If leading stars Dean and Debbie Vanderkolk of ‘It Had To Be You,? a romantic comedy beginning this weekend at the Orion Art Center, seem to have a lot of chemistry on stage, there’s a good reason. The two are husband and wife in real life.
Debbie will play struggling B-movie actress and wannabe playwright Theda Blau and Dean will play successful producer and commercial director Vito Pignoli when ‘It Had To Be You? is performed June 18-19, and June 25-26 at the OAC in downtown Lake Orion.
The Vanderkolks will also have some help from Vern Vackaro, a friend from the theatre group the Clarkston Village Players, who whom the Vanderkolks also perform.
‘I sought out the art center as a venue when I moved here,? said Debbie, who works at Community House in Birmingham by day. ‘My husband and I are both from Clarkston. We came to Orion because we needed a change.?
Dean, a financial analyst in Farmington Hills, recently wrapped a production called ‘Men in Suits? with the Players just over a week ago.
Dean and Debbie chose ‘It Had To Be You,? written by Joseph Bologna and wife Renee Taylor, who played Fran Drescher’s mother on ‘The Nanny,? as the play they wanted to do because they thought it would be right for the space at the OAC.
‘It’s a small space so a two-person show was appealing,? Debbie said.
Vackaro’s part as auditioner for Blau is an off-stage part. The audience will only hear his voice. He is also doing lights and sound for the show.
‘It Had To Be You? is the story of Blau desperately seeking love and success in New York.
She chances upon Pignoli, and tries to convince him to become her partner in writing a screenplay and marriage…by holding him hostage in her apartment on a snowy Christmas Eve.
‘With (the OAC) space, it’s a more intimate show,? said Dean, who has been acting in plays with the Players for 20 years.
‘The last play I did was ‘Cover of Life? with the Clarkston Village Players,? said Debbie. ‘I’ve had a passion for acting since I was in eighth grade.?
Debbie said Karen McClellan and Bob Gerics, who is managing and directing, have had a big hand in staging the production, as well as OAC director Reggie Harrison and board members from the OAC.
‘They’re putting in all the money and Reggie’s been a huge help,? said Debbie. ‘The board approved it and they’ve been financing this whole production.?
Debbie, herself a member of the OAC, said ‘Without (the OAC), we couldn’t do this.?
The Vanderkolks like the OAC as a play venue and they will plan another production if this one proves a success. There are 40 seats available for each night’s show.
‘It’s a great location because of the energy of it,? said Debbie. ‘It’s a challenging venue because it’s not a stage. But it definitely can be used.?
‘We just have to be more creative with designing the set,? Dean added. ‘You want it to look like an apartment…Debbie’s done a good job with it.?
According to the Vanderkolks, adults will enjoy the show, but it is not appropriate for children due to ‘kissing and a little bit of language.?
‘It Had To Be You? will be peformed at the Orion Art Center, located at 115 S. Anderson next to Children’s Park in downtown Lake Orion.
Peformances are: June 18, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m.; and on June 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
For tickets, call the OAC at 693-4986.