The Milwaukee Rep celebrates the 25th Anniversary of a Wisconsin Musical: GUYS ON ICE

By Mary Boyle

There's nary a Wisconsinite who hasn't heard of GUYS ON ICE, the ice fishing musical by Fred Alley, with music by James Kaplan, which made its premiere at Northern Sky Theater (then American Folklore Theater, which Fred co-founded) in Door County way back in 1998.  An instant hit, The Milwaukee Rep premiered the musical 25 years ago, and now brings it back for a 25th Anniversary production at their Stackner Cabaret through March 17th.

Directed and choreographed by Jeffrey Herbsts and set in Door County, the musical features two friends, Lloyd (Steve M. Koehler) and Marvin (Doug Mancheski), who regularly spend their wintertime in Marvin's ice shanty on the lake, trying to catch fish.  When Marvin gets an accepted invitation from his favorite TV fishing personality to visit his shanty, he invites Lloyd to join him to be on the show.  As they wait for the TV crew to arrive, the two friends are visited by Ernie "the mooch" (Dan Klarer), a bothersome gossip who is always scavenging for some bait, a bite to eat, and a beer to wash it down while he spreads the latest news.  Lloyd, expressing his annoyance after Ernie shares news about the state of his relationship, is reminded by Marvin:  "It's Door County, Lloyd! There's tourists, pickled eggs, and gossip."

All three actors, the director, and Ryan Cappleman, the accompanist, are veterans of this show, and it shows.  Fast-paced and fun, it's easy to understand how this production has made multiple seasons at Northern Sky, but it's also an excellent show for the intimate Stackner Cabaret, where you can get dinner before the show or have appetizers, dessert, or drinks during the performance.  With underground parking, it's easy to get in and out and enjoy a full evening in one place without ever having to get out into the cold, which makes for an ideal show for a Wisconsin evening, both in theme and location.

Full of classic Swedish Lars and Ole jokes, love for the Green Bay Packers, and tales of the fish that got away, Guys On Ice is an ode to Northern Wisconsin, snowmobile suits, and the glorious sport of ice fishing that keeps the audience laughing from start to finish, even if you don't care about football or have never been ice fishing at all.  Heartwarming, funny, and a little Door County in the heart of Milwaukee's theater district - you can't go wrong.

GUYS ON ICE runs through March 17th at The Rep's Stackner Cabaret, located  at 108 E. Wells Street in Milwaukee.  Tickets may be purchased at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by phone at 414-224-9490, or in-person at the Ticket Office.

About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin with three unique performance venues in the Associated Bank Theater Center. For over seven decades, Milwaukee Rep has been a centerpiece of Milwaukee’s vibrant arts and cultural scene with productions ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare to American Classics and New Works that are entertaining, inclusive, and impactful. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity.