SkyWords 2024: Spring Newsletter

Spring 2024

SKYWORDS

Northern Sky Theater News

Staking a Claim

THIS FARM IS MY FARM!

Belgians in Heaven

by Frederick Heide, Lee Becker, and James Kaplan

We enter another year with an ambitious season line-up, including four world premieres—two in the park and two in the Gould. Those titles are: The Fisherman’s Daughters, Hell’s Belgians, Girls On Sand, and Reality Trip. Along with those brand new offerings, we will be bringing back one of our most beloved shows ever, Belgians in Heaven, and our quadrennial favorite, And If Elected. All of these shows ask a fundamental question—How does where I am define who I am? In the case of our 2024 season’s offerings, those defining places include a farmstead, Peninsula State Park, a beach, virtual reality, and these United States. Geographically (and cosmically) speaking, looks like we got it covered!

Here’s what’s in store...

Since its premiere in 1994, Belgians in Heaven has been one of the most popular shows in Northern Sky history. This hilarious musical has earned eleven productions and a passionate return audience. And we know many people are truly excited for its 30th anniversary showing. The show explores how two bickering Belgian-American brothers from a Southern Door County farm learn to love each other with a little help from above. The delightfully quirky cast of characters also includes a talking chicken, Mildred, a bumbling, earnest angel, Angelique, a simple savant, Henry, a sweet, booyah-making neighbor, Josephine, and enough alter personalities to also fill up heaven. Four of the original cast members will reprise

their roles this summer: Doc Heide, Lee Becker, Karen Mal, and yours truly. Doug Mancheski will return and Kelly Doherty will make her Belgians debut. Our resident scenic designer, Lisa Schlenker, will create all new designs this season and will recreate and augment Neen Rock’s original sets and props for this show and And If Elected ; Jason Fassl will light both Belgians shows; and Karen Brown-Larimore will be on hand for costume design for the park season. Shawn Galligan, our Equity stage manager, returns with a new crew: Erin Swank (SM), Anna Brooks (ASM), and four interns, Madeline Miner, Haley Engen, Karina Short , and Wes Yaroch.

JEFFREY HERBST Artistic Director

NO, THIS FARM IS MY FARM!

Hell’s Belgians

by Frederick Heide, Lee Becker, and James Kaplan

Hell’s Belgians is the long-awaited prequel to Belgians in Heaven by the same writers. Featuring characters from Belgians in Heaven, the prequel focuses on Angelique (the guardian angel in the original show) as she contends with dark forces to earn her wings. Hell’s Belgians has been designed to be completely understandable for those who haven’t seen Belgians in Heaven, while also revealing delightful insights for those who love the original show.

The outdoor season show schedule will allow audience members to see both shows on the same night in either order. What’s even more fun is that all of the actors in Belgians in Heaven will be in this show, too–some playing the same characters and others with brand new roles. Molly Rhode and I will co-direct, and our trusty musical team of Alissa Rhode and Ryan Cappleman will handle all things musical for park and Gould. Jack Purves returns as audio

THIS PARK IS YOUR PARK

The Fisherman’s Daughters

by Katie Dahl

The Fisherman’s Daughters tells the story of two sisters in 1908 Fish Creek who must reckon with their differences when Wisconsin’s governor decides to turn their homestead into part of Peninsula State Park. We had intended to do a world premiere, full production of The Fisherman’s Daughters in 2021, but instead mounted a preview

supervisor and park sound designer, as does Alejandra Favila (master electrician) and Alexis Gunderson (tech swing). Will these bickering brothers be able to reconcile their differences and co-exist peacefully for all-time on the homestead that defines them?

production because of Covid restrictions. Now we’re giving it the world premiere it deserves. Recreating their original roles will be Kelly Doherty, Chase Stoeger, and Alex Campea. They will be joined by Anna Cline, who did a workshop production of the show for us. Molly Rhode will direct and Jimmy Balistreri will return to design lighting. Dennis Johnson, Karen Mal, and Emma Campbell will realize the rich score created in 2021. This beautiful and funny show wrestles with the very notion of how land defines us and really how land is defined at all.

THIS SAND IS HER SAND

Girls On Sand

by Lachrisa Grandberry, Molly Rhode, and Alissa Rhode

Girls on Sand takes place on a July day spent with Grace and Zoey as they try to follow their one beach rule: No Negativity. The show is inspired by the Alley/Kaplan mega-hit Guys on Ice. The show will also feature Lachrisa Grandberry and Molly onstage and Alissa at the keyboard. Lachrisa, who was one of the writers of Sunflowered, had never seen Guys on Ice and thought it would be amusing to riff on the Guys idea, in this case with two gals on a beach instead of two guys on the ice. With the addition of a third character, the show delves deeper into the meaning of friendship and how these two women have evolved as besties. The

Ode to Dave

show will run in the Gould all summer and be overseen by a crackerjack team: Malkia Stampley (director); Jimmy Balistreri (SM) and Erin Kopit (ASM); Brian Weinkauf (lighting designer and M/E); Jason Orlenko (costume designer); Max Pelna (audio engineer); Dee Etti-Williams (sound designer); and Jordan Wallin-Swanson (wardrobe supervisor). The natural beauty and serenity of the beach is a place that Grace and Zoey return to time and time again to unwind. How do our sanctuaries define us and will this outing help our besties rediscover the joyous bond they found in childhood?

