Fall 2020 Events
Coming Up for Air • Classic Throwback Movies • Anniversary Celebration
Unless noted otherwise, call the Playhouse at (231) 894-0119 for additional information.
| August 25 through September 25 | |
Tickets:
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A Mom Struggles to Find and Rescue Her Brilliant Son Spiraling Out of Control An On-Demand Film by Roger Rapoport A breakout indie feature, costarring Deborah Staples and Chase Yi, Coming Up For Air has won four best feature awards including the grand prize, at the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles. Filmed on location in Michigan and Wisconsin, Coming Up for Air tells the story of ceramic artist Anna Russell and her son Stan, a straight A college student and high diving champion, seeking an spot on the men’s 10m Olympic diving team. The pressure and stress to succeed in his high-stakes athletic competitions, while maintaining his A average and a social life, begin to take their toll. Stan begins to unravel and withdraws into himself with potentially tragic consequences. Coming Up for Air is a breathtaking family drama that highlights the importance of mental health care. It takes audiences on an all-too-common journey, highlighting the pressures that are put upon teenagers to succeed and on parents to cope. Best picture winner at the Detroit I See You Awards, the film was also honored for best director, best cast, best lead actress, best lead actor, best editor (Gene Gamache), and best cinematographer (Bruce Schermer and David Darling). Director Cicchini, a veteran film (Godfather III), television (Six Feet Under) and stage actor, who previously directed and starred in Roger Rapoport’s award-winning feature Waterwalk, says: “This very topical new film will inspire empathy and awareness of the complexities of personal responsibility. It addresses how crises that may lead to tragedy can be de-escalated and creates an appreciation of the impact mental health has on families. It will also support community discussions of the real conditions and biases toward mental health treatment.” The film stars Deborah Staples and Chase Yi and was shot on location in Michigan and Wisconsin with a cast featuring acclaimed stage actors from many award-winning Midwestern theaters. The local actors featured in the film include Kate Thomsen (who starred in Rapoport’s previous film Pilot Error), Kirk Wahamaki, Judy Johnson, Chris Beaman, Jacqui Robinson, Shelley Irwin, Kim Harsch, Diane Van Wesep, Ray Brazaski, Bill Iddings, Tom Harryman, Foley Schuler, Liz Nolan, Joe Hasper, Keely Ackerman, Filis Slater, Mary Jamieson, D.J. Hilson, and Mickey Wallace. “The timely message at the core of our film is connecting with audiences at cinemas, performing arts centers, colleges, schools, professional conferences and community mental health organizations” says Rapoport who cowrote the original script with Deborah Staples. “If you or someone you know can benefit from mental health treatment or is having a mental health emergency, take action, lend a hand, make the call to get help, stay on the line, and above all don’t hang up. Your quick action could save a life.” View the film's trailer on Vimeo Learn more about the West Michigan actors and locales for this movie for this movie Rating: Unrated, plays as PG |
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Celebrating 104 Years of Entertainment |
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On September 26 of the year 1916, the Playhouse at White Lake opened to the public as the Nufer-Adams Playhouse. To celebrate the Grand Ol’ Lady’s 104th Birthday, we’ve curated a collection of films that played at The Playhouse in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Each film has a special introduction by one of the past/present Playhouse Managing Directors. Stream directly to your computer, tablet, phone, or smart TV. You will have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film. |
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| September 26 through December 31 | |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film
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Special Introduction by Tom Harryman This thrilling comedy about the Civil War lifted Buster Keaton from the ashes of oblivion decades after his name and legacy were forgotten. Audiences and critics in the 1920s did not appreciate this extraordinary masterpiece, but Buster Keaton always regarded The General as his best film. Today he is totally vindicated and the world agrees with him. Shown at The Playhouse in July 1928 |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film  |
Special Introduction by Beth Beaman In this silent comedy, college boy William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton) reunites with his boat captain father in a Mississippi River town. Though he's flummoxed by Willie's citified appearance, the elder Canfield seems to have found an ally to help him compete with fellow riverboat owner John James King (Tom McGuire). Willie finds himself falling for King's daughter, but he has more pressing concerns when the weather turns bad and his father in arrested. Shown at The Playhouse in August 1928 |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film
