Bust out your AquaNet! The first show of Let Me Be Frank Productions’ 2025 season featured all things from the 1970s, so it was fitting their next show moved right into the next decade. “The King of Krakow” is filled with songs, dance moves, pop culture references, costumes, and teased hair from the 1980s. Despite not knowing much about Krakow – I still hesitate to pronounce it with confidence – I am a sucker for an 80s show. Going into this show, I knew it had some Godfather-esque themes and I wasn’t wrong to assume the cast and crew had fun putting together the turf war show.
So, what’s this story all about? Well, we’ve got the Sha Na Na gang of Shawano County and the Brzezinski gang. The Sha Na Na gang wants to take over some turf from the King of Krakow, Don Brzezinski. Angel of Angelica of the Sha Na Na gang wants to have a little chat with enforcer Lard Face of the Brzezinski gang about a new delivery program that would benefit everyone. The mafia meeting will occur at Krakow Bowl in the weekly battle-of-the-sexes bowling night. The King of Krakow brings in a ringer to rig the outcome of the competition. Who will win and who will get whacked? You’ll have to find out in this all-new mob-based comedy-musical, featuring tunes from the 1980s.
This show followed a familiar pattern we’ve seen before where the cast is sectioned into two different groups. In “The King of Krakow” it’s the ladies in one gang and the men in another. Early scenes featured each group on its own, giving time for characters in both gangs to develop and shine. The groups eventually come together and share the stage in the second act. One thing that connected the groups before they officially came together in scenes was the work of Blake Hermans’ character, Stooley the informant. Blake bounced from group to group early on and played his character in a way that allowed both gangs to have hilarious moments with him as the informant. The two gangs finally come together at the Krakow Lanes for a spirited bowling game to round out the story. Of course, the LMBF cast makes watching a pretend bowling game entertaining – even when the bowling ball turns are pantomimed, I wasn’t exactly sure whose turn it was supposed to be, and the pins are knocked down unseen and off stage with sound effects!
The show opened with the 3 main ladies – Sarah, Lisa, and Amy as The Italian, Whack Job, and Angel of Angelica, respectively. Their fierce girl gang (The Sha Na Nas) had me laughing from the get-go. The feisty attitudes, accents, and banter with one another were fun to see. We don’t often get to see all three ladies playing the “bad girl” characters together, but it worked well. Take Lisa Borley, for instance. In real life, to know her is to love her and her kind heart. Watching her be a spitfire with a fast backhand was hilarious, and she performed her character with ease.
This show was FILLED with mentions of local establishments, cuisine, surnames, etc. Even though I’m not as familiar with the Shawano and Krakow areas, it was still amusing and had me continually laughing. I could just picture Frank writing the show’s script and dropping in little anecdotes and comedic one-liners about the cities, knowing they were going to land well with various audiences. From the pronunciation of a famous Pulaski bakery to the mention of “Highway Tirty-Tree”, a name drop about a local car dealership duo of brothers, to a joke about the “droppings” you might get at Bay Beach, I found myself looking forward to the next line I’d pick up on in each scene.
I also found myself particularly enjoying the dancing numbers in this show. Usually, the dancing blends in and I don’t notice it too much. However, there was something a little extra about the movement in this production. Kudos to the female cast members who are assigned songs to choreograph and put together something fresh and creative, taking the song to a new level. This was especially evident in Road to Nowhere, the closing number of the first act with Tom Verbrick leading the tune. I’m not sure exactly who in the cast put together the movement for that song, but they did a fantastic job.
Sometimes, but not always, LMBF shows feature special interlude sounds. For example, previous shows have had a sitcom laugh track, voiceovers done by various cast members, or a television theme song to kick off the show. Maybe it’s just me, but I always love it when the show has something special like that added to it. Executing these sound effects seamlessly can usually be credited to Kelly Klaus or Andrew Klaus — nice job to either (or both) of you! And I don’t want to give away too much, but the interlude music in this show was perfect.
A few other thoughts:
+ Talk to Me showed off the vast power and depth of Sarah Galati’s voice. And a stellar keys solo by Tony Pilz!
+ I wasn’t sure what to expect when Blake Hermans started singing Marvin Gaye, but wow! I am here for it now! Paired with the sassy and sultry dancing by the female trio made Sexual Healing one I’ll remember from this show
+ I say this every show, but, is there any character Tom Verbrick doesn’t master? The Godfather character (atop his fancy throne!) is one I’ve never seen him do. He made it look effortless…as per usual.
+ In Your Wildest Dreams was a great selection for Paul Evansen. What a way to make an entrance into the storyline! And the backup harmonies by the cast elevated the song even more. After the song, we were able to see Paul’s character come forth as he pulled off the jittery and squirrelly ringer, Pauly Pencil Neck. His laugh alone had me cracking up.
+Did you know Frank Hermans celebrated his 60th birthday last year? You wouldn’t be able to tell by watching his rendition of Right on Track. He has an effortless charisma (not to mention those dance moves!) that makes it obvious why he’s been a beloved entertainer in NE Wisconsin. His ever-present energy lets us know he won’t be slowing down anytime soon!
+ John Singer’s guitar solo in You Don’t Want Me Anymore. Umm. Wow. I don’t even know what to say other than it was superb.
+ The use of neon light designs added more to the 80s vibe of the show. Ross Loining has a knack for not just adding fun lighting, but adding lighting that cohesively fits the show that has been developed from scratch.
+ Amy Riemer’s rendition of Twist of Fate displayed her wildly impressive vocal range. It started low and jumped way up high and she made it look like it was no big deal to hit them all flawlessly.
+ Lisa Borley has been dubbed The Little Lady with the Big Voice and her version Touch Me was a very clear example of why she’s been given that name! Those big notes soared to the back of the house with emotion and vivacity.
