Fall/Spring 2020-2021 Events
Arts & Wellness Packages • Yoga Classes
Past Events
Unless noted otherwise, call the Playhouse at (231) 894-0119 for additional information.
Arts & Wellness Packages | |
Arts and Wellness Packages
Gift certificates are also available. Certificates come in any price range and can be used for yourself or gifted to a loved one. Enjoy any concert, play, movie, or entertainment with a gift certificate, or take advantage of Drop-in Yoga Classes with Erin Vorgias and Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema for only $10. Click on one of the buttons above to select an Arts & Wellness package. When the ticketing window opens, please scroll until you see the Arts & Wellness flex pass buttons, then click the appropriate button to select your desired package. |
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Now Available ON DEMAND through October 31
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On Demand Test Video: Connect With Your Breath This short, two-minute video, Connect With Your Breath, led by Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema, is a way for you to test the On Demand programming we offer. There is no charge for this test video and we hope it encourages you to connect with us virtually! Click on the Buy Tickets button to the left to access this free video. |
The Yoga Classes | |
Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema Classes |
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Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Gentleness is the Greatest Strength with Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema Deliberately mindful, measured movement can balance caregiving, fatigue and overall stress by soothing the body, mind and spirit. Treat yourself to gentleness as we ease through an hour of intentionally soft and nourishing movement, working to fill our own cups so that we may be of better service to the world around us. Research suggests that gentle movement is vital to both managing pain and supporting the general health of your nervous system. Engage in this slow moving session and see if you agree. More strength feels capable when you also honor gentleness. Class begins with dedication setting and breathwork before movement on the spine, then lifts briefly to the knees before moving back to the floor. |
Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Gift Yourself Stillness with Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. -Buddha Treat yourself to conscious rest. Restorative yoga is incredibly supportive for our nervous system and overall stress levels. In a restorative yoga practice, the focus is not on stretching or strengthening, but rather on deep relaxation which can lead to profound release of whole-self stress and strain. Join Cindy Beth to release tension in the muscles and gently stimulate the organs through long-held, deeply comforting poses specifically designed to support and provide ultimate relaxation. Practiced entirely on the floor with a variety of props such as bolsters, blocks, and blankets, substitutions can easily be made with pillows, books and quilts of any size. Bundle up in comfortable, warm clothing and add a fuzzy pair of socks for ultimate luxury. Use this hour to focus on quiet and warmth in your practice as you gift yourself stillness. |
Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Love of Mobility with Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. –The Bhagavad Gita Mobility, stability, and flexibility are qualities we’re often taught to improve through our yoga practice. In this session, Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema guides you through an hour of mindful movement combining all three of these aspects to leave you feeling more at ease in your body and ready to move through your day with more comfort. Begin easing into flexibility on your spine with gentle breath work, then improve mobility by opening the hips, then warm up the spine before building stability through a slowly guided standing Warrior II sequence. Finally, enjoy spinal twists and a guided relaxation led to chimes and bells as you close your practice in deep resting pose, savasana. This class is appropriate for any time of day or night, but is highly recommended to begin your day. No props are necessary, but a block and a blanket may add additional comfort. Enjoy Love of Mobility just once to try, or many times to continue building awareness in your body, mind and spirit. |
Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Prenatal Yoga: This prenatal yoga session will help you to develop a deeper connection to your body and your baby. Designed to help instill trust in yourself, this sequence will help you to develop a deeper awareness and appreciation for your changing body and your growing baby. Move as much or as little as you like with lots of options that provide a sense of safety, calm, confidence and grounding as your baby’s birth day draws closer. Prenatal Yoga is an excellent way to cultivate awareness and compassion for your body and all of the changes it experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and Mothering. It teaches strength and stamina, self-love and self-study, as well as concentration and breath control- which are two of the most invaluable tools available during birthing. This yoga practice consists of safe, gentle postures that also includes breathwork, mindfulness meditations and positive birth affirmations. You will learn skills and techniques that you can draw on during labor and the birth of your baby, or any time during your pregnancy when you might be feeling nervous, anxious or stressed. Let your yoga practice help to prepare you for the adventure of giving birth, while allowing you to cultivate more self-awareness and sweetness during this transition to motherhood. No props are needed, but a block, blanket and bolster or pillow are highly recommended for comfort, wherever available. |
Erin Vorgias Classes |
