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...]
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...]
Meadow Brook Theatre Announces 57th Season
Featuring audience-favorite shows as well as four Michigan Premieres, Meadow Brook Theatre’s (MBT) 2023-2024 season has something for everyone! "We are excited to be bringing you our 57th season, which is one of our best yet!" said Cheryl Marshall, MBT Managing Director. "We've got a wonderfully entertaining lineup and, of course, we're kicking things off with a great event this summer. You won't want to miss a thing!" On July 15, Meadow Brook Theatre will hold a one-night-only concert by The … [Read more...]
Rochester University Presents ‘Leaving Iowa’
Rochester University’s Theatre & Music Department presents Leaving Iowa by Time Clue & Spike Manton, directed by Robert Arbaugh, MFA. Leaving Iowa is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father-and-son road trip shifts … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Family Dynamics are the Foundation of ‘Harry Townsend’s Last Stand’ at Meadow Brook Theatre
As kids, we can’t wait to get older and be able to do grown-up things like drive, stay up late, or have ice cream for breakfast. Yet, somewhere in all the excitement of spreading our wings, we forget that as we age, so do our parents. This role reversal is at the heart of Harry Townsend’s Last Stand, running until Sunday, April 16, 2023, at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. Written by George Eastman, Harry Townsend’s Last Stand focuses on … [Read more...]
Avon Players’ ‘Misery’ Highlights the High Price of Fame
There is a well-known adage advising people not to meet their heroes because they’ll only end up disappointed. And nowhere is this sentiment truer than in the story of Avon Players’ latest production, Misery running now through March 25, 2023, in Rochester Hills, MI. Misery is a best-selling book by famed horror novelist Stephen King, which went on to become an iconic film starring Kathy Bates and the late James Caan. The Broadway play is written by William Goldman and starred Laurie Metcalf … [Read more...]