+ I had a smile on my face the entire time Pat Hibbard and the band shared That’s Just the Way It Is. Pat’s vocals were solid, Tony’s solo on keys had me cheering wildly, John executed that familiar guitar lick with ease, and Andrew always has a captivating presence on the drums.
While we still have cold temps outside, things are heating up in the “The King of Krakow” at the Meyer Theatre. If you want an entertaining night out where you’ll laugh and enjoy 80s songs performed by incredible vocalists and musicians, see colorful costumes and wigs, and be peppered with many local references and jokes, look no further than this show!
“The King of Krakow” continues:
Saturday, April 5th at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 10th at 7:30pm
Friday, April 11th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 12th at 7:30pm
Sunday, April 13th at 1:00pm
Thursday, April 17th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, April 18th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 19th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
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, April 16th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
The show features: Amy Riemer (as Angel of Angelica), Lisa Borley (as Wack Job), Sarah Galati (as Sarah the Italian), Tom Verbrick (King Brezinski), Paul Evansen (as Pauly Pencil Neck), Pat Hibbard (as Tick-Tock), Blake Hermans (as Stooley), Frank Hermans (as Lard Face).
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums)
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
This season is generously sponsored by Diamonds & Gold Green Bay and Festival Foods.
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
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…because it’s Christmas show season for Let Me Be Frank Productions. On Wednesday evening (12/4), I had the opportunity to enjoy a warm evening inside the Meyer Theatre, checking out the 25th annual “A Frank’s Christmas,” sponsored by Diamonds & Gold Green Bay and Festival Foods.
So, what’s this story all about? Well, the holiday season is for family, food, and making memories, right? Well, that’s all June Griswoldski wants for Christmas in 1965. She would love to reconnect with her sister, Lisa Johnson. The unfortunate part is that their husbands, Ward Griswoldski and “Cousin” Eddie Johnson, don’t quite get along as brothers-in-law. A few too many games of sheepshead in 1962 left Ward empty-handed and convinced Eddie was cheating. It’s been downhill since. This year will be different though! Eddie, Lisa, Ruby Sue, and Rocky Johnson from Christmas, Michigan travel to Pulaski, Wisconsin to spend the holidays with Ward, June, and Wally Griswoldski. Wally can’t wait to see his cousin, Ruby Sue, again. And Rocky, well…Rocky is just happy to be included. Can Ward and Eddie put aside their differences to make this a Christmas to remember?
Not to be Captain Obvious, but we all can see the show is titled “A Frank’s Christmas” — as it is every year. I remember being asked when I was performing in LMBF shows if the Christmas show is the same show every year because the title is the same. I’m here to clear up any confusion anyone has ever had about this — it’s a new show every year! Frank and Pat have come up with 25 original Christmas shows now for every holiday season. Each year delivers new characters, new stories, new sets, new backdrops, etc. There have been a few years where the story is a sequel or continuation of a previous year, but it’s always a brand-new script.
However, the Christmas shows always have at least one thing in common, they always include Christmas tunes (again, I’m being Captain Obvious here!). One of the most impressive things about the Christmas show, in my opinion, is always the music. The band members and singers perform holiday songs we’ve all heard numerous times by multiple artists, and yet the troupe manages to make them fresh, memorable, and beautiful. Take, Jingle Bells sung by Sarah Galati, for example. It’s a song we’ve all heard a hundred times, but her rendition felt so alive and feisty, giving me goosebumps. And even though the best band in the land only consists of four guys (Tony Pilz, Pat Hibbard, John Singer, and Andrew Klaus), those four incredibly talented men made it sound like a big horn band was on stage. To top it off, vocal director, Amy Riemer, was able to add harmonies that made certain songs sound as though a full choir was backing the lead vocalists and not a mere handful of singers. Kudos to all!
Beyond the music, I always think it’s fun when the script splits the cast into two groups and then the groups play off each other in an “us vs. them” situation. In this show, we have two families, the Griswoldskis and the Johnsons. Watching the various family dynamics at play was humorous. Sibling rivalry and bickering were at their finest with Sarah and Tom’s characters. Seeing Paul and Frank interact as an authoritative father and timid son made me laugh out loud. Seeing Lisa and Amy play cousins doing their best to keep their families happy, healthy, and argument-free was also sweet to see.
Another aspect I enjoyed about the show this year was picking up on all the nods and tributes to our favorite Christmas movies we know and love. From describing beloved scenes to quoting famous lines from movies like A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, and the television classic, Leave it to Beaver, I had fun trying to catch as many mentions as I could.
Speaking of scenes, the gift-giving scene in the second act was fantastic. From the room split between the parents’ chairs and kids’ couch, to one of the poor kiddos getting overlooked to receive a present, to the matching gifts given to the matriarchs of the family, it was one to remember. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m willing to bet anyone who sees it won’t be able to hold back their laughter.
As a final note, between the first and second acts, I noticed some of the music playing throughout the theatre was former LMBF Christmas show recordings! What a special touch to the evening — thanks Kelly Klaus, audio mixing extraordinaire, for putting those songs into the playlist.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ Amy Riemer’s sultry and jazzy version of Merry Christmas Baby was incredible! She just soars with those big notes! And John Singer’s guitar solo in the song was icing on the cake.
+There were new lights placed directly on the stage that added more warmth and color. Shoutout to Ross Loining for creating such an inviting atmosphere with the lights in each scene and song.
+ Paul Evansen’s version of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was quite swoon-worthy. I could have listened to him sing that song all night long. And that a cappella section?! What a perfect addition.
+ Sarah Galati’s The Man with the Bag was so smooth, rich, and bold (I feel like I’m describing coffee, ha! It’s a compliment, I swear!). It was definitely a standout in the first act!
+ Tom Verbrick going from the quirky, slightly dorky character of Rocky, to singing a heartwarming rendition of White Christmas was lovely to see. And the whistling – so good!
+ Lisa Borley’s I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas — WOW. What an amazing rendition that ended with a bang!
+ Pat Hibbard’s character (and costume!) choices as Cousin Eddie had me chuckling all night. His version of Jingle Bell Rock was a great closer! Ending the show on a high and happy note!
+ Frank Hermans did Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me with flavor, confidence, and energy. It’s almost as if he’s done an Elvis tune or two in his career or something 😉
If you’re looking for an evening out this holiday season with a show that’ll make you laugh, get in the Christmas spirit, and leave you in a great mood, check out the 25th annual — yet all-original — “A Frank’s Christmas” show.
“A Frank’s Christmas” continues:
Thursday, December 5th at 1:00pm
Friday, December 6th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 7th at 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 11th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 12th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 13th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 14th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 19th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 20th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 21st at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 27th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 28th at 7:30pm
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.
Two out-of-town performances will be held this holiday season. We’ll be at the Southern Door Auditorium in Brussels on Sunday, December 8th for a 3pm performance. Tickets are available by going to sdauditorium.org. We’ll also be at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.orgor call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
Cast: Frank Hermans as Ward Griswoldski, Pat Hibbard as Cousin Eddie Johnson, Amy Riemer as June Griswoldski, Tom Verbrick as Rocky Johnson, Lisa Borley as Lisa Johnson, Sarah Galati as Ruby Sue Johnson, and Paul Evansen as Wally Griswoldski
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
Special Guest Show Review: “The Abrams Family” by Matty Day
9/14/24
As the 25th season of Let Me Be Frank Productions “waves” aloha to the summery surf of “Bay Beach Boys”, Frank Hermans and his troupe bravely take their talents into cooler weather, shorter days, and decidedly kookier, spookier, and (oh yes) “ooky”-er territory with their fall show, “The Abrams Family”.
The story features the infamous family as they (un)settle into their new home of Abrams, Wisconsin. Gomez finds work (and dinner) collecting road kill for the Oconto County Highway Department. When his new boss, Jim Naseum, accepts an invitation to dine with the family, how will he handle the bizarre bunch? Can he stomach what Grandma’s cooking? Can he keep his eyes off Morticia? Better question: can he keep his eyes, period—and make it out in one piece? …Or, will he make out like a bandit, after discovering the house’s secrets? With the likes of Lurch, Fester, Wednesday, and Pugsley so eager to “play” with him it may not be easy—but it sure is funny, in this all-new musical comedy.
It’s an honor to share some thoughts on this new show, and to write for Frank again—something I used to get to do regularly for Frankly Green Baymagazine. I’ve also been enjoying Frank’s work going back to his performances at the SC Grand. Attending this show also gave me a chance to finally purchase Frank’s biography, Simply Frank, chronicling his life and adventures in entertainment, co-written by a dear friend, editor of Frankly Green Bay, the late Andrew Kruse-Ross. The book makes for a great snapshot of this local legend, and if you haven’t bought a copy yet, make sure you snag one at the next show you attend—which should very well be “The Abrams Family”!
“The Abrams Family”’s opening performance was fittingly on Friday the 13th of September, and for a debut, let alone a finale, this show is seriously dialed in. It was totally apparent how much the cast members enjoy their unique roles. Frank nails the unusually spirited Gomez of the original 1960s TV show, while Kasey Schumacher embodies the deadpan, hilariously joyless Wednesday of the 1990s films, with a dash of the more recent reboot to boot. I mention that as a casual fan—one can go into this show with zero knowledge of “The Addams Family” and fully enjoy it, particularly thanks to the tidy overview Frank provides in the show’s introduction.
The elaborately creepy stage set and the troupe’s costumes immediately immerse the audience in this charmingly bizarre world. Everyone on stage just owned his or her look. Huge credit to Bev Riemer for bringing these characters to life—if you can call it that, with this family.
As Frank also explains in the introduction, vocal director and arranger Amy Riemer selected the songs for this show from the mid 1960s era when “The Addams Family” originally aired. In keeping with the subject matter, the songs were chosen for their eerie themes, often featuring minor keys, and resulting in a number of (fittingly) deeper cuts. Among some of my favorite musical moments:
After 25 years, the loose format for these shows is just a blast: show-stopping vocal performances throughout, only for these moving moments to be brought back to earth with irreverent humor.
Like “The Addams Family”, the comedic engine of “The Abrams Family” is the interaction of creepy characters with the normal townsfolk. In this case, it’s references to Abrams and its residents, but primarily and gloriously Paul Evansen’s Jim Naseum is the family’s foil. With a voice like Jim Ignatowski from “Taxi” and the morals of an alley cat, it’s only a matter of time before he clashes with the family—literally, as he bangs swords with Lurch in a captivating fight choreographed by Tom Verbrick.
Action, talent, humor (ranging from the corny style of the original show to a few more risqué bits), stunning visuals and sounds, and just in time to get you into the Halloween spirit, I can declare with hopeful confidence that “The Abrams Family” is the most fun you’ll have with voodoo dolls all season.
The show features: Frank Hermans as Gomez, Amy Riemer as Morticia, Lisa Borley as Grandma, Pat Hibbard as Uncle Fester, Tom Verbrick as Lurch, Paul Evansen as Jim Naseum, Kasey Schumacher as Wednesday, and Blake Hermans as Pugsley.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums)
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
“The Abrams Family” continues:
Saturday, September 14th at 7:30pm
Thursday, September 19th at 7:30pm
Friday, September 20th at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 21st at 7:30pm
Thursday, September 26th at 7:30pm
Friday, September 27th at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 28th at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 3rd at 7:30pm
Friday, October 4th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 5th at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 10th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, October 11th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 12th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
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, September 25th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
How are we halfway through the year and in the 3rd of the 5 main shows for Let Me Be Frank Productions?! It seems like it was just February, and I was reviewing the first show of LMBF’s 25th season of entertainment. On Thursday evening (7/18), I had the opportunity to enjoy an evening inside the Meyer Theatre, checking out” Bay Beach Boys” – a show centered around Bay Beach amusement park, summer love, and beach-themed tunes of the 1960s.
