SPOT THE ROGUE for EncoreMichigan.com: Day 5 wrap-up

You don't HAVE to appear in your SPOT THE ROGUE picture, but I must admit I love it when you do.

Last night was a SPOT THE ROGUE smorgasbord at The Hot Mess Chronicles 3. Photos are trickling in ever so slowly, both via email (preferred method) and on Facebook (not-preferred method, Facebook friends), so right now my total stands at $575. However, it takes more than one hand to count the number of entries I'm still waiting to receive, so if you have a photo of me but haven't sent it along, consider yourself chastised. Send me that email attachment and let's clear $700 already!

One of the great things about SPOT THE ROGUE for EncoreMichigan.com, and one of the reasons I started the fundraiser, is the many conversations I've been able to have with local artists about the site and its importance. The one thing I find myself returning to is the need for a multitude of voices that will bring the greatest number of patrons into our area theaters. I've enjoyed some kind appreciation of my highly analytical perspective, but the truth is, some people don't care about what the lighting scheme is trying to say about sanity or how a finely honed power struggle presents a larger commentary on religion in postmodern alternate-reality France. So many patrons want to base their decision solely on what the play is about, and/or whether they want to laugh or cry or ponder or hear some songs, and we need them, too — urgently so. Therefore, the more voices that advocate for your art, the more (and more varied) patrons will be reached and intrigued, and the more successful our community can be as a whole.

If EncoreMichigan.com is to be preserved, the motivation and action — and, yes, at least some of the funding — needs to come from those who would miss it most acutely. That means it does fall to the theaters and theater artists to take an active part in this effort. The Paypal fundraiser is still going; this is a fantastic way to chip in a small amount at the outset. Although the depth of our support is likely to be small, we can and must make up for it in breadth, which will point to how many people this affects and can only help the site gain sway as it pushes forward.

Join me tonight to check out one or all of the offerings in the Go Comedy! wednesday lineup: The Gauntlet at 8, Matt Naas and the Sing-a-long Singers at 9, and Proving Grounds at 10 (during which I'll briefly sneak out to the bar so as not to be spoiled for their upcoming holiday sketch comedy show). Troupe members, theater staff, and patrons alike can play: snap a picture of me, email it to roguecritic@gmail.com, and I'll boost your contributing power with a $25 pledge to EncoreMichigan.com.

As for this weekend, here's the part I haven't divulged until now: I'm going to be out of town Saturday through Tuesday, i.e., through the end of the fundraising period. So to the several individuals who have asked if they could Photoshop me into a picture, and to those faithful readers who have moved away but use EncoreMichigan.com to stay connected to the Michigan theater scene, soon it will be your time to play SPOT THE ROGUE — like never before. Tomorrow I'll outline the rules for the weekend lightning round.

SPOT THE ROGUE for EncoreMichigan.com: Day 4 wrap-up

An unprecedented, show-stopping SPOT THE ROGUE opportunity.

An accident along I-94 waylaid my plans to swing by Planet Ant before Monday's showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; my apologies to any improvisers left holding their cameras. However, Hedwig had come out as the rightful poll winner, and there were a few other mitigating factors that provoked me to make it a Ringwald night: (1) one of the performers threatened to ground her own son if he didn't vote in the poll, and (2) the amazing sentence, "I figured out last night I can keep my phone in my bra 'til the time is right."

The photo here documents the exact moment I realized a spotlight was trained on my head and Hedwig herself had freaking stopped the show to SPOT THE ROGUE. So did the entire band, and later, so did a lot of people in attendance. Entries are still trickling in, but as of now the total has leaped to $450. I know I'm missing at least a few images, so email those to roguecritic@gmail.com and watch that number grow.

While I'm certainly having fun playing SPOT THE ROGUE, and helping supporters of EncoreMichigan.com increase their fundraising power, it's important to once again note that my puny contribution is not going to get the site to its $27,000 goal by its October 31 deadline. This is but one piece of the puzzle. To that end, the intrepid Megan Buckley has begun raising funds through a Paypal account. Details on how to donate are available here. So look at the growing collection of images, many of which feature members of this community that needs the depth and breadth of EncoreMichigan.com's tireless theater coverage, and think about what we could accomplish if a lot of people donated even a little money.

Tonight there's but one place to be, and that's the Abreact, for the industry night performance of The Hot Mess Chronicles 3. Last night shattered the daily record for SPOT THE ROGUE entries at more than eight, but I have a feeling the Abreact crew has a real shot at the title. Wednesday is still open to "Spotter's Choice," and Thursday and Friday have been scheduled at Williamston and Hilberry shows, respectively (mid-Michigan and WSU better represent!). Then watch this space for the final weekend lightning round.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Viewers familiar with Who Wants Cake? at the Ringwald will hear “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (book by John Cameron Mitchell, music and lyrics by Stephen Trask) and reflexively think “Yes, absolutely.” An ingenious fit for the boundary-pushing company and make-do space, this provocative and thrilling imagined rock set by an also-ran East German transgender singer-songwriter and her band doubles as a fictitious autobiography of oppression, sacrifice, disfigurement, playing gigs at the Sizzler, and other unspeakable indignities we weather for the sake of love. Here, cemented by Vince Kelley’s stellar turn in the title role, director Joe Plambeck’s subversive and infectious musical delivers both melodiously and dramatically.

The Angry Inch is Hedwig’s band, made up of four players on instruments as well as selectively spoken roadie/backup/husband Yitzhak (Sonja Marquis). In the world of the play, the group is following rock god Tommy Gnosis on his national tour, in a misguided attempt to vengefully tarnish his reputation and/or get his attention — Hedwig claims to have written or co-written all the songs that made him famous, only to be thrown over and ignored. Led by music director Eric Gutman, the numbers rattle the storefront Ringwald space, inspired by glam rock with a little edge of furious punk for good measure. Kelley is gamely supported vocally by Marquis and sometimes Gutman, but the lyrics are clearly plucked straight out of Hedwig’s soul, a connection aided by the unhinged electricity of live performance that is alive and well throughout this ninety-minute play.

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SPOT THE ROGUE for EncoreMichigan.com: Day 3 wrap-up

That's right, there's a T-shirt.

A big night at The New Theatre Project bumped up the total to $275, not bad for a weekend's work, but my bank account isn't crying for mercy yet. And as you can see from today's photo, I've made it easier than ever to SPOT THE ROGUE. If you can't make it out, the text reads, "Take a picture — it'll last longer."

Tonight has two fruitful possibilities vying for my attention: Planet Ant Theatre's delectable improv Mondays, now with free cider and donuts, and Who Wants Cake?'s primal scream musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I'm letting the readers decide where I go, so vote here, then come meet me at the venue to SPOT THE ROGUE!

SPOT THE ROGUE for EncoreMichigan.com: Day 2 wrap-up

Proof that if you don't have a camera on you, I will hand you mine.

With a total of $175, I'm ready to make a push to end the weekend strong. Tonight you might find me shopping at Mix in Ypsilanti, coincidentally the location of the final (nearly sold out!) performance of The American Crowbar Case. And as today's photo proves, not having a camera phone of your own is no longer a valid excuse.

Also, "Spotter's Choice" is still in effect! If you want to SPOT THE ROGUE, all it takes is an email and the Rogue will come to you. SPOT THE ROGUE flash mob, anyone? As for tomorrow, I'm torn between Planet Ant's improv Monday (cider and donuts!) and the Ringwald's half-price showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; so comment on my Facebook page to help me decide.