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Special Introduction by Beth Beaman Sara Crewe (Shirley Temple), the pampered daughter of a British military officer, is sent to an exclusive boarding school while her father goes to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. Sara is given every luxury until her father is reported missing. Sara can no longer pay the expensive tuition so the greedy headmistress (Mary Nash) forces her to work as a servant. Movie first appeared at The Playhouse in May 1939 |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film
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Special Introduction by When hard-charging New York newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) discovers that his ex-wife, investigative reporter Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), has gotten engaged to milquetoast insurance agent Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), he unsuccessfully tries to lure her away from tame domestic life with a story about the impending execution of convicted murderer Earl Williams. But when Hildy discovers Williams may be innocent, her reporter instincts take over. Shown at The Playhouse in April 1940 |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film |
Special Introduction by A year after dealing with a surprise engagement in "Father of the Bride," Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) and his wife, Ellie (Joan Bennett), are in for another shock when they find their daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) is now pregnant. Not ready to be a grandfather, Stanley keeps quiet while everyone else fawns over the mother-to-be and bothers her about baby names and nursery decorations. Ironically, his silence makes him the person Kay turns to the most for help, which in turn helps him. Shown at The Playhouse in July 1951 |
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Special Events to Celebrate Our Anniversary |
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Available ON DEMAND Tickets: Only one weekend remains for this On Demand Concert
You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the concert video |
Original Music by Recorded live on stage at the Playhouse, enjoy a wonderful concert featuring original music by Ruth and Max Bloomquist, and Tommy Foster. Ruth's award winning abilities as a songwriter and singer are accented by Max's harmony and touch on the upright bass. With influences of folk, bluegrass, and country, they have created a heart touching, audience pleasing acoustic Americana that is all their own. Ruth’s trademark rich alto is unmistakable, and her songs evoke images and emotions common to us all. Tommy Foster is a Michigan/USA musician who has traveled the countryside in a 64 Ford Galaxie, been a leader or member of numerous groups, and a wearer of several outfits. Evolving slowly as a beginning singer/guitar player in a comedy duo called Foster & Popps in East Lansing, Michigan in the late 80’s, a band leader and mildly suitable singer/guitar player with The Foster Kids in the mid 90’s, a few experimental stints as a solo/duo performer with other cool cats, he now works as solo performer with occasional sidekicks and leader of The FAN Club, a 3-6 piece acoustic group based in West Michigan. This video concert is underwritten by the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce |
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Stream begins at 6:30 pm Concert runs from Times are EST Donations accepted A portion of the proceeds benefits the Playhouse |
The Defiantly Hopeful Series with The Playhouse at White Lake Presents
Mustard’s Retreat (follow this link to see them on YouTube) has been delighting audiences by telling stories for 40 years—they are witty, insightful, fun, and profound, as well as accomplished songwriters and musicians (guitars, dulcimer, electric bass, mandolin, harmonica, pennywhistle). In addition to being raconteurs and storytellers, they will give you things to laugh about for days to come and remember for years. Tales of stupid frogs, wandering cadavers, haunted bridges and techo-nerds, memories of small towns and high school, first loves and last … and places we’ve been or maybe just dreamed of. The concert will be followed by an After Party, where we will have a couple surprise special guests. “Music to cure what ails you.” – Michigan Times A Live, Virtual Performance via Zoom, Facebook, or Youtube Select one of the links below to view the live, virtual performance
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Coming Up for Air
The General (1928)
Steamboat Bill, Jr (1928) 
The Little Princess (1939) 
His Girl Friday (1940) 
Father’s Little Dividend (1951) 
Michigan Girl and Corduroy Boy 
Mustard's Retreat
