We have finally arrived at the first show of Let Me Be Frank Productions’ 2025 season! This year marks 26 seasons of entertainment for the troupe and they’re kicking things off with “Anchorman: Hello Green Bay” at the Meyer Theatre, February 6-23, 2025. The title of the show alone made me chuckle thinking what the crew was going to put together and share on stage. I have many memories watching the 2004 Anchorman movie on repeat and was excited to see how the story would be Frank-ified for the stage. I had the opportunity to see the show (sponsored by Diamonds & Gold Green Bay and Festival Foods!) for their final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, February 5th.
So, what’s this story all about? Well, good morning Green Bay, and welcome to WDUM TV-7, news you can understand. You’ve come to count on your dream team of anchors to deliver you fast, and occasionally accurate, news around Northeastern WI. We’ve got Frank Burgandy delivering the main stories of the day at the news desk. Then we have Brick Hibbard, who may or may not know where he is, on the weather. Champ Hibbard is up next giving us the slammy on sports. Finally, you know and can hardly tolerate him, our live and alive reporter on location, Paul Fantana. However, ratings have been dwindling lately and station boss Tom Harken thinks the team could benefit from some fresh faces. Mr. Harken decides to audition – gasp! – some ladies. Can Amy Corningstone find her place in a man’s world? Will Lisa Loo Loo prove her worth at the weather map? How will the tried-and-true male anchors adapt to having women on air and around the station? You’ll have to see in our new and all-original show! Stay classy, Green Bay.
One thing we see right off the bat is that the show is male-heavy, with five main guys and two main gals. The show even opens with a song sung by LMBF guitarist, John Singer. It was a refreshing (and impressive) twist to see the band begin the show with John on main vocals. Immediately following the opening number, we see Frank Hermans, Pat Hibbard, Zach Hibbard, and Paul Evansen shine as four news reporters of WDUM station. Their characters shine not only individually, but as a foursome. Whenever I thought, “Ooo this one is my favorite character” I was quickly humbled when another guy busted out a hilarious one-liner.
Even though there are only two ladies in the show, Amy Riemer and Lisa Borley clearly need no help carrying their share of the show next to the five main men. With their incredible solo voices, blended harmonies, and witty banter, they both wow audiences with ease.
Speaking of ease, doing a show playing on the idiosyncrasies of workplace hierarchies, drama, and relationships worked well for the LMBF crew. It was an ensemble-focused script, while still allowing each character to have moments to be highlighted both vocally and as actors.
Aside from the performers, the band was in a particularly sweet spot with all the 70s tunes in the setlist. Tony Pilz, Andrew Klaus, John Singer, and Pat Hibbard work so well together no matter the genre they’re tasked with tackling. In this show, they played everything from ballads and pop to rock and disco with evident ease and confidence. Kelly Klaus, LMBF’s audio director, worked his sound mixing magic and blended the instruments, singing, and speaking tones to make the audience feel immersed in the performance, not just passive spectators.
Regardless of who was on stage at the time, you couldn’t help but pay attention to all the groovy 70s costumes in this production (even the band was looking 70s spiffy!). From the wigs and mustaches, sideburns and bell bottoms, it all worked well creating the ambiance of a slice of life from 50 years ago. Even the set pieces —like the break room table, fridge, and the news station desk and logo — all had 70s flair.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ Everything about Sweet Talkin’ Woman was fantastic. Zach Hibbard’s solid vocals and wide range were on full display. Plus, the dancing by Frank, Paul, and Tom (and vocal backups backstage by Lisa and Amy) made for a standout scene in the first act.
+ The a cappella version of Afternoon Delight with those tight harmonies — WOW. Goosebumps.
+ I thought Tom played the straight man, voice-of-reason station manager so well. We all know he can do all the funny and goofy stuff flawlessly, but this character worked quite well for him, too. His version of Signs was outstanding and one of my favorite songs I’ve heard him do in a recent show.
+ (Hey Won’t You Play) Somebody Done Somebody Wrong was a fantastic choice for Paul. I loved every second of it. The juxtaposition of this sweet song shared by the sleazy live and alive action reporter was great.
+ Lisa Borley’s rendition of Can You Read My Mind was stunning. I don’t even know what to say other than it gave me full-body chills. I was moved by her soulful, emotional, rich performance.
+ Frank Hermans shined as Frank Burgundy. The character’s mannerisms and Frank’s acting choices – both big and small – worked well together. And Back in Love was a song simply made for Frank. It was delightful from start to finish.
+ Pat Hibbard as Brick Hibbard the weatherman was a sight to behold. I get a goofy grin just thinking back to some of his moments in the show. I loved his character, songs, and line delivery.
+ I’m sure there’s a fancy term for it, but the spinning lights with designs on the floor put on by Ross Loining added something special to the songs, particularly Show and Tell.
+ I don’t want to spoil too much, but the acting cameos in this show had me laughing out loud. I wasn’t expecting to see some folks front and center!
+ I’ve Got the Music in Me…I’m speechless. What a *showstopper* done by Amy Riemer (with Lisa and Tom as her backup dancers!). How does she do it?!
If you’re looking for a show that’ll have you tapping your toes to 70s tunes and chuckling at local Green Bay landmarks being made into news headlines, you’ll love this one. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening getting out of the cold and into the beautiful Meyer Theatre, witnessing the oh-so-talented group deliver “Anchorman: Hello Green Bay”!
“Anchorman: Hello Green Bay” opens at the Meyer Theatre on Thursday, February 6th, at 7:30pm and continues:
Friday, February 7th at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 8th at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 13th at 7:30pm
Friday, February 14th at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 15th at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 20th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, February 21st at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 22nd at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, February 23rd at 1:00pm
Tickets are available at meyertheatre.org, ticketstaronline.com, or by calling Ticketstar at 920-494-3401. Doors open to the box office inside the Meyer Theatre for day of tickets one hour prior to each performance.
An out-of-town performance will be held at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Wednesday, February 12th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
The show features: Frank Hermans as Frank Burgandy, Amy Riemer as Amy Corningstone, Lisa Borley as Lisa Loo Loo, Pat Hibbard as Brick Hibbard, Tom Verbrick as Tom Harken, Paul Evansen as Paul Fantana, and Zach Hibbard as Champ Hibbard.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
