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...]

Avon Players Presents Psychological Suspense with Stephen King’s ‘Misery’

A quaint country cabin becomes a terrifying prison for one unlucky accident victim. A writer discovers the dark side of fandom when he finds himself at the mercy of an unhinged stranger as Avon Players presents Misery running March 10 through 25 in Rochester, MI. Based on the bestselling novel by the master of horror Stephen King that became the iconic film, Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon (Jeff Stillman), who is rescued from a car crash by his number one fan, Annie … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Make a Date to See the Fearless and Funny ‘Calendar Girls’ at Avon Players

Singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka was right on the money when he sang, “I love, I love, I love my calendar girl.” Or in this case, I loved the opening night of Avon Players’ spirited production of Calendar Girls, running now until Saturday, January 28 in Rochester Hills, MI. If the name of this play sounds familiar, chances are you may have seen the 2003 movie starring Dames Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. Inspired by real-life events, the action mainly takes place in the quaint village of … [Read more...]

Avon Players Presents Heartwarming Comedy ‘Calendar Girls’

Friends navigate loss by taking bold actions and find that the world is watching  See how far a group of friends will go to bring attention to a good cause and how that attention alters their relationships as Avon Players presents Calendar Girls running January 13-28. When Annie's (Lesa Bydalek) husband John (Anthony Sherman) dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris (Joy Oetjens) resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room in remembrance of him. With help from … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players ‘A Few Good Men’ Inspires with Commanding Performances that Electrify

“A pushy broad, a smart Jew and a Harvard mouth" walk into a military courtroom to take on the United States Marine Corps in Avon Players’ powerful production of A Few Good Men, running from now until November 26, 2022, in Rochester, Mich. L to R: Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson (Matt Druminski), PFC William Santiago (Kyle Kiesler), and PFC Louden Downey (Jacob Rayl) find themselves caught up in deadly lies and deceit. Photo courtesy of Avon Players' Facebook. Thanks to the popularity of the 1992 … [Read more...]

Avon Players Presents Military Legal Drama ‘A Few Good Men’

The play that inspired the popular feature film will dare audiences to see the truth  Secrets will be uncovered in a contest of wills penned by a master of sharp dialogue as Avon Players presents A Few Good Men running November 11-26. From L to R: Joe Danz as “Lt. Daniel Kaffee,” and Marie Burchi-Skipinski as “Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford. A Few Good Men tells the story of naval officer and JAG attorney Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Joe Danz). When … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players’ Season Debut ‘Bright Star’ Radiates Optimism in the Face of Love, Loss, and Longing

Avon Players opens a new season with Bright Star, a musical that takes the audience on a sweeping emotional journey, now through September 24 in Rochester Hills, MI. Bright Star is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the mid-1940s, with flashbacks to 1923. While there are dual storylines intertwining throughout the performance, the main plot point belongs to idealistic Alice Murphy (Caitlin O’Brien) and the trajectory of her life from an innocent teenager to a mature, but … [Read more...]

Avon Players’ Season Begins with the Heartfelt and Hopeful Musical ‘Bright Star’

From left to right: Jared Newton as “Billy,” Caitlin O’Brien as “Alice,” and Adam Wager as “Jimmy Ray.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford The buoyant bluegrass tunes of legendary entertainer Steve Martin and double-platinum recording artist Edie Brickell provide a country-style kickoff to a new season of theatre as Avon Players presents Bright Star running September 9-24 in Rochester Hills, MI. Inspired by a true story and featuring a Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, … [Read more...]

REVIEW: ‘Evita’ is the Jewel in Avon Players’ Diamond Anniversary Season

Avon Players is closing out their 75th anniversary season with the sweeping biographical musical, Evita, running now until June 11, 2022, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Directed by John (JD) Deierlein and with lyrics and music by the legendary duo of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, respectively, Evita chronicles the rise of Eva Duarte, from a poor teenage nobody to the glamourous and powerful second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The cast of 'Evita' at Avon Players Theatre. Photo … [Read more...]

Avon Players’ Season Ends with the Grandeur and Glamor of ‘Evita’

Epic musical chronicles the life of a political icon   Left to right: Daniel Romzek as “Juan Peron“ and Lori Smith as “Eva Peron.” Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford Avon Players’ 75th season closes with the sweeping biographical musical Evita running May 27 through June 11. The Tony Award-winning rock opera Evita dramatizes the true rags-to-riches story of Eva Perón (Lori Smith), who, through an indomitable will, rises from humble beginnings to become the First Lady of Argentina and a de … [Read more...]