When the snow settles over White Lake and the days grow short, The Playhouse at White Lake doesn’t go dark—it glows. This past winter, that glow came in the form of Stage & Savor, a three-part community event series designed to raise funds, build connections, and spotlight the best of local culture and cuisine.
Pairing local restaurants with live performances, each event offered a night of delicious bites and memorable music inside the walls of the beautifully restored 17,000-square-foot theatre. Aptly named Sips & Soups Onstage!, Sips and Sweets Onstage!, and Brews & Bowls Onstage!, the gatherings were more than themed fundraisers—they were celebrations of togetherness during the coldest time of the year.
And they delivered—both in spirit and in impact.
A Surprising Success
Financially, Stage & Savor exceeded expectations. January’s Sips & Soups came out on top, nearly selling out and raising twice as much as the February event.
“January’s Sips and Soups nearly sold out and did the best of all three events financially, which we found really surprising,” said Cindy Beth Davis-Dykema, of The Playhouse. “We raised nearly twice as much in that month as we did in February, with March being slightly better attended than February as well.”
Photos from the January Sips and Soups Onstage! event
Davis-Dykema noted that February’s event, Sips and Sweets, followed Valentine’s Day too closely and may have competed with post-holiday plans. Next year, they plan to adjust the timing.
“We realized that both competing with Valentine’s Day and also featuring only sweets as the main focus impacted attendance. Next year, we’ll try to offer something over the holiday weekend instead of following it so closely after.”
Photos from the February Sips and Sweets Onstage! event
A Gathering Place for Community
Beyond the dollars raised, the impact was deeply felt in the sense of community the events created.
“We have seen so many people smiling together and so happy to be in community,” Davis-Dykema said. “It encourages us to realize how much of a vital role The Playhouse plays in providing opportunities to celebrate and be together, especially in the winter months.”
The warmth and camaraderie shared during the events are already fueling future excitement around The Playhouse’s programming. According to Davis-Dykema, interest in season tickets, volunteering, and donations has grown, just as the organization prepares to announce its Summer Theatre Festival.
Photos from the March Brews and Bowls Onstage! event
Local Talent, Local Flavor
Guests weren’t just treated to great food—they experienced performances by lots of local talent, creating magical moments that brought together generations of talent and support.
“We LOVED featuring the live music that carried these three events through the evening,” said Davis-Dykema. “And seeing youth theatre students and youth vocalists have the chance to perform for an audience—it was really special.”
She also praised the participating restaurants, all of which donated their time, ingredients, and staff to make the series possible.
“Our patrons were impressed to see White Lake’s restaurants shine in these featured events,” she said. “We have such wonderful culinary options in our small towns, and we were honored to put the spotlight on them. That kind of unbelievable kindness is not found everywhere.”
Looking Toward the Future
With the success of the 2024 series, The Playhouse hopes to make Stage & Savor a winter tradition. In fact, plans for 2026 already include a focused winter schedule—keeping the building closed most of January and February, except for these events.
“Utilities are expensive in the 17,000 square feet of our newly renovated facility,” Davis-Dykema explained. “Staff time is also needed to prepare the Summer Theatre Festival, secure corporate sponsors, and meet major winter grant deadlines.”
Even so, The Playhouse is committed to remaining a beacon of warmth and gathering, even in the year’s quietest months.
“The reason we keep these doors open once a month in winter is because we truly believe The Playhouse plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for socializing and celebrating culture and community,” she said. “We owe it to the community to open her doors—even just once a month—to offer life, love, and the chance to enjoy what they helped restore.”
A Season to Remember
Looking back, Davis-Dykema says the biggest lesson from Stage & Savor was a reminder of just how loved The Playhouse is.
“We were blown away by the support of our community,” she said. “We saw it every month—how much our patrons, neighbors, and friends care about The Playhouse and want to see it thrive.”
From sold-out soups to sweet melodies and generous bowls of community support, Stage & Savor proved that even in the darkest season, The Playhouse can shine.
To read more about the original vision behind Stage & Savor, check out our preview article here: Stage & Savor: Supporting The Playhouse Through Community and Cuisine
Got a favorite moment or dish from one of the events? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
