Avon Players to Perform 'Escanaba in da Moonlight'

From the Avon Players: Audience members may find themselves craving pasties after spending a fun-filled evening with a group of wacky deer hunters as they engage in the requisite beer-fueled ritual of tall tales and one-upmanship in Avon Players’ Escanaba in da Moonlight, running January 20-February 4.

On the eve of opening day of deer season, members of the Soady family gather at their deer camp. Reuben Soady (Patrick Butcher), the oldest Soady in history not to have bagged a buck, is intent on proving he is not jinxed and shedding the title of the “the buckless yooper.” Before the morning comes, however, the hunting party, including family patriarch Albert (Mark Palmer), Reuben’s dim-witted brother Remnar (Toby Booker), and local odd-ball Jimmer (Chris Stepnitz), is visited by the rattled Ranger Tom (Steve Grady) as a series of inexplicable occurrences threaten Reuben’s mission.

Playwright Jeff Daniels is the founder of The Purple Rose Theatre Company in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, where Escanaba in da Moonlight had its world debut. Emmy-award winner Daniels is also known for his body of work as an actor in films (Terms of Endearment, Dumb and Dumber), television (The Newsroom), and theatre (God of Carnage, Blackbird).

Tickets for all shows are $18 ($16 on Sundays for students and seniors). Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online. 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. Show dates and times follow:

• Friday, Jan. 20 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 21 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 22 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 27 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 28 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 29 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 3 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 4 8:00 p.m

Cast and Production Staff by Community:

Clawson

Chris Stepnitz (“Jimmer”)

Fraser

Tina Castiglione (Set Dress)

Macomb

Sharon Jourdan (Props Design)

Rochester

Patrick Butcher (“Reuben”)

Rochester Hills

John (JD) Deierlein (Production Design)

Peggy Deierlein (Producer)

Brad Holoday (Hair and Make-Up Design)

Louise Holoday (Hair and Make-Up Design)

Shelby Township

Lesa Bydalek (Director)

Jennifer Combs (Costume Design)

Mark Palmer (“Albert”)

Romeo

Steve Grady (“Ranger Tom”)

Warren

Toby Booker (“Remnar”)

Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford - (from left to right) Patrick Butcher of Rochester as "Reuben," Mark Palmer of Shelby Twp. as "Albert" and Toby Booker of Warren as "Remnar."