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James Valcq, Robert Boles, Ryan Patrick Shaw, and Steve Kinnamon installing seating in the new Studio Theater at the TAP.
What’s
new and exciting in Sturgeon Bay? What’s new and exciting for the arts
in Door County for this coming summer and fall season? Lots, but here’s
one project that’s bound to help entrench Sturgeon Bay and the Peninsula
as a haven for the performing arts. A theater within a theater. It’s
called the Studio Theater and it will feature four plays this season,
produced by the Stage Door Theater Co.
Norma
Saldivar may be a new director for both Door Shakespeare and the
county, but she brings with her a long, impressive list of credits from a
successful directorial career.
Saldivar, head of
the graduate directing program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
has signed on to direct Door Shakespeare’s 2012 production of “As You
Like It.”
“We are so honored
to have this respected Wisconsin theater artist make her Door County
directorial debut this summer with our company,” said Terese Boeck, Door
Shakespeare business manager.
Peninsula
Players Theatre, America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and Door
County’s theatrical icon, announces its 77th season, running June 12
through October 14, 2012.
Peninsula Players will open on
June 12 with the Wisconsin premiere of “Opus” by Michael Hollinger. Beethoven
and Bach underscore a behind-the-music glimpse into a highly-strung string
quartet.The quick hiring of a
gifted, but inexperienced replacement prior to an important concert strikes
discord as personalities clash while tempers and passion rise. From the creator of “Red Herring,”
comes a play with humor, heat, high notes and hysterics. “Opus” will have a two
week run closing June 24.
Game
lovers can show off their storehouses of trivial information, enjoy
good food and fun, and benefit Door Shakespeare all at the same time
during the Bard’s Birthday Bash/Trivia Challenge, a game night on April
14.
Mr.
G’s Ballroom in Valmy will host the fund raiser from 7 to 10 p.m., but
the doors open at 6 p.m. for patrons who want to dine early. The $30
entry ticket allows participation in the games, as well as access to an
array of heavy hors d'oeuvres, one drink, and dancing and music by Dow
Jones beginning at 10 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
The
American Folklore Theatre can now add "Award Winning" to their long
list of accolades. American Folklore Theatre was awarded the inaugural
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Award for Arts, Culture and Heritage at
this week's Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism (WIGCOT) in Green
Bay, WI. This award is presented to a business or destination that
showcases the arts, culture, or heritage for the enhancement and
economic wellbeing of a community. Sponsored
by the Governor's Council on Tourism, the Governor's Awards acknowledge
leadership, commitment, and innovation among the people and
organizations that propel the tourism industry forward.
Local actors study scripts for upcoming dinner theater gig.
A group of local actors from across the peninsula is in
rehearsal for a new style dinner-theater show in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
“All Over But the Shooting” is a fun, campy play in true
dinner theatre, “whodunit” fashion.The audience is invited to participate and help solve the mystery, as
cast members mingle.The audience
members who correctly guess “whodunit” will be entered in a drawing for a gift
certificate prize at each performance.
Trueblood Performing Arts Center, Washington Island.
2012 Schedule of Events*
FEBRUARY
Friday February 17th – 7:00 PM
Saturday February 18th – 7:00 PM
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE by
Joseph Kesselring
Performed by the Island Players. Directed by Howard Scott and Produced by Joyce Morehouse, fourteen Island
Players perform this highly amusing and wicked tale.
Ross
Dippel has been named by the Door Shakespeare Board of Directors as
Interim Artistic Director. Mr. Dippel brings with him many years of
classical theatre experience as an actor, director, educator, producer,
and professional fight choreographer. He holds a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, and a
Master of Fine Arts in Classical Theatre from the prestigious
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy of Classical Acting at George
Washington University in Washington, D.C. Professional memberships
include Actor’s Equity Association and The Society of American Fight
Directors.
Peninsula
Players will present a reading of Rebecca Gilman’s stage adaptation of
Carson McCullers’ “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” Monday, January 30 at
Björklunden at 7 p.m. Produced in coordination with Door County Reads
and its exploration of the novel, the reading will feature Players
actors Lili-Anne Brown, Anya Kopischke, Osiris Khepera and Alan
Kopischke, as well as local actors Mark Moede, Hervy Hodges, Chad
Luberger, David Maier, Amy Ensign and Brandon Bogenschütz. Signing
actor Robert Schlieffer will portray the pivotal role of the mute John
Singer. Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler and Players Development
Director Alan Kopischke are directing the reading.
Door
Community Auditorium’s popular winter event series is well underway and
will continue this weekend with an intimate fireside concert on
Saturday evening by popular local singer-songwriter Seth Raddatz, as
well as a free movie showing on Friday night and a lecture about the
U.S. educational system on Saturday morning.
