Talent is not just confined to the bright lights of Broadway or Hollywood.
East Lansing resident and nationally recognized writer, director and performer Tom Klunzinger has proved just that.
Klunzinger, who graduated from MSU in 1966, originally had a major in theater, but changed it to advertising because he said it was more practical.
Klunzinger worked in advertising for several years before returning to the stage in 1987 to perform in an MSU Summer Circle Theatre production.
"The acting just came back naturally," Klunzinger said.
He continued to perform in local community theaters, including the Community Circle Players who now perform at the Nearly 30 years after taking a position as the first treasurer of Riverwalk, Klunzinger has consistently returned to the company.
This weekend, he will direct and perform in the production of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical "Gigi."
"Gigi" is the perfect example of his appreciation for musical theater, Klunzinger said.
"The fun of live theater is hearing good, familiar music performed right there before you," he said.
Klunzinger developed a passion for theater at a young age.
When his mother brought home the original cast albums for 1948 musical "Kiss Me Kate," and 1949 musical "South Pacific," a precocious Klunzinger was motivated to write his first song at the age of six.
Some 60 years later, he's written many musicals.
"Writing words and music has always come naturally to me," Klunzinger said. "I guess you could say I have a gift with melodies."
Although he's produced most of his works at the Riverwalk Theatre, Klunzinger hasn't restricted his creative talents to simply the community theater scene.
After his first New York production in the early '90s, Klunzinger continued to write both straight plays and musicals.
Klunzinger, who plans on taking a break from theater after "Gigi's" final performance to concentrate on writing an opera, praised the Riverwalk Theatre for being a creative outlet.
"It's a nice space to perform in," he said.
"Theatrically, I feel at home there."