Farmers Alley Theatre became southwest Michigan's only year-round Actors' Equity Association theatre Jan. 12, by achieving Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status.

Earning the status gives the professional theatre more standing room in the union, which represents live theatrical performers and gives them more opportunities to expand their talent within West Michigan.

"It's a big honor," Executive Director Adam Weiner said. "It gives us more of a reach to the members of the association."

It also gives actors the choice to earn points toward their Equity card and to enter into the Equity Membership Candidate Program that leads to more work and recognition within the business.

Achieving Equity status has been a goal since the theatre's opening in the fall of 2008, which it reached much sooner than planned because of its success.

The Equity union is helping them slowly transition into the full process of operating as a SPT.

"We're able to slowly get our feet wet, without just jumping right into the deep end of the pool," Weiner said.

Weiner said the location in downtown Kalamazoo sets them apart from other theatres because of the "wonderful arts scene."

He said the theatre acts as a companion to young actors and students from the Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University theatre programs.

Although they have more access to professional union actors, Weiner said they will most likely continue to operate at about the same union-actor level as in previous productions, providing a professional place for new talent to perform.

The theatre recently leased the former Brown & Brown Recording Studio located across the street on Farmers Alley for storage. The large space doubles as a rehearsal studio, which reduces wear on the main stage and provides freedom for the creative set builders to work.

The small theatre only has one stage and 100 seats, allowing them to present each show in a more intimate way. Weiner said they are expecting to grow as a business from the SPT status, but there are no plans for seating expansion, just that "we are growing and we are excited for the future."

Photo from left to right: Founders Jeremy Koch, Denene Mulay Koch, Adam Weiner, Robert Weiner

If a time machine could transport us back to some bygone time, plenty of music lovers would easily choose Dec. 4, 1956, the day that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins recorded together at Sun Records studios in Memphis, Tenn.

It's not exactly a time machine, but writers Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott's Million Dollar Quartet is certainly the next best thing, providing a glimpse of that famous real life recording session. The production opened Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at Devos Performance Hall and will play through Sunday, Jan. 22.

Million Dollar Quartet begins inside the recording studio with Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips' most recent addition to Sun Records, banging away on the piano. From minute one actor Martin Kaye brings Lewis's eccentric personality to life and sustains it all the way through.

Carl Perkins, who is set on recording his next big hit, soon joins Phillips and Lewis. The animosity is high between newcomer Lewis and a somewhat disgruntled Perkins. The pair bicker their way through a couple of songs before being joined by a more amicable Johnny Cash.

Million Dollar Quartet DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids Jan. 17-22, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m. $25-$55 broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285

Cash has been steering clear of Sun Records because he recently signed an option with Columbia Records and isn't sure how to tell Phillips.

Elvis Presley arrives with his girlfriend Dyanne and quickly enters into a jovial reunion with Cash and Perkins.

The songs continue as the tension rises. Perkins can't hold back the grudge he feels at Presley performing "Blue Suede Shoes" on the "Ed Sullivan Show," making the song famous and Perkins long forgotten as the song's original writer and performer. Cash finds out that Phillips is planning to ask him to renew his contract that night, and is still trying to figure out how to break his news about Columbia Records. Presley is starting to feel the pressure of stardom, and his girlfriend pressures Phillips to take RCA, Presley's current label, up on their offer to join them.

When it seems like the show is over, it isn't. The audience is transported successfully from the recording studio to the stage, and suddenly it is like being at the concert that never was as Presley, Cash, Perkins and Lewis perform in sequins jackets in front of flickering stage lights. There was definitely "a whole lot of shaking going on" at Devos Performance Hall.

Dec. 4, 1956 was a historic day in music history. It was the day that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins happened upon one another at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tenn. and spent the next several hours recording country and gospel tracks together.

The famous and celebrated recording has become the center of the stage musical, Million Dollar Quartet, written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, which explores that evening and the four iconic performers whose music was about to explode across the nation.

"I think there is so much built up about these guys, becoming such icons, and the show definitely plays with that," said Billy Woodward, who plays Presley. "At the same time it strips it completely away and explores these guys as real people. They were average people like you and I who found themselves in these extraordinary circumstances."

