Experimentation goes monstrously wrong, the Mel Brooks way, in this musical comedy A classic horror parody movie by a legend of the entertainment field will come to life on stage in Avon Players’ Young Frankenstein, running May 30-June 14, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick (Eric Rodman), who pronounces his name "Fronk-en-steen" in order to distance himself from the family’s tarnished reputation, inherits his ancestral … [Read more...]
Rochester Christian University Theatre Company Presents ‘Romeo & Juliet’
L to R: London Nesbitt and Emmy Cook Photo credit: Rachel Corp Rochester Christian University (RCU) Theatre Company presents Romeo & Juliet, written by William Shakespeare and directed by Robert Arbaugh, MFA. In Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Romeo and Juliet meet at a party, and it is love at first sight. However, the long-standing feud between their families threatens to keep them apart. Violence and bloodshed ensue as they navigate forbidden love and its fatal consequences. … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Calamity and Comedy Collide in Avon Players’ ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’
A full house on opening night at Avon Players Theatre was treated to an evening of playwright Neil Simon’s wise-cracking comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor, running until March 29, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. With more than 30 plays to his name, Neil Simon racked up many awards over his illustrious career, including Tony Awards for writing The Odd Couple and Biloxi Blues and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost in Yonkers. In 1983, Simon was the first living playwright to have a … [Read more...]
Presenting “Bringing Archives to Life with the Rochester-Avon Historical Society Collection”
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) welcomes Samantha Lawrence, archivist for the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, to discuss the society's archival collection on Tuesday, March 4 at noon at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Rd., Rochester Hills. Explore more than 55 years of the Society's history. Learn how pioneers paved the way for the formation of the Society and other fascinating stories uncovered while processing the organization's … [Read more...]
Get an Insider’s Look into the Entertainment Business with Avon Players’ ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’
This pressure cooker of a TV writers’ room is brimming over with wit and wisecracks Beloved playwright Neil Simon’s recollections of his early career provide fodder for snappy comedy in Avon Players’ Laughter on the 23rd Floor, running March 14-29, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Max Prince (Ben Feliciano) is the star of a popular 1950s comedy-variety series that is a major hit on the East Coast, but network executives insist that it is too sophisticated for the Midwest and urge Prince … [Read more...]
RCU Presents: Broadway & Beyond: An Evening with Blake Whyte and Friends
Rochester Christian University (RCU) presents Broadway & Beyond: An Evening with Blake Whyte and Friends, a world premiere of original songs from Broadway star Blake Whyte. Join Broadway actor and award-winning songwriter Blake Whyte for an unforgettablenight of live music. Star of Broadway’s Wicked and Mamma Mia!, Blake is bringing histalent to the RCU stage with this brand new show about Blake’s journey, told throughpowerful storytelling and original soulful music. Including the world … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society Presents: “That Old-Time Religion: Early Faith Communities of Rochester and Avon”
Join Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS)and local historian and society member Deborah Larsen for the presentation titled "Early Faith Communities of Rochester and Avon," Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Rd., Rochester Hills. Former St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Larsen will host a lively and in-depth discussion of the history of religion and faith within the community of Rochester and its surrounding … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Murder and Merry Misunderstandings are the Catch of the Day in Avon Players’ ‘Farce of Habit’
A full house traded in the bitter and snowy Michigan cold for the sunshine and slapstick of the Ozarks in Avon Players’ Farce of Habit, running until January 25, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Farce of Habit was written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. As the title implies, this play includes many absurd situations and zany characters whose quirks propel the action and humor. Director Jeff Stillman believes the humor is based on familiar patterns of human behavior: … [Read more...]
Watch a Weekend Go Wackily Awry in Avon Players’ ‘Farce of Habit’
Check in for hilarity in this gloriously preposterous southern-fried romp Comic collisions and merry misunderstandings will amuse Metro Detroit audiences as Avon Players presents Farce of Habit, running January 10-25, 2025 in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The Reel ‘Em Inn is one of the finest little fishing lodges in the Ozarks. Innkeeper D. Gene Willburn (Chris Stepnitz) wants nothing more than a quiet weekend on the lake. However, he faces a series of increasingly wacky … [Read more...]