Wednesday, January 11,2012

Four in the spotlight

There’s good rockin' tonight: 'Million Dollar Quartet' rattles the Wharton Center rafters

by ALLAN I. ROSS

True story: in early December 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis were all summoned to the Sun Records recording studio in Memphis by Sun founder Sam Phillips, the man who had “discovered” each of the artists. Someone had the good sense to hit “record,” and the music that materialized was dubbed “the Million Dollar Quartet” the next day in a local paper.

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Wednesday, October 5,2011

Give it up for 'Jersey Boys'

Rousing, Tony-winning tale of The Four Seasons brings down the house at the Wharton Center

by ALLAN I. ROSS

So what could possibly warrant such a rousing response? Best guess: a combination of music that is ingrained in the DNA of post-World War II American pop culture, a tight book that captures that lightning-in-a-bottle exhilaration of watching a group...

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Wednesday, February 9,2011

Go Green!

'Shrek: The Musical' is a delightful adaptation of the beloved animated film

by ALLAN I. ROSS

“Shrek: The Musical,” the stage adaptation of the first chapter in the juggernaut computer-animated franchise, jumps into real space satisfyingly and believably, exploding with towering musical numbers, jaw-dropping puppet work and fantastical costumes. It also achieves the rare feat of being every last bit as good as its source material.

'Why be normal?'

Gus's Bar is reincarnated as a 'gastropub'

by ALLAN I. ROSS

In the idyllic villa of Preveza, Greece, a three-story mansion sits atop a bluff within easy sight of electric blue Mediterranean waters.

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Thursday, December 16,2010

For the most part, '9 to 5' works

Musical adaptation of the hit film could use a little more '70s flavor, but it provides some good fun

by ALLAN I. ROSS

At one point during the performance of “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton’s face is projected onto a screen, beseeching the audience, essentially, to spread the good word about the show if they liked it, and if they didn’t, to keep their big mouths shut. But Dolly, what if I mostly liked it but still found some room for improvement? Can I tell the people to go see it but cut it some slack? I was certainly willing to give it a little wiggle room. I mean, as a red-blooded American, you can’t not love Dolly Parton.

Still Colonial after all these years

Menu gets an upgrade at 45-year-old bar/grille

by ALLAN I. ROSS

When The Colonial Bar & Grille opened, Bob Dylan was preparing to shock the world by going electric at the Newport Folk Festival, the Beatles were putting the final touches on their seminal “Rubber Soul” album, Muhammad Ali was practicing how best...

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Wednesday, October 6,2010

Lunch gone Wild

Wild Beaver Saloon unveils a mid-day menu

by ALLAN I. ROSS

After keeping downtown Lansing lunchgoers waiting nearly five months for something to gnaw on, the Wild Beaver Saloon is finally open for lunch. Nothing on the menu is over $10, which makes it expense -account-friendly for all the businessmen’s lunch meetings soon to be relocated here.

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Wednesday, September 1,2010

What's New in Lansing

A lot has been happening in mid- Michigan since the last Back-to-School Issue dropped. Here are some highlights of new businesses, events, festivals and more that have popped up in the last 12 months.

by ALLAN I. ROSS

No more ordering carry-out from East Lansing or the west side ' the tiny shop on Allegan Street has brought downtown diners what they’ve been craving: sushi. AnQi, Japanese for vigor and health, offers both fish and vegetarian rolls. 111 E Allegan St. 8 a.

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Wednesday, September 1,2010

What's New in East Lansing

by ALLAN I. ROSS

Jeanologie XX/XY Boutique NYC-inspired fashion in East Lansing, bringing both trendy designers and familiar brands. Jeanologie offers personal shopping appointments and garment alterations. The mother-daughter operation is also a fashion incubator, nurturing budding “Project Runway” hopefuls from Michigan State University’s Apparel and Textile Design program. 303 M.A.C. Ave. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday www.jeanologie.com

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Wednesday, August 25,2010

Small wonder

Tiny Golden Harvest delivers powerhouse breakfast options

by ALLAN I. ROSS

But I have a confession. I feel I need to come clean about my sentimental favorite, the place I habitually return to despite all of Lansing’s wonderful choices, my sinful lover bacon-wrapped in guilt. But fortunately the kind of guilt that can be easily dissipated by an omelette as big as my head.

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