Alumni return for Simon play
Several alumni will be back in Mount Pleasant Saturday even though Homecoming still is four months away.
In celebration of CMU’s 20th year of touring Summer Theatre, 19 alumni will present a special performance of Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” in Moore Hall’s Bush Theatre.
Leading the list is Larry Joe Campbell, a 1992 graduate and star of the ABC sitcom “According to Jim.”
Steve Berglund, University Theatre director and the play’s director, said it wasn’t hard convincing many of the alumni to perform.
“Most of the people I contacted wanted to do it right away,” he said. “I have sent them scripts. We will be rehearsing intensively Friday and Saturday of this week.”
Berglund said he has high expectations for the play and that it will showcase a lot of great talent.
“I think it’s going to be great fun,” he said. “It’s a very good play. To be able to put these people in, it’s going to make it that much more special.”
Production manager Stephanie Buck, Ann Arbor senior, said having all the alumni back says a lot about the program.
“It’s a great opportunity to show all of the talent to come out of our school,” she said. “We get so much of our support from previous members.”
Members of Summer Theatre will help in the production of “The Good Doctor.”
Buck said setting up and being on the other side of production will help students.
“This gives us the professional experience to do everything,” she said. “It’s not just knowledge to me. It’s something that I can give to the next group and be able to contribute.”
The 19 alumni include several former members of Summer Theatre as well as playwrights, directors, actors, actresses, screenwriters and choreographers.
“The significance of Summer Theatre is tremendous,” Berglund said. “It’s really important to what we do here. That’s why these people are willing to support it.”
Buck said Summer Theatre students are working hard and that the one-night event will be exciting.
“The buzz of a fun event will take the work out of it,” she said. “Less work, more play.”
Tickets for the fundraising play cost $25. A reception in Theatre On the Side in Moore Hall will follow the performance.
“People can meet and mingle with cast and crew of the event,” Berglund said.
