Farmington Players Bare All in Season Opener, CALENDAR GIRLS

Middle-aged women are on a mission to bare all for a good cause, in the heartwarming and hilarious comedy Calendar Girls by Tim Firth. The Farmington Players will open the season Friday September 22nd with this popular play adapted from the hit British film. The show runs through October 14th, with tickets now available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or at the box office 248-553-2955.

Calendar Girls is based on a true story of a tight group of friends who team up to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation by posing for a calendar in their "birthday suits." Director Nancy Cooper of Farmington Hills says, "These women touched by grief, used the strength of their friendship to do the unthinkable... they literally took their community, and in fact the world by storm, and raised thousands of dollars in the process." With that in mind, some fabulously funny actresses are preparing to provide you quite a "revealing" experience at the Farmington Players Barn in Farmington Hills.

When Annie's husband John dies, her best friend Chris hatches an idea to help the hospital raise money. The organization's typical fundraising calendar is quite dull. So Chris convinces several of her friends to liven it up by "taking it all off." Chris then hires an amateur photographer to handle the nude photo shoot. The calendar suddenly becomes a huge hit; each woman is changed in some way by her unexpected success; and they all eventually realize friendship can help conquer any obstacle.

The calendar shoot is rather amusing and a stunning display of bravery on behalf of both the actresses and their characters. Yes, they really do strip, but in a tasteful yet tantalizing way, keeping it PG as they send their clothing sailing across the stage.

This production hits home for Cooper who lost a 15-year-old nephew to Leukemia last year, and she's thrilled the Farmington Players are taking the following important steps to help in the fight against cancer:

Much like the original Calendar Girls, the cast and crew of The Farmington Players production have created an exciting 2018 Calendar that will be available for purchase at all performances as well as online at farmingtonplayers.org. The cost is $10, and all proceeds from the calendar will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

In addition, the Leukemia Association will attend opening night of Calendar Girls September 22nd. The 50-50 Raffle that night will focus on raising money for that group, with all proceeds going directly to the charity.

"This beautiful story reminds us that cancer can and does touch millions of lives," says Cooper. "It also reminds us that middle-aged women, of which I am one, should never be discounted or underestimated."

Cooper also feels the show is a real treat for anyone who enjoys theatre. She hopes her crew will make you laugh and cry and hopefully leave "The Barn" feeling pretty good about life.

Calendar Girls is sponsored by Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C., Holistic Estate and Eldercare Planning Attorneys. Reserved seats are available now at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the box office at 248-553-2955.

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