Arts & Entertainment

Stage Struck

Metro Detroiters gear up for 2008-09 community theater season.

Suzanne Chessler
Special to the Jewish News

A

nyone who has ever dreamed
of becoming a stage star — or
plying their creative talents
behind the scenes — can find plenty of
local opportunities as community theaters
begin working on their 2008-2009 sea-
sons.
Just ask Susan Bonin or Barry Cutler.
Bonin, who has participated with many
community troupes, is choreographing
the Frank Loesser musical How to Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying for the
Village Players of Birmingham. Cutler,
focused on the Farmington Players, is
co-producing the Neil Simon comedy
Barefoot in the Park.
"This musical about corporate politics
is so much fun," says Bonin, 50ish and
active with Temple Israel and the Anti-
Defamation League. "While the lines are
hilarious and the songs are delightful,
there's a lot of dancing. I've enjoyed this
show since I first saw it with the original
cast, which starred Robert Morse and
Michele Lee:'
Bonin of West Bloomfield joined the
Village Players in 1996, when she audi-
tioned and won a part in Guys and Dolls.
She could call upon experience with
other local community groups, such as
Stagecrafters, Ridgedale Players and the
Bloomfield Players.
"Right after I did Guys and Dolls, I was
asked to choreograph The Taffetas;' Born
says. "I have taken dance lessons since I

was 4 and continue with adult programs,
including classes through Bloomfield
Hills Schools and the Jewish Community
Center!'
The choreographer, engaged to Eric
Wasserman of Cleveland and preparing
to dance at her own wedding, works as a
freelance video producer and has done
a range of work, from live transmissions
of medical procedures to commercials.
She holds a degree in education with a
minor in communications from Loyola
University in New Orleans.
"I love theater because it's in the now
and lends itself to vibrancy and intensity:'
says Born, the divorced mom of two
grown daughters working in the New York
fashion industry. "It also allows a person
to bring creativity and sensibility to any
project.
"I think community theater is wonder-
ful for children. They learn more about lis-
tening, taking direction, getting along and
following through with responsibilities:"
Cutler, in his sixth show with the
Farmington Players, also earns his living
connected to some aspects of video pro-
duction. He is a producer for local news on
WXYZ-Channel 7, the ABC affiliate.
For the opening night of Barefoot in the
Park, Cutler has arranged a cameo part
for Channel 7 news anchor Stephen Clark,
who will play a deliveryman.
"I joined the Farmington Players in
2006:' says Cutler, 42, immersed in coor-
dinating the work for the comedy about
newlyweds (producing duties include
overseeing set building, set dressing,

Choreographer Susan Bonin teaches dance steps to actors Jeff Weiner of Troy and
Meghan Hyland of Royal Oak for the Village Players of Birmingham production of How
To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

makeup, costuming, ushering, concessions
and publicity). "I drove by and saw the
sign for auditions for Guys and Dolls, a
play I did in high school. I loved acting the
role of Benny Southstreet and decided to
try out for the part again."
After joining the theater group, Cutler
went on to win roles or work behind
the scenes in Oklahoma, Over the River
and Through the Woods, A Funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum and
Chapter II.
Theater built on his experience being in
front of the camera as a
news reporter in Illinois
and Iowa after he
earned a degree in jour-
nalism from Indiana
University. He grew up
in Chicago and moved
to Michigan in 1992 to
work at WXYZ, where

he has been an investigative producer
as well as writer and producer for news
anchor Diana Lewis.
Although Cutler left Michigan for a
short time to take on other work, he
returned in 1997.
"I've met tons of people through the
Farmington Players:' says Cutler, who is
single and attends services with relatives
belonging to Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
"Many of the people at the theater have
become good friends, and I've seen them
do fabulous work on the plays." ❑

For a list of local community theater season
schedules, see page C13.

Barry Cutler, co-producer of Barefoot in
the Park, as he appeared in a Farmington
Players' A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying runs 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays
through Sept. 27, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 21-28, at the Playhouse, 34660
Woodward, Birmingham. $17. (248) 644-2075; www.birminghamvillageplayers.com .

The cast of the Farmington Players' upcoming production of Barefoot in the Park:
(front row, left to right) Rachel Biber of Birmingham, Alex Bozinovic of Sterling
Heights, Chris Garland of Waterford, Steve W. Rosen of Commerce Township; (back
row, left to right) Michael Gingerella of Royal Oak and Gary Regal of Wyandotte.

Barefoot in the Park can be seen 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Sept. 26-Oct. 18;
2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 28-Oct. 12, and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. $13-$15. (248)
553-2955; www.farmingtonplayers.org .

September 18 • 2008 C11