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 Theatre
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.
From June 27 through July 22 the Peninsula Players presents “The Nerd” by Larry Shue, a hilarious comedy featuring an overbearing house guest. How long can Willum tolerate Rick’s obnoxious habits and tambourine practice before he cracks and schemes to out-nerd his guest?
Next up from July 25 through August 12 is the jazzy Tony-award winning musical “Chicago,” with book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse; music by John Kander; lyrics by Fred Ebb; based on the play “Chicago” by Maurine Dallas Watkins. This razzle-dazzle-filled musical features femme fatales Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, the girls who vie to be media sweethearts while members of Murderess Row in Cook County Jail. “Chicago” is an electrifying musical, winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.
Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile” cruises onto the stage from August 15 through Sept. 2. Blackmail, bullets and bodies follow a young couple on their honeymoon cruise along the Nile. This sharp-edged Christie whodunit will keep you in suspense while the luxury steamer travels up the Nile River filled with its eccentric characters that only the Queen of Suspense can dream up.
Closing the season is the northeastern Wisconsin homecoming of “Lombardi” Sept. 5 through Oct. 14, by Eric Simonson, based on the book “When Pride Still Mattered – A Life of Vince Lombardi” by David Maraniss. He is unquestionably one of the most inspirational sports icons, but who is the man behind football’s coveted trophy? Who is the man behind the legend? Vince Lombardi embodies that respect, time, hard work, and discipline are crucial for success. “Lombardi” isn’t just about football; it is about the relationships and people who shaped his life off the gridiron.
“I truly hope audiences enjoy the variety of the Peninsula Players 77th year,” Artistic Director Greg Vinkler says. “The plays are filled with diva-like drama, side-splitting laughter, toe-tapping numbers, thrilling murders, and a personal and fascinating glimpse into the life of the legendary Vince Lombardi. The 77th season has got it all – laughter, drama and music – something for everyone to enjoy!”
Peninsula Players has been entertaining and exciting audiences since 1935. Peninsula Players was founded by a brother and sister team, Caroline and Richard Fisher, who dreamed of an artistic utopia in the north woods where actors, designers and technicians could focus on their craft while being surrounded by nature in a contemplative setting.
Peninsula Players location along the shore of Green Bay provides a serene location for patrons as well. Prior to performances, patrons relax and picnic on the grounds while watching the setting sun over the waters of Green Bay from the cedar-lined shore and enjoy the ambiance of the beer garden and other gardens.
The Fishers’ dream lives on as professional actors, directors and designers work side-by-side with college interns while living on the Players 16-acre campus as they bring audiences a variety of works including dramas, mysteries, comedies and musicals. In fall, 2005, the troupe closed its season early to build a new stage house and all-weather audience pavilion.
The Peninsula Players perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm in the summer. With the opening of the fall show Sept. 5 curtain times are 7 pm Tuesday through most Sundays at 7 pm The closing Sunday performance of each show will have a 4 pm matinee, June 24, July 22, Aug. 12, Sept.2 and Oct. 14 as well as Wednesday, July 4.
Discount tickets are available for season ticket holders and groups. Individual tickets are also available. Individual ticket prices range from $33 to $42. There are no performances on Mondays. For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players’ box office at 920.868.3287 or visit the Website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.
