Fish Creek, WI. – Peninsula Players Theatre announces the 2017 season of The Play’s the Thing, a winter play reading series presented to Door County audiences. Fully cast readings of the plays will be held at Björklunden at 7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor at 7p.m., Mondays, February 6, March 6 and April 3. General seating is available, no admission fee.
“Peninsula Players is excited to bring arts programing to audiences in our traditional off-season,” said Brian Kelsey managing director. “Past play readings included new works and other theatrical gems that delighted patrons who attended these community events. Artistic Director Greg Vinkler has once again lined up a great selection of plays for all to enjoy. Attendance at these reading have grown and we are very excited to perform before capacity crowds.”
Scheduled for Monday, February 6 is a reading of “Population 485” by Michael Perry, a New York Times bestselling author and a native of New Auburn, Wisconsin. “Salvage,” by Joseph Zettelmaier a Michigan based playwright will be presented Monday, March 6 and “Miss Holmes,” by Chicago based writer Christopher M. Walsh Monday, April 3.
The reading of “Population 485” is produced with support from and in coordination with Door County Reads and its exploration of “Empire Falls” by Richard Russo.
“We are delighted to once again partner with Door County Reads and bring Michael Perry’s memoir of rural, small town Wisconsin life to audiences,” Kelsey said.
Peninsula Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler is busy casting the readings. Vinkler has directed and performed in previous play readings last winter as well as in numerous Peninsula Players productions including “Chapatti,” “Alabama Story,” “A Real Lulu,” “Butler,” “Amadeus,” “Art,” “A Man for All Seasons” and “Opus,” He is currently in rehearsals for Chicago Shakespeare’s production of “Love’s Labor Lost.”
The casts for “Population 485,” “Salvage” and “Miss Holmes” are yet to be announced.
The Play’s the Thing is funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin, as well as generous grants from the Door County Community Foundation, Door County Medical Center and Friends of Door County Libraries.
Door County Reads is in its seventh year, having grown out of the Library/Players partnership to bring The Big Read to Door County for three years. A full listing of events can be found at www.doorcountyreads.org.
Peninsula Players Theatre is America’s Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre. The Play’s the Thing is part of the Players’ continuing winter outreach programming, presenting professional play readings for the public. Learn more about Peninsula Players at www.peninsulaplayers.com.
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Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 82 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country.