THE UNSUNG HERO OF NORTHERN SKY

From 2010 to 2024, Dave Maier held the position of managing director for Northern Sky, the longest tenure to date for someone in that position for the company. During that period, Northern Sky has undergone tremendous growth overseen by Dave with his trademark unflappable style, good humor, and passion for our mission. Dave was responsible for implementing numerous practices that allowed for steady, manageable growth, giving us the tools we need to continue to be financially astute. His spreadsheets are awesome!

Remarkably, while fulfilling all of his usual duties as managing director, Dave acted as the de facto project manager in overseeing our capital campaign that resulted in vast improvements at the park and the building of the Gould theater and creative center. On the heels of that enormous project, Dave shepherded the company through the pandemic, securing the necessary governmental aid to keep us afloat, while continuing to work with our board and staff in keeping everyone reassured that we would

get through it together.

It’s unusual for a managing director of a theater to also possess a fundamental, heartfelt understanding of the artistic side of the organization, but Dave possesses that quality, too. His insights have always been sought after and valued, making him a true collaborator in realizing our vision.

Lucky for us, Dave will be staying on as company manager—so no ‘goodbyes’–just a song of gratitude for expertly guiding us for fourteen years.

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND

And If Elected

by Fred Alley, Dave Peterson, and Jeff Herbst

Starting in 1992, we began presenting a (mostly) quadrennial production of And If Elected. Often I’ve described this as a romp through presidential campaigns, starting with Washington and heading up to current times, using authentic songs and humor associated with each election. The biggest question I get from people about doing this show now is, “Wow. How are you going to do that?” Of course what they are really asking, I think, is, “How do you navigate the divisiveness plaguing our current political climate?” I think the answer is that we do it together by looking back and understanding how divisiveness has always been present and how we’ve come through it. The challenge, I proffer, will be how we do it this time around. Joining me once again to explore it all together are Jake Endres and Karen Mal. More than anything, the country you live in defines who you are and vice versa, right?

THIS CLOUD IS WHO’S CLOUD?

Reality Trip

by Richard Castle and Ron Barnett

Reality Trip follows three college friends vacationing in Door County who want to get off the grid and reconnect. But a charming (and infinitely helpful) AI home-assistant installed at their rental cottage changes up the plans. Don’t we all wonder if we can truly unplug? But the “reality” is that we most likely won’t. So how do we find the right balance? This musical comedy is about the importance of real human connection in a distraction-filled, digital world. Molly will direct the cast of five, comprised of three returnees, Doug Clemons , Chase Stoeger, and Lachrisa Grandberry, and two newcomers to our stage, Katie Bates and Jos Banks , who was the costume designer for Sunflowered. Shima Orans will design costumes and Jimmy Balistreri lights for this and And If Elected Stewart Dawson (master carpenter) and Carri Dahl (scenic charge artist) will work their magic wherever needed. Reality Trip is as timely a show as we’ve ever done. Don’t you now often ask yourself how virtual reality and artificial intelligence already have and will continue to define who we are?

We hope that all of the questions posed by each of our shows will pique your curiosity, perhaps even generating questions of your own you might never have asked yourself before. And of course everything explored in a Northern Sky show, so as not to get too heavy, is done with a smile, a laugh and plenty of music in true Northern Sky, original fashion. And that defines us! See you in the Gould and under the stars.

Double Belgians

DOC HEIDE

Co-founder of Northern Sky, Playwright, Artistic Advisor

This summer Northern Sky celebrates the 30th anniversary of our first-ever smash hit: Belgians in Heaven. To top it off, we’ll present it alongside the world premiere of its long-awaited prequel, Hell’s Belgians.

It’s highly unusual in musical theater for a show to be so successful that it spawns a prequel. It’s rare even on Broadway.

But right out of the gate, Belgians in Heaven was unique. The first night the cast read it (at Jeff Herbst’s tiny apartment in New York City in Spring,1994), some laughed so hard they were literally in tears.

Then the show opened. Night after night, it packed the theater. People lined up in electrical storms to buy tickets. Kids climbed on picnic tables to perform scenes from it. When our cofounder Fred Alley suggested we bring it back Saturdays the next year, it drew hundreds nightly. We’ve now revived it at least 10 times.

In 2012 we did a survey after the show. To our shock, almost one out of three people had seen it previously. Some had come 20 times or more.

My most moving memory was of a woman who had terminal cancer approaching

me after the show. “I’ve been afraid of dying,” she said. “But after seeing this play, I can now pass on in peace.”

As a writer of musical comedies, a comment like that justifies one’s entire career.

All this came as a huge surprise to me. Belgians in Heaven was the first original book musical I ever wrote (with Jimmy Kaplan contributing half the score). Our fledgling theater needed new material, and I just thought it was a fun writing exercise. It never occurred to me that people would take it so deeply into their hearts.

In 2006, I asked Lee Becker to join us in expanding the show. When that met with huge success, we embarked in 2010 on a companion piece.

Early on, we decided to write a prequel rather than a sequel to avoid explaining the complex plot of the first show. We wanted to feature Henry, the compassionate handyman in Belgians played

so brilliantly by Jeff Herbst. Henry will be narrator in the prequel. We also wanted to include bowling, a sport with deep roots in the BelgianAmerican community and Wisconsin.

