Village Players find way to fill void in live theater
Although theaters are shuttered by COVID-19, the Village Players of Birmingham are hosting productions to be performed safely and presented virtually to fill the void.
“Fall Back to Theatre” includes a mini-season of two small- cast, full scale productions plus a newly- created “BVP Theatre Thursdays,” which consists of past performance highlights and new theatrical features premiering every Thursday at bit.ly/village-players.
The first new full- scale production is the one-man comedy “Buyer and Cellar,” written by Jonathan Tolins and directed by Eileen White. Russell Boyle of Detroit stars as Alex More, an out- of-work, aspiring actor who is hired to run the private basement mall in Barbra Streisand’s house.
“This is such a fun show,” said White. “Russell is amazing in this role. He lights up the stage.”
Since “Buyer and Cellar” is a one-man show, there were no concerns about social distancing during rehearsal or production for the cast and crew. The comedy will be recorded in advance and shown online at 8 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14.
On Dec. 4 and 5, Village Players presents “Belles” by Mark Dunn – the story of six southern sisters told in two acts and 45 phone calls.
“Rehearsing and recording via Zoom added a new dimension to the play, which will also give every audience member a front row seat,” said director Alan Ellias of Farmington Hills, who first directed “Belles” on stage in a theater in 2001. “The actresses adapted immediately and are absolutely amazing with having each scene be a close up.”
“Belles” stars Jan Cartwright of Novi, Julia Cody of Hazel Park, Kez Settle of Clawson, Suzie Skibicki of Bloomfield Hills, Nancy Valentini of Livonia, and Tania L. Velinsky of Royal Oak.
Tickets are $10 per device, plus a $2.32 technology fee. To purchase, visit www.birminghamvillageplayers.com. For further information, call 248- 6442075.