Algonac Community Theatre to host auditions for 'The Butler Did It'

The butler did it. 

It's an old familiar phrase. 

It also happens to be the next production for Algonac Community Theatre and the perfect opportunity for aspiring actors and actresses looking for an opportunity to work on a show.

Auditions for "The Butler Did It" will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9-10 at Algonquin Middle School, located at 918 South Marsh Road, Algonac. There are 13 roles available including such characters as Haversham, the young housemaid and ex-convict and Louie Fan the mystery writer.   

"This comedy parodies every English mystery play ever written; but it has a decidedly American flair. Miss Maple, a dowager with a reputation for clever weekend parties, invites a group of detective writers to eerie Ravenswood Manor on Turkey Island where they are to impersonate their fictional characters. The hostess has arranged all sorts of amusing incidents; a mysterious voice on the radio, menacing face at the window, a mad killer on the loose. Who is that body in the wine cellar anyway? Why do little figurines keep toppling from the marble? Then a real murder takes place and Miss Maple is outraged. She offers an immense reward to the 'detective' who can bring the killer to justice. And what an assortment of zany would-be-sleuths! When they're not busy tripping over clues, they trip over each other!" according to Samuel French, Inc., which holds the rights to the play by Tim Kelly.

Your directors will be Judith Gulliver and Sandra Malik.

For further information and an audition form visit Algonac Community Theatre or call the directors at 248-840-6644 (Gulliver); 810-278-1547 (Malik).

OTHER SHOWS COMING

 

•Snug Theatre, 160 S. Water Street, Marine City, will present “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Lone Star” written by James McLure, Sept. 5-21. Shows: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at The Snug Theatre or by calling 810-278-1749. The one act plays center around three discontented wives whose marriages have turned out to be less than what they had hoped for and three male counterparts who find themselves drunk behind a bar one night.

Comedian Joan Rivers dead at 81

(AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)

Joan Rivers, the comedian who broke the ceiling on the male-dominated latenight talk shows and interviewed Hollywood celebrities on the red carpet with no agenda -- accept maybe to point out their bad choice in clothes, died Thursday at Mount Sanai Hospital in New York, surrounded by family and close friends. 

She had been hospitalized Aug. 28 after going into cardiac arrest in a doctor's office following a routine procedure. The New York state health department is investigating the circumstances.

 

Locally, Rivers was known for her performances at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom where she was scheduled to perform this November.

Joe Vicari, CEO of Andiamo has issued the following statement on the passing of Joan Rivers.

“The entire Andiamo family is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Joan Rivers. She has graced our stage numerous times and provided laughter and entertainment to our audience as she has to her countless fans all over the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.”

Ticket holders may receive a refund from point of purchase. 

Survivors include Rivers' daughter, Melissa and a grandson, Cooper.

Get it on the fun at the Michigan Renaissance Festival

The Festival is on a mission to discover the best beards in all of the seven seas (Flickr/Loren Kerns).

Got a beard? It could be worth a pirate’s treasure at the Michigan Renaissance Festival taking place in the Village of Hollygrove.

“The Festival is on a mission to discover the best beards in all of the seven seas, asking contenders to showcase their facial follicles in the annual free beard competition,” according to festival organizers. Participants can enter one of several categories including longest, grizzliest, most unique and best trimmed beards for a chance to win great prizes provided by BeardHead.

Ladies with a competitive streak and a tattoo can also win their share of the Festival’s treasure in the annual free tattoo competition. Categories will include best color, best black and white and best overall tattoo.

Festival goers – be they bearded or clean-shaven, men, women or children, will find a host of great acts on the 16 stages in the Village of Hollygrove. A new treat for attendees this year is The Vodka Family on Treetop Stage – a theatrical troupe that performs a variety of gypsy dances, drumming and comedy.  Look for the Vodka Family shows each day at 11 a.m., 12:45 and 2:30 p.m. All of the shows including the troupe’s fire show at 5:15 p.m. are held on Treetop Stage. Vodka on the Rocks – which features a blend of belly dancing and sword balancing along with ye old hip-hop on the streets dancing is held at 6:15 p.m. near the front gate.

People love the characters at Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Those looking for Renaissance Festival treasures will find a shipload of vendors at the festival’s special events area known as the Valley of Aberdare including Tudor Crafts, Olde World and the Pirate Shop. Whether it’s a pirate’s hat and shirt or a maiden’s necklace, the Valley of Aberdare’s merchants are sure to have it.

New to this year’s lineup of competitions is the First Annual Mural Competition. The nautical-themed murals created by more than 60 artists from across the state line the walls of the Festival’s Mermaid Lagoon area.

There is good reason this is the 36^th season for the Renaissance Festival. The music, acting, costumes, contests – and food – did we mention the great food – makes it an event that Michiganders and their neighbors look forward to every year.

The Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (rain or shine) weekends through September 28, plus Festival Friday, Sept. 26. Admission at the gate: $21.95 for adults; $12.95 for children 5-12; children age 4 and younger free. Advance discount coupons are available at participating Kroger, Walgreens, Menards, Goodwill and Costco. Subway and Dunkin Donuts also carry discount coupons. Free parking is provided by Al Serra Auto Plaza.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is located at: 12600 Dixie Highway, Holly. For more information visit michrenfest.com