Summer is almost over, which means two things ? school is set to start soon and the Clarkston Village Players are set to begin their new season. Running from Sept until June, the CVP season features six group performances every other month with four special performances in between.
The season kicks off in September with ‘Red Hot Mamas,? a comedy by David W. Christner. What happens when a married couple has both of their mothers move in with them? Chaos and comedy ensue as both women go back and forth in a game of one-upmanship.
For one night only in October, the Flint City Theater brings ‘Scream Theater,? a night of scary stories, to Depot Theater. The performance has become a annual special event for the CVP.
In November, a second comedy takes audiences overseas with ‘Enchanted April? by Matthew Barber. Opposites definitely do not attract for two proper London ladies who, while looking to share the expense of an Italian getaway, match up with two very different English women. The foursome’s vacation keeps them at each other while teaching them a lot about themselves.
Local youths are in for a happy holiday performance this year as CVP regular Nancy Penvose returns with her ‘Once Upon a Puppet? production of ‘A Merry Christmas Caper.? Jingles, chief elf at the North Pole is on a quest to save Santa’s toys from Burglar Bill. Like past productions, the show features several songs and encourages audience participation.
The first production of 2007 is ‘A Talent For Murder? by Jerome Chodorov and Norman Panama. An aging mystery novelist discovers her own family wouldn’t mind seeing her dead. Even with the serious nature of the production, a healthy amount of comedy is mixed into the dramatic suspense.
Bring the kids to a night of magic in February as Merlin the Wizard (aka ‘Baffling Bill? Schulert) brings his tricks and jokes to the Depot Theater for one night only.
Turning to serious productions in March, the CVP presents ‘Seven Rabbits on a Pole? by John C. Picardi. The life of a farmer and his three daughters is disrupted when their neighbor and stranger selling rabbits force their way into their lives.
Award winning local musician Beth Stalker will perform in April as part of CVP’s ‘An Evening of Music.? Stalker has won six Detroit Music Awards and released an album of multi-genre performances.
Don’t let the title of the May performance fool you. ‘The Last of Jane Austen? by Shirl Hendryx is a dramatic story about an aging boxer, who after encountering two elderly women with a passion for the sport, makes a comeback attempt.
The season closes with a special production written by one of CVP’s very own. ‘Like Mother, Like Hell? by Rikki Schwartz is a comic-drama exploring a mother-daughter relationship that is both maddeningly funny and touching. Be ready for a rocky ride between laughter and tears.
As always, tickets are available for purchase through www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org or by calling 248-625-2511. They are also available by leaving a message on the Clarkston Village Players ticket line at 248-625-8811.
Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance; however, availability can not be assured.