Meadow Brook Theatre gives a Shout!-out to songs of the '60s. Suzanne Chessler Special to the Jewish News D avid Lowenstein earned his bachelor's degree in musical theater at Syracuse University, but he feels a strong con- nection to the performing arts pro- gram at the University of Michigan. Brent Wagner, chair of the U-M Musical Theatre Department, taught at Syracuse when Lowenstein was enrolled there. The skills Lowenstein advanced can be seen in Shout! The Mod Musical, which is being presented April 20-May 15 at Meadow Brook Theatre. Directed by Travis Walter, the cast includes Liz Griffith, Katie Hardy, Allison Hunt, Renee Turner and Charis Vaughn. "This show is so positive and so much fun," says Lowenstein, 49, who developed the revue with Phillip George. "It has the music made popu- lar by the iconic women singers from the 1960s in England, such as Petula Clark, Sandie Shaw and Lulu." With dance and dress of the times, the singers belt out "Downtown,""To Sir With Love"Goldfinger" and many other hits. The storyline follows the search for advice to the lovelorn. The idea for the show came from George, who gave Lowenstein a mixed music tape and asked for ideas on how they could bring it to theaters. While they worked closely on the progression of music and characters, Lowenstein created all of the movement — stag- ing, blocking and choreography. "I knew early on that I wanted to be a professional in theater:' Lowenstein says. "I lived an hour north of New York City, and the first Broadway show my parents took me to see was Jesus Christ Superstar. I was blown away by the whole spectacle and wanted to be one of the people on stage." After participating in community theaters, Lowenstein was able to get professional summer stock roles in his early teens. Dance classes started in high school, where he was in all the shows. As a senior, he did directing and choreography. After high school, he appeared in an Up With People traveling performance tour before entering Syracuse, where he now teaches along with being artist-in- residence at nearby Cazenovia College. "I moved to New York City after graduating from the university and went on tour with a revival of the musical On Your Toes:' recalls Lowenstein, whose Jewish heritage and holiday celebrations are based in his dad's side of the family. "Dancing was my entree into the business, and I worked as a dancer in national tours for five years, including a production of 42nd Street, which came to Michigan. "I landed my first Broadway show, Jerome Robbins Broadway, in 1988, and worked pretty steadily on Broadway for the next 15 years." When one of his two children became school age, Lowenstein gave up his performing career so that he and his partner, theatrical hair stylist Alfonso Annotto, could raise the boys outside the city. "I'm very excited that Shout is hav- ing this extended life in small the- aters," says Lowenstein, who worked with George on Howard Crabtree's Whoop-Dee-Doo!, a Drama Desk Award winner. "Shout expresses my love for the music and choreography of the 1960s." Li Shout! The Mod Musical runs April 20-May 15 at the Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 6 or 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays with only a matinee on the last Sunday. There also are 2 p.m. performances April 30 and May 4, 11 and 14. $24-$39. (248) 377-3300; www.mbtheatre.com . 3PM-66 DRINKS • DIM SUM • STREET FARE EASTWOOD TOWN CENTER FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER 6 MILE & HAGGERTY ROAD SOMERSET COLLECTION SOUTH THE MALL AT PARTRIDGE CREEK 517.267.3833 313.429.2030 248.675.0066 248.816.8000 586.263.0860 Experience what all the buzz is about ...our team of Pizzaiolo masters from Italy are turning out artfully hand crafted thin crusted pizzas from our wood fired brick ovens. 20% off the food portion of the bill. 29110 Franklin Rd just north of Northwestern Hwy 248-750-2500 carryout / delivery 248-750-Biga (2442) Dine in or Carry-out. Good through May, 2011 Mon - Thurs after 4pm 1.• www.pizzeriabiga.com Open 365 days a year... Home of the Eggstra Big Breakfast Three eggs any style with choice of sausage links, bacon or ham with toast and jelly Only $ 3.29 m 5In_thaLFroi nly • Dine-in or Carry-out • Senior Citizen Discount 10% No Senior Citizen Discount with any daily specials 26200 W. 12 Mile Rd. • Southfield • 248-353-3232 JN April 14 • 2011 75