So, what’s this story all about?
Welcome to summer at Bay Beach in the 60s! It’s another season for boss Tom to guide his hires as to how things are done. Employees Frank, Blake, Sarah, and Pat have their hands full at concession stands, ticket booths, rides, and making sure everyone doesn’t get in too much trouble. Plus, Blake has some extra “help” as he must watch over his little brother, Harrison at the park. Enter into the scene two new employees, Lisa and Lori. They make fast friends with Sarah, who happens to be nearing the end of a I’m pregnancy. Who’s the baby daddy? Maybe we’ll find out. As the summer rolls along, the male employees take a keen interest in the female employees, and sparks fly (and sometimes fizzle) under the Ferris wheel lights. Fast-forward to the following season and the ladies have had a glow up…and Sarah’s pregnant, again. Did the passing of a year make the men more mature physically, intellectually, and emotionally — and turned them into eligible boyfriends? Maybe, maybe not! You’ll have to find out in our latest and greatest all-original musical comedy.
One thing that stood out from the first song and continued to be impressive throughout was the vocal harmonies in this show. The music of The Beach Boys is known for having tight harmonies, creating their recognizable sound. The LMBF cast tackled these songs with a natural ease. Of course, LMBF shows always have incredible vocals and beautiful harmonies, but this seemed like it was cranked to a new level. Kudos to vocal director, Amy Riemer, for figuring out and assigning all the parts for each vocalist and song selection – it was even more notable this time around.
Speaking of The Beach Boys, I’m admittedly not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to their music. However, I found myself humming along to way more tunes than I expected. Even for someone like me who wouldn’t exactly label herself a fan (most of my memories of their music comes from watching the sitcom, Full House!) — I had the best time listening to the evening’s setlist. I can only imagine how tried and true fans will LOVE this show’s song selection. It’s the kind of music that puts anyone in a good mood. Each cast member (male and female!) sang at least one song from The Beach Boys’ expansive discography. It was special to watch each individual LMBF vocalist display unique vocal stylings and strengths, all to the music of the same artist.
Beyond the music, one thing I always enjoy is when the story in a Franks show fast-forwards in time between acts, and this show does that. We jump from one summer to the following summer during intermission. The time jump gives way to natural opportunities for hilarious interactions between characters and physical comedy. Even though the set stayed the same, some of the characters made some big changes. Amy and Lisa’s characters had a glamorous glow-up. And I don’t want to spoil anything, but I audibly gasped when Frank and Pat came out for the second act.
I know Frank Hermans has been toying with the idea of doing a show about Bay Beach show for a few seasons. Even the title “Bay Beach Boys” has been on his short list of potential shows for a while now. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing one of his many, many, many show ideas come to fruition right before my eyes. I loved the references to a beloved Northeast Wisconsin amusement park. Plus, the story is based off of the numerous real-life couples who worked at Bay Beach during the summer as teens and young adults, and then ended up staying together! Amy and Frank’s characters, Lori Basche and Hank the Crank respectively, are the names of two of their close friends in real life (Lori and Hank Crooks). Lori and Hank met working at Bay Beach in the 1980s and have been married since 1988! Frank and company are known for adding local lore and flair to the shows, and I can’t wait to see what Lori and Hank think of this one.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ Tom Verbrick opening the show with 409. Then, when he started talking, I almost did a spit take. I was not expecting that! How does he always seem to find such a funny and new character, year after year, show after show?
+ Sarah Galati’s sarcastic and snappy character made me laugh all night. I loved hearing her sing a Patsy Cline tune in this show too! It was sultry and smooth — and then to see the “walking” bit during the instrumental break, ha!
+ Blake Hermans’ airhead character and accent was a big highlight for me. I just kept waiting for him to open his mouth and say another line because I knew it was going to make me laugh. And then his rendition of Little Honda was superb.
+ Harrison Hermans performing Make Your Own Kind of Music was outstanding. He effortlessly hit those low and high notes. I felt so proud of him, I can only imagine how proud Amy and Frank must be to hear him sing each night.
+ Pat Hibbard’s awkward character and his version of flirting (should we even call it that?) made me crack up. I was having some secondhand embarrassment watching him put the moves on Lisa’s character.
+ Lisa Borley’s version of Keep Me Hangin’ On was spectacular. A huge highlight in the first act, WOW.
+ Even though there wasn’t any dancing in Pat Hibbard’s version of Let’s Dance, it allowed the band comprised of Tony Pilz, Andrew Klaus, John Singer, (and Pat Hibbard too!) to have a solid moment to shine as the second act opened. And then they really had a great instrumental moment in Tom Verbrick’s Help Me Rhonda!
+ Amy Riemer singing Ticket to Ride gave me instant goosebumps. What a stunning performance.
+ Frank Hermans rocked Fun, Fun, Fun! Those falsetto notes! Woah!!!
I left the Meyer Theatre with a big smile on my face, and that’s what I love most about coming to LMBF shows. I’m being serious when I say my cheeks hurt from grinning all night. I know I’ll be humming The Beach Boys tunes for the next several days. What a perfect summer show filled with bright toe-tapping songs and a gaggle of humorous characters.
“Bay Beach Boys” officially opens at the Meyer Theatre on Friday, July 19th, at 7:30pm with a benefit show for the Brillion Public Library. For our opening night performance, $10 of every sold ticket goes to this valuable organization in our community.
“Bay Beach Boys” then runs:
Saturday, July 20th at 7:30pm
Thursday, July 25th at 7:30pm
Friday, July 26th at 7:30pm
Saturday, July 27th at 7:30pm
Thursday, August 1st at 7:30pm
Friday, August 2nd at 7:30pm
Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30pm
Thursday, August 8th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, August 9th at 7:30pm
Saturday, August 10th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Tickets are available at meyertheatre.org, ticketstaronline.com, or by calling Ticketstar at 920-494-3401 (tel:920-494-3401). Doors open to the box office inside the Meyer Theatre for day of tickets one hour prior to each performance.
