The University of Michigan-Flint’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts partnered with the Flint Repertory Theatre, a local professional theater, to bring “Lucky Stiff” to the stage from March 20 to April 4 at the University of Michigan-Flint Theatre, combining student performers with professional actors in a collaboration of more than a year in the making.
“We knew we wanted to do a co-production … we probably went through six different musicals before we got to Lucky Stiff,” Shelby Newport, professor of theatre and chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, said.
In January 2025, Newport was approached by Nicole Samsel, the interim director of the Flint Repertory Theatre. Samsel proposed that the Flint Repertory Theatre use the UM-Flint theater for its 2025–2026 regular season productions because the professional theater is completing renovations on one of its performance spaces, the Bower Theater, that significantly limit the use of the building. As part of the partnership, Samsel and Newport decided to work together on a co-production with UM-Flint students and Flint Repertory Theatre professionals. “It was sort of a ‘yes and’ that included a mutual benefit of partnering students and actors,” Newport said.
The musical follows the exploits of Harry Witherspoon, who inherits $6 million from his late uncle Anthony. To receive the inheritance, Harry must take his uncle’s dead body on a trip to Monte Carlo, where the body is dressed to appear alive. Antics and romance follow.
Production for “Lucky Stiff” took months to accomplish, as the joint venture had to work with the schedules of both students and actors. “I think what’s really interesting about the co-production is that a day-in-the-life looks different from week to week. The name of the game is flexibility,” Mara Jill Herman, Flint Repertory Theatre performer who plays Annabel Glick, said.
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
An actor perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications. 
Actors perform during a dress rehearsal of Lucky Stiff at the University of Michigan-Flint in Flint, Michigan, on March 18, 2026. Photo by Stephanie VanWagoner, UM-Flint Office of Marketing and Communications.
Flexibility has been key, as the cast and production team moved between both practice rooms at the Flint Repertory Theatre and the UM-Flint Theater stage. “They have been really great about respecting our time. … It’s a surprise every day, but we always know we’re gonna have fun,” Connor Allston, an actor for the Flint Repertory Theatre who plays Harry Witherspoon, said.
As they work with students, both Allston and Herman find that unorthodox methods, such as playing theater games, have helped the group break out of their shell a little bit. “I really like how Stephanie, our director, has incorporated a lot of theater warm-up games. It’s really fun to return to that college setting,” Herman said.
Logan Reeves, a junior who plays the body of Anthony Hendon, said that he believes this experience is unique in its own right.
“They’re national level,” Reeves said. “To hear their experiences … it’s one, inspiring, but two, it’s preparation. I’d like to do the same thing, so being able to ask questions about ‘How did you do that?’ and ‘How can I do that?’ It’s very helpful.”
Morgan Wright, a sophomore who plays an ensemble member and Rita’s understudy, said she enjoys hearing from the professional actors.
“Getting to hear outsider perspectives from the actors, it really broadens my horizons,” Wright said.
Newport said, “I am most excited about our audiences seeing a different kind of theater than UM-Flint has done by themselves and Flint Rep has done by themselves. Something we could only do together.”
