3/6/10 – 3/7/10 – A Taste of Home Away from Home…East Lansing, MI

We proceeded from the land of the Fighting Irish to the land of the Spartans and Michigan State University - East Lansing, Michigan. Situated east of Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, East Lansing was settled in 1847, formally established in 1907, and celebrated its centennial in 2007. The city was a “dry” city from 1907 through 1968 due to a city charter that prohibited the possession, sale and consumption of alcohol.





The downtown area of East Lansing surrounds Grand River Avenue, a wide tree-lined boulevard that serves as a dividing line between Michigan State University and the rest of the city. One impressive structure of the downtown area is the “Habitrail” or “Hamster Cage”, a large multi-colored parking structure near the MSU campus that resembles a Habitrail pet rodent home. This controversial building was designed as a result of a request to create a building that was both “festive” and non-brick. Famous residents of East Lansing include actor Timothy Busfield, Malcolm X and Larry Page, president and co-founder of Google and the 11th richest person in the US, according to Forbes Magazine.



Seated on the campus of MSU is the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, a gorgeous facility with a striking four-story glass and brick façade. Built in 1982 and expanded and renovated in 2008, the Wharton Center houses four theatres, including the Pasant Theatre, where we performed. The Pasant Theatre is a modified thrust theatre that seats 600 people. Although we played two great public performances that were filled to capacity, performing at the Pasant was difficult due to the odd configuration of the stage. At least we will be prepared for the next time we return to Wharton Center at the end of March.

Our accommodations in East Lansing were the best that we have experienced in our time on the road – two bedroom suites complete with kitchenettes. It was so nice to be able to enjoy home-style cooking and not have to eat out at restaurants. One evening, two of my castmates, Jimmy and Kevin, set off the smoke alarm in their room from their cooking and caused quite a stir in the building, drawing out all of the curious second floor inhabitants from their apartments into the hallway. On another night, four of us created a wonderfully sumptuous meal and watched the Oscars…a small little taste of home away from home. And the best thing is, we will be returning back to this hotel in a couple of weeks – I can’t wait!

Next stop – the McAninch Center in Glen Ellyn, IL. Until the next adventure…

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine