Farmington Players Barn Announces 2010-11 Season

The Farmington Players Barn begins its new season October 1st with Leaving Iowa, a funny, poignant tribute to the American Midwest and the family road trip. Written by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, it premiered in 2003 at Chelsea's Purple Rose Theater. Leaving Iowa follows middle aged journalist Don as he searches the Midwest for the perfect spot to scatter his father's ashes. As he travels, he reminisces about summer vacations he spent trapped in the family car as a boy. "The story will have audiences laughing and whispering ‘That's my family!'", says assistant director Marge Wetzel. "How desperate we were then to escape from those times and how grateful we are now to rekindle the memories -- you'll love this show!" Leaving Iowa runs October 1st through 17th.

A CHRISTMAS STORY

In November, the classic holiday film A Christmas Story comes to the stage. Adapted in 2000 by Philip Grecian from the screenplay written by Jean Shepherd, the stage play brings to life the nostalgic portrayal of small town Indiana in the 1940s. It tells the story of Ralphie Parker, a 9 year old longing only to receive a Red Ryder BB rifle for Christmas, and his earnest attempts to convince everyone around him that it would be a perfect gift. "The first time I saw ‘A Christmas Story,' I was hooked," director Maureen Mansfield says. "It had everything - heartbreak, humor, love, deception, fantasy, profanity, and best of all... a happy ending. I am thrilled to be able to bring one of my favorite stories of all time to The Farmington Players stage!" A Christmas Story will run at The Farmington Players Barn from November 19th to December 12th.

REd White AND TUNA

The Barn's third play of the season is Red, White and Tuna, a comedy written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. It centers on the 4th of July homecoming festivities in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, where we revisit its eccentric denizens introduced in our production of A Tuna Christmas. What makes the Tuna series unique is that the wide array of characters are played entirely by a cast of only 2. "Imagine 20 characters in one play all performed by two men," says director Margaret Gilkes. "Each has 10 roles, male and female, all infused with down home humor and pathos. That is Red, White and Tuna." The comedy runs from February 11 through March 5, 2011.

THE PRODUCERS

The Farmington Players will wrap up the season with the popular musical The Producers, adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' hit film from 1968. Two theatre producers scheme to get rich quickly by overselling interests in what they are certain will be a Broadway flop. The plan backfires when the show becomes a huge hit, and pandemonium ensues. The original stage production starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick opened on Broadway in April, 2001, and won 12 Tony Awards. Come enjoy what the show's director Cynthia Tupper calls a "modern classic musical." Tupper says, "You will laugh out loud as Max and Leo sing and dance their way through the greatest show biz scam there ever was!" The Producers runs from April 2 to May 21, 2011.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Tickets are on sale today at Farmington players.org or at the box office, by calling 248-553-2955. Prices are $13-$15 for plays and $16-$18 for the musical. Seniors get a discount on "Senior Sunday"-- the first Sunday of each production. Discounts are also available on "Thrifty Thursdays" and for students and groups of 10 or more.

ABOUT THE BARN

The Farmington Players began as an off-shoot of the American Association of University Women. Their first production, The Torchbearers, was performed at a local church. Later in the 1950s, after performing in various city and educational locations, The Farmington Players moved into an old dairy barn located on the site of their present facility on West Twelve Mile Road.

Initially, productions were staged downstairs on a dirt floor. Over the years, improvements to the original Barn transformed it into a more finished space, with the theater itself eventually moving upstairs into a traditional and finished setting.

Since 1953, The Farmington Players have staged more than 180 different musicals, dramas, mysteries and comedies, all as a community theater with 100% volunteer membership.

People from Farmington, Farmington Hills and beyond have come to recognize the group as a true community resource. Since the completion of its all-new, state of the art facility in 2003, The Farmington Players Barn Theater has expanded its mission, serving as the site for city-sponsored events such as youth theater camps in the summer, concerts with groups as varied as Blackthorn and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and as a meeting place for various groups.

The Farmington Players have been saving money over the years to enhance the onstage experience at The Barn. In November, 2009 members installed a new rigging system in the vast fly space. Show Directors are thrilled to finally have the ability to fly in flats and use drops to set scenes in a matter of seconds.

LOCATION

The Farmington Players Barn is located at: 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills.

(North side of 12 Mile Road Halfway between Orchard Lake and Farmington).