The cast of The Birthday Club.  Photo: GM Playhouse

By Jaye White from Cascade Vacation Rentals - July 15, 2021

Live theater returns to the Grand Marais Playhouse next weekend! The Grand Marais Playhouse present “The Birthday Club” by Phil Olson!

“The Birthday Club” is a comedy where five women get together for their birthdays, each with her own story, to drink, celebrate, commiserate, and support each other as they negotiate through marriage, work, divorce, birth, and kids. While solving the problems of the world.

This return to live theater comes after all of the 2020 and half of the 2021 seasons were canceled due to COVID-19. “The Birthday Club” performances are being held in person at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. There will also be a live streaming option on July 22. If you are going to be in town Thursday, July 22-Sunday, July 25 consider taking in an evening of live theater as part of your North Shore vacation plans! Performances will be going live at 7 pm each night. If you live stream, this will also happen live for Thursday’s performance only.

About the Grand Marais Playhouse

Founded in 1971, the Grand Marais Playhouse is building community through theater. The Grand Marais Playhouse is a non-profit community theater company dedicated to providing high-quality theater and educational opportunities with and for Cook County residents and visitors.

Now performing out of the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 51 W 5th Street in Grand Marais!

About “The Birthday Club”

The cast of “The Birthday Club”

To start out light, director Sue Hennessy decided to kick off the 2021 season with a comedy. Both to lighten up the mood and, let’s face it, no one needs more tragedy in their lives right now! The play takes a comical look at the challenges faced by many modern-day women. Especially in regards to finding friendship as adults. The group discusses life challenges while enjoying a few glasses of wine (and vodka).

And, I will admit. My reasoning for bringing is a bit selfish… I am in the cast of “The Birthday Club”! I join actors Amanda Hand, Alyssa Hedstrom, Claire Smith, Diane Stoddard, director Sue Hennessy, and stage manager Abbey Stoddard in performing this incredibly fun play. Having been enjoying working on this production so much, I wanted to share it with North Shore visitors to give you net another great option to enjoy during your stay. Personally, this is my stage debut with the Grand Marais Playhouse after previously performing in the Zoom performance of “A Christmas Carol” in December of 2020.

So come see me, and the rest of this amazing cast, July 22-25. Performances will be at 7pm each night. The live stream version will happen alongside the Thursday night premiere if you are unable to attend in person. You can purchase tickets in advance online or at the door (prices are higher at the door!). Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $15 for youth. Bringing a family or group? Households and groups up to 5 can save and purchase group tickets for only $50! That comes out to just $10 per ticket!