Seth Raddatz will
play in the DCA fireside lobby at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 28. Door
County audiences may recognize Seth Raddatz as the son of veteran local
folksinger Mark Raddatz, but after writing and performing in Door County
for several years, Seth has developed his own reputation and following
on the peninsula.
On
January 20 and 21, Door Community Auditorium will provide the second
installment of its 2012 lecture, concert, and movie screening series.
After a Friday evening showing of the hit film Super 8, DCA will present
a Saturday morning lecture about academic biblical interpretation and a
Saturday evening concert by well-known local folksinger Katie Dahl.
Katie Dahl will play
as part of DCA’s Coffehouse Concert series at 7 p.m. on Saturday,
January 21, having played to a sellout crowd at the DCA in 2010. Known
for the easy humor of her live performances, the depth and power of her
alto voice, and the poignant candor of her original music, Dahl has
gained a strong reputation in Door County from her solo shows as well as
her work with American Folklore Theatre and Door Shakespeare. She tours nationally on a regular basis and has shared the stage with such respected songwriters as Julie Gold and Dar Williams.
On
January 13 and 14, Door Community Auditorium will begin the new year
with a bang, by kicking off its 2012 lecture, concert, and movie
screening series. After a Friday evening showing of Brad Pitt’s hit
movie Moneyball, DCA will present a Saturday morning lecture about the
Supreme Court and a Saturday evening concert by popular local bluegrass
band Highland Road.
Highland Road will kick off DCA’s Coffeehouse Concert series at 7 p.m.
on Saturday, January 14. Highland Road are familiar favorites in the DCA
Coffeehouse series, having played to sold-out houses in both 2009 and
2010.
This winter, the Door Community Auditorium presents a series of events
sure to stimulate the mind, the heart and the funny bone. Comprised of
coffeehouse concerts, free lectures, complimentary film screenings, and the
perennially popular Door County Idol, the Auditorium’s diverse winter lineup brings
a great depth of musical, intellectual, and cultural enrichment to Fish Creek
and Door County. On the Mainstage The winter season consists of three mainstage presentations.On December 30, Wagner-Guthrie
Entertainment presents crooner Steve March Tormé (son of the legendary Mel
Tormé).Steve March Tormé is known
for wowing audiences with his delivery of jazz standards, Broadway favorites,
and original songs. On February 4, DCA partners with Peninsula Players and Fish
Creek Winter Fest to present Baby Wants Candy, an entirely improvised and
hysterical 60-minute musical. And, on February 11, teens from across the Door Peninsula
compete for the title of 2012 Door County Idol.
Suzanne Graff and Jerry Gomis have been the life blood of Door Shakespeare for 13 seasons. The
Board of Directors thanks Suzanne and Jerry for their years of
commitment in developing Door Shakespeare to one of the artistic gems in
Door County. With the departure
of Suzanne and Jerry, the Board is committed to continuing the quality
entertainment that our patrons have come to expect.
Ryan Schabach, an
actor and director for Door Shakespeare and other national theaters, has
agreed to assist the Board with its immediate need of interim artistic
leadership while we engage a search committee to fill these leadership
roles.
Get
into the holiday spirit with "All Is Calm", the true story of the way
one young soldier’s courage led to an extraordinary night of
camaraderie, music, and peace.
Performed
by acclaimed Twin Cities vocal ensemble Cantus and Theater Latté Da,
"All Is Calm" tells the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, in which
soldiers on both sides of World War I set down their weapons and entered
into no man’s land to celebrate Christmas together.
Wednesdays just got WACKY! Door
Shakespeare wants everyone, especially the ‘locals’ to join in the
frivolity of its first-ever Fall season offering, "The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (Abridged)!" by presenting Wacky Wednesday evening
performances, October 5 and 12, at the unheard of low price of just $15
per ticket.
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
through the fall each Saturday with provocative topics and lively
sessions. Cast members from the current production of "God of Carnage"
Joe Foust, Maggie Carney, Karen Janes Woditsch and Kevin McKillip will
lead three of the remaining four seminars which are held from 2:30 - 4
p.m. in the rehearsal hall. Seminars are held during the run of the
award-winning rollercoaster-ride comedy playing through Oct. 16 at the
Theatre-in-a-Garden.
Since
1935, Peninsula Players has been entertaining and delighting Door
County audiences in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. In conjunction with its fall
season the Players will offer public tours of its stage house and
all-weather audience pavilion. Free backstage tours will begin at 2
p.m. Sundays, Sept. 18, Sept. Sept. 25. and Oct. 2.
