Public-access talk show hosts Brighton and Avery don’t have very good guests. Or many regular viewers (with the exception of Brighton’s grandpa, who can’t figure out how to change the channel). But the young broadcasters are about to find out that a little serendipity goes a long way when it comes to achieving viral status.
Their show, “Monumental Accomplishments,” features anything but, as guest after guest proves to be entirely unexceptional in almost every way. From the “adventuresome” Parker, whose accomplishments all take place on a game board, to Dr. Nox, a narcissistic, wannabe evil genius, it’s one underwhelming story after another. And the less said about slothful, grungy Jess — who shows up late and in a bathrobe — the better!
But just as the hosts are about to call it a wrap on another unremarkable show, a special, last-minute guest provides a future perspective that has Brighton and Avery reconsidering everything and wondering if their show might truly wind up being the most viewed someday, even if it is the least watched talk show in history.
Nick Hoffman (Jess Thorpe) - Nick is appearing in this production under circumstances that are, at best, legally ambiguous. Several months ago, director Josh Smith happened upon Nick in a rain-soaked alley behind an abandoned mattress warehouse at approximately 2:17 a.m. What Josh saw that night remains known only to the two of them, three raccoons, and a surprisingly judgmental pigeon. Since then, Josh has leveraged this knowledge to compel Nick’s participation in community theatre through a sophisticated system of blackmail, intimidation, and occasional passive-aggressive text messages.
But Josh doesn’t know the whole story. No one does.
If Nick could simply explain why he was wearing a tuxedo made entirely of expired coupons… why he was carrying a shovel, a trombone, and seventeen pounds of loose provolone cheese… why the alley was on fire… and why witnesses reported hearing someone repeatedly shout, “THE MOON DEMANDS TRIBUTE!” then perhaps his name could finally be cleared.
But what does it matter? You’ve already judged him. You sit there in your comfortable lawn chairs or on your picnic blankets, eager to consume yet another human tragedy for your own amusement. Nick’s suffering is merely pre-show entertainment to you.
Fine. Enjoy the show.
Anyway, Nick would like to thank his beautiful wife for her unwavering support, and his two equally beautiful daughters for sharing their dad with the Tecumseh Players.
Thomas Buxton (Nox Donahue) - This is Thomas’ second year participating in the Tecumseh Player’s One Acts. He has previously been in “Kiddoodles", "Too Many Detectives in the Murder Mansion", and "I Quit" where he was able to work along side his wife and children to his delight, and their disdain. He enjoys watching the talent that comes to and is built at these plays. When not spreading his soon to be award winning talent, he can be found out in his garden full of weeds, and tending to his chickens.
Piper Holtz (Brighton Lively) - Piper is so excited to get to share this show with you! She hopes you'll love it as much as she does. Piper has been in multiple productions with the Players and Tecumseh Youth Theater, and she would like to thank her amazing director and cast mates, who have worked so hard to bring these characters to life. She would also like to thank her family for always loving and supporting her. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Xander Olney (Avery Crossman) - Xander Olney is once again thrilled to be performing with the Tecumseh Players. Being connected with the performing arts for almost a decade, he is currently working towards a theatre tech degree at Eastern Michigan University. Outside of acting, Xander enjoys photography and baking.
Chloe Smith (Parker Milton) - Chloe is excited to be performing in another One Act Wednesday show after starting as Madam Doyle in last year's "Too many Detectives at the Murder Mansion". Chloe most recently was young George Bailey in last winters "It's a Wonderful Life" radio play. She would like to thank her parents and friends for supporting her in her theatrical endeavors. Chloe would also like to thank her cast mates for being so welcoming and making her laugh throughout this whole production. Chloe would like to thank her director for all of his notes that helped her be more confident and brought "Parker Milton" to life.
Sarah Buxton (Quinn Arden) - Sarah is thrilled to be a part of this production. This show is the 5th time she has been onstage with the Players. Previous stage credits include pretending to know where she is supposed to stand and entering on the correct cue approximately 73% of the time. When not performing, Sarah can be found overthinking simple decisions and collecting hobbies she never finishes. She would like to thank her husband and children for putting up with her crazy decisions, and (most importantly) whoever invented coffee. Enjoy the show!
Aiden Hernandez (Taylor) - Aiden Hernandez is 24 years old and a student at Eastern Michigan University. He loves movies, roadtrips, and spending time with friends and family. This is his 4th one-act show, and he is very excited to be a part of it. He hopes you will all enjoy!
Josh Smith (Director) - This is Josh's second year directing for the Tecumseh Players "One Act Wednesday's" having directed last summer's "Too many Detectives at the Murder Mansion". Josh has been acting since kindergarten and has no plans to stop now. When not engaging in the thespian arts, Josh is happily a Husband, Father and Farmer (outside of his day job). Josh would like to thank his beautiful wife Erin and daughter Chloe for putting up with all the jokes HE thinks are funny (though he can tell they secretly love them)!
Crew
Cast
Bhomas Tuxton (Dox Nonahue) - Bhomas never expected his life to become a cautionary tale. Raised alongside his brilliant adopted twin brother, Bhomas spent his youth believing they shared the same dreams, fears, and ambitions.
Their bond shattered when his brother's psychological experiments crossed every ethical boundary. Refusing to support such increasingly sinister work, Bhomas confronted him, only to be betrayed. He was abandoned by his adopted twin on a remote mountain peak during a violent earthquake-hurricane-lightning storm, certain that the wilderness would finish what he had started.
Against impossible odds, Bhomas survived. Years of isolation transformed him from an ordinary man into a resourceful and resilient survivor. Scarred by betrayal but unwilling to surrender his humanity, he descended from the mountain with a singular purpose: to share his story through the magic of theater. Now, he channels his hardships into performance, proving that even the darkest chapters can find new life beneath the stage lights.
This is the first of what Bhomas hopes is many performances with the Tecumseh Players.
Maelle Francis (Sound) - Maelle is an incoming Senior at THS and has been a sound technician for local plays, musicals, and dance recitals for nearly 2 years. This is her first time participating in a Tecumseh Players production, and she is glad to join the team. In her free time, Maelle enjoys reading, taking long walks, and doing calculus. She would like to thank Piper Holtz for inviting her to join the show and Ross Travis for showing her the ropes.
The Tecumseh Players would like to give a huge thank you to Pinnacle Irrigation for their donation and support.
A special thanks to Red Letter and Jeff Harvey for for the assistance with the new sound system.
Thank you to Pixie Light Photography for the time and effort put into the amazing production photos she provides us.
Also, a thank you to Katie Kakes for being our vendor for this show.
As always, these productions would not be possible without the help and hard work from the Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Department.
Thank you
