The Grand Lady of Summer Theater is being tucked in for the winter by her dedicated caregivers this week. Last weekend’s closing performance of “The 39 Steps” received another standing ovation and patrons were sad to see this fun, comic adventure come to an end.
After the final performance of the 81st season company members worked together to dismantle and put away the set pieces, costumes, props and lighting equipment of “The 39 Steps.”
The next two days focused on tucking in campus for the winter. The benches, garden statues and the beer garden’s canvas backed-director chairs were lovingly placed in storage awaiting their grand re-appearance on opening night, June 13, 2017.
The Players stage may be dark in the winter but the Box Office stays open by phone weekdays, the winter play reading series is being planned and we are finalizing the 2017 season! Artistic Director Greg Vinkler is scouring the theatrical landscape for the just the right stage works for Door County audiences.
We hope you enjoyed the variety Peninsula Players offered this season, from the late-in–life romance of “Chapatti” to the bold musical comedy “The Full Monty.” Perhaps you enjoyed the tension-filled whodunit “The Hollow,” the historical flashback of “Alabama Story” or the hilarious spy-thriller “The 39 Steps.”
While Greg is busy working on the 2017 season other company members keep their creative spark going with other projects. What will they be up to? Read on:
Brianna Borger (“The Full Monty”) is currently portraying Shirley Partridge at Chicago’s Mercury Theater’s “The Bardy Bunch,” a musical about the feuding Brady and Partridge families.
William Collins will be on tour stage managing Second City’s “Black Side of the Moon” with former intern Torian Miller (“Murder on the Nile”).
Jackson Evans (“The Full Monty”) opens “Singin’ in the Rain” later this month at Marriott Theatre under the direction of William Brown (“The Fantasticks”) and choreography by Tammy Mader (“The Taffettas.”)
Lighting designer Jason Fassl has a full plate for the rest of year with designs for “Man of La Mancha” at Milwaukee Rep, “Fireside Christmas” at Fireside Theater, “Rudolph” at First Stage Milwaukee and productions of “The Foreigner” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Robin Feltman, former production intern and costume shop assistant, will be costume/wardrobe supervisor at Northlight Theatre for the remainder of its 2016-2017 season.
Sean Fortunato (“A Real Lulu,” “Sunday in the Park with George”) is cast in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of “King Charles III” as England’s Prime Minister. Also cast is Robert Bathurst of “Downton Abby” and Jonathan Weir (“See How They Run,” “Escanaba in Da Moonlight”).
Joe Foust (“The 39 Steps” and “Greetings!”) returns to Chicago for rehearsals of the Goodman Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” Joe portrays Jacob Marley and Larry Yando (“Rain,” “Guys and Dolls”) is Scrooge. Costume shop manger Kyle Pingle is Scrooge’s dresser while master electrician Michael Trudeau operates a follow spot for the production. All are under the stage management of Alden Vasquez (“The 39 Steps,” “Lombardi”).
Joe then travels to First Stage Milwaukee for the world premiere of his script “Robin Hood,” co-written with John Maclay.
Joel Hatch (“The Tin Woman,” “And Then There Were None”) has been in Washington DC at Ford’s Theatre and at the Royal Alexander in Toronto performing “Come From Away,” a musical about the town of Gander, Newfoundland that opened its arms for planes from all over the world on 9/11. He will soon start rehearsals in New York for Broadway previews in February.
Matt Holzfeind (“Lend Me a Tenor,” “The Hollow”) and Christine Mild (“Always…Patsy Cline,” “Nunsense”) are performing in “Pump Boys and Dinettes” at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana. The production is directed by Brian Russell (director of “Always…Patsy Cline.”)
Peter Brian Kelly, box officer manager (“The Full Monty,” “Bulter”), will be house managing for the Theatre School at DePaul University for their performances at Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences at the Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop of Chicago.
Jennifer Knox, Roxie in “Chicago,” is currently performing in “Mamma Mia” with her Players’ castmate Travis Portia at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, Illinois. Both actors were choreographed by William Carlos Angulo (“The Full Monty”). You have until Oct. 30 to catch the show.
Steve Koehler (“The Hollow,” “The Full Monty”) is performing in “Freud’s Last Session” at the Upper House in Madison and as Lloyd in “Guys on Ice” in Green Bay at the Robert Lee Brault Playhouse.
Kärin Simonson Kopischke’s costume design of “Violet” is currently on stage at Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee.
Kevin McKillip is off to California to play adult Ralphie in a production of “A Christmas Story.”
Jack Magaw’s (“Alabama Story,” “Outside Mullingar”) scenic designs are all over the Midwest this fall and winter, from “Evita” at Kansas City Rep to the world première of “Other than Honorable” at Geva Theatre in Rochester, New York. His “Man of La Mancha” is currently on stage at Milwaukee Rep as is “East Texas Hot Links” at Writer Theatre featuring AC Smith (“Shady Business”).
Meredith Miller’s (“Lend Me a Tenor”) has been crafting properties with the Los Angeles Opera, her most recent project was “Macbeth” with Placido Domingo.
Tim Monsion (“Heroes,” “Butler,” “Dial M for Murder”) is Playing Senator Mallonee in “The City of Conversation” at Northlight Theatre in Chicago.
Sarah E. Ross (“Chapatti,” “The Hollow”) had many scenic and properties designs in the works including the scenic design of “Next to Normal” for Boho Theater directed by Linda Fortunato (director of “Lend Me a Tenor,” “The Nerd”). The two will collaborate again for “The Tin Woman” at Theatre at the Center.
Cassis Slater (“Sunday in the Park with George,” “A Little Night Music”) will soon start rehearsals as Rosie for Marriott Theater’s 2017 production of “Mamma Mia.”
Penny Slusher (“The Hollow,” “Chapatti”) will be performing in “By the Water” at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois in March.
Greg Vinkler (“Chapatti,” “Alabama Story,” “A Real Lulu”) will be performing in “Love’s Labor’s Lost” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater starting in March.
Stephanie Wahl (“Nunsense”) has been performing in the regional premier of a contemporary rock musical called “Atomic” about the creation of the atomic bomb. Soon she will be heading to North Carolina to reprise her role as Mrs. Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol.”
Peninsula Players company members may have other projects across the United States, but along with patrons, they all anxiously wait for the announcement of the 2017 season. We look forward to another season by the bay. For more information, gift certificates or season tickets to the 2017 season phone the Box Office weekdays at 920-868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com.