We soon realized why so few shows generate companion pieces: It’s really tough to create something satisfying to those who love the original, yet understandable to those who haven’t seen it. But after 14 years of feedback from our talented team, we believe we’ve done it.

Hell’s Belgians includes all the characters in the original except one (Josephine). It adds a character, a hilariously bombastic demon played by the great Kelly Doherty. It centers on how Angelique, the guardian angel in the original show, gets her wings.

We learn more about Roger and Leo, the bickering brothers in the original. We discover the origin of Mildred the Chicken. And although a small part takes place in

a comic version of Hell, it may be the most spiritually uplifting show we’ve ever created.

It’s certainly not necessary to see both shows. But fans can take in both on the same night if desired. On Mondays, the original will be at 6 PM and the prequel at 8:30. On Thursdays, they play in the opposite order. And on

Fridays, Hell’s Belgians plays alone.

Naturally, the most frequent question we’ve heard is, “What order should I see them in?” There are benefits either way. Those who see Hell’s Belgians first will watch the story unfold chronologically. But those who see Belgians in Heaven first will be delighted by the

many fun “Easter eggs” we’ve hidden in the prequel. The decision should probably rest on what fits best with your schedule.

Whatever you decide, we hope you’ll join us to discover why thousands have fallen in love with these quirky characters and their unique journey.

Join us on June 27 as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Belgians In Heaven with a 90’s throwback night. On this two-show night, you’ll be able to catch BOTH Belgians shows for the low price of $14 – which is exactly what it would have cost to see two shows in 1994! And just like in the 90’s it’s all general admission seating. Don your best 90’s attire and go all-in on the theme or just come as you are but, like, you totally need to be there!

The Fisherman’s

Daughters Returns

KATIE DAHL Composer, Lyricist, Playwright

It’s time for a proper full premiere of this gorgeous show after the limited preview production in 2021.

When I was a kid, my family and I used to drive at dusk from my grandparents’ house in Sister Bay to Peninsula State Park to go “deer hunting”—a.k.a. looking for deer out the windows of the car. As we drove, my grandma would tell us stories about visiting the park as a little kid, including sitting on her dad’s shoulders to see the Memorial

Totem Pole that used to stand near the park’s entrance. When I was eight, my grandparents and mom and I visited the cathedral of the Northern Sky amphitheater in the park for the first time. As an adult, Peninsula State Park is where I first discovered the joy of running. In 2014, it’s where my partner and I celebrated our rehearsal dinner. These days,

my eight-year-old son is learning about the park as the big, beautiful backyard of his elementary school.

In short, I have lived a lot of life against the backdrop of that gorgeous green peninsulawithin-a-peninsula. I am so grateful it is open for me and the million or so other people who visit it every year.

In 2013, hungry for the topic for a new musical, I bought a copy of Fish Creek Voices, a collection of oral histories published in 1990. On page 32, I read a personal account from the book’s editor, Edward Schreiber: “Two very interesting spinster sisters lived quite spartanly in an old house in the park, high upon an escarpment facing the waters of Green Bay. Their names were Ella and Vida Weborg. I used to deliver groceries to their home, sometimes having to climb up the icy hill with a fifty-pound sack of flour or a five-gallon can of coal oil (kerosene) for their lamps and oil stove.”

On the bottom of the page, I wrote a possible title: “The Spinster Sisters of Peninsula State Park???”—and thus began the journey of The Fisherman’s Daughters Three of the four characters—two sisters and a delivery man—were conceived in that single paragraph.

Later in the book, I learned that the Weborg sisters had fought the State of Wisconsin’s 1908 attempt to assimilate their family homestead into the new state park they

The Fisherman’s Daughters 2021

were creating, and that Ella Weborg used to walk three miles into downtown Fish Creek, wearing a man’s coat and wheedling folks into giving her a ride home. I knew then that I had enough for a great story.

The Fisherman’s Daughters is not an account, factual or otherwise, of the Weborg sisters’ life—it is an act of wild imagination. Because I neither wanted to weight my imagination down with reality nor to represent the lives of these real-life women inaccurately, I gave the two sisters in my story new names: Sarah and Nora Peterson. I gave Nora a life in Chicago (though she travels home to Fish Creek at the beginning of the play). I called their delivery boy Charlie, and I invented a government employee, John Murphy, and a state department for him to work in: The Department of Land Preservation. And I wrote about the lives I imagined for them.

In retrospect, the creation of Peninsula State Park is so clearly a public good—yet I also empathize entirely with two sisters who would vehemently fight not to have their beloved home swept up into it. The public good is fine and dandy until it creates a private loss, at which point we reckon with the gap that creates.

At its heart, The Fisherman’s Daughters is a story about love—of two sisters for one another and for the land they treasure. And I couldn’t have written it the way I did if I didn’t love that same land myself. That we will perform it this summer under a canopy of pines that the Weborg sisters may have walked through themselves is nothing less than a miracle to me. I can’t wait.

