free. (Park entry fee: $5 per vehicle.) 426-8211. ■ Independence Day Potluck 10 a.m. to sunset Sunday: U of M Sailing Club. Bring a dish to share. Open sailing on the lake. Baseline Lake, 8010 Strawberry Lake Road. Free. 426-4299. ■ “Lighthouses and Legends” 7 p.m. Wednesday: Kitty Donohoe performs folk songs, stories, and poetry that revolve around lighthouses and Great Lakes lore. Dexter District Library, 3255 Alpine St., Dexter. Free. 426-4477. ■ Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club 7:30 p.m. Wednesday: Visitor night. Central Street depot, 3487 Broad, Dexter. Free. 426-5100.
SALINE
■ “Bid for the Cure” 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday: Event to support the Susan G. Koman Foundation. Several Detroit Tigers including Brandon Inge, Rick Porcello, Joel Zumaya, Ryan Perry and Austin Jackson will sign autographs. PAWS, the Tigers mascot, will be onsite from 3 to 5 p.m. Food, refreshments, cotton candy and face painters. Live auction at 8 p.m. South Ann Arbor Street, downtown Saline. ■ “Bubble-icious!” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday: For students in second grade and up. Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple Road, Saline. Free. Pre-register at 429-5450. ■ Thursday Night Contra 7 p.m. Thursday: 4531 Concourse Drive. $7 (students, $4).
■ Summer Music Series 7 to 9 p.m. Friday: Classic rock and blues by the Chelsea band Rattlebox Downtown Saline. Free. 429-4494. ■ Drum 4 Wellness Circle 7:30 p.m. Saturday: Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, 704 Airport Blvd. $5 donation. 4801219.
parking lot, Ann Arbor-Saline Road, south of Michigan Avenue. Free. 645-5840. ■ Cruise Night 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday: American Legion Hall, 320 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. Free. 429-7310.
YPSILANTI
■ First Saturday Contra 8 p.m. Saturday: Pittsfield Grange, 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road. $9 (members, $8; students, $5). 769-1052.
■ Crossroads Summer Festival 7 p.m. Friday: First Class Band and Martin Simmons. Washington Street at Michigan Avenue. Free. 717-7305.
■ Farmers’ Market 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays: South Ann Arbor Street in downtown Saline, and 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Saline Library, 555 N. Maple Road. Call 429-3518.
■ Washtenaw Classic Auto Show. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays: 3362-3402 Washtenaw Avenue service drive. Free admission. 369-3012.
■ Rentschler Farm 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays: 1265 E. Michigan Ave. Enter through the shopping center and park within the farm complex. Call 944-0442.
■ Camaro Superfest 2010 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday: Eastern Michigan Camaro Clubs. All invited to enter Camaros ($20-$30). Swap and vendor areas, raffle, Poker Run (July 3, 4-7 p.m.). Food available. Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society. Riverside Park, Cross Street at Huron, Ypsilanti. $3 admission (age 14 and younger, free). 3688726 and 397-5182.
■ Saline Railroad Depot Museum 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays: 402 N. Ann Arbor Street. Call 944-0442. ■ Art to Go 1 p.m. Monday: Ages 5-14. Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple Road, Saline. Free. Preregistration required. 429-5450. ■ Family Story Times 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Saline District Library, 555 N. Maple Road, Saline. Free. 429-5450. ■ Line Dancing 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Saline American Legion, 320 W. Michigan Ave., Saline. $6. 429– 4840. ■ Saline Ride 6 p.m. Wednesday: Municipal
MANCHESTER
■ Summer Gazebo Concerts 7:30 p.m. Thursday: Manchester Community Brass Band. Manchester gazebo, Wurster Park, West Main Street, Manchester. If rain, Emanuel Church hall, 324 W. Main St. Free, but donations appreciated. 428-0159. ■ Manchester Community Fair 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday; 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Ends July 10. Alumni Memorial Field, Vernon and Wolverine, Manchester. $5. 428–8474.