Farmington Players Gear Up For 2011-12 Season

The community theater group has announced its line-up for the 2011-12 season, beginning with the play based on the classic Harper Lee novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. 

Each year, several factors go into show selection.

"We try to choose plays that will be marketable, and we also consider the number of male and female roles each one offers," said Amy Lauter, the group's marketing director.

A committee reads plays throughout the year and presents a number of them to the members of the Farmington Players Board of Directors, who then determine the theater season. 

Fans will find an ambitious line-up: Mockingbird will run from September 30 through October 22nd. In December, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will take the stage, followed by the comedy Whose Wives Are They Anyway? in February and March. The official season ends with the musical Little Shop of Horrors in April and May.

Typically, the Farmington Players present four shows each year. But this year a fifth show is being added, the musical Avenue Q, slated for August 2012. The somehwat risque puppet show left Broadway in 2009, but is currently playing in off-Broadway theaters.

"The rights just came out for Avenue Q for community theater, and we'll be one of the first to perform it in the area," said Lauter.  "We're excited because there are lots of younger actors who are dying to be in this. We know it will draw in a completely different audience than some of our other shows."

The extra show isn't the only change at the Farmington Players Barn Theater. Previously, seating was general admission at the theater; now patrons will have reserved seats.

"Because we've been selling out for many of our shows in the past couple of years, people were arriving an hour ahead of show time, which was creating congestion in the lobby before the doors opened," Lauter said. "We also had parties of, say, four people that would have to split up because they couldn't find seats together. The reserved seating should go much more smoothly for everyone."

Patrons can select seats when ordering online. Phone and mail orders will be assigned the best available seats.

Tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now, and season tickets are available.  Show information and ticket prices are available on the Farmington Players' website, farmingtonplayers.org, or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955.

Auditions for A Christmas Carol will be held on Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Farmington Players Barn Theatre; see the website for details.