FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761

January 8, 2007

GUYS ON ICE
ON THE ROAD ACROSS WISCONSIN (and one stop in Viking Country!)

Book and lyrics by Fred Alley
Music by James Kaplan

Tours: January 18 – February 25, 2007

Milwaukee Repertory Theater will tour the hilarious production of GUYS ON ICE celebrating the musical hits “De Wishing Hole,” “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit,” “Fish is de Miracle Food,” and “De One Dat Got Away!” The show goes on the road to 14 Wisconsin cites and Red Wing, Minnesota! Tour stops in Wisconsin are Janesville, Cedarburg, Ladysmith, Eagle River, Wausau, Middleton, South Milwaukee, Middleton, Manitowoc, Stoughton, Hartford, Baraboo, Eau Claire and Spencer.

Originally produced during Wisconsin’s Sesquicentennial by American Folklore Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theater, GUYS ON ICE explores the men behind the door of an ice shanty. In northern Wisconsin, the land of frozen toes and wind-blown faces, Lloyd and Marvin brave the cold to find companionship and good fishing while enjoying the simple luxuries of a faithful fishing-pole, a warm snowmobile suit, and plenty of beer as they scramble to protect their “cold ones” from fellow angler Ernie the Moocher. This production is a newly-expanded, two-act version that adds three new songs and a “Half Time” show hosted by Lee Becker as Ernie the Moocher.

The late Fred Alley wrote the book and lyrics for GUYS ON ICE. Mr. Alley was co-founder of American Folklore Theatre and wrote many of their most popular shows including GOODNIGHT IRENE, OLD FRIENDS and LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE. Before his death, he collaborated on a musical theater version of the movie The Spitfire Grill that opened at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey. GUYS ON ICE was conceived and researched by Mr. Alley and Frederick Heide.

James Kaplan, Music Director/Co-Author/Pianist
James Kaplan is the co-author, with Fred Alley, of LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE, THE BACHELORS and GUYS ON ICE. He last appeared at Milwaukee Rep in GUYS ON ICE in the Stiemke Theater and THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – A FRED ALLEY REVUE at the Stackner Cabaret. He also served as Musical Director for Milwaukee Rep’s productions of GOODNIGHT IRENE and OLD FRIENDS. James has been creating original musicals with Door County’s American Folklore Theatre for 15 years. His most recent AFT shows include FISH AND WHISTLE: THE SONGS OF JOHN PRINE, LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS and SEE JANE VOTE, created with collaborator Laurie Flanigan. James is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America, Inc.

Jeffrey Herbst, Director
Director Jeffrey Herbst made his Rep debut in 1995 as a performer in SHINE ON HARVEST MOON. Along with GUYS ON ICE, he has directed six shows for The Rep: LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE, OLD FRIENDS, GOODNIGHT IRENE, THE BACHELORS and THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY. Mr. Herbst is Artistic Director of American Folklore Theatre where he has directed numerous original productions, including BELGIANS IN HEAVEN, FISHING FOR THE MOON, TONGUE ’n CHEEK, THE PASSAGE, NORTHERN LIGHTS and PACKER FANS FROM OUTER SPACE. He is the creator of BONE DANCE: A CARNIVAL OF GHOST TALES and FOOL ME ONCE.

Steven M. Koehler (Lloyd) and Doug Mancheski (Marvin) create the wacky ice-fishing duo and Lee Becker (Ernie the Moocher) rejoins the cast.

The design team includes James Kaplan (Composer and Music Director), James E. Maronek (Scenic Designer), Neen Rock (Costume Designer), Jason Fassl (Lighting Designer) and Dave Alley (Sound Designer).

To view production photos of The Rep’s 2005/06 production of GUYS ON ICE go to http://www.milwaukeerep.com/season/mediaphotos_guys.htm.

GUYS ON ICE
ON THE ROAD ACROSS WISCONSIN (and one stop in Viking Country!)

Book and lyrics by Fred Alley
Music by James Kaplan

FACT SHEET

DATES: January 18 – February 25, 2007

DESCRIPTION: Back by POPULAR DEMAND, the ice shanty crew returns for their sixth hilarious engagement. Join us in celebrating “De Wishing Hole,” “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit,” “Fish de Miracle Food,” and “De One Dat Got Away”! Find out why Sarah Hoye of MKE call this production “Deliriously hilarious!”

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Open to the public before and after all evening performances, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s newly-remodeled Stackner Cabaret, located on the second floor of the Milwaukee Center, is our own full-service bar and restaurant. Featuring delicious dinners, as well as late night cocktails, coffee, and desserts, the Cabaret is the ideal meeting place for patrons attending Rep performances. For dinner reservations, call 414-224-9490. The Stackner Cabaret is now smoke-free.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The Rep’s home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex, contains the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also “home” to a Resident Acting Company of 11 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season.

The Rep is proud to be a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. The Rep is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association of some of the nation’s largest non-profit professional theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that represent the actors, directors and designers that work at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit professional theaters. This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume and lighting designers are members of United Scenic Artists, a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex
108 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53202
Ticket Office: 414-224-9490 Ticket Office Fax: 414-225-5490
Administrative: 414-224-1761 Fax: 414-224-9097

http://www.milwaukeerep.com