‘Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure’ opens season at Meadow Brook Theatre

Comic-mystery makes Michigan premiere on the campus of Oakland University The game’s afoot when everyone’s favorite detective returns in the Michigan premiere of Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are investigating the Bohemian king’s stolen letters. Faced with their toughest case yet, the duo joins forces with American actress, Irene Adler, and encounters dozens of other characters. As the international mystery unfolds, they discover spies, … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘The Full Monty’ is Cheeky Fun

Friday night, in front of a packed audience, Avon Players Theatre put the adage — ‘Fortune favors the bold’ — to the test with the comedy musical, The Full Monty running now until September 30, 2023, in Rochester Hills, MI. If The Full Monty sounds familiar, chances are you have either heard of or seen the 1997 British comedy film of the same name. In 2000, the Americanized version of the story hit Broadway as a musical with the book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbeck. And just … [Read more...]

Let Your Inhibitions Go with Avon Players’ Musical Comedy ‘The Full Monty’

Desperate circumstances lead to hilariously desperate measures in this stage adaptation of the popular movie    A group of down-on-their-luck workers tests whether fortune really does favor the bold as Avon Players presents The Full Monty running September 15-30. Based on the hit film of the same name, The Full Monty follows the misfortunes of six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York. With no job, money, or prospects, these men are fed up with the state of their lives. When they … [Read more...]

Rochester University Theatre Company and UnCovered Theatre Company Present ‘Shakespeare Upon Avon: Twelfth Night’

Rochester University Theatre Company and UnCovered Theatre Company present Shakespeare Upon Avon: Twelfth Night, an outdoor production directed by Rebekah Graham. Every summer the Rochester University Theatre Company partners with UnCovered Theatre Company to produce the award-winning Shakespeare festival: Shakespeare Upon Avon. Professional actors and directors from around the country come together on RU's campus each year to perform some of the Bard's best plays. This year’s show is one of … [Read more...]

REVIEW: ‘Noises Off’ Brings Down the House at Meadow Brook Theatre with Hijinks and Hilarity

This season, Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) has taken audiences on a journey that has included the blues (Blues in the Night), honky tonk (Honky Tonk Angels), complex relationships (Birthday Club, Harry Townsend’s Last Stand), and a killer plant (Little Shop of Horrors). However, they may have saved the best for last with Noises Off, which runs until June 25, 2023, at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Mich. Written by English playwright Michael Frayn in … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘First Date’ Makes the Right Impression

Adam Silorey as Aaron and Lori Smith as Casey in 'First Date.' Photo courtesy of Bryan Clifford These days, dating – especially first dates – are akin to maneuvering through a minefield. There is constant second-guessing over where to meet, what to wear, and what topics are ‘safe’ to discuss. All while in the back of your mind, you’re wondering, “Will this finally be THE ONE that gets you off the dating merry-go-round? Avon Players’ presentation of the rom-com musical First Date hysterically … [Read more...]

‘Noises Off’ wraps up season at Meadow Brook Theatre

Backstage farce runs May 31 through June 25, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University. In Noises Off, we join the cast of the fictional play “Nothing On” for a hysterical peek behind the curtain. In only hours they’ll be faced with opening night. Will they be able to pull things together? If they do, will they manage to keep them together for the run of their play, or will the flubbed lines, falling trousers, and flying sardines keep the show from going on? Noises Off, by Michael Frayn, … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Meadow Brook Theatre’s ‘Honk Tonk Angels’ Will Restore Your Faith in the Power of Dreaming Big

In 2021, Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) premiered FANCY, a Country Jukebox Musical. The following year they doubled down with A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. And in 2023, MBT proves that good things come in threes with the divinely inspirational Honky Tonk Angels, running through May 21, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Angela (Stacy White) shows what housewives from Texas are made of. Photo credit: Sean Carter Photography Written by Ted Swindley, this … [Read more...]

Fall in Love at First Sight with Avon Players’ Musical Rom-Com ‘First Date’

Crowd-pleasing comedy chronicles the horrors, humiliations, and occasional happy surprises of blind dating. The classic romantic comedy setup of two mismatched suitors navigating the minefield of relationships gets a fresh musical treatment as Avon Players presents First Date running May 26-June 10. When blind date newbie Aaron (Adam Silorey) is set up with serial-dater Casey (Lori Smith), a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious exploration of modern … [Read more...]

‘Honky Tonk’ Angels at Meadow Brook Theatre

Country hit-filled musical runs April 26 through May 21, 2023, on the campus of Oakland University. Country hits like “Stand By Your Man,” “9 to 5” and “Harper Valley PTA” tell the tale of three gutsy gals who follow their dreams of being country music stars. They may come from different backgrounds, but all roads to stardom lead to Nashville. Honky Tonk Angels, by Ted Swindley, runs from April 26 through May 21, 2023, at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in … [Read more...]