The Grand Rapids Community College theater program is presenting its fall mainstage production, “Grand Concourse” by Heidi Schreck, a play about a girl named Shelly who runs a soup kitchen in the Bronx.
This play is being performed by the GRCC players, a group of students who participate in GRCC productions, either onstage or behind the scenes, and is directed by the theater faculty.
“When picking a show for the college theater to perform we look for plays with roles that challenge our actors, and content that makes our audience think more deeply about an issue or subject,” said Tom Kaechele, director of Spectrum Theater. “The play deals with the interaction of four imperfect humans brought together in the environment of a soup kitchen.”
This is one of the three productions performed by the GRCC players this academic year, with “Macbitches” by Sophie McIntosh running Jan. 10-13 and “Incorruptible: A Dark Comedy About the Dark Ages by Michael Hollinger” running April 11-13.
“I’ve had a wonderful experience working on this play with my costars and the same director and stage manager,” stated Lila Sweet, who is playing the role of Shelly via text. “Getting to play Shelley and bring her to light has been nothing short of a good time, and I love how flawed she is and how much of a person she’s been written to be,”
With tonight being the opening, Sweet expressed her excitement for the performance.
“I’m really excited for opening night! I’m hoping the turnout is as big as the last dress rehearsal on Wednesday. The play at this point feels natural, so my nervousness has just turned into pride and getting to hear laughs and applause is nothing short of amazing,” Sweet stated via text.
The “Grand Concourse” will be performing from Nov. 9-11 at 8 p.m. each night. Tickets cost $15 for general admission, but only $5 for students (with a RaiderCard) and $10 for faculty and staff. Click here to buy your tickets.