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Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Pathway to Down Dog with Erin Vorgias Erin Vorgias instructs a 60-minute yoga practice to focus on breaking apart Down Dog to the basic alignment principles. Being mindful of muscle engagement and arrangement of the body in poses helps to bring dynamic change to a yoga practice. Props are used and encouraged. Blocks, blanket(s), and strap (or belt). |
Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Restoratively Conscious with Erin Vorgias Erin Vorgias leads a 60-minute gentle practice to ease the mind and body. Begin the session with slow movement on the mat. Finish with a guided meditation through yoga nidra supported by blankets, blocks, bolster, and any additional support to aid in being comfortable during the guided meditation. Restoratively Conscious offers a great way to end the day by preparing the body and mind to relax and rest. |
Now Available ON DEMAND Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the video |
Chair Yoga with Erin Vorgias Join Erin Vorgias for Chair Yoga. This practice is great for anyone who wants to begin a practice or who has difficulty getting on the floor. |
Past Events | |
August, September, 2020 | |
August 25 through September 25, 2020
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Coming Up for Air 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 |
October, 2020 | |
The Defiantly Hopeful Series with The Playhouse at White Lake Presents Mustard's Retreat 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
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December, 2020 | |
December 18-20 & 24-26, 2020 ON DEMAND |
White Lake Youth Theatre Presents It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show Directed by Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Our production is an audio-only presentation overlayed with images of the holiday season. Listen in while decorating your tree, making holiday treats, or snuggled under a blanket with some hot cocoa. For this event only The Playhouse is required to use a different streaming service. You will be able to watch this production at any time within the 12 AM to 11:59 PM window on the day that you purchase your ticket. You will be able to pause, rewind, and fast-forward as much as you like during that time. For example, if you purchased your ticket and started watching at 9 AM you will be able to pause and come back later to finish watching as long as you finish by 11:59 PM that same day. |
February, 2021 | |
Stream On Demand Tickets:
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The Theatre Must Go On Telethon Join us anytime through March 15 to stream this hilarious production We begin from the premise that co-hosts and lifelong friends, Christopher Beaman and Tommy Foster, are hosting a Telethon to raise funding amid-the-pandemic for The Playhouse at White Lake. Around 22 hours into said Telethon, they experience technical difficulties and all that remains is this evening of variety featuring FIFTEEN acts from well-known and beloved performers who have either graced the Playhouse stage or support her from afar. Presenting Jeff Daniels, Aiofe Scott, Joshua Davis, Amy Englehardt, CJ Vanston, Tommy Foster, Ruth and Max Bloomquist, Alex Stein, John Hanson and Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, Hannah Jurcich, Scott Nesbit, Ben Bedford, M'lady, Mitch Foster, Paul Hoffman and members of the White Lake Youth Theatre. |
March, 2021 | |
Saturday, March 20 7 pm Tickets $20 |
An Dro An Dro returns to the Playhouse for the frist time since Winter 2020 to help us celebrate St Patrick's Day weekend at the Playhouse! At our first, LIVE, in-person event in nearly a year, An Dro takes us on a musical adventure, both personal and universal. You'll hear traditional Irish melodies, medieval French songs, Breton dance tunes, Scandinavian refrains, Appalachian influences, Arabic rhythms, and African grooves all performed with joy and freshness. AnDro translates literally as "The Turn" and is an apt description for music that is alive and ever changing. This evening will offer you dance music, but also listening music, featuring musicians Michele Venegas, James Spalink, Carolyn Koebel, and Cara Lieurance. Show time will be 80 minutes with No Intermission |
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 pm Tickets: $10 |
West Michigan Homeschool Theatre presents
Classics Amok What do you get when Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Theodore Geisel, Edgar Allen Poe, William Shakespeare, and Mark Twain meet at a coffee shop to complete a college group project? A jumble of classic literature smashed into a hilarious, fast-paced stage production! Brought back by popular demand from its 2012 debut, you will certainly not want to miss this one of a kind creation! Can you pick out the myriad of quotes from various pieces of classic literature? Don't miss Dorothy, Aramis, Athos, Porthos, Oompa Loompas, Hobbits and more! This show is so jam-packed with action that you may want to watch it twice! Performed by the West Michigan Homeschool Theatre group. |
May, 2021 | |
Streaming Premiere May 21 at 8:00 pm Available on demand through June 1 at midnight Tickets |
Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre Impact a play by Amy Engelhardt On May 21, 2021, Amy Engelhardt (Bastard Jones, Grammy-nominated band The Bobs) will premiere her new play, Impact, in a co-production with Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre, The Playhouse at White Lake and DimlyWit Productions (The Last Five Years). Filmed entirely at The Playhouse at White Lake’s newly-renovated theatre venue, Impact tells the story of a chain of remarkable "follow-signs'' that lead Amy to Lockerbie, Scotland, shortly after the 30th Anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. What starts out as a bucket-list trip quietly evolves into a personal and global exploration of grace, kindness, and simplicity. Amy Engelhardt (playwright and performer) recently led a choir of singing, Satanic nuns through the Hollywood, Austin, New York, and London premieres of Amazon Prime Video’s Good Omens. As Mother Superior