The show features Frank Hermans as Hank the Crank, Amy Riemer as Lori Basche, Pat Hibbard as a Bay Beach employee, Tom Verbrick as the boss, Lisa Borley as a new employee, Sarah Galati as a Bay Beach employee, Blake Hermans as a Bay Beach employee, and Harrison Hermans, brother of Blake.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
Special Edition Director’s Review
Kasey Schumacher, who usually writes the reviews of our show, is actually in this show, “Girls on Thin Ice”. So, being the director and scriptwriter, I thought I would do this one. This is my perception of the show which first premiered at the Backstage at the Meyer on March 12th, 13th. 14th, and 15th of 2020. Does anyone remember what the next day was? Sunday, March 15th, 2020-the day the world shut down because of the COVID pandemic. I had wondered why our Saturday show in 2020 was so light in attendance as the show usually sells out. The talk of the nation was around stopping the virus by keeping gatherings to a minimum. So much was unknown about the virus at the time, and therefore, some people did not want to risk coming out to the show.
“Girls on Thin Ice” is a prequel to “Girls on Ice,” which was a huge hit when we performed it in 2019. In 2020, I thought we would bring back dinner theatre the way we started out in February 2000 at the Sports Corner in De Pere. Well, here we are in 2024 and it’s the 25th Anniversary of Let Me Be Frank Productions, why not bring back a show that was hampered by the pandemic? So, we proudly bring to you “Girls on Thin Ice.”
Tonight, I am reviewing the show on Tuesday, May 7th during our dress rehearsal. We have performed dress rehearsals for all our shows to the same bunch of folks who started coming to our dress rehearsals back in 2000. Steve Bostedt (the director of fun) put this group together for folks looking for a discount price and to get a sneak peek of our shows. They pay a reduced price and get a private show with all the screw-ups and do-overs. Along the way, dress rehearsal audience members have left and new ones have joined. Steve sells season tickets to our dress rehearsals-how cool is that? Tonight is an extra show for them, and not all the regulars are in attendance. It looks like a crowd of 40 tonight. This group has seen it all with us and is very good at letting us know if we got a hit on our hands. Thank goodness every show has been a hit, though some of the attendees have their favorites.
Here is my review…
Backstage at the Meyer is a perfect venue for dinner theatre, using round tables for dinner, the seating and sight lines are excellent. The sound system and light system are a good fit for the space. The addition of the blackout curtains is perfect for dimming the sunlight, enhancing the lighting effects in the show. Dinner is not being served tonight as it is a dress rehearsal so I will write about the Italian buffet at a later date. Kelly Klaus, our WAMI-nominated soundman, has the controls and I will be doing the lights and computer operation.
The show revolves around five girls at St. Norbert College in 1989 and the Swinging Knights. Three of the girls are seniors (Amy Riemer, Kelly Gusloff, and Lisa Borley) and they are holding auditions for an open spot in the Swinging Knights.
On a side note, four of the girls in this show are graduates of S., Norbert College, and three of them, (Kelly Gusloff class of 2010, Kasey Schumacher class of 2013, and Sarah Galati class of 2017) were in “Knights on Broadway” lead by Kent Paulsen, a troupe much like the Swinging Knights. Amy Riemer, class of 1998, is the only one who was actually in the Swinging Knights in 1994, & 1996-1998. Lisa Borley graduated from UWGB in 2008.
Kasey, also a senior, is auditioning for the first time. Earlier in her college years Kasey was involved with other organizations and training and could not be in the dream troupe. As an early graduate in 1989, she finally gets her chance. The other auditioner is Sarah, a true freshman with an obvious condition…she’s pregnant. She assures the troupe she can cover all the gigs the rest of the year, and her due date is a week after the last gig. Both girls wow the seniors. Who to choose? Maybe an alternate? Someone who could cover for the party girl? Let’s just say this show is hilarious. I had so much fun writing this show as I know all the girls in the show very well and their personalities. If it’s any indication of how the show is, the crowd sure went crazy with a standing ovation. Comments were how much they loved the comedy and the amazing voices and all the great 80s tunes. Here are a few highlights:
Kasey Schumacher is kind of the antagonist in the show and is superb, her comedic timing reminds me of Sarah Silverman. You must see the improv dance scene; I almost fell out of my chair. When I recruited Kasey, I knew she had a funny streak and an amazing voice. The thing that she excels at is improv, she adds things that crack me up every night. One of the many ad-libs Tuesday night was, “Yes I used to wait around for a guy to call too, but that guy was Uncle Sam”, brilliant! Kasey also just nails the song Ironic!
Kelly Gusloff is kind of the “straight man” as they call it in comedy. Her deadpan reactions are amazing. There are a lot of real-life quips in this show (especially about her husband, former LMBF cast member, David Gusloff), and she goes right along with it. When we originally did the show in 2020, she wanted to do the Whitney Houston song How Will I Know a cappella. I never question these talented ladies; it turns out to be one of many outstanding points of tonight’s show, which were many. Bravo!
Lisa Borley shines in her portrayal of the scatter-brained senior who is pretty much OK with everything but is a little hurt at Kasey’s no-show to the last concert. (Did I give the show away?) Lisa is known for her powerful voice, that why she’s called, “The Little Lady with the Big Voice”. Lisa blasts out that power on What’s Love Got to do With It and Saving All My Love for You. All songs are jaw-droppers.
Sarah Galati is an amazing character actress. I usually give Sarah an odd character to play with. But in this show, she’s already pregnant and she’s already funny. Sarah plays a theatre nerd with a huge load (pregnant, and academic course load). Pregnancy does not stop her from living her dream of being in the Swinging Knights. The bit about being obviously pregnant is hilarious, getting up and out of the chair is so funny. Her soulful voice is showcased in all her songs. Wowza!