If you are a longtime fan of Northern Sky, or, at the very least, have seen Guys On Ice, you probably can’t read the words “everything is new” without hearing them in the dulcet tones of Steve Koehler as he deftly accompanies himself on harmonica out on the bay. It’s like that for me. Nearly the entire soundtrack in my head is a top ten list of Northern Sky cast recordings and memorable lines. As this is my first “official” SkyWords greeting in my role as managing director, it seemed only fitting to attempt to set it to the soundtrack of my life – the songs and harmonies that have been bringing me back to this special place since I was knee-high to a wampus cat. Can you find all the references?

So, yes, everything is new in 2024 and yet things are, shall we say, exactly alike? While there is a new face pictured next to the title of managing director, I’m no stranger to the inner workings of Northern Sky. For those who are new to us, I have had the honor of

Everything Is NEWish

HOLLY FELDMAN Managing Director

Yes; everything is new in 2024 and yet things are, shall we say, exactly alike? One thing remains the same - there’s no place that I’d rather be.

serving the organization for nearly twenty years in various capacities. I’ve done everything from selling tickets to ordering merchandise, from developing marketing plans to leading major fundraising campaigns. In fact, way back when I was a BFA musical theater major, at age nineteen, I even auditioned for the company. My song? “White Bird” from Northern Lights. So, while I now have the opportunity to spread my wings and fly and have assumed leadership of the overall business, administrative, and operational side of the company, I will also maintain my role as director of development to continue to steward the relationships with our longtime, steadfast supporters.

In other words, this is no out of the frying pan and into the fire situation. As always, I am supported and partnered by an extraordinary board and the brilliant artistic leadership of Jeff Herbst and Molly Rhode, and

surrounded by a big-hearted A-team admin staff. You might say, I’m just one happy lumberjack.

Another thing that’s newish is that former managing director, Dave Maier, will continue in a brand-new role with Northern Sky as our company manager providing administrative, organizational, and financial reporting assistance to the organization. There’s no one as lucky as me to be able to continue to work side-byside with my mentor and friend. Dave has done so much to move our company forward; it just makes sense that he continues to bring his vast experience to this new role.

In addition, I have the pleasure of introducing the newest face on the administrative team, Sophie Widman. In December of 2023, long-time marketing director, Ann Birnschein, officially handed off her marketing torch as she is on a new path to find folks a little breathing room in a career in respiratory therapy.

Although Sophie hails from Boulder Creek, California, she really is a true Wisconsin gal having attended Ripon College and having spent a summer working at Wilson’s in Ephraim. Sophie brings a great depth of knowledge and creativity to the director of marketing role and also just happens to be married to Northern Sky lighting designer and former intern, Jimmy Balistreri. We are thrilled to have them both home again. Speaking of marketing, as we sail windward bound on these exciting new waters together, we’ve got a role for you, dear reader. At Northern Sky we are constantly striving to invite

new folks to witness the simple joys of performances in the park or at the Gould. Northern Sky’s newest marketing campaign hopes to do just that and we’ve got our fingers crossed, toes crossed, legs and eyes that you will take part. To put things in the simplest of terms, we want to say thank you to our fans for what they are already doing: using word of mouth to tell new folks about Northern Sky. Think of it as our version of the small-town telegraph. We’ve got plenty of incentives and engaging content just waiting to be revealed, but you can get started on earning those incentives now. You can find

out everything you need to know at our website.

So, yes, things ain’t like they used to be, but one thing remains the same - there’s no place that I’d rather be. What will my song be as I step out of the wings and onto this newish stage? THAT will be a new song and I promise those lyrics will come mainly from you all. Meanwhile, let’s waltz ‘til the last cow comes home, shall we?

The door is always open, and I’m always eager to hear your feedback, your opinions, and your suggestions. I look forward to seeing you at the Park and in the Gould this summer and fall.

Northern Sky’s One Act of Kindness Society, launched in 2021, celebrates those who have chosen to create a lasting legacy by including Northern Sky in their will, trust, or estate plan. The phrase “one act of kindness” comes from the lyrics of a song in the musical, Boxcar. The song insists that one act of kindness often ripples out into many others by reminding us “there is good in the world.”

Members of Northern Sky’s One Act of Kindness Society

Ann Abbott

E.H. Barker

Pam Blanchard

Claire CaJacob & Deb DuMont

Susan & Jim Caldwell

Susan Crawford & Jeffrey Rosemann

Cynthia & Larry Crock

Robert C. & Lois K. Dittus

Lisa & David Fink

Barbara Gould

Jim & Barb Hansen

Chuck Harmon

Bob & Lisa Heider

Doc Heide & Jody Jessup

Rita & Frank Jury

John & Mary Lou Kroll

Cal & Trish Pierson

Cynthia Stiehl

Greg & Wendy Vichick

Merrilee & John Waldron

James Wilson

Pete & Leslie Yaeger

To notify us of your plans, or to learn more about what including Northern Sky in your estate plans might look like, please contact Holly Feldman at holly@northernskytheater.com or 920-633-3228.

Girls On Sand Is for Everybody

LACHRISA GRANDBERRY Playwright

Just like summer, this world premiere will make you want to find your way to the nearest beach and dance!

