Dear Crabby, What is Statehood Day?

Dear Crabby, What is Statehood Day? Sincerely, Robin Bird   Dear Robin, In short, Happy Birthday to Michigan! Our beautiful state celebrates turning 180 today, which is Michigan's Statehood Day. I'm sure other states have these celebrations, but none is more important than the one in which you live. Michigan, founded on January 26, 1837, is the 26th state in our union - putting us roughly at the halfway point of reaching a total of 50 marvelous states - Michigan being the … [Read more...]

REVIEW: ‘Trolls’ are Sure to Love Avon Players’ Production of ‘Escanaba in Da Moonlight’

Back in the early 2000s, Michigan’s own Jeff Daniels penned an homage to the Upper Peninsula (the Superior State) — the comedy Escanaba in Da Moonlight. First shown at The Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, MI, Avon Players brought the hilarity to its stage Friday night and had the full house roaring with laughter. And for those of you who didn’t know, ‘trolls’ are folks who live below the Mackinac Bridge. As the play opens, we’re introduced to Albert Soady (Mark Palmer) patriarch of the … [Read more...]

Take a Hilarious Trip beyond the Bridge in Avon Players’ Escanaba in da Moonlight

The plight of an unlucky hunter yields big laughs in this super yooper comedy from Michigan’s own Jeff Daniels Audience members may find themselves craving pasties after spending a fun-filled evening with a group of wacky deer hunters as they engage in the requisite beer-fueled ritual of tall tales and one-upmanship in Avon Players’ Escanaba in da Moonlight, running Friday, January 20 through Saturday, February 4. On the eve of opening day of deer season, members of the Soady family … [Read more...]