3 minute read
A Note from the Author of The Fish Whisperer
Book by Scott Guy
Music by Dan Wessels and Ron Barnett
Lyrics by Robin Share
Additional lyrics by Scott Guy
Developed in association with New Musicals Inc.
From the very beginning, we wanted The Fish Whisperer to work on multiple levels...first and foremost as a fun story, but also as an analogy, and an examination of what happens to us when we believe too much in a lie...or we don’t believe enough in a dream. What’s that balance?
We have imagined a tourist town where the fish have stopped biting, and everyone grows so desperate for a solution that they’re ready to fall for the hokum being offered by a “fish whisperer” who claims to be able to get the fish to bite again...for an exorbitant fee. Is she a scientist with the answer to their prayers, or a conwoman?
Do you remember the TV series Northern Exposure? In every episode there was a scientific explanation for some mythological or unexplainable event. We’re hoping The Fish Whisperer does a similar thing. It’s been a wonderfully challenging puzzle to keep multiple explanations all plausible all the way to the end of the show, and beyond!
The early versions concentrated on telling the story of the con itself. But the visionary artistic staff of Northern Sky and the actors who read and sang the early versions challenged us to deepen the character of the townpeople. Who are they? What’s important to them, and what’s at stake for them personally if the town goes belly-up?
You might notice there are four writers on The Fish Whisperer team. When composer Dan Wessels got snarfed by Hollywood to write for a children’s TV series, versatile collaborator Ron Barnett heroically stepped in to write some new songs and rewrite some of Dan’s. We’re delighted to have him and you along for the “Celtological” adventure which is The Fish Whisperer. What is your inner fish?
– Scott Guy
Scott Guy
Playwright & Lyricist
Scott is a writer and producer in both theatre and television. He has six Emmy nominations, and over 100 produced television scripts for Warner Bros., FOX-TV, Disney, Discovery Channel, PBS, etc. Scott is currently writing episodes for two musical webseries: Tales from a Darkening Wood and The Last Folksinger of Frog Hollow. Scott is the executive director of New Musicals Inc. where he supervises development of new musicals, including the upcoming So Proudly We Hailed, based on true stories of veterans, and Queen Mab’s Alarmingly Mandatory Bridal Shower. www.scottguy.biz
JAMES CARRINGTON Performer
DOUG CLEMONS Performer
KELLY DOHERTY Performer
LACHRISA GRANDBERRY Performer
BIO ON PAGE 63
BIO ON PAGE 64
BIO ON PAGE 65
BIO ON PAGE 65
DOC HEIDE Performer BIO ON PAGE 12
JEFF HERBST Performer BIO ON PAGE 8
JAMIE MERCADO Performer
The Fish Whisperer Musical Numbers
BIO ON PAGE 68
They Ain’t Bitin’ Benjamin, Bobby, Gunnar, Myrna
Shewauga Jingle Amos, Karen, Bobby, Benjamin, Gunnar, Myrna
Shewauga Jingle (Reprise) Amos
They Ain’t Bitin’ (Reprise) Myrna, Karen, Benjamin, Bobby, Gunnar
Bring Those Fishes Back Hannah, Company
Bring Those Fishes Back (Tag) .. Hannah, Myrna, Karen, Benjamin, Bobby, Gunnar
Time ............................................................................................... Karen, Amos
Bring Those Fishes Back (Tag 2) ............................................... Karen, Amos
Grumpy Amos ............................................... Gunnar, Benjamin, Myrna, Bobby
They Ain’t Bitin’ (Reprise 2) ................................................................ Hannah
A Con on Every Corner .................................................Amos, Hannah, Karen
Time (Reprise) Karen, Amos
Grill of My Dreams Benjamin, Bobby
Time to Fish or Cut Bait Gunnar, Myrna
Whisper Hannah, Amos, Karen
The Fish Dance Company
Shewauga Jingle (Reprise 2) .................................. Company except Hannah
Book by Scott Guy
Music by Dan Wessels and Ron Barnett
Lyrics by Robin Share
Additional lyrics by Scott Guy
Developed in association with New Musicals Inc.
Director Molly Rhode
Music Director & Music Supervisor
Alissa Rhode
Orchestrator Dennis Keith Johnson
Stage Manager Shawn Galligan*
Asst. Stage Manager Lindsey Wigand
Costume Designer
Karen Brown-Larimore
Lighting Designer Jason Fassl**
Sound Designer Ben Werner
Scenic & Props Designer
Lisa Schlenker**
Shewauga, Wisconsin. Present Day; late morning to early dusk.
Cast of Characters
Amos, the Mayor ........................................................................ Jeff Herbst*
Karen, the Mayor’s daughter ...............................................Jamie Mercado
Gunnar, from the DNR ............................................................... Doc Heide
Benjamin, B&B co-owner ............................................... James Carrington*
Bobby, B&B co-owner........................................................... Doug Clemons
Myrna, City Treasurer Kelly Doherty*
Hannah Waters, the fish whisperer Lachrisa Grandberry*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
**Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829
Musicians:
Alissa Rhode | Dennis Keith Johnson | Bill Knipfer
Christie Chiles Twillie (July 28 - August 10)
The Fish Whisperer is sponsored by Door county MeDical center the corDon FaMily FounDation, tony & JuDy licata, Main Street Market, on Deck clothing coMpany, the White gull inn
