In 1951, a Jewish writer in America is deeply moved by Anne Frank’s diary and is earnestly determined to share her story honestly and truthfully. When he embarks on a journey rife with publishers and producers, his keen interest quickly turns to an obsession and he becomes embroiled in litigious battles that straddle a fine line between idealism and fanaticism. Compulsion or the House Behind is a rich mix of history, entertainment gossip, and one man's obsession over a young girl’s work of art that doesn't really belong to him.

The book "The Diary of a Young Girl," or as it's more popularly known "The Diary of Anne Frank," stands among the most widely read and celebrated works of the last century. The captivating play Compulsion or the House Behind tells the story behind "Anne Frank" while examining the often messy collisions between art and commerce and truth.

The play follows the struggles of Jewish-American journalist/novelist Meyer Levin -- renamed Sid Silver for the play -- to see his version of Frank's story told to the masses. Inspired by an early foreign edition of the book, Silver befriends Frank's father, Otto, and helps turn the English translation into a smash hit. Much more important to Silver, however, is the potential stage adaptation, which would bring Frank's story to an even wider audience.

Silver pens his own take, which keeps the horrors of the Holocaust front and center. The publishers and producers, however, prefer a softer, more sentimental and decidedly less Jewish version of the story. And the latter is the "Anne Frank" we know today, the one that won a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize after its 1955 stage debut and picked up three Oscars for its 1959 big-screen adaptation.

The first act follows Silver's increasingly frustrating battles with publishers, producers and even Otto Frank himself. It also sets up two key female relationships. Miss Merman is a young, ambitious editor who relates to Silver as a fellow Jew but also craves her own success. Silver's French wife, who grows increasingly weary of her husband's dogged pursuits.

The storyline flashes forward for the second act, and catches up with Silver living in Israel with his wife and fighting the temptation to see his "Anne Frank" staged, even if he has no legal right to the material. In the end, Compulsion sets up so many fascinating arguments don't be surprised if you're still discussing the issues hours, or days, later.

Adapted from a review at www.twincities.com

The Peppermint Creek 10th Anniversary Season gets underway next week. But before the curtain goes up for our first show, we’d like you to join us for a celebratory Open House Gala, Sunday, September 30th from 2 to 4 p.m.

We’ve moved to a new performance space in south Lansing, and this is your first opportunity to get a sneak peek before we open the doors.

Performers from this season’s three musicals (yes, you read correctly - THREE musicals) will mix and mingle with guests and entertain with a sampling of songs.

Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping with terrific items offered at our silent auction—performing arts tickets, massage certificates, gift packages and art from local artists and arts organizations.

Light refreshments will be served.  The Open House Gala is $50 per person, and funds raised will help offset operating expenses. The event will be held at the Miller Performing Arts Center, located at 6025 Curry Lane in Lansing, 48911.

RSVP no later than September 28th to chadbadgero@hotmail.com.

Can you believe it? We're finally at our last cast member profile. We've had 10 posts, 11 profiles and 1 VERY awesome group of talented and energetic people.  I hope you've had fun getting to know the cast, and are even more excited to come see them completely rock out during the show. Remember, tickets are on sale now! Follow the link to order them before they sell out! http://ow.ly/dMicU   

Michal Kolaczkowski
Hometown: Shelby Township, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? 
A: "That is a big question! I'm excited about the underlying message of the show, and to play angry because I'm not!"

Q: Who is your favorite American president? 
A: "Abraham Lincoln, because he could lead a group, his presence was so strong."

It's beautiful fall Friday here in Michigan and we're celebrating! How you may as by giving you another round of Friday 2 for 1 cast member profiles! Get to know Seth and Matt! 

Seth Burke
Role:  Music Director/ Rock Star
Hometown: Eaton Rapids, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? 
A: "It's a tie. I like the relevancy of the message at this time, but like every teenage musician, I too had an emo phase that didn't go so far..."

Q: Whow is your favorite American president? 
A: "That's really hard, I tend to focus on more current presidents...I guess either Roosevelt. They both were able to make decisions with out pissing people off." 

Matt Eldred
Role: James Monroe/Ensemble 
Hometown: Okemos, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? 
A: " I guess the thing is...the energy of my fellow cast members, it's very exciting."