"Patrons
have the rare opportunity to go backstage and glimpse into the life of
an actor by visiting the dressing rooms and set of 'God of Carnage,'"
said Audra Baakari Boyle, Players Business Manager.
As
the fall season descends, two natural phenomena occur, the sun sets a
little earlier each day and the Peninsula Players Theatre changes its
curtain times. Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional
resident summer theater, is located off Highway 42 between Egg Harbor
and Fish Creek along the cedar-lined shores of Door County.
"Many of our
patrons come to the theatre early to enjoy the gardens and to watch the
sun setting over the bay," said Players Business Manager Audra
Baakari-Boyle.
"God of Carnage" actors Joe Foust and Kevin McKillip.
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
Sept. 17 with an interactive discussion of the actors' preparation
process for the current production of "God of Carnage."
Players company members Joe Foust and Kevin McKillip will share stories
and methods and take questions in "An Actor Prepares" from 2:30 - 4 p.m.
in the theatre.
"God of Carnage" makes it Wisconsin premiere at Peninsula Players Theatre-in-a-Garden Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Yasmina
Reza's multiple award-winning comedy, "God of Carnage" makes its
Wisconsin premiere at Peninsula Players Theatre-in-a-Garden Wednesday,
Sept. 7, for a six-week run, with 4 p.m. matinees, Sunday, Sept. 11 and
Oct. 9 and 16. "God of Carnage," by Reza and translated by Christopher
Hampton, earned three Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Direction and
Best Actress for Marcia Gay Harden who starred in the Broadway
production with Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and James Gandolfini.
Kay Allmand and Mark Moede. Photo credit: Suzi Hass.
Door
Shakespeare will present fall performances of The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (Abridged)! Performances will be held at The
Ephraim Village Hall, September 29 through October 16, Wednesday through
Sunday performances following the Thursday opening. A special Sunday
'Mantinee' will be held on October 9th at 1:30 p.m. so that any men who
want to attend won’t miss out on their favorite football game that
evening!
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
August 27 with golf stories and jokes as well as behind the scenes
discussion of running a golf course and golf tournaments.
Peninsula State Park Golf Course General Manager Jason Daubner will be
joined by Players actor and avid golfer Tim Monsion in "Bogeys,
Backswings and Birdies, Oh My!" from 2:30 - 4 pm in the theatre.
Guys On Ice to feature "Packer Friendly" Schedule As
performances at the Peninsula State Park Amphitheatre wrap up, American
Folklore Theatre is hoping the momentum from a strong end to their
Summer Season will translate into a strong opening for their Fall Season
at Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek, WI. Tickets
are on sale now for what will be AFT's most ambitious fall schedule to
date featuring extended runs of Guys on Ice and The Spitfire Grill.
Peninsula Players present the comedy "Fox on the Fairway".
Ken
Ludwig's madcap golfing comedy "The Fox on the Fairway" makes its
Midwest premiere at Peninsula Players Theatre-in-a-Garden Wednesday,
Aug. 17, for a three-week run, closing with a 4 p.m. matinee, Sunday,
Sept. 4. Ludwig's work has been translated into 20 languages and some
of his previous comedies include "Lend Me a Tenor," "Moon Over Buffalo"
and the musical "Crazy for You."
Peninsula
Players Theatre is offering a discount to veterans and current military
personal to its production of Aaron Sorkin's riveting courtroom drama
"A Few Good Men" through Sunday, August 14. "We wanted to give
recognition to those who have expressed their duty of citizenship
through military service," said Audra Baakari Boyle, the Players
Business Manager.
There
is something so irresistibly charming about taking a seat under the
stars, surrounded by tall trees, wrapped in a blanket and armed with bug
spray. This sounds a lot like camping, doesn't it? But add to this
scene a wooden stage set with clever handmade scenery, a small band in
the corner, rows upon rows of wooden benches filled with cozy people,
and twinkling lights along a pathway through the woods; this is the
image of the American Folklore Theatre in Fish Creek. Nestled within
Peninsula State Park, this quiet venue hosts several original musicals
each year and is a staple in the summers - and winters - of many Door
County fans, locals and visitors alike.
Once again, Door Shakespeare takes its shows on the
road.
This year, Pride and
Prejudice will be moving to the Southern Door Auditorium for one very special
indoor performance only on Saturday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. Tickets
are available on the website www.doorshakespeare.com.
William Shakespeare's Twelfth
Night will be making an appearance at Baileys Harbor Town Hall for a 1:30
pm matinee performance on Tuesday, July 26th.
For
every person who appears on stage in a professional theater production, several
people play supporting roles backstage.
One of them is costume designer Barb Portinga. Working under a four-week deadline with the assistance of
one intern and one volunteer, she has costumed two shows for Door Shakespeare
this summer.
