Avon Players Presents Taut Thriller ‘Deathtrap’

There is no escaping the wicked charms of this play’s twists and turns Greed and desperation lead to a sinister plot in Avon Players’ surprise-filled thriller Deathtrap, running January 17-February 1 in Rochester Hills, MI. Living a seemingly comfortable life in his charming Connecticut home, playwright Sidney Bruhl (Jeff Stillman) is struggling to overcome a string of failures that have left him hurting for money. His luck seems on the verge of turning around when he receives a script … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Give Yourself the Gift of Avon Players’ Holiday Variety Show ‘Forever Christmas’

Three years ago as I sat waiting for this show to start, I was worn out and my Christmas spirit was nearly nonexistent. I had doubts if a holiday variety show would be able to change the way I felt, but it did. And I’m happy to say this year’s production, playing until December 14 in Rochester Hills, MI, sent my spirits soaring once again! In an age where you start to wonder if anyone has anything new or relevant to say, Avon Players President John (JD) Deierlein gifts us with his original … [Read more...]

Ring in the Holidays with Avon Players’ ‘Forever Christmas’

Enjoy the music of the season and laugh alongside your loved ones at this original variety show Avon Players celebrates the sounds and sentiment of the holiday season with the newest installment of its very own Christmas variety show, Forever Christmas, running November 29 - December 14 in Rochester Hills, MI. Do you remember gathering with the family, freshly popped popcorn in hand, around the 19-inch color television set to watch Christmas specials from the likes of Bob Hope, Perry … [Read more...]

Avon Players Invites Theatre-goers to the Party of the Season with ‘Mamma Mia!’

The Hits of Super-Group ABBA will have Audience Members of all Ages Dancing in their Seats The end may be in sight for the summer travel season, but Avon Players’ upcoming musical will whisk theatre-goers away to an idyllic setting for infectious pop tunes, sun-drenched romance, and nonstop fun with Benny Andersson and  Björn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!, running September 6-21. On a small Greek island, Sophie (Mackenzie McIlroy) is soon to marry Sky (Salvatore Sbrocca). She dreams of a perfect … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Life, Love, and the ‘Company’ You Keep is at the Heart of Avon Players’ Latest Production

How do you solve a problem like Bobby’s? That’s the question on the minds of his married friends and the women in his life. And what is Bobby’s problem? He’s 35 and still single (gasp!). Welcome to composer Stephen Sondheim’s Company; an eccentric look at modern love in 1970's Manhattan and the closing production of Avon Players’ diverse 2018-2019 season, running now through June 1. When Company debuted on Broadway in 1970, it earned a record-setting 14 Tony Awards® nominations, of which … [Read more...]

Avon Players Presents Stephen Sondheim’s Company

All-Time Classic Songs Explore the Promise and Pitfalls of Love and Marriage Avon Players closes its 2018-2019 season with the groundbreaking musical examination of modern love from master composer Stephen Sondheim, Company running May 17-June 1. Bobby (Matt Cason) has a full social calendar but avoids romantic commitments. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday, he reassesses his life by reviewing his relationships with his married friends and girlfriends. Bobby’s friends include … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘Marvin’s Room’ Embodies Hope and Healing

After ending 2018 on a high note with the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Avon Players Theatre kicks off the second half of their season with the emotional Marvin’s Room. Written by Scott McPherson and inspired by his own experiences as a caregiver, most people are probably more familiar with the 1996 film adaptation by John Guare starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane Keaton, and Meryl Streep. While I never saw the movie, I had a vague notion of what the story was about, and as I sat in the … [Read more...]

A Fractured Family Reunites in Avon Players’ ‘Marvin’s Room’

Heartwarming Play Proves it’s Never too Late to go Home Unexpected developments lead to an unlikely reconciliation for one family in Avon Players’ production of Marvin’s Room running January 18-February 2. Adult sisters Bessie (Deirdre Ward-Beck) and Lee (Lia DiFonzo) have not seen each other for many years. When Bessie is diagnosed with leukemia, Lee returns home to Florida, and the estranged siblings reunite. In tow are Lee’s two troubled sons: Hank (Bodi Johnson), who is in a mental … [Read more...]

REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ Inspires and Enthralls on an Epic Scale

At first blush, The Hunchback of Notre Dame seems like an odd choice for a holiday play. Especially when you consider past Avon productions such as A Christmas Story, Forever Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street have much more overt seasonal messages. However, as the story unfolds it becomes clear that this play is absolutely perfect for this time of year with its message about kindness, love, and the need for refuge in an all too chaotic world. And if that’s not enough to sway you, then … [Read more...]

Ring in the Holiday Season with Avon Players’ ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’

  Sweeping music and an epic story make this new Disney musical an instant classic An enduring novel will come to life with a dramatic story and lush Disney music as Avon Players presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame running November 23-December 8. Claude Frollo, archdeacon of Notre Dame (Nick Frederick), has been hiding his charge, the deformed Quasimodo (Clayton Hargrave), in the bell tower of the cathedral for years. Quasimodo’s only companions are his fantasies of the personified … [Read more...]