By Jeff Daniels

Directed by Jody Steinke

Play Dates:
October 28 and 29,
November 2–5, 2005
All shows begin PROMPTLY at 7:30 PM!

"Dose boys, dey are not da sharpest tools in da shed!"

Da Soadys: Reuben, Albert, and Remnar

The cast was set for Escanaba in da Moonlight , and we were
READY TA GET DA HUNT GOIN!

A total of 17 people auditioned for the 6 roles in the play, and what a talented bunch it was! We saw a lot of different interpretations of this eclectic show, and not one of them was bad. In the end, a wonderful cast was selected, giving us a great show to look forward to!

Escanaba was a rousing success, selling every ticket that was available. It proved that our audiences enjoy a good, earthy laugh. And the cast and crew had as much fun as the audience did!

Did Remnar (David Skibba) let Reuben (John Wellens) hunt on da ridge wit' him in his pursuit of his first buck? Ya had ta come see da show ta find out! About the Show When the Soady clan (patriarch Albert Soady and sons Reuben and Remnar) reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family's Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In fact, he's known to everyone in the area as "Da Buckless Yooper!" In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the Soady family record book. Back

Meet the Cast ...is "Albert Soady" Al Ross... You last saw Al as Sheriff Thomas in The Rainmaker, (Winter, 2005) and we are delighted that he's decided to play another down-to-earth character for us. He works as a Senior Journeyman Millwright at Domtar in Nekoosa. Al shares his life with his wife Michelle, and their two grown children, Brad and Liz. He enjoys golfing, woodworking, fishing, and reading. What do you have in common with your character, Al? " I've been a deer hunter since 1965. This is NOT my first deer camp!"

John Wellens... ...is "Reuben Soady" This is the second time on the WRCT stage for John. Those who saw him Mr. Farrington in A Wind Between the Houses(Spring, 2005) will remember his laid-back style. He is a Professional Recruiter at Renaissance Learning, and spends his free time outdoors bird hunting with his dog George or training for and competing in triathlons. What do you have in common with your character, John? "I've been hunting all my life—I'm just not as intense as Reuben is. For the non-hunters out there...THIS IS DEER CAMP!"

David Skibba... ...is "Remnar Soady" We have one question for David— "WHY did you wait so long to come down to WRCT?" This is David's stage debut with our group, but he has acted before, having performed in productions at his church. David enjoys playing drums and bike riding—in fact, he rides year-round. He has five children, and is employed in the storeroom at Stora Enso. What do you have in common with your character, David? "We both have blonde hair. And we both like da ladys, eh?"

Michael Edgren... ...is "Jimmer Negamanee" We last saw Mike as the flamboyant Roger Hopewell in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, (Fall, 2004) but that guy had NOTHIN' on the character he's got going this time around! Mike is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Renaissance Learning. He shares his life with fellow thespian wife Susan, and their sons David and Tim. Mike enjoys fishing and golf. What do you have in common with your character, Mike? "I've never been abducted by aliens, but I do have a weekend I don't remember!"

Steve Martin... ...is "Ranger Tom T. Treado" Steve has been a talented WRCT regular since joining us for The Runner Stumbles (Fall, 1996). He was last seen in The Rainmaker (Winter, 2005.) He directed The Cover of Life for WRCT in 2000. Steve is married to Jenny, with whom he has a son, Tyler. He is a Corporate Training Specialist at Sentry Insurance. He enjoys theater and watching movies. What do you have in common with your character, Steve? "That's easy. Boxers, not briefs."

Amanda Meidl... ...is "Wolf Moon Dance Soady" Mandi was last seen as Lizzie Curry in The Rainmaker (Winter, 2005) and gets to be the petunia in an onion patch of men once again! She will graduate from UWSP in December, majoring in Religious Studies and Environmental Ethics, with a minor in Women's Studies. She tutors at Washington Elementary, and at the Tutoring Center at UWSP. What do you have in common with your character, Mandi? "As Albert Soady says in the play, 'that is one strange gal.' I think that pretty much fits me, too."

Debbie Thomas... ...is the stage manager Debbie has been one of the most dependable WRCT stage managers for many years, and is also pretty handy on the lighting board. Debbie is the Raw Materials Inventory Clerk at Stora Enso. She has a daughter, a son, and two grandsons. Debbie enjoys stage managing for the Acadamie de la Danse production of The Nutcracker. She also loves playing volleyball. What do you have in common with your character, Debbie? "I don't play a character, I'm the stage manager! But, working with all THESE characters, I'm bound to be goofy by the end of the show!" Back

Jody Steinke Director of Escanaba in da Moonlight Q and A With the Director Jody Steinke takes a turn in the director's chair after years of playing wonderful characters on our stage. She answers a few questions concerning the production as they begin the process of putting the show together: What attracted you to Escanaba in da Moonlight? The first thing I liked was that it was written by an actor, Jeff Daniels. As an actor myself, I've always thought like a director. "The play's the thing," supplying the demands of the scene so you look at the play as a whole, and knowing how your character fits into that. The script itself is very character-driven—the comedy writing is hilarious, but in the end it is truly a love story. What were you looking for in the actors that you cast? I was looking for certain qualities: earthiness, genuine heart, energy, a willingness to let go, and of course instinctual timing and stage presence. How do you feel the audience will relate to the characters in this play? About the Director Jody comes to us with a vast amount of theatre knowledge and experience. She has a BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota, and also studied Theatre Arts/Music at Viterbo College. She has studied with such luminaries as Geraldine Page, H. Wesley Balk, and David K. Manion. Jody appeared in the films That Was Then...This is Now and Purple Rain. She has done Stock and Regional Theatre, along with Video, Industrial, and Voice-over work. Jody previously directed Once in a Lifetime (1985) for WRCT. She has appeared in several WRCT productions, including Little Shop of Horrors (2001), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (2002), The Diary of Anne Frank (2003), Damn Yankees (2004), and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 (2004). She also appeared in our Shakespeare Workshop presentation of A Midsummer's Night Dream (2005). Along with her onstage work, Jody is an invaluable asset backstage, having worked on both the props and costuming crews. When not sharing her talents with WRCT, Jody has worked as an Early Childhood Teacher. She has been involved with the Very Special Arts, and has worked with the Wisconsin Arts Board. Jody shares her life with her husband, Gary Enerson. Especially here in da Midwest, everyone should be able to relate to not one, but many of these characters. Everyone has a weird uncle or family friend, brother, father or grandfather. I think women will enjoy the "fly on a wall" sort of experience of observing these "manly men" in camp. What do you feel will be the biggest challenge in directing this play? Production challenges lie in achieving many wonderful sound and lighting special effects. Another challenge is the physicality of the comedy; "the rhythm of life," or human nature and all of its foibles. All cast and crew members are already starting to bond, which is a very rewarding thing to witness. Our "fun challenge factor" is already running at full-throttle, and by the end of October we will be more than ready to share this experience.

So 'dere ya have it! Alrighty 'den! "For every tree in the forest, dere is a spirit." Back

Audition Pictures... This group of guys were ready to show us their stuff!

Stage Manager Deb Thomas, Director Jody Steinke, and Production Manager Lisa Sandvik watch the action! Herb Kronholm did a great job at auditions, and has agreed to help on a backstage crew! "Cheers!" to a great production! Three WRCT veterans put on a wonderful audition. "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille!" Nah..Al Ross is just clowning on his way to becoming Albert Soady. "To be, or not to be?" HECK NO! David Skibba is doing a perfect Renmar Soady! Steve Martin demonstrated the demeanor that will make him a good Ranger Treado!

Phil Hartley REALLY showed us his stuff! The guys could hardly contain their laughter at this hilarious script. Look at the concentration on Jody's face... she knows good stuff when she sees it! John Wellens looks like a shoo-in, or should we say "shoot-in" to become Reuben Soady. Mike Edgren shows us the kind of dumbfounded look that he'll use a lot as "Da Jimmer." Mandi Meidl (with John Wellens) goes all out for the small but integral part of Wolf Moon Dance Soady. Back

Al Ross rehearses his role as Albert.

David Skibba practices Remnar's pout.

Da Soadys work on Act 1.

Maybe all those head slaps are why Remnar
"isn't one of the sharpest tools in da shed."

Mike demonstrates the drinking skills that won him the part of Jimmer, and helped keep Mulligan's in business for 2 months!

John Wellens "takes aim" as Reuben.

Al, John, David, and Steve hide from "da bearwalk."

Mike becomes "possessed" as Jimmer.

Is John overreacting to a missed line by David?
No...he's just rehearsing his bearwalk scene.

Rehearsing Act 1 at the Cultural Center.

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