of the Monty-Python-esque Chattering Order of St. Beryl, Amy’s antics propelled the promo campaign towards SIX Clio Awards. Amy also produced the nuns’ EP Unholy Night for Amazon Music. No stranger to travel, Amy spent a ton of time in rental cars from 1998 to 2012 as the sole female voice and writer/arranger for Grammy®-nominated vocal "band without instruments" The Bobs. She recorded 4 CDs and toured extensively with the band from Lincoln Center’s American Songbook to Northwest Folklife to the Pori (Finland) Jazz Festival. Her brainchild, Rhapsody in Bob - Gershwin's masterwork arranged for vocal orchestra (The Bobs) and blues-infused piano (Bob Malone of the John Fogerty Band) premiered at Wolf Trap. As composer/lyricist, Amy made her Off-Broadway debut with the sold-out run of Bastard Jones at the cell theatre, an Off-Broadway Alliance Best New Musical nominee (and Richard Rodgers Award Finalist). Other theatrical writing credits include Triptych (book/music/lyrics) for the NY Transit Museum’s PLATFORM series, lyrics/vocal arrangements for TESLA, commissioned adaptations of Carl Sagan's CONTACT with Hungarian rocker Peter Sipos (Puget Sound Theater Award: Best New Play), Nicholas Nickelby with violinist Eyvind Kang (Seattle’s CenterStage) and music/lyrics for A Comecdy of Eras at ACT Seattle with the Flying Karamazov Brothers. Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre (Artistic Director Kira Simring) is a not-for-profit dedicated to the incubation and presentation of new works that mine the mind, pierce the heart, and awaken the soul. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the cell has successfully provided virtual offerings to New York and international audiences by streaming concerts and programming such as Tolerance Party (Time Out New York “Best Theater to Stream this Week”), the Room | to | Breathe series with Bright Shiny Things, the Brave New World Series with Tribeca New Music, Nourishment "Bites" with Holdtight Dance Company, Apex Sky, Harps Uncovered. Liquidverse a psychedelic & meditative show exploring the images of the cosmos through oil based dyes by Liquid Light Lab and music by composer and technical director of the cell Ricardo Romaneiro. Past productions include Found, Hoard (co-produced with Off the Wall), The Pink Unicorn (starring Alice Ripley co-produced with Out of the Box), The Evolution of Mann, Bastard Jones (Drama-Desk Nominated), Crackskull Row, Hard Times: An American Musical, The McGowan Trilogy, Hey Jude, Horse Girls and more. |
June | |
Friday, June 11 7:30 pm Tickets: $15
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Clean Comedy Time Showcase Do you want to laugh without the risk of offensive language or topics? If so, join a diverse group of Clean Comedy Time comedians as we laugh together! Hosted by Aaron Sorrels, this will be a fun filled night of clean comedy intended for an adult audience.
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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, 2020 | |
Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film
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The General (1928) 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
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Tickets: You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish a film |
Steamboat Bill, Jr (1928) 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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The Little Princess (1939) 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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His Girl Friday (1940) 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 |
Father’s Little Dividend (1951) 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 |
Special Events to Celebrate Our Anniversary |
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Now Available ON DEMAND through December 31, 2020 Tickets:
You have 48 hours from the time you begin watching to finish the concert video |
Michigan Girl and Corduroy Boy 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 |
Jeff Daniels | |
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 |
The Playhouse at White Lake presents Jeff Daniels—Alive and Well ENOUGH Jeff visits from his home to yours during this live streamed concert … Award-winning actor, writer, and musician Jeff Daniels will be live-streaming a concert on January 19th. This is a brand new show featuring music from his new album, Alive and Well Enough, in which Daniels crafts an intimate, entertaining, and unforgettable evening. Music lovers and movie fans alike love his songs and playing and musicianship, and those stories that only he can tell. Sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy a show without having to leave home. Jeff Daniels personally invites you to "attend" this concert … Jeff's new album, Alive and Well ENOUGH is available exclusively at his website. Submit a question during the show and Jeff will answer them in a post-show Q&A Jeff Daniels bio … |
Live, in person Tickets: |
The Theatre Must Go On Telethon The Playhouse is reopening for the first time since March 13, 2020 Join us the weekend of February 20 and 21 for both in-person experiences and virtual streaming options all weekend long for this hilarious production. We begin from the premise that co-hosts and lifelong friends, Christopher Beaman and Tommy Foster, are hosting a Telethon to raise funding amid-the-pandemic for The Playhouse at White Lake. Around 22 hours into said Telethon, they experience technical difficulties and all that remains is this evening of variety featuring FIFTEEN acts from well-known and beloved performers who have either graced the Playhouse stage or support her from afar. Presenting Jeff Daniels, Aiofe Scott, Joshua Davis, Amy Englehardt, CJ Vanston, Tommy Foster, Ruth and Max Bloomquist, Alex Stein, John Hanson and Elisabeth Pixley-Fink, Hannah Jurcich, Scott Nesbit, Ben Bedford, M'lady, Mitch Foster, Paul Hoffman and members of the White Lake Youth Theatre. Note: both the in person and virtual show is a FILMED version of the telethon |