Farmington Hills Resident Performs in Canton Production of 'Cheaper by the Dozen'

Farmington Hills resident Kyle Coykendall plays the love-sick Larry, in Cheaper by the Dozen, which opens Feb. 17 at the Village Theater at Cherry Hill in Canton. 

Presented by Spotlight Players, this classic comedy is based on a true story about a 1920s family.

“The mother and father (Frank and Lillian Gilbreth) ran a business which promoted industrial and workplace efficiency through motion study and psychology," director Theresa Spencer said. "Sound boring? It's not, because they also had 12 children and used the same methods to run the family!"

The story was first written as a book, authored by two of the children, Spencer said. It was made into the play, and then a movie in 1950, featuring big stars of that era, Myrna Loy and Clifton Webb. A movie made in 2003 only uses the title of the story, not the plot, she added, "so when folks see our play, they won't see the Steve Martin story, but they will enjoy an equally funny and warm family tale - which happens to be true!” 

Performances are slated Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m.; and Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Rd. in Canton. For information or tickets, call 734-394-5300 or 734-394-5460 or visit spotlightplayersmi.org.