Peninsula Players Theatre Awarded Grant from The Shubert Foundation
By: A.A. Cristi Jun. 23, 2017
Greg Vinkler and Carmen Roman in the Midwest premiere of Kenneth Jones' "Alabama Story." Inspired by true events, it centers on Emily Wheelock Reed, a fearless librarian who fights a campaign to purge what becomes, during the course of the play, a controversial book from the state library. The book is "The Rabbit's Wedding," a picture book aimed towards children aged 3 to 7, illustrated by Garth Williams (best known for his illustrations of "Little House on the Prairie" and "Charlotte's Web"). Scenic Design Jack Magaw, costume design by Kärin Simonson Kopischke, lighting design by Emil Boulos, sound design by Christopher Kriz and properties design by Pauline Olesky.
Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, is proud to announce it has received a $15,000 award from The Shubert Foundation. The Shubert Foundation awarded a record total of $26.8 million to 533 not-for-profit performing arts organizations across the United States. The Shubert Foundation provides grants only to organizations that have established artistic and admistrative track records, as well as a pattern of fiscal responsibility.
"Every organization receiving a 2017 Foundation grant has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the performing arts," said Foundation Chairman, Philip J. Smith on its website. "We want to help lift some of the financial burden so that the companies we support are able to focus on producing thought-provoking, relevant work for the widest possible audience."
The Shubert Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and advancing live performing arts on a national level and is especially interested in providing support to professional resident theatre and dance companies that develop and produce new American work. Peninsula Players' commitment to new play developments, artistic achievement, its contributions to the field of professional theater, as well as its internship program, were examined by the Foundation.
"The vital support that the Shubert Foundation provides help to sustain and advance the performing arts across the nation," said Peninsula Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler. "We are honored and very thankful that they recognize our commitment to create, develop and produce new works and our belief that the Peninsula Players does and should have an impact on our community. The honor affirms what Brian and I, along with our Board of Directors, have known for a long time - that patrons and supporters of Peninsula Players cherish and appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship and theatrical works the theater has produced for 82 years."
The Foundation does not earmark its awards. "Our longstanding practice of providing help in the form of general operating support remains unchanged," stated Shubert Foundation President, Michael I. Sovern on the Shubert's website. "We are convinced that talented artists and administrators are best able to decide how to use the funds we grant."
The Shubert Foundation is the nation's largest private foundation dedicated to unrestricted funding of nonprofit theaters, dance companies, professional theater training programs and related service agencies. The Shubert Foundation, Inc. was established in New York City in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert in memory of their brother Sam. It is the sole shareholder of The Shubert Organization, Inc., which currently owns/operates 17 theaters on Broadway and six-Off-Broadway theater (the Little Shubert).
Last year Peninsula Players was awarded a $10,000 grant and were excited to once again be a recipient of such a prestigious honor.
"Peninsula Players is thrilled to play an important part in creating and sustaining a vibrant arts community in Door County," said Peninsula Players Managing Director BrIan Kelsey. "The arts provide a distinctive, powerful contribution to a vibrant, inclusive and empathetic society, which we believe Door County to be. The local arts community not only provides a cultural impact on communities, but also many economic benefits."
Peninsula Players is celebrating its 82nd season in 2017. Founded in 1935 by brother and sister Richard and Caroline Fisher, the theater has produced more than 500 staged works including world premieres, dramas, comedies and musicals. Recent world premieres at Peninsula Players include its current offering "The Actuary," by Steven Peterson, "The Outsider" (formerly "A Real Lulu") by Paul Slade Smith; "Making God Laugh" and "The Tin Woman" both by Sean Grennan; "Once a Ponzi Time" by Joe Foust, and of note, the regional premier of "Butler" by Richard Strand and "Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones.
Peninsula Players is a unique professional theater known for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company and its beautiful setting on 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 82 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country.
The upcoming 2017 season at Peninsula Players features "Peter and the Starcatcher" by Rick Elice, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Perason with music by Wayne Barker; the professional Wisconsin debut of "The Bridges of Madison County," music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Marsha Norman and based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Walker; "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime," a delightfully silly comedy full of very muddled murder attempts is by Constance Cox and based on the story by Oscar Wilde; and the 2017 season closes with the off-beat comedy "Almost, Maine," by John Cariani. For more information on the Peninsula Players 2017 season, visit www.peninsulaplayers.com or call the Box Office at (920) 868-3287.
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Peninsula Players is America's oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 82 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout the Midwest and across the country. For more information, visit www.peninsulaplayers.com or call (920) 868-3287.
Peninsula Players Theatre
4351 Peninsula Players Road | Fish Creek, WI 54212 | 920-868-3287 | www.peninsulaplayers.com
2017 Playbill Season, Group and Individual Tickets Available
The Actuary (June 13-July 2). A world première comedy-drama, in reverse by Steven Peterson. Romance, marriage, family - told in reverse! The highlight of the baby shower party is to be the "Baby Shower Bombshell," a sealed envelope Ed has brought announcing whether his daughter is having a boy or a girl. The surprising news within shakes everyone up, and Ed takes us back in time to show us how they all got to that point and how he resolves it.
Peter and the Starcatcher (July 5 to July 23). A play by Rick Elice. Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Music by Wayne Barker. A hilarious swashbuckling and magical adult prequel to Peter Pan. This Tony Award-winning magical play with music has delighted audiences since its opening on Broadway, bursting with playfully humor it explores the bonds of friendship, duty and love, as well as the depths of greediness and despair. Filled with creative staging and live music, this journey features swashbuckling pirates, shipwrecks and spectacular mermaids!
The Bridges of Madison County (July 26 to August 13). Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Book by Marcia Norman. Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller. Roads traveled, doors opened, bridges crossed. A ravishingly beautiful and lush Tony Award-winning musical. It is the touching story of Francesca, a lovely Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy. She is looking forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm as her family heads to the 1965 Indiana State Fair when ruggedly handsome, National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid pulls into her driveway seeking directions. What happens in those next four days may very well alter the course of Francesca's life.
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (August 16 to September 3). A delightfully silly comedy chock-full of muddled murder attempts by Constance Cox. Based on the story by Oscar Wilde. Love, honor, duty and murder. Before Lord Arthur can wed the lovely Sybil Merton, his future mother-in-law insists that Podgers, the current darling of Victorian society, read his palm to see if Lord Arthur is suitable enough to marry her beautiful daughter. Surprisingly, Podgers privately informs Arthur that he is destined to commit a murder! Arthur feels duty-bound to get the murder over with first as to not burden his bride. He plots, plans, schemes and conspires to bump off family members but Lord Arthur's relatives remain unwittingly and blissfully alive!
Almost, Maine (September 6 to October 15). By John Cariani. Welcome to Almost, Maine - a tiny village so far north it is almost in Canada. On a clear, cold and moonless night, while the northern lights dance overhead, the residents of this mythical town find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Hearts are broken, but The Bruises heal, and the hearts mend - almost - in this delightful midwinter night's dream.
Curtain Times: June 13 -Sept. 2, Tues. - Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 - Oct. 14, Tues. - Sun. 7 p.m.. EXCEPT SUNDAYS July 2, July 23, Aug. 13, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.
Ticket prices: Non-Musicals Rows A-K (1-10) $44, Rows L-O (11-14) $41 and Rows P- S (15-18) $38,
Musicals: Rows A-K (1-10) $47, Rows L-O (11-14) $44 and Rows P- S (15-18) $41
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