Amy Riemer takes on a role that I’ve not seen her do before, she plays the party girl. Being married to her, I was a bit apprehensive to write this character for her, but OMG, she nails it! Her portrayal of the tipsy, loose-lipped super-senior is amazing! She frequently breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience. We all know this girl can sing anything, as she is our vocal coordinator for Let Me Be Franks, but holy cats she sounds like Laura Branigan in Gloria,Cyndi Lauper in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and Pat Benatar in You Better Run.
This show is a can’t-miss, I know I wrote it but it’s the girls that bring their characters to life and add so much dimension. There are only show-only tickets available for the run, Saturday there are ample show-only available, but dinner is sold out. I’ve already thought of a sequel, “Girls on ice, capades”. Whadda think?
Frank Hermans
Time for another Let Me Be Frank Productions show review of 2024! Next up for the season is “WIR Nights” – a show centered around the Wisconsin International Raceway. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I can’t recall a show where Frank, Pat, and the rest of the cast and crew dabbled in the world of speed racing. They’ve done shows about and at bars, bowling alleys, beaches, and brat stands (I see a “b” theme here?), but not speed racing. As someone who has never been to the Wisconsin International Raceway, I was curious to see what this show included in terms of characters, costumes, and songs, and how they were going to “race” cars on the Meyer Theatre stage. As always, LMBF pulled it off in creative (and laugh-out-loud) ways. But I’ll get to that in a second 🙂
So, what’s this story all about? Well, welcome to WKAU Radio, home of the Wisconsin International Raceway’s Thursday Night Thunder, hosted by Van VanDollock and Joe Verdegan. When they’re not too busy announcing the speedway races, they can be easily distracted by some lovely local ladies, also known as the Trophy Girls. Sarah Dickle and Lisa Vercaturen are two of the best Trophy Girls around. Is there room for another lady at the track? Well, perhaps. We have a newcomer joining the track – Anika Hatrick — who plans on racing, not just cheering the men on from the stands. She’s going up against Bobbie Johnny and Trick Dickle, best friends since childhood and two of the best racers out there. It’s uncanny that Dickle has placed 2nd in 20 races and Bobbie Johnny has placed 1st in 20 races — coincidence or is something fishy going on at WIR? Bobbie Johnny’s dad, John Johnny, attempts to coach his son and give advice from his racing days, but his eyes and heart latch on to the new lady in town, Anika. Can Anika hold her own on the track? Will Dickle and Bobbie outrace her and keep their legacy going? You’ll have to find out in our all-new comedy musical, “WIR Nights.”
As usual, one of the first things I noticed was the set! I kept staring at the backdrop wondering how they found such a perfect piece for this show. And then the on-stage car equipment! From the stacks of tires to the racing car seats, big trophies, and the mechanic toolset, the props brought the setting to life. While they clearly couldn’t put a mile-long track on the Meyer Theatre stage, I was impressed by what they did with the space they had.
I obviously must mention the actual car racing in the show. Seeing Paul and Blake come racing out in tiny model cars was hilarious. Even with a few car and battery snafus on the dress rehearsal performance I saw, it still was a highlight of the show. They’ve had a few shows over the years where they have used a car, van, or bus cutout as props, but something was exciting about seeing real battery-powered cars go across the stage.
Aside from the set and props, the show’s name let the audience know before the curtain was pulled that we were seeing a show about cars. Frank mentioned at the start of the show that all the songs have to do with driving, cars, or racing. While I always enjoy the decade genre shows with music all from the 50s, 60s, 70s, etc., I LOVE it when the music is all centered around a unique subject or a different kind of genre. This show featured “car” tunes from the 50s all the way to the 2000s and it somehow all worked and worked well. The playlist of songs was one of my favorites I’ve seen from this crew in a long time!
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ I loved how the script incorporated Sarah Galati’s real-life pregnancy. As one of the women in the cast who has been pregnant in multiple LMBF shows myself, I know it’s fun for both the performer and audience to add those big milestones into the script. For those who don’t know, her second baby is due in August.
+ I have heard Tom Verbrick sing Hot Rod Lincoln multiple times over the years for some of our side shows, but there was something special about his rendition in this show. Perhaps it’s the extra touch of audio magic Kelly Klaus can create in the Meyer Theatre, but regardless, it was a standout song.
+ Tony Pilz’s keys solo in Singing the Blues. Here’s some obvious proof as to why we call him Mr. Orchestra – wow!
+ Hearing Lisa Borley perform Ride was such a treat for me. I am a huge fan of the original artist (ZZ Ward), and the song is featured in the Disney Cars franchise (and I have heard that song many, many, many times thanks to my 5-year-old son!). Lisa delivered a fresh and energetic performance – and dare I say I prefer Lisa’s over the original. Also, I cannot NOT mention her rendition of Freeway to Love…my goodness.
+ We all know Amy Riemer can sing anything, but you can tell she truly loved singing Drive My Car. It was a high point at the show’s end and had me dancing and singing along in my seat. And her performing a Sheryl Crow song (Everyday is a Winding Road) had me smiling the entire time. She did it such justice.
+ Blake and Paul paired together as racing buddies and childhood friends/competitors was fantastic. Their comedic energy and timing continue to grow and build as a pair. Blake’s performance of Fast Car, sitting on a stool alone with his acoustic guitar, gave me instant goosebumps. His voice was made for that song. It’s not often I get tears in my eyes from a performance, but it happened with this one. Bravo, Blake. Then, I hadn’t heard Drivin’ My Life Away in quite a long time, and Paul’s performance immediately made me add it to my Spotify queue. It was an excellent song choice for him, in my opinion.