Yep, here we go! Another all-female writing team, with an all-female cast telling another new story. But don’t let the title fool ya. Girls On Sand is for everybody! After Sunflowered, I wanted my next writing venture to be truly inspired by my growing understanding and appreciation of the Northern Sky canon. In preparing for what was the 2023 season and reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Northern Sky’s fan favorite, Guys On Ice by James Kaplan and Fred Alley, I couldn’t help but think, how do you continue to honor such a revered legacy? I had yet to see the show, being a relative newcomer to Northern Sky, but I had certainly heard about it and knew of its regional impact and national exposure. Such a simple premise: two guys sharing time together in a place special to them. Molly Rhode and I wondered, “What would a female story of that same sort of friendship look like? You know, instead of men in the winter, it’s women in the summer?” Then Molly had the crazy idea that I should write it. Me, who had never seen the show before! But I like a good challenge, so I said yes, but only if she’d write it with me. This inspired the making of Girls On Sand. It’s no secret that the bay is one of the best parts of experiencing Door County. Throughout the seasons Molly and I have created a ritual with the waters of Ephraim beach. After many shows, if life permitted,

we would find ourselves taking in the nighttime beach. Good day or bad, the beach offered us a sanctuary—a place to dance, release, and express gratitude under the moonlit sky. The beach (even at night) knew how to keep us going. So, we knew we were writing a beach musical. And we had a title. But what should it be about?

We created the characters and conflict and drafted an outline together, but Molly suggested that I tackle the first draft of the show solo. The goal was to have it completed before attending my first viewing of Guys On Ice. This approach allowed me a clean slate as I considered Fred Alley’s basic writing prompt, two friends engaging in a simple outdoor activity (occasionally interrupted by a third party). So Girls On Sand is its own thing, not a prequel or sequel to Fred and Jimmy’s show, but inspired by it. After completing the initial draft, Molly jumped in as a co-writer, and Alissa Rhode came on board as composer.

In Girls On Sand, we meet Grace and Zoey (whom Molly and I will play), two best friends since childhood. Zoey, a free-spirited therapist with a penchant for whimsy, and Grace, a pragmatic English professor and writer, may seem like an odd pair, but their friendship is as enduring as the crashing waves. With a sprinkle of silly, a dash of puns, and a generous serving of bad beach

jokes, Grace and Zoey embark on a day of unexpected revelations that challenge their perceptions of bravery and aging. Girls On Sand is a celebration of the unbreakable bonds forged by friendship—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of our fears.

This beach musical was truly birthed by the water. We crafted our story on multiple Door County shorelines, in the winter we took our writing process to the Kohler Water Spa, and last autumn Alissa, Molly and I traveled to Scotland together (thanks, Katie Dahl!) and talked about Girls On Sand on the shores of Loch Ness. All places that brought us great joy. As a result, Girls On Sand is pure fun.

Just like summer, this world premiere will make you want to find your way to the nearest beach and dance! We’ll be there waiting for ya!

Going Off-the-Grid

Isn’t Easy

RICHARD CASTLE Playwright & Lyricist

Is artificial intelligence helpful? Can it replace us? Reality Trip explores these questions in ways I hope audiences will find funny, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

I want to tell you about a relationship I’m having. We’ve been together for years but have only grown more inseparable. They join me for every meal. When I watch TV, they often sit right on my lap. Don’t get me wrong, no relationship is perfect. Sometimes they annoy me, alerting me with news about a celebrity breakup I couldn’t care less about. But they’re also helpful, like when they

remind me not to forget a friend’s birthday or an important appointment. I’ve become so dependent on them that I feel completely lost when we’re apart. We even sleep next to each other. That’s how close I am to my cell phone.

For those of you who’ve felt the addictive pull of a phone in your pocket, you’ll likely recognize yourself in my new musical Reality Trip. It’s about a reunion of three old

college friends vacationing in Door County. Their plan to unplug and reconnect with each other is disrupted by a charming, overly helpful A.I. assistant. Going off-the-grid isn’t easy when your B&B comes with free Wi-Fi.

The seed for Reality Trip was planted in spring of 2020, when I was spending most of my days and nights staring at a computer screen. If I wasn’t bingeing Netflix shows, I was zooming, googling, or doom

scrolling. Although I was grateful for the technology that allowed me to stay connected with people, I somehow felt disconnected at the same time. To paraphrase “Cabaret”: What good is sitting alone in your (virtual) room?

I channeled this feeling into Virtual Happy Hour, a 15-minute musical. Then I adapted it into a short non-musical play with the same title. Northern Sky did a reading of both versions, and the talkback session afterwards was a revelation. Rather than discussing the plays, everyone began to share personal stories about how their digital lives affected their real lives, for better and for worse. I was not alone. Everyone had similar love/ hate relationships with their phones. I quickly realized this theme was worth exploring more deeply in a full-length show. After all, cell phones and social

media have transformed our lives as significantly as the electric lightbulb and indoor plumbing once did. It makes us wonder “how did we ever live without them?”

I pitched the idea for Reality Trip to Jeff Herbst when Love Stings was running in 2022. A year later, Northern Sky held a reading. Once again, the talkback session inspired passionate discussion about how technology has affected our relationships with friends and family. The idea felt timely and relevant, and I was delighted when the show was scheduled to premiere in fall of 2024 in the beautiful Gould Theater.