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Clinton. I always thought he was a B.A. He just did what he wanted and made people think it was their idea, he got it done." 

Meet our newest cast member Mandy Fuller!

Role: Storyteller
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Training: Penn State 

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?
A: "I am excited to be a part of a Peppermint Creek show because they are really well done. And to be a part of something that is fresh, and new, raunchy and loud."

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Obama, is that a cop  out? He makes me proud to be an American."

 You may remember today's featured cast member,  Michael Banghart, from his role in our production of Next Fall last March. With his many roles in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,  Michael is trading in the drama in favor of making audiences laugh.  Why don't you come out and see how he and the rest of our cast do? Tickets are on sale now, just click the link to order: http://ow.ly/dMicU 

Role: John Quincy Adams/Ensemble  
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Training: LCC

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?  
A: "Seeing how people react to the material, that is what I'm the most excited about!"

  Q: Who is your favorite American president? 
 A: "Chester A. Arthur the 21st President. He came in after Garfield was assassinated. When he came into office he was hated, and by the time he left everyone loved him. It's usually the opposite of that these days." 

Historians have said many things about Andrew Jackson, and his wife Rachel, and not all of them agree about Jackson's legacy and impact. The one thing that historians agree on, is the love that Rachel and Andrew shared. Meet our very own Rachel Jackson, Mary Maurer!

Role: Rachel/Ensemble 
Hometown: Lansing, MI by way of San Jose, CA
Training: Loyola Marymount

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? 
A: "Seeing it all come together, it's not a style I'm used to, so I'm excited to see it all put together with costumes! That's my favorite part of a show." 

Q:Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Not to be cliche, but Obama. I'm not a super political person and it was such a huge moment. I saw him speak at Mizzou [University of Missouri] and it felt like being a part of history."

The cast and crew  of BBAJ has been having TONS of fun rehearsing , we can't wait to show you what we've been working on. But until then, we have another cast member profile to tide you over until Opening Night arrives!

Rebecca Mueller
Role: Ensemble
Hometown: Lake Orion, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?
A: "I am most excited about rocking out. it's so far out of my comfort zone and I can't wait to do it!"

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Bill Clinton, because he is so likeable! And because he gets his stuff done, and he's a little scandalous... I love it!"

Meet Adair Whalen
Role: Elizabeth/Ensemble
Hometown: Grandville, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? A: "I'm excited to be back in a musical! I'm pumped to be in a rock musical because it's my favorite genre to sing."

Q: Who is your favorite American president? A: "Obama, because I appreciate his enthusiasm and share many of his views."


Meet Chad Badgero
Director/All Around Rock star
Hometown: Mason, MI
Training: MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?
A: "I'm excited about the questions that will be raised for our audience about who and how we elect as our officials. I'm also excited to do a show in a new style that we haven't done before."

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: " Lincoln, because I feel like he was one of the first presidents who held us, as a country, accountable for our actions and then was bold and brave enough to act on them. 

TGIF! In honor of the beautiful weather, and the end of the work week we're treating you to an extra cast member profile! Today we're featuring Alec and Matt! As well as being all around rock stars, the guys portray two of our amazingly nefarious politicians, John Calhoun and Henry Clay.

Alec J. Nagy
Role: John Calhoun/Ensemble
Hometown: Williamston, MI
Training: LCC 

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson? 
A: "It's my first show in a year and a half, so I'm just excited to come back and be up on stage, especially in a musical and a musical of this style."

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Taft. Because he's hilarious! He just seems like a goofball, I mean, he got stuck in a bathtub."

Matt Land 
Role: Henry Clay/Ensemble
Hometown: Lansing
Training: LCC and in his first year at MSU

Q: What are you most excited about for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?
A: "The music-the idea of a rock musical, I've always wanted to do one. I'm also happy because I've auditioned for Peppermint Creek the past 4 years, and am excited to finally get to join one of the productions."

Q: Who is your favorite American president?
A: "Abe. Because he's got a sweet stove pipe hat and beard."


Have a safe and fun weekend everyone! In honor of tomorrow's football game we will be featuring 2 MSU grads from our cast. Got any guesses as to which Spartans will be gracing our site tomorrow?