Kids
will have a chance to look behind the scenes of a professional theater
at American Folklore Theatre's Creative Kids Day in Peninsula State
Park.
This annual "casting call for creative kids" provides an opportunity for
children ages 5-16 to spend a few hours with AFT company members and
volunteers. Participants will spend the day playing theater games,
joining in on cast sing-a-longs, and sneaking a rare peek inside the AFT
dressing room. Creative Kids Day will take place on and around the AFT
stage in Peninsula State Park on Friday, July 15th.
Door Shakespeare
will welcome Dramatist Joseph Hanreddy as a special guest at the July 14th
performance of Pride and Prejudice. He and collaborator JR Sullivan
originally adapted Jane Austen's novel for the stage of the Milwaukee Repertory
Theatre.
"Jane Austen's
brilliance is her insight into the chemistry that makes connections between men
and women enduring or passing," Hanreddy commented. "We can be our own worst
enemies as we try to attain happiness in love."
"From the start it has been the theatre's business to
entertain people ... it needs no other passport than fun" - Bertolt Brecht
Fun and play is exactly what is in store with Door
Shakespeare's educational summer program for kids, Doorways: Creating Theatre
For Children.
Founded in 2000, Doorways offers children the opportunity to
explore the power of creativity through developing original theatre pieces.
During each session students will play traditional theatre games, learn
improvisation skills, and experience group acting exercises.
Lumberjacks in Love - Photo courtesy Roger Hamilton
Summer Season to feature World Premiere Bing! The Cherry
Musical, together with AFT favorites Lumberjacks in Love and Guys &
Does.
Fall Season will feature Guys On Ice and The Spitfire Grill at Door Community Auditorium.
Critically acclaimed American Folklore Theatre in Door County has
announced its 2011 Summer and Fall Season, which will run from June 15
until August 27 at the Amphitheatre in Peninsula State Park and move
indoors to Door Community Auditorium from September 1st through October
16th.
As the website of our beloved Peninsula Players explains, "The
Peninsula Players Theatre is nestled in a fragrant cedar forest
overlooking the waters of Green Bay, where patrons come before curtain
to stroll along the shore, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or have a cocktail
while watching the sunset before the exhilaration of a live theatrical
performance. Since 1935 and the opening of Noel Coward's Hay Fever, the Players have been entertaining, educating, and uplifting loyal audiences."
Door
Shakespeare, that theater troupe best known for its outdoor
performances in the garden at Bjorklunden, near Baileys Harbor, is
coming to Sturgeon Bay! The group presents "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged!)" by Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield. This is an
irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's plays.
Penned by playwright Ivan Menchell in 1980, The Cemetery Club is a theatrical
classic. Under the direction of Dr. Arthur "Doc" Hopper, The Cemetery Club will be performed as a reading this weekend. The
ensemble company includes Dee Hopper, Pamela Johnson, Lynn Olson, Patti Podgers,
and Michael Brecke.Although the premise of The Cemetery
Club is based on loss, the play is anything but maudlin.Visiting their husbands' graves each
month, three Jewish women form a club based on their common widowhood.
"Where were you in '62?" The classic George Lucas film, American Graffiti, will be showing at
the Door Community Auditorium on Saturday, February 19, at 2:00 p.m. as the
fourth film in the Souper Movies Series. Please remember that tickets are not
required with a donation of canned soup or canned food goods to benefit Feed My
People.
Door Community Auditorium's Souper Movies Series continues with the
classic Woody Allen movie, Annie Hall.
The film will be showing at the Door Community Auditorium on Saturday, February
12, at 2:00 p.m. Please remember that tickets are not required with a donation
of canned food goods to benefit Feed My People.
Door County Reads from January 24 - February 18, 2011!
The
Door County Library will lead the event this year with support from
Friends of Door County Libraries, the MMG Foundation and the Door County
Community Foundation.
Free
copies of Fahrenheit 451
will be distributed through Door County libraries after Jan 2, 2011.
Copies of the book will also be distributed to high school classes
across the county. Every junior high school student in Door County will
receive a copy of the graphic novel of Fahrenheit 451 which was created
in consultation with Ray Bradbury. The book is also available for
check-out through the libraries as a large print book, graphic novel, audiobook and downloadable audiobook.
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a
while, you could miss it." Those are the famous words from Ferris Bueller, a
high school senior who skips school one too many times. Ferris Bueller's Day Off will be showing as the second film in the Souper
Movies Series on Saturday, January 22, at 7:00pm at the Door Community
Auditorium. Admission is free and tickets are not required, but please remember
to bring your canned food donation to benefit Feed My People.
Updated constantly ... What's going on in Door County
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