Review: Hartland Players Give Witty, Relatable Performances in 'I Love You'

'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' opens Friday night at the Hartland Music Hall.

The Hartland players will debut their latest musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, on Friday night at the Hartland Music Hall. Showtime is 8 p.m. But this play isn’t for everyone.  It’s only for those people who have ever been in a relationship or thought about being in a relationship. This adult show is a witty, funny exploration of relationships and the things many people want to say about dating or marriage, but sometimes never do.  Through “snapshot” scenes and songs, the talented cast acted out moments many couples, young and old, can relate to, recognize and laugh about. From first date conversations where women catch themselves lying about playing golf to one man’s honest reaction of being forced to watch a romantic movie…

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'Snow White the Musical' Gives Enchanting Performance

The musical opens on Saturday with performances at the Hartland Music Hall.

In a colorful and lively adaption of one of fairy tales most loved princesses, the Hartland Encore Children’s group will perform a charming version of Snow White the Musical opening this weekend. Enjoying a sneak peek of the latest play on Monday night, my children and I were treated to a delightful show filled with dancing, singing, brilliant costumes and a talented and committed young cast made up of local youth. My seven year old was especially entertained by the antics of the seven dwarfs that included an audience interactive chase scene that had him belly laughing from pure enjoyment. Snow White, played by Jenna Koch, gave a perfectly sweet performance, as she fluttered her eyelids and hands, imitating Snow White’s trademark gestures…

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WITH VIDEO: Tom Sawyer Comes to Hartland

Cromaine Library kicked off its Big Read Event this weekend. Register now for more events through April.

Cromaine Library launched its 4th Big Read program in celebration of Tom Sawyer with a Kick-Off Event on Saturday at the Village library. The kick-off event featured strolling musicians, period musical and dance demonstrations, live readings of Tom Sawyer, Encore Youth actors, crafts and ice cream and free copies of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Dodworth Saxhorn Band performed at the library as well as a free concert at the Hartland Music Hall. "This is the beginning of an exciting month of fun entertainment, great reading, and an opportunity to bring together the local youth and seniors in our community," Ceci Marlow, Library Director. "Mark Twain will be visiting Hartland for the first time,along with several world famous Mark Twain …

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Review: The Hartland Players Take their Audience on a Fun and Fierce Journey

The Vagina Monologues will be performed at the Hartland Music Hall on Feb. 24- 25.

  The Hartland Players opened their latest play on Friday night at the Hartland Music Hall to an audience full of women and one single, brave man. The Vagina Monologues, an episodic play written in 1996 by Eve Ensler, is a series of twelve monologues performed by women.  I had heard of the Vagina Monologues years ago and had always been curious about the show. I will admit though, that I had always wondered how a bunch of women talking about their vaginas could possible entertain me for a full 90-minutes. On Friday night, I got my answer. I quickly realized, early on during the performance, that for this type of play to succeed and capture the audience, the responsibility rested with each individual actress. And yes, for me, this play …

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From the Hartland Community

Hartland Players Announces Open Auditions for 'The Vagina Monologues'

Sessions will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday at the Hartland Music Hall.

By Hartland Players' Main Stage Open auditions for The Vagina Monologues will be: Actress, playwright, and political activist Eve Ensler was talking with a friend who was going through menopause in the 1990s when she was first struck by the way women spoke about their bodies, which she believed was a reflection of how they felt about themselves and their gender. Ensler was inspired to write a series of essays on women, their bodies, and the language they used to communicate about themselves which she adapted into a performance piece she called The Vagina Monologues. Opening at a tiny off-off-Broadway theater, The Vagina Monologues soon became a hit in New York City which spread around the world, becoming an international phenomenon. …

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Get Out: Relay for Life, Live Music and More

Here's a look at what's happening in the Hartland area this weekend.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for this weekend: 1. RELAY FOR LIFE Where/When: Hartland High School, 10635 Dunham Rd/9 a.m. Saturday through 9 a.m. Sunday. Why go: Help support those raising money to fight cancer and honor survivors. Price: Free. 2. LIVE MUSIC AT KAHUNA Where/When: Kahuna Coffee, 1836 N. Old U.S. 23/6-9 p.m. Friday. Why go: Lee Boillat and William Billington make their debut at Kahuna. The duo will perform songs from various artists including the Beatles, Incubus, Dave Mathews Band and The Who. Price: Free. 3. BLUEGRASS CONCERT AT HARTLAND MUSIC HALL Where/when: Hartland Music …

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Handel's Messiah to Reign at Hartland Music Hall

The 78th annual performance set for Saturday.

Every October, the weekly preparation begins with this year's singers traveling from as far away as Garden City and Livonia, and the organist driving in from Bloomfield Hills, just be be part of one of Hartland's most enduring traditions — the holiday season production of Handel's Messiah. "I started off just attending the performances, and then singing in it, before I became a soloist," said David Fockler, choral director for the Hartland Community Chorus, who makes the 45-minute drive from Clio for every practice with his wife, Deborah. The all-volunteer chorus will take the stage at the Hartland Music Hall for the 78th time 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $8, and they are still available at Cromaine District Library and through Hartland …

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Library's Haunted Hartland Tour Entertains

Paranormal investigation results, local folklore provide right Halloween mix

On a cool clear night with just a hint of frost in the air our large eager group of adventurers followed a "mysterious" Carol Taggart onto the streets of the village area of Hartland Township. There were about 25 of us — young and old who had signed up for the Cromaine District Library's first-ever Haunted Hartland Tour. I wrote about it earlier in the week and now I was here to see for myself. Just what was Taggart, who directs marketing for the library, going to reveal? Dressed in a long, black velvet dress and cape, she set the tone for the tour beginning at one of the local churches with the story of a girl ghost in white. The town was eerily quiet as we looked around mentally visualizing the events of the stories and spiritual …

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Halloween Highlights Hartland’s Spooky Stories

Paranormal activity is the focus with the Cromaine District Library sponsoring a Haunted Hartland tour, but there's also more.

Mysterious footsteps and glowing orbs haunt in the Hartland Cemetery after dark? Golf balls return by an "unseen" hand at the Hartland Golf Center? The spirit of a dedicated community servant watches over the Cromaine District Library? From tales on websites to local lore, there are plenty of Hartland ghost stories to tell around Halloween time. The library plans to delve deep into many of them this Friday and Saturday with its first-ever Haunted Hartland tour. Carol Taggart, the library's marketing director, will serve as the guide. "We have a special downtown," said Ceci Marlow, the library's director. "Hartland is special and there is a lot of history here. If we can draw attention to that history in a way that is entertaining, why not…

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