Avon Players opens their 78th season with a powerful production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street running through September 21, 2024, in Rochester Hills, MI. We all know the old proverb, ‘Revenge is a dish best-served cold.’ Well, in Sweeney Todd, it’s the house special. This musical originated in 1979, with music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim (Company, Into the Woods) and book by Hugh Wheeler. Set in Victorian London, the opening number “The Ballad of … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Give Yourself the Gift of Avon Players’ Holiday Variety Show ‘Forever Christmas’
December 1, 2019 by 1 Comment
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...]
REVIEW: Come Have the Time of Your Life at Avon Players’ ‘Mamma Mia!’
September 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment
There is good news and bad news regarding Avon Players Theatre’s 2019-20 season-opening production of Mamma Mia! the smash-hit musical. First the good news: if you have tickets to see this show, you’re in for a fun time. The bad news? The entire run is completely sold out.* Last season I was extremely impressed with Avon Players musical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. And I’ll be honest when I saw Mamma Mia! was on this season’s schedule, I wondered how it would compare. … [Read more...]
REVIEW: Life, Love, and the ‘Company’ You Keep is at the Heart of Avon Players’ Latest Production
May 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
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...]
REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘Marvin’s Room’ Embodies Hope and Healing
January 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
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...]
REVIEW: Avon Players’ ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ Inspires and Enthralls on an Epic Scale
November 27, 2018 by 6 Comments
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’
November 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
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...]
Avon Players Announces its 2018-2019 Season
March 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Mark your calendars for another exciting season of community theatre! Avon Players is proud to announce their upcoming 2018-2019 season that's guaranteed to have audiences laughing, crying, and singing along! Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved. Steel Magnolias Sep 7, 2018 - … [Read more...]
