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         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

         April 12, 2010

 

         Contact: Dave Maier, Managing Director

         (920) 854-6117, [email protected] 

 


American Folklore Theatre Announces 20th Anniversary Season
 
2010 Summer Season to Feature Life on the Mississippi, Bone Dance,
and Cheeseheads, the Musical

 
Critically acclaimed American Folklore Theatre in Door County has announced its 2010 summer season, which will run from June 16 until August 28. This summer, the theatre will celebrate its 20th Anniversary of "theatre under the stars" at the outdoor AFT Amphitheatre in Peninsula State Park. The summer season will include a world premiere musical - Life on the Mississippi, a reprise of last summer's smash hit - Cheeseheads, the Musical, and the AFT audience favorite - Bone Dance, last seen on the AFT stage in 2005.
 
Life on the Mississippi will take audiences on a journey with young Samuel Clemens as he leaves his home in Hannibal, Missouri to be a cub pilot on a Mississippi steamboat in 1858. With this production, American Folklore Theatre welcomes newcomers Douglas M. Parker and Denver Casado to the AFT playwriting family. Douglas (book/lyrics) and Denver (music) have taken Mark Twain's book Life on the Mississippi and fashioned a heartfelt coming of age story. Follow Sam Clemens as he navigates his way through steamboat piloting, love and romance, and unforeseen challenges on the way to becoming the writer, Mark Twain. Life on the Mississippi plays Mondays at 8 p.m., Wednesdays at 6 p.m., and Fridays at 8 p.m. starting Friday, June 18th, with a special opening performance on Wednesday, June 16th at 8:30 p.m.
 
Cheeseheads, the Musical, billed as a "modern day dairy-tale with a lotto heart," revolves around the lives of fellow workers at Schnaybel's Famous Cheese, a family-owned factory set in Sheboygan, WI. Their beloved founder has passed away and there are rumors the factory may be shut down. With typical Wisconsin good humor, the workers carry on while keeping their fingers crossed that something better will come their way.
 
"Dave Hudson and Paul Libman's wildly popular show literally had people leaping from their seats to state out loud and proud, 'I'm a Cheesehead!' It truly is a testament to a show's success when we decide to bring it back for a second season in a row," said Artistic Director, Jeffrey Herbst.

The veteran writing team of Hudson and Libman has also authored A Cabin with a View, Muskie Love, and Main-Travelled Roads for AFT, and are recipients of the prestigious Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Cheeseheads, the Musicalis a touching and joyful Wisconsin "gouda-luck fable," sure to delight families and fans of all ages. It will play on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m., with a special opening performance on Thursday, June 17th at 8 p.m.
 
Bone Dance, created by Artistic Director Jeffrey Herbst, is a funny and frightening musical carnival of mystical ghost stories gathered from campfires around the world. Originally presented in 1995, Bone Dance played to record crowds at Peninsula State Park. Ralph Lee, master puppet designer from New York, will be augmenting his creations from the 2005 production with new creatures as the ghosts, goblins, and skeletons repossess the AFT Amphitheatre.
 
"This show is scary, funny, and even touching - sometimes all at once. But," creator Jeffery Herbst adds, "kids should not be afraid to bring their parents." Bone Dance will play Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, June 23rd.
 
This year's company will feature AFT veterans Doug Mancheski, Lee Becker, Doc Heide, Jeffrey Herbst, Chase Stoeger, Molly Rhode, and Pamela Niespodziani. Joining them will be Door County actors Chad Luberger and Mark Moede, local musicians Lynn Gundmundsen, Pat Judy, and Craig McClelland, and newcomers Alissa Rhode, Michael Birr, Jolyn Sherman, Bobby Johnson, Kelliann Kary, Sean Smith, and Chuck Larkin.
 
Tickets are $18 for adults, $8 for teens, and $5 for children. All prices include sales tax. Tickets will go on sale April 15th in the AFT box office at the Green Gables shops in north Ephraim, via phone at (920) 854-6117, and online at www.FolkloreTheatre.com. All summer performances take place under the stars in the stunning amphitheatre at Peninsula State Park.
 
Audience members should also stay tuned for information about the return this coming fall season of Guys & Does, "the deer hunting musical that promises more bang for the buck," written by Frederick Heide and Lee Becker with music by Paul Libman.
 
American Folklore Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre that produces original musical shows in repertory from June through August.  AFT continues its performances into the fall with shows in Door County town halls September through October and over the Christmas holidays.  American Folklore Theatre is a member of Theatre Wisconsin and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), organizations that promote non-profit theatre groups.  For additional information, contact the AFT office at 920-854-6117 or visit www.FolkloreTheatre.com.

Logos available in other formats upon request
 
20th Anniversary Logo


LOTM Logo

Bone Dance Logo

Cheeseheads Logo