Christmas comes early for Stormfield Theatre

Kristine Thatcher gets good news: Her company can stay at Frandor address

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In the midst of the holiday season, the Stormfield Theatre has found a permanent home.

What was originally thought to be a temporary arrangement at 201 Morgan Lane, in the Frandor Shopping Center, has officially become the long-term location for Stormfield Theatre.

“All thanks to our benevolent landlord, Patrick Corr,” said Kristine Thatcher, Stormfield founder. “Now we can stay where we’re at.”

Now that Stormfield is settled, the company is preparing for “ Christmas with Mark Twain" a one-man show featuring Chicago actor Richard Henzel.

Last year, Henzel did a similar Twain performance with Stormfield for a fundraiser.

“There were about 70 people at the fundraiser,” said Thatcher, “and everyone was so taken by his performance. I’ve got relatives coming down from the Upper Penninsula to see him again.”

This time, Henzel will be performing his new holiday-themed material Dec. 16 through 19.

His showcases coincide with the release of Twain’s autobiography on the 100th anniversary of his death.

In the spirit, Stormfield Theatre has teamed up with Schuler Books & Music in the Eastwood Town Center to have the autobiography available at Henzel’s performances. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go back to Stormfield, and Henzel will be available after each performance to sign purchased books.

Stormfield Theatre’s name is derived from one of Twain’s short stories, “Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven,” which is one of the reasons Thatcher is so fond of Henzel and his performances. The theater hopes to make Henzel a holiday tradition.

Stormfield has also released its production lineup for the rest of the season. Dates were still being arranged as of last week, but the schedule features “Put the Nuns Back in Charge!,” an improvisational comedy based on the Chicago-based show “Late Night Catechism,” by Vicki Quaede.

“She’s been updating the show ever since the late '80s, and this is the newest version of the show,” Thatcher said. “It’s just a riot.”

The black comedy “Kimberly Akimbo” by David Lindsay-Abaire is also making a reappearance in the season lineup. “Akimbo,” about a young woman aging at more than four times faster than she should, was the first reading for Stormfield Theatre and it was such a success that they decided to bring it back, with Carmen Decker in the leading role.

Other shows on the horizon include “Be My Baby,” by Ken Ludwig, about a mismatched couple trying to assist in an adoption; “The Lady With All The Answers,” a one-woman show about the life and career of advice columnist Ann Landers, by David Rambo; and “Heroes,” by Gerald Sibleyras, a comedy-drama about the various residents of a veterans' home in the French countryside.


'Christmas with Mark Twain'

Stormfield Theatre

1201 Morgan Lane, Frandor

7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 16; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19

$18 Thursday; $24 Friday and Saturday; $20 Sunday. $2 off for seniors; $10 for students with ID

(517) 372-0945

www.stormfieldtheatre.org


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