Though the musical is based on actual events, there is also a degree of fictionalization that adds tension to the plot.

Million Dollar Quartet DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids Jan. 17-22, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m. $25-$55 broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285

"They worked in a story line about Cash deciding that he is going to move on from Sun Studios and Sam Phillips is trying to sign him up for a contract extension," Woodward said. "There is a little bit of drama involved in that. There is also some drama around Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley because Carl had written ‘Blue Suede Shoes' and it was his No. 1 hit on the pop, rhythm and blues and country charts, but the problem is Elvis covered the song and played it in front of a national audience and now people think it is an Elvis song."

The plot also includes flashback scenes as Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Record Studios and the man who discovered Presley, Cash, Lewis and Perkins, remembers the first time he met each of them.

Woodward said one of the things he thinks might surprise people is learning just how much gospel music influenced rock and roll. The musical is filled with gospel songs as well as favorites like "Blue Suede Shoes," "Real Wild Child," "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line" and "Great Balls of Fire."

When the famous recording occurred, Elvis was only 21 years old and had just become famous, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins were still rising stars and Jerry Lee Lewis was an unknown beyond Tenn. The musical gives audiences a fly on the wall perspective of these four men who were in the midst of making rock and roll history, and would go on to become icons of the genre.

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Other Performing Arts Events / By Lindsay Patton-Carson

 

Moscow Festival Ballet Fairytale Fantasy
Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo
Jan. 22, 2 p.m.
$25-$35 / millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

Founded in 1989, the Moscow Festival Ballet brings together the classical elements of Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies in a separate company. It has brought timeless pieces to the stage, including Giselle, Don Quixote, Paquita and Carmen. This month, the company brings Fairytale Fantasy to West Michigan.

New Brain
Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
Jan. 13-29, show times at 2, 7:30 and 8 p.m.
$17-$23 / kazoocivic.com, (269) 343-1313

New Brain is the autobiographical creation from William Finn, the award-winning composer of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The production follows Gordon, a struggling composer hoping to get his pieces on Broadway. It's only when he has to face a life-threatening condition that finds the courage to start writing what he wants.

Swingin' with Sinatra and Dorsey
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
Jan. 13-15, show times at 3 and 8 p.m.
$42-$90 / grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451

Grand Rapids Symphony gives us the chance to relive the chemistry and musical awe of Frank Sinatra and his band leader, Tommy Dorsey. Swingin' with Sinatra and Dorsey combines the talents of Sinatra interpreter Steve Lippa, Guest Conductor Jeff Tyzik and Trombonist James Pugh to present classics such as "My Way," "New York, New York" and "Fly Me to the Moon."

If you have not seen it yet, travel downtown to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this month for The Wizard of Oz. The production opened in November and runs through Dec. 18.

Opening night brought out families from all over West Michigan who were eager to journey down the yellow brick road along with Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow in pursuit of Oz.

A few favorites from the show include the adorable munchkins, played by children ages 6-11 from the Civic Theatre's education program, the exciting flying scenes and, of course, the music.

The Wizard of Oz Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Dec. 1-5, 7-11 and 14-18, show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $16-$30 grct.org, (616) 222-6650

The show includes an audience sing along and a yellow brick road that spans both main floor aisles and is used by cast members as they make their way to Oz. You

r tickets don't have to be on the main floor to experience the added excitement though. The Wicked Witch and her band of flying monkeys make appearances in the balcony aisles, wreaking havoc and plotting their revenge.

The show is also full of fabulous costumes and fun sets. The Lion received new duds for this production, giving him a more realistic appearance, and the Tin Man and Scarecrow costumes are equally convincing. The production also has fun with the shows historic Technicolor past. Before Dorothy is swept up by the tornado the farm set and costumes are all sepia colored, giving the vibrant Land of Oz an even more enchanting and intriguing feeling. The brilliant colors are especially fun when Dorothy visits Munckin Land and the field of poppies.

The Civic Theatre does a fantastic job bringing The Wizard of Oz to life, and living up the classic story's reputation. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours this holiday season.