Peninsula Players Theatre announces the 2018 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 performed at Björklunden at 7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor Mondays, February 5, March 5 and April 2 at 7 p.m. General seating is available, no admission fee.
“Peninsula Players Theatre is always enthusiastic to bring arts programing to audiences in our traditional off-season,” said Managing Director Brian Kelsey. “Artistic Director Greg Vinkler has once again lined up a great selection of plays for all to enjoy. Past play readings included theatrical gems and new works that delighted attendees. We are thrilled the community has embraced these play readings. Each year
the attendance at these readings draw capacity crowds and we are always excited for each performance.”
Scheduled for Monday, February 5 is a reading of “Go Save Your Life” by Nasir Bin Zakaria, as told to Laura Toffenetti. Zakaria is a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar who moved to Chicago in 2012. He now runs a community center for Rohingya refugees, a religious group that has faced genocide in his home country.
The reading of “Go Save Your Life” is produced with support from and in coordination with Door County Reads and its exploration of “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir” by Kao Kalia Yang.
“We are delighted to once again partner with Door County Reads and bring Zakaria’s memoir of life in Myanmar to Door County audiences,” Kelsey said.
The Play’s the Thing 2018 series will also include “A Trick of the Light,” a new comedy by Minneapolis-based playwright Peter Moore on Monday, March 5 and “A Fine Bright Day Today,” by British playwright Philip Goulding on Monday, April 2.
Peninsula Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler is busy casting the readings. Vinkler has directed and performed in previous play readings as well as in numerous Peninsula Players’ productions including “The Actuary,” “Chapatti,” “Alabama Story,” “A Real Lulu,” “Butler,” “Amadeus,” and “Opus.” He has also performed in more than 25 productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre including last year’s “Love’s Labor’s Lost.”
The casts for “Go Save Your Life,” “A Trick of the Light” and “A Fine Bright Day Today” 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 Door County Medical Center and Friends of Door County Libraries.
Door County Reads is in its eighth 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 is available 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.