MONROE — An intrepid home-grown theater company is putting on a Wisconsin-flavored production, just in time for the holidays.
The “Driftless Theatre Company” is in rehearsals for its production of the Door County staple “Guys on Ice,” which features several characters ice fishing in winter on one of the state’s many frozen lakes. The Monroe production, slated for Turner Hall, will be a dinner-theater affair.
“We thought it would be a good production for this area,” said Tom Hardin, half of a local producing, directing, and acting team that includes his wife, Susan Jorenby.
Calling themselves the “Driftless Theater Company” they also teamed up in 2022 to produce Monroe Theater Guild’s take on the Neil Simon romantic comedy, “Jake’s Women.”
Hardin said he and Jorenby work well together because “it’s something we both love to do.” The Green Bay Press-Gazette has said of the venerable play, in published reports: “It’s Wisconsiny. It’s also surprisingly touching.”
Opening night for “Guys on Ice” will be on Friday, Nov. 3, followed by performances on Nov. 4; and again, the following weekend on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11. Dinner on show nights starts at 6:30 p.m., with the play kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
Guys on Ice has been playing since 1998 and has entertained audiences in Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, California, and New York. It’s also had a good run in Madison.
The show’s book and lyrics were written by Fred Alley, the co-founder of the notes American Folklore Theatre in Door County. The music was originally composed by James Kaplan, and the show directed by Jeffrey Herbst.
It features songs like “Fish is the Miracle Food” and “The Beer in a Bucket.”
The show essentially follows the lives of Lloyd and Marvin with the occasional interruption by Ernie the Moocher. The show’s characters sing about life, love, the Packers, and, of course, the “one that got away.”
The troop has been hard at work rehearsing for the production at York Memorial Church in Blanchardville. Local “personalities” will fill the lead roles, with the primary parts played by Adam Bansley (Marvin), Scott Walters (Lloyd) and Jim Meuth (Ernie the Moocher). Local theater fans might recall seeing Bansley also play Jake in the 2022 Neil Simon MTG production.
“This is the first time this musical is being done in this area with these actors, staff and techies,” said Hardin.
Tickets can be purchased from https://driftlesstheatrecompany.ludus.com/. They are $55 per person; or $385 for a table of 8, which includes dinner.
