Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Past Productions
| 1989 The Music Man | 2000 Fiddler on the Roof |
| 1990 Hello, Dolly | 2001 Oliver! |
| 1991 South Pacific | 2001 The King and I |
| 1991 The Wiz | 2002 The Sound of Music |
| 1992 Fiddler on the Roof | 2003 The Wiz |
| 1992 Li'l Abner | 2003 You Can't Take It With You |
| 1993 Annie Get Your Gun | 2004 HONK! |
| 1993 The Hobbit | 2005 The Music Man |
| 1994 Guys & Dolls | 2006 Anne of Green Gables |
| 1995 Bye Bye Birdie | 2007 Bye Bye Birdie |
| 1995 Babes in Toyland | 2008 The Wizard of Oz |
| 1996 Crazy For You | 2009 Seussical |
| 1997 Will Rogers' Follies | 2010 Anything Goes |
| 1998 Annie | 2011 Annie |
| 1999 The Wizard of Oz | 2012 Oliver! |
| 1999 Meet Me in St. Louis | 2013 Oklahoma! |
It was in 1989 that June Hamilton, the director of the Bloomfield Hills Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services, decided to add an artistic element to their sports-heavy curriculum. She was assisted by a Community Arts Advisory Committee, composed of school principals, teachers, and prominent community leaders. "Town Hall" meetings were held, and the decision was made to create a community choir, a youth theater program, and a full-blown community theater.
Bloomfield Players' first production, The Music Man, garnered 160 auditioners of all ages, producing a cast of 56, and featuring Larry Miller and Judy Zorn as the leads. It was overwhelmingly received and a new "theatrical star" was born!
Producing one or two musicals a year, BP draws a wide variety of participants, and is dedicated to family-oriented theater. Only three productions to date have had totally adult casts. June was adamant about getting many children into the shows. We may have staged the only productions with "children's choruses" in South Pacific (Bali Hai natives) and The Sound of Music (there was an orphanage at the abbey). Our first Annie was reviewed by one reporter, writing, "I have never seen so many orphans on stage, but it worked!"
BP casts often include family members (even exchange students) performing together. Many parents start out as chauffeurs, but end up on stage, even after their children may have moved on. Just ask the Lurias, Devines, Dittuses, Beldens, etc.
Our relationship with the Bowers School Farm has been put to good use. In our Li'l Abner, a live pig and chickens joined the cast on stage, with predictable outcomes…
When June retired in 2002, a group of members led by Kay-Ellen Murphy worked with Mike Cowdrey, the current director of the Recreation Department, to continue the BP organization as an independent nonprofit corporation. Under the leadership of our presidents, Steve Harris, Lisa Rich, and currently Kevin Merlo, and the work of so many dedicated volunteers, BP has continued its mission to provide a fun and enriching opportunity to showcase the talent of local residents and to nurture young talent through quality community theatre at a reasonable price. In fact, several of our young members have gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts.
Once again, we want to thank June Hamilton for her vision for Bloomfield Players, and for her leadership and involvement in every aspect of the productions. We hope we have "done her proud" and look forward to our next 20 years of wonderful entertainment for and by our community.