Finally the sun peeked out and Main Street had a chance to take a tour of the Hines Building being constructed at the corner of Third and Western. Wow, the view from what will be the Earthtronics office space will be something!
posted by Dan & Sarah @ 3:11 PM
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Downtown is the cultural heart of Muskegon, and while Muskegon Civic Theater might not be the first presenter that may come to mind, there is no reason why that should not be the case. For over 24 years Muskegon Civic Theater has been drawing crowds to downtown Muskegon to experience their high quality productions that provide an excellent resource to expose our community to the joy of theater. With another production debuting this week, Main Street met with Ginny Sprague, Managing Director of MCT, to get a peek into this organization, which really is a downtown jewel.
MS: So what’s the show this weekend and what’s the big hook to get us all down there? 
GS: Our production of Deathtrap by Ira Levin, the author of Rosemary’s Baby, will open on Thursday, February 21st and run through Sunday, March 9th in the Beardsley Theater. Curtain times are 7:30 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and 3:00 pm on Sundays.
While audiences are used to action on the movie screen, there is nothing like experiencing a classic thriller in a live theatre setting. The audience is an imp
ortant part of the experience! This great story has plenty of suspense, chills, plot twists, and even laughs for our audience. Director, J.C. Howe writes that, “You may well survive the performance. If you do, do not reveal the ending.”
MS: How does this show fit into what’s taken place this season and what is to come?
GS: Muskegon Civic Theatre has four shows in our regular season. We typically produce three shows in the Beardsley Theater, a smaller venue within the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. These shows are a small musical, a comedy and a drama; Crowns, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Deathtrap, respectively for this season. In the spring we produce a large musical on the Frauenthal stage, which will be The Wizard of Oz on May 1-4, 2008.
MS: What makes community theater so special, and how does that landscape shape up here in Muskegon?
GS: The great thing about community theater is that it brings together your friends, neighbors, and co-workers in the creative process for the enjoyment of more of your friends, neighbors and co-workers! Live theatre utilizes musical, acting, technical skills such as lighting and sound design, and artistic talents such as painting, sculpture, sewing, and construction to list just a few! The Muskegon area has a wealth of talent both on the stage and backstage! Come to one or our productions and marvel at the talent in our community!
MS: Tell us some great local stories that MCT has been a part of. 
GS: MCT works with other area arts organizations to promote the arts and cultural life in Muskegon. This past October, as part of the Muskegon Area Arts & Humanities Festival, we collaborated with the Muskegon Museum of Art on a production called Chicks and Ducks. We always try to promote the Muskegon area, and offer our assistance and participation in projects that promote our wonderful community. In addition to our theatrical productions, we also have an Education Division which provides instruction in theater arts for school age children, summer theater arts camps, a Repertory Touring Company and special outreach programs such as Theater on Wheels.
MS: Ginny, while your group may not be the biggest presenter on the block, we sure do appreciate your contribution. I know personally that MCT shows have been fantastic venues to teach local audiences about important stories and the value of theater. Keep up the great work.
MCT: We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an historic time in the history of Muskegon.
Check it out on the web
Muskegon Civic Theatre
Overview of Deathtrap
posted by Dan & Sarah @ 12:39 PM
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Please see an update below about the Downtown Master Plan Update process
Setting the course for infill development on the “new” Western Avenue, is the Hines Building, being developed by Capstone Real Estate. One of Capstone’s principals is Mike Teeter, a Fruitport High School and University of Michigan alumnus. Over the last few years Capstone has blasted on to the Muskegon/North Ottawa Real Estate scene, and just last year became heavily involved in Downtown Muskegon development when the company was chosen to develop the Hines building, a 31,000 square foot building, whose fast paced progress is easy to follow on the downtown Muskegon webcam. Main Street caught up with Mike to get an update on the building and other plans Capstone has in the hopper for downtown Muskegon.
MS: First off, how is progress on the building going? 
MT: As you can see, the building is going up quickly. We have been very fortunate that the weather has cooperated with us and we have been able to pour the floors on the second and third levels. If the weather continues to cooperate you will start to see some dramatic changes to the façade.
MS: Anything you can share about who will be joining your anchor user, the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, in the building when it opens this summer? 
MT: We are working on a number of different tenants who will be great additions to the building. Because we are currently in that process we would like to hold off on any announcements until we have agreements in place. They will however blend with the chemistry of the building and fit in well with the current committed occupants, Earhtronics, Northwestern Mutual and the Muskegon Chamber.
MS: Any other plans in the works for downtown Muskegon? 
MT:. We are currently working on two other projects for the downtown. One of the projects would be located on the corner of Second and Western, across from Hegg’s Furniture. Though we are in the planning stages, we are very pleased with the response in the project that we have had.
MS: How do you see the future of downtown Muskegon?
MT: I believe the future of the downtown is as bright as the community believes it will be. It takes a cooperative effort of many people with vision, knowledge, and resources to make a difference. I see a downtown that is vibrant with business, entertainment and recreation. I also see a downtown that is a place to bring a family and enjoy what Muskegon has to offer in its culture and history. I envision places Where both the younger and older generations can hang out.
MS: Well, Mike, it has been really fun to work with your firm to this point, you guys have done a great job with this project, and we are excited to hear that you are bullish on other projects in downwtown Muskegon. Your passion and hard work is really helping to make things happen.
MT: We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an historic time in the history of Muskegon.
Check it out on the web
Capstone Real Estatewebsite
Downtown Webcam
Master Plan Update - Due a snow day on the planned first day of the Community Input Charrettes as part of the City of Muskegon Master Plan update process, the dates for the event have been changed to February 19 and 20, 2008 still at the Hilt building. For complete information about the process please visit the City of Muskegon website.
posted by Dan & Sarah @ 3:00 PM
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