+ Sarah Galati singing Life is a Highway was amazing to witness. She nailed that song. I wanted to rewind the live show and watch her sing it again! And her character in this show was spectacular. I adored her little quirks, bluntness, flirtation, and accent.
+ Frank Hermans and the band performing Life in the Fast Lane was a big bonus. I’m a massive Eagles fan, and I’ll take their music in any way shape, or form. Seeing my super-talented friends perform the song was incredible for me. And John Singer on that guitar solo?! YES.
+Pat Hibbard showed off some crazy vocal chops in Bad Motor Scooter. He let ‘er rip and I was Here. For. It. Plus, the features of Andrew Klaus on drums and John Singer on guitar elevated the rendition.
Even though car racing isn’t exactly my thing, I thoroughly enjoyed my evening seeing “WIR Nights” at the Meyer Theatre. What a vibrant, energetic, and fast-paced show with a standout playlist of racing tunes. Treat yourself to a night at the races with the LMBF cast and crew for a performance you won’t soon forget.
“WIR Nights” continues at the Meyer Theatre:
Friday, April 5th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 6th at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 11th at 7:30pm
Friday, April 12th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 13th at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 18th at 7:30pm
Friday, April 19th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 20th at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 25th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, April 26th at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 27th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
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.
Two out-of-town performances will be held this spring. The first will take place at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information. The second out-of-town performance will be at The Engler Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, May 3rd at 7:00 pm. More information, including tickets, can be found at www.englercenter.com.
The show features Amy Riemer as Anika Hatrick, Paul Evansen as Trick Dickle, Pat Hibbard as Joe Announcer, Tom Verbrick as Van VanDollock Announcer and track owner, Lisa Borley as the Trophy Queen, Sarah Galati as Sarah Dickle, Blake Hermans as Bobbie Johnny, and Frank Hermans as John Johnny.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
Time for the first show review of 2024! This year marks 25 seasons of entertainment for Let Me Be Frank Productions. To honor this special anniversary, the cast and crew brought back one of their most successful shows in LMBF history, “2 1/2 Belgians.” This show was originally performed a decade ago in February of 2014 — and I was actually in it! I was thrilled to see this fan-favorite show, but this time from my seat in the audience and not from the stage. I still have all my costumes from the show and debated wearing one of them to the performance, but figured that would probably be a little much 😉
So what’s this story all about? Well, it takes place at the Frosty Tip in Dyckesville, just north of Green Bay. The place and city are the only real factual aspects of the story. The Frosty Tip was run from the 1960s through the 1980s by the Pankratz family. The Pankratz family consisted of nine boys, all of whom went to Premontre High School. Mom and Dad Pankratz funded the private education of their boys by owning and operating the Frosty Tip. Due to having nine boys in a row, friends started calling each boy by the number and order of their births. So, the boys’ names were: 1- 9. Frank was friends with #9 (Mark) in high school and didn’t know his real name until later in life. Of course, Let Me Be Frank takes liberties with this numerical situation and makes a little fun out of it, which is where 2 1/2 comes in. The second oldest (played by Frank Hermans) is quite the large boy and Dad (Herky) and Mom (Mable) call him two and a half because calling him number two would do a disservice to the symbol. Our story takes place in the summer of 1968. The boys are hoping for some of the female persuasion FIBs to make a stop at the Frosty Tip for some flirting and frolicking. Amy Wrigley, Lisa Halas, and Sarah McCaskey stop by in their custom ‘57 Chevy to grab a little grub before heading to Fish Creek. The boys poke a little fun at the Illinois girls, and in turn, the girls poke back. Two and a half is smitten with one of the girls and is hoping for a rendezvous at Peninsula State Park. Hilarity ensues.
One of the things I remember when I was in this show was the large assortment — as well as the frequency — of local humor and nods to real places. Granted, Let Me Be Frank Productions shows always include these, but it was turned up a notch in this show. I loved all the jokes about Wisconsin city pronunciations, food, football, stores, restaurants, and more. Having the three main ladies play girls from Illinois and the five guys be from Dyckesville allowed for a lot of regional banter and jabs in jest.
Speaking of the ladies and the guys, it’s always interesting to see the character dynamics created in the story and how they unfold during the duration of the show. From the opening scene, though, it was clear we were in for a treat as ALL the men on stage were playing brothers – not a grouping we see too often. The brotherly camaraderie and bond by One, Two, Two and a Half, Three, and Four made me laugh out loud all night long. All five displayed a great combination of physical comedy and one-liners together. While they each are hilarious in their own right, the power of comedic synergy was very evident in this show.
I also liked seeing the new props and sets used in this version of “2 1/2 Belgians”! I, of course, enjoyed seeing some old props used again, like the flaming bonfire and backdrop! But the Peninsula State Park sign (which was amazing, by the way!), and Tom’s “tent” (shall we even call it a tent?) were a great addition. Frank and the team were able to keep many visual aspects of the 2014 show the same, while still making it fresh with the new sets, costumes, and props.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ The lights that created the “storm” in A Day in the Life were so fun to see in the opening number. I always like seeing what Ross Loining creates on the lightboard
+ I had a smile on my face the entire time Sarah and Blake sang their duet, Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing. I appreciated the pairing of their voices together and thought they both brought something special to the song
+ The energy Paul brought to Concrete and Clay was fantastic. I’d never heard the song before, but I can imagine it’ll be stuck in my head for a few days now 🙂
+ From Pat’s lead vocals, the collective harmonies, and everyone dancing, I loved everything about Kicks. It also made me remember that (fun fact!) Jack Janowicz choreographed most, if not all, of the dances in this show! I had a flashback to him teaching us all of these moves at the former Packers Hall of Fame, which was our old rehearsal space!
+ Blake played the awkward, tripping-over-his-words, swooning-over-cute-girls teenage boy quite well.
+ Rescue Me allowed Amy to shine with so much power and soul! What a great second-act opener.
