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 obstacles. His wife, Wanelle (Andrea Crowe), is white-knuckling her way through caffeine withdrawal. His police officer sister, Maxie (Patty Hagel), is on a bizarre undercover assignment. His adult son, Ty (Matt Druminski), is parading around in a can-can costume. But the comic fireworks really explode when the Wilburn family hosts a strange assortment of guests over a stormy weekend: a snobbish English talk-show host, a hapless bow-tied Midwesterner, a group of nuns housed in the barn, a vengeful ex-wife and, lurking among them all, a serial killer. This high-energy farce will have audiences doubled over with laughter until the final hilarious complication.
Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford.
Farce of Habit was written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. The trio collaborates using the collective name Jones Hope Wooten and, under this moniker, has written dozens of laugh-out-loud comedies, with a stated emphasis on strong roles for women. Individually, their bodies of work include writing classic television episodes, hit movies, and Off-Broadway comedies. Thousands of productions Jones Hope Wooten comedies—including their perennially popular The Savannah Sipping Society, Dearly Beloved, Christmas Belles, The Red Velvet Cake War, and Always a Bridesmaid—have entertained millions of theatre-goers across America, Canada, and around the world.
Director Jeff Stillman chose to direct Farce of Habit because he said that, in his first reading of the script, he laughed on every page.“ I love a good farce and this one hits all the right buttons: clever dialogue, visual gags, mistaken identity, running in and out of doors, near misses, and love and family triumphing over adversity,” Stillman said. As outlandish as the characters’ antics are in this fast-paced comedy, Stillman believes the humor is based on familiar patterns of human behavior: “We all have habits. Some we admit to and some we don’t. And everyone in our life has habits too, some that endear them to us and some that drive us up the wall. The habits that all of these characters have are what propel the action and the humor, and I think our audience members will find these characters very relatable as they chuckle about their own habits and those of their friends and family members – maybe even the person sitting next to them!”
Tickets for all shows are $28. Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. All seats are reserved.
Show dates and times follow:
- Friday, January 10; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 11; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 12; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 17; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 18; 8:00 p.m
- Sunday, January 19; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 24; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25; 8:00 p.m.
Avon Players is celebrating its 78th season of bringing quality entertainment to its community. Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theaters (plus free parking), a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a “downtown” venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 20% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248-608-9077 or by visiting the website: www.AvonPlayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Auburn Hills
Jeffrey Monterosso (Set Dress)
Berkley
Andrea Crowe (“Wanelle Wilburn”)
Clarkston
Caroline Dargay (“Jenna Wilburn”)
Clawson
Chris Stepnitz (“D. Gene Wilburn”)
Clinton Township
Patty Hagel (“Maxie Wilburn Suggs”)
Macomb
Corene Grillo (“Barb Stratton”)
Rochester
Katelyn Brackney (Properties Design)
Peter Buccilli (“Huddle Fisk”)
Maia Fetter (Costume Design)
Nick Kibler (Sound Design)
Rochester Hills
John (JD) Deierlein (Lighting Design)
Mark Misch (Producer)
Michael Zois (“Jock McNair”)
Shelby Township
Matt Druminski (“Ty Wilburn”)
Pamela Plewa (“Sister Myrtle Agnes”)
Waterford
Jeff Stillman (Director)
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