Writing Reality Trip has been a thrill. My imagination was fueled by daily news stories about the advancement of A.I. Is artificial intelligence helpful? Will it take our jobs? Can it replace us? Reality Trip explores these questions in ways I hope audiences will find funny, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

This is my first full-length musical with composer Ron Barnett, who has written a fun, energetic score. It’s been a joy tailoring my Reality Trip characters to the talents of actors Lachrisa Grandberry, Doug Clemons, and Chase Stoeger. And I’m excited that this show will introduce two new talented performers to Northern Sky audiences. My previous shows were set in the past: Oklahoma in Wisconsin in the 1950s and Love Stings in the 1960s. Reality Trip is set very firmly in the present. Its characters grapple with the same questions we ask ourselves every day: Am I checking my phone too often? Is social media consuming my life? Why do I text a heart emoji to my friend instead of giving them a hug?

Reality Trip celebrates our common humanity, and there’s no better place to do that than in a theater. There’s nothing “virtual” about theater. It’s live. It’s tactile. It breathes. I hope Reality Trip will entertain you and inspire real, meaningful conversations with your fellow humans.

Now, back to my cell phone.

NOVA & IDEAS Our Newest Favorite Acronyms

MOLLY RHODE Associate Artistic Director

Last year, Northern Sky kicked off something special, the NOVA (Nurturing Original Voices and Artists) initiative. Think of it as the super-secret lab for cooking up fresh ideas and giving new voices a chance to shine. Run by Program Director Lachrisa Grandberry, NOVA is Northern Sky Theater’s next-generation New Works development and incubation initiative. The NOVA program nurtures new voices, expands creative opportunity, and broadens the scope of storytelling at Northern Sky.

So, how’s the ride going so far? Well, buckle up, because it’s nothing short of spectacular. By the end of last season, Lachrisa had led five six-week Writing Circles and two singleday Workshops. In total, NOVA programs served 53 artists in 2023 and 39 of those artists had no affiliation with Northern Sky prior to NOVA. In addition, two NOVA participants wrote and developed shows through Writing Circles that were part of Northern Sky’s play readings last summer. In short, NOVA’s first year was even more successful than we imagined. The goal of expanding our tent is certainly being met. But wait, there’s more! This year, Lachrisa will lead two BIPOC Writing Circles specifically for authors who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We received 20 applications for these special spring and fall Circles. The applicants, who are 100% new to Northern Sky, are eager and excited to engage in our NOVA programming.

While NOVA focuses on new musical development, it also encompasses broader goals for Northern Sky. Lachrisa, as NOVA Program Director, also serves as co-chair of Northern Sky’s IDEAS Task Force alongside me. IDEAS stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Solutions. For a little over a year now, our Task Force has committed to putting a lot of time, energy, and passion into the work needed to broaden representation and build relevancy to individuals of all backgrounds for the betterment of our organization and the community we serve.

At Northern Sky, we’re all about listening, learning, and evolving. We believe it’s super important to be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued, beyond an individual show or season. Our IDEAS Task Force is a big part of that. Through our IDEAS Task Force, we are dedicated to amplifying the power of diverse perspectives that help us bridge differences and will actively engage in the advancement of equity for everyone in our Northern Sky family and the wider Door County community. The artists, board and staff members of Northern Sky celebrate our common humanity and equality. The arts belong to EVERYBODY.

You can learn more about NOVA and IDEAS on Northern Sky’s website. Special thanks to our IDEAS Task Force: Katie Dahl, Holly Feldman, Doc Heide, Heidi Ling, Christina Saldanha, Lisa Schlenker, Cyndy Stiehl, and Sophie Widman.

Win a Rhine River Cruise with Jeff Herbst and Katie Dahl!

Our New Fan Campaign is full of incentives to help us with word of mouth. This cruise is the grand-daddy of the prizes! Intrigued?

The New Fan Campaign is a marketing initiative that will incentivize long-time fans and community “influencers” to recruit new, first-time fans to see a show in 2024. Community influencers include business partners, destination info centers, volunteers, camp hosts or anyone who wants to participate.

Incentives range from free popcorn in the park to the chance to join Northern Sky’s Jeffrey Herbst and Katie Dahl on a Northern Sky Fan Cruise on the Rhine River in 2025. The grand prize cruise is available to folks who not only refer new fans to Northern Sky but who also volunteer in 2024.

At the heart of this effort is your basic, grassroots, wordof-mouth, person-to-person marketing. We know from past surveys that word-ofmouth is the primary way that folks hear about us. All we’re doing is finding unique ways to say ‘thank you’ for spreading the word about Northern Sky.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The main drive of this campaign is based on referrals. Long-time fans and community influencers who connect with a potential new fan will simply ask the new fan to mention their name when they call for tickets or order online. Every time your name is attached to a ticket sale, you can earn “points” for each new fan. If a new fan purchases 5 tickets, you will earn 5 points. In the case of the cruise, volunteers will earn an entry for the grand prize drawing for each new fan that mentions their name.

The goal with this campaign is to use the power of word-of-mouth marketing to build future generations of Northern Sky fans and theatergoers! Learn all about it at northernskytheater.com/ new-fan-campaign.

WANT

TO

SHARE

IN THE APPLAUSE? BECOME A VOLUNTEER!

Do you love theatre? Do you enjoy sharing that experience with others? If your answers are “yes!” then we have the perfect opportunity for you! Northern Sky relies on, and is always looking for, fans ready to step up and lend a hand! No experience is necessary – just a willingness to help and a desire to be part of something original in Door County. Please call Kathleen at the Northern Sky office (920) 854-6117 or e-mail volunteer@ northernskytheater.com. Thank You

Cast Albums

Now Streamable!

