There has been no shortage of interesting and thought-provoking theatre in West Michigan over the last year. In fact, as pointed out a few months ago in an G-Sync editorial, Grand Rapids is in the middle of a not so quiet theatrical revolution as area stages are packed with contemporary dance performances, intimate and punk-inspired musicals, and even the big  Broadway version of Legally Blonde at Civic Theatre.

But for the programming committee at Actors' Theatre of Grand Rapids, they chose Jane Anderson's Looking for Normal, a play written 11 years ago surrounding a topic that makes for rich theatre.

"We chose Looking for Normal because, first and foremost, it's a great play with great characters that hasn't been seen previously in our area," says Actors' Theatre Director of Development and Marketing Jon Clausen. "Secondly, though, Looking for Normal explores subjects that we haven't really dealt with before in our main stage work -- namely transgender experience and impact. It emerged late in the selection process last year from our artistic selection committee, and it became a piece that that they (and we) really wanted to see done. It's a serious, yet also witty and fun play that approaches its serious subject with grace and humor."

The story revolves around Roy, a husband who comes to the conclusion that he is a woman trapped in a man's body. Over the course of the play, not only will Roy have to share this news with his wife, Irma, but they will eventually have to "come out" to their children and their local minister about the changes coming down the road. The play will be directed by Actors' Theatre's Fred Sebulske.

Given its setting in the Midwest and the timeliness of this topic's relevance to today's shifting landscape of sexuality, Looking for Normal's debut lands right on time and is sure to spark plenty of lively dialogue over post-show drinks.

I've read the script and it is a dynamite page-turner; the theatrical staging will open up the author's words, giving them complexities through voice and movement to create a memorable theatre experience.


Admission: Starting at $24

While the news headlines have been filled with stories of potential scandal as talk show hosts debate back and forth (a by-product of our need to fill a 24/7 program slot), another group, the Supreme Court of the United States, is privately debating two legal cases: the future of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8. The result is sure to spur many more conversations once their decision is made known later in June.

Locally, another conversation I think will be of interest to members of our region, given our strong religious roots, will take place at Wealthy Theatre this Thursday: 'Gay and Christian: Believers Speak.' The three speakers include Dr. Matthew Clark, psychologist; Daniel Dobson, writer and pastor's son; and Dr. Stephanie Sandberg, a Calvin College professor and playwright.

The program was inspired by Dr. Clark, a popular guest on our local television because of his counseling work with children, including teens at risk of suicide. Clark believes that the time to begin discussing those seven passages in the Bible that have often been quoted to the gay community -- and often without much thought about their real context -- is now. 

"While I always knew I was gay and Christian, it wasn't until college that I felt suicidal after discovering the seven allegedly anti-gay verses in the Bible," says Clark. "After college, I began to read several books that showcased how these verses have been misinterpreted and misused. This information saved my life."

Clark hopes that with the aid of Sandberg, who authored the play Seven Passages, and Dobson, who grew up as the son of the locally beloved minister Ed Dobson, that this open platform for discussion will help someone having difficulties understanding the gay believer.    

In addition to the panelist and a Q&A after the event, Gays In Faith Together's Rev. Jim Lucas and Ruth Bell Olsson will also be joining the discussion.  

And while we have rarely ventured into religion on the pages of G-Sync events, in light of the upcoming Supreme Court decisions, this might be a good time to make an exception given the topic presented and how it impacts our region.


Admission: $10

It is hard to imagine that it has been 10 years since about 200 people showed up to listen to live music and drink local beer as they celebrated the very first Local First Street Party. Oh, how far we have come. Now this one-day event is celebrating their tenth anniversary and is expecting to attract more than 12,000 to downtown Grand Rapids.

While this event will have plenty of food vendors (all local, no chains) and great spirits, the real plus of any street party is always the chance to listen to some great music.

This year they do not disappoint as folk duo Seth Bernard and May Erlewine open the event at 3 p.m. From there, the music just keep rolling with Ralston Bowles, Cabildo, The Concussions, and The Crane Wives before electro-rock sensation Step Dad dances the party out to the midnight hour. In between the acts, the thrilling and dressed to impress Grand Rapids Soul Club will be spinning vintage soul and funk, including the occasional rare 45 from Grand Rapids musicians. 

As an added bonus, longtime Street Party event partner Founders Brewing Company has created a beer to commemorate the10th anniversary. The limited edition Local Hive Honey Wheat, made from local honey, will be on tap.

"Ten is a great age. We're taking time to reflect on how far we've come and to make plans for our future," says Local First Executive Director Elissa S. Hillary. "We're old enough to feel well-established and confident, but young enough to still be full of energy. We're focused on moving forward with our mission to make West Michigan a locally focused, strong from the inside, sustainable community."

They will even be serving Detroit's Faygo, which is code in some circles for "Juggalos Welcome." But just remember, not everyone shares your appreciation of a Red Pop shower.


Admission: Free

Summer was made for enjoying jazz outside. Lucky for you, when the 13th annual Jazz at the Zoo opens their season at the John Ball Zoo Bandshell, you will have 11 chances to enjoy one of the best kept secrets in our city's entertainment scene.

Part of the charm is not its off the beaten path location next to the zoo in John Ball Park, but the thoroughly decadent day of the week on which it occurs: Monday. And it's not a sparsely attended event.

"Oh, I would say that on a light night you can expect just over 1000 people," says John Miller of the West Michigan Jazz Society. "But I would have to say that the average crowd is closer to 1,200 - 1,500 each performance."

Since it is in the park, Miller suggests packing a picnic dinner with all the trimmings. If you don't have time, there are plenty of opportunities to snack on hot dogs or stone oven pizza from any one of the vendors who show up at this weekly event.

This year's all-star line up of local and visiting jazz artists includes Paul VornHagen Quartet, The Tom Hagen Summer Swingers, the Max Colley III Sextet, Arno and Randy Marsh, the Fred Knapp Quartet, Evan Hyde & Friends, the Paul Keller Quartet, Mark Kahny Quintet, Michele Covington, and The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra.

"We also started a new tradition last year and have invited an area high school jazz band to open our season to showcase the rising talent of our region," says Miller. "We are so happy to have as our 2013 season opener the Northview High School Jazz Band, which is sure to be a real treat for people who have never heard students from this award-winning group."

Be sure to pack a blanket or chair, as there are a limited number of picnic tables. Bring some cash as well, because organizers pass the hat to help cover the artists' cost of being a part of this free public event. Miller reminds me at the end of our call that while they do not sell alcohol at this event, people are encouraged to take their empties with them as they leave. I could almost hear the wink in his voice.

Jazz people are good people. They improvise as they go along -- and beautifully.


Admission: Free