We’ve entered the new era of music listening! Northern Sky now has SEVEN shows that can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, or your favorite streaming platform. Look for Dairy Heirs, Sunflowered, The Fish Whisperer, Love Stings, The Fisherman’s Daughters, Victory Farm, and Fishing for the Moon! And don’t worry, if you still like good old fashioned CD’s, you can find them at northernskytheater.com/shop.

THEIR SUPPORT ENSURES THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN SKY WHILE KEEPING OUR TICKET PRICES AFFORDABLE.

Belgians In Heaven

Belgian Heritage Society Hell’s Belgians

Door County Medical Center

Parkwood Lodge

Wulf Brothers

The Fisherman’s Daughters

White Gull Inn

On Deck Clothing Company Girls On Sand

Jason Feldman Landscapes

kindgoods

Nicolet Bank Women’s Fund of Door County

Reality Trip

Door County Medical Center

Main Street Market

Quantum Technologies And If Elected

Wisconsin Public Radio

Season Sponsors

The Cordon Family Foundation

Tony & Judy Licata Post Show After Glow

Nicolet Bank

Ticket Sponsor

Wilson’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor

Out of the Woods

Wondering what Northern Sky company members were up to in the off-season? In no particular order, here’s what some of us have reported:

CRAIG KONOWALSKI reports that he’s “been hitting the Open Mic circuit really hard this past year. Since it doesn’t pay well and I usually end up spending about $30 a night, I don’t know how long I can afford to have this much fun! I also continue to work on a musical with my dear friend, Heidi Hodges.”

LACHRISA GRANDBERRY performed in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (along with CHASE STOEGER) at First Stage and directed Signature Dance Company’s 20th Anniversary Show, 20 Reasons Why. She got to dabble in some television for a few days, worked on Girls On Sand (with MOLLY and ALISSA RHODE ), and started a fellowship with The Dramatists Guild Foundation for Musical Theater writing. DAN KLARER continued his mooching at the Milwaukee Rep for another sold-out run of the Guys on Ice with DOUG MANCHESKI, STEVE KOEHLER , and RYAN CAPPLEMAN . After finishing up a whirlwind year in Door County that included the 25th annual Fishstock show

and the world premiere of When Pigs Fly!, ERIC LEWIS has been home in Memphis playing solo shows, producing records for singer/songwriters Mallory Everett and Grace Askew, touring with Jason Petty, doing sessions with producer/engineer Calvin Lauber (Boygenius), honing recording/engineering skills learning Logic Pro, and assisting producer/engineer Kevin Houston (Patty Griffin).

DOUG CLEMONS acted in Candide at Skylight, wrote and directed an adaptation of L’enfant et Les Sortileges at Florentine Opera, directed Xanadu at Skylight and 42nd Street at Falls Patio Players, and spent lots of time traveling with his husband Matt and spoiling their two pups, Selma and Nigel. Former intern, HANNAH KATO, is performing in the national tour of Come from Away in the role of reporter Janice Moser. Northern

Sky fans will remember Hannah as Lucy in Fishing for the Moon in 2022.

KELLY DOHERTY brilliantly portrayed Josie in Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s Moon for the Misbegot ten. LISA SCHLENKER contributed her stunning scenic design to that production as well. BILL THEISEN has just begun his first term on the board of directors for Northern Sky Theater. He’s also teaching online courses for graduate vocal performance majors at the University of Michigan.

JON HEGGE just wrapped up an eight-month run of Jersey Boys at Chanhassen Dinner Theater and dived right into hard-core understudy assignments (9 characters/3 plays) for the Guthrie Theater’s epic three-play event (Richard II, Henry IV and V ) and upcoming summer show Little Shop of Horrors. Jon joined wife LAURIE FLANIGAN-HEGGE at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival to see Prick, her new play about the Scottish

Witch Trials. Prick sold out at the Fringe, was nominated for an OFFest award, and transferred to the Drayton Arms in London for a week in January. KAREN MAL composed music and sound design for the world premiere of Sir Knightsalot at the Austin Scottish Rite Theater and appeared in the Rainbow Fish musical. Ever straddling the worlds of theater and folk music, she taught at a songwriting retreat in Southern Illinois and played shows with her musical partner David Stoddard, all while homeschooling her daughter Coralina, who is already planning what to wear to the Northern Sky “Gala” in May. Alongside writing partner ROBIN SHARE , CLAY ZAMBO has been working on the forthcoming birdwatching musical The Thing with Feathers, which earned an NEA development grant. A Christmas Carol Experience, for which Clay wrote music and lyrics, completed its 6th annual run just before the holidays (101 performances and counting), including one in which he was a last-minute sub actor! RICHARD CASTLE has been feverishly writing book and lyrics to Reality Trip, his new musical with composer RON BARNETT premiering this Fall at our

Gould Theater. His play Designed 2B Deleted can be seen at Rover Dramawerks in Plano, TX this Spring. Since retiring in February of 2023 from banking, TIM McNURLEN performed in Guys on Ice in October and November as well as a week at the Milwaukee Rep this winter, making his professional career span 48 years. AMY CHAFFEE has been teaching voice and acting at Tulane University, worked as dialect coach for the second season of Mayfair Witches for AMC, and coached The Diary of Anne Frank at the World War II Museum. She’s also back on stage doing stand-up comedy, as well as singing as a guest vocalist with a band called Crawzaddies in New Orleans clubs. JAMES VALCQ attended the Wisconsin Dramatists Retreat at Ten Chimneys along with many colleagues and friends old and new. He completed a fresh revision of his and FRED ALLEY ’s The Spitfire Grill, which was published by Concord Theatricals in February, and continues to collaborate with KATIE DAHL on future Northern Sky projects. DENNIS KEITH JOHNSON mixed The Fish Whisperer CD, performed with Cool Bay Jazz (with Northern Skyers JOHN

LEWIS and BILL KNIPFER ), did sound/recording for his wife Cherryl Fonfara with her project Bay Side Readers Theater (doing live reading of old-time radio shows), and even filled in on bass with his son’s band when they opened for Slaughter in Aurora, IL. Finally, LEE BECKER and DOC HEIDE were delighted that their show Guys & Does (with music by PAUL LIBMAN ) was produced at Pendragon Theatre in upstate New York in February. When not tinkering with music for this summer’s Hell’s Belgians, DOC squeezed in a month of skiing the spectacular Canadian Rockies with his wife Jody and spent as much time as possible with their darling grand-daughter Bailey.

and JEFF

showing off their Lawrence University Creative Spirit Award in September 2023.

DOC HEIDE

HERBST

NORTHERN SKY THEATER

Door County, Wisconsin Door County, Wisconsin

2024 SUMMER SCHEDULE

World Premiere

Begins Wednesday, June 12, at 7:30 pm Shows on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm

World Premiere

Begins Thursday, June 13, at 6 pm Shows on Mondays at 8:30 pm, Thursdays at 6 pm & Fridays at 7:30 pm

JULY

Begins Monday, June 17, at 6 pm Shows on Mondays at 6 pm & Thursdays at 8:30 pm

AUGUST

World Premiere

Begins Thursday, July 11, at 8 pm Shows on Mondays – Saturdays at 8 pm & Saturdays at 2 pm

World Premiere

Begins Saturday, August 31, at 2 pm

- 6:00

- 8:00

- 8:30

- 6:00

- 8:00

- 8:30

- 6:00

- 8:00

- 8:30

OUTDOOR PARK AMPHITHEATER

Adults: $27-$35 • Students: $17-$25 • Children (Ages 3-12): $12-$20 • Children Under 3: Free on lap INDOOR GOULD THEATER

Adults: $38 • Students: $25 • Children (Ages 12 & under): $20

Ticket office hours are 1 - 8 pm, Monday through Friday and Saturday 4-8 pm during the season. 31 30 29

Ticket Office & Gould Theater: 9058 County Rd A, Fish Creek, WI 54212 Park Amphitheater: 10169 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212 www.NorthernSkyTheater.com | 920.854.6117

2024 FALL SHOWS IN THE GOULD THEATER

August 31 - October 12

Monday - Friday 7pm & Saturday 2pm & 7pm

A delightful and thought-provoking musical about how current technology intersects with the desire for love.

October 14 - October 26

Monday - Friday 7pm & Saturday 2pm & 7pm Performed almost every election year since 1992, featuring facts, jokes, and songs from presidential elections dating back to 1787.

Donation Levels

❑

$25,000 & up - Belgian Angel

❑ $10,000 to $24,999 - Victory Farmer

❑ $5,000 to $9,999 - Spitfire Griller

❑ $2,500 to $4,999 - Windjammer

❑ $1,000 to $2,499 - Ice Fisher

❑ $500 to $999 - Happy Lumberjack

❑ $300 to $499 - Music Lover

❑ $125 to $299 - Galactic Packer

❑ $75 to $124 - Bone Dancer

❑ $25 to $74 - Cheesehead

Designated Funds

Northern Sky General Operating Fund

❑ Please accept my gift of $ for the General Operating Fund.

Fred Alley New Musical Fund

❑ Please accept my gift of $ for the Fred Alley New Musical Fund.

Northern Sky Endowment Fund

❑ Please accept my gift of $ for the Endowment Fund.

We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID 39-1666391. Your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.

❑ My employer will match my gift Employer Name: Paperwork: ❑ is enclosed ❑ will be sent

❑ My check number _______________________ payable to Northern Sky Theater is enclosed.

❑ Please charge $ _______________________ to my ❑ MasterCard ❑ Visa (Please provide info below)

ACCOUNT NUMBER EXP DATE CVV

Please clip & mail to: Northern Sky Theater - 9058 County Rd A, Fish Creek,WI 54212 Thank You!

Your gift of $25 or more from 4/1/2024 through 3/31/2025 will be recognized in our 2025 playbill.

2024 SEASON

Northern Sky Theater, Inc. 9058 County Road A Fish Creek, WI 54212 BOARD

Our Mission

The mission of Northern Sky Theater is to create, develop, and present professional musical and dramatic productions which will further the knowledge and appreciation of the culture and heritage of the United States.

Northern Sky Theater is dedicated to maintaining standards of artistic excellence; celebrating and illuminating the human condition; reaching a large audience of all ages, including families; and fostering a humanistic work environment with adequate and appropriate emotional, financial and creative support for all those associated with us.