+ For multiple reasons, Mrs. Robinson is one of my all-time favorite songs Frank has ever done. I’m so glad I got to see it live again
+ Tom’s impressive whistle talents were on full display in Daydream!
+ Lisa in Time on My Side was a true highlight of the second act. Even though I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again, she makes any song she’s given sound effortless to belt out.
+ When you’re not in the show singing the songs, it’s a lot easier to take note and appreciate the finesse and talent of the band guys with all these 60s songs. Bravo to John, Andrew, Tony and Pat — and of course, sound mixer, Kelly.
It was a surreal experience seeing “2 ½ Belgians” at the Meyer Theatre a decade after I was in it. What a fun trip down memory lane. If you need a break from the gloomy winter days and want to have a bunch of laugh-out-loud moments, head on out and see the special anniversary edition of this show.
“2 ½ Belgians” continues:
Saturday, February 3rd at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 8th at 7:30pm
Friday, February 9th at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 10th at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 15th at 7:30pm
Friday, February 16th at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 17th at 7:30pm
Thursday, February 22nd at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, February 23rd at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 24th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
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.
Two out-of-town performances will be held this month. The first will take place at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information. The second out-of-town performance will be at the Southern Door Auditorium on Sunday, February 18th at 3pm. More information, including tickets can be found at southerndoorauditorium.org.
The show features Pat Hibbard (#1 and bass guitar), Frank Hermans (#2 ½) Tom Verbrick (#2), Paul Evansen (#3), Blake Hermans (#4), Amy Riemer as Amy Wrigley, Lisa Borley as Lisa Halas, and Sarah Galati as Sarah McCaskey.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
It’s beginning to look a lot like…”A Frank’s Christmas” at the Meyer Theatre! I had the opportunity to watch and review Let Me Be Frank Productions’ 24th (!!!) annual Christmas show during their opening weekend of performances. If you’re looking for a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit, this is the show for you.
What’s this show all about? Well, our elves return for another Christmas season of smiles, songs, and a little bit of mischief. Frankie Fuzzballs, Amy Angel Food, Pauly Pockets, Patty Cakes, and newbie elf, Shelfie, have a new job this year. The council has been tasked with teaching Beerntsen’s Candies how to make a true chocolate yule log. However, the assignment at hand is bigger than they anticipated, and they need some reinforcements. After receiving several applications, they’ve narrowed down the pool of applicant elves who seem to possess a lot of great potential. Lisa Lollipop, Sarah Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and Krampy Krueler are called in to interview. Shelfie seems to be the only elf who sees Kramy Krueler for what he truly is…a Krampus. Why does Krampy want to join the do-gooder elf council? And can Shelfie convince everyone of his true identity before it’s too late? You’ll have to find out!
From the opening of the curtain, the audience is hit with a bright array of Christmas colors, lights, costumes, props, and the hauntingly beautiful a cappella notes of Away in a Manger sung by Amy Riemer. I thought the opening was a fantastic way to grab the audience’s attention and give them a hint of what’s in store for the next two-hour show. The whimsical story and set brought to life before our eyes was lovely.
One noticeable aspect of this production is the use of traditional Christmas songs and carols. The song selections are ones you’ll know, (with the exception of 3 originally written songs, which I’ll get to in a minute!). Even though the songs are traditional, musical elements are often modernized. One clear example of this is What Child is This? sung by Pat Hibbard. The song is infused with rock melodies and a pulsing beat. Same with Go Tell It On The Mountain performed by Sarah Galati, which had me bopping in my seat and clapping along. Kudos to Pat Hibbard, music arranger, for taking an array of old traditional songs and making them all fresh.
Aside from the traditional songs, this show featured not one, not two, but 3 all-original songs written by Frank Hermans, Blake Hermans, and Amy Riemer, respectively. On top of all their other obvious talents, yeah, they can also write songs. Each original song brought something special to the setlist. I genuinely could see all 3 songs being on the radio with huge success.
The Christmas show usually has a song where the band is solely featured and this show definitely accomplished that! My goodness. The opening of the second act had the band front and center on stage, and even John Singer played in the aisles of the audience – which was a special touch I’ve never seen in a Frank’s show before. Each band member had a moment to shine – and shine they did! Their version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was by far my favorite version I’ve ever heard. Congratulations to Tony Pilz, Pat Hibbard, Andrew Klaus, and John Singer! And they somehow also made their elf costumes look like they belonged in a rock band 😉
A few other thoughts and highlights:
-Lisa Borley was able to demonstrate her beautiful soprano voice and classical vocal training in Gesu Bambino. The range she has is off the charts.
-The clap-on-clap-off bit throughout the entire performance showed off some impressive “freeze” talents by Blake Hermans!
–O Christmas Tree allowed notable bass notes to be highlighted by Tom Verbrick.
-Additionally, Tom’s California surfer dude + evil Krampus character was a hilarious and unexpected combination.
-The use of lights and audio to show video “glitches” and sound effects was unique and memorable.
-The choir vocal section in How Great Thou Art, with Frank Hermans’ warm voice and presence at the helm, was powerful
-John Singer’s guitar solo in I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – WOW. Every time I see him play I wish I had taken guitar lessons my entire life, so I could maybe be a fraction as good as he is now.
-The Still, Still, Still duet between Sarah Galati and Lisa Borley was remarkable. It was refreshing to hear a duet with a different pairing of vocalists in the cast. I enjoyed the harmonies and blend. It was a give-you-goosebumps song in the show (among many!).
-I’ve seen Paul Evansen do the Pauly Pockets character 4 times now (in the Christmas shows in 2013, 2014, 2022, and now 2023) and I think my favorite part of his repeat character was his crooner version of Jolly Old St. Nicholas in this show. Nobody does those types of tunes better than Paul!
-For those seeing the show on a non-school night, you’ll have a special opening act featuring 10-year-old Jack Hermans. His solo had me smiling from ear to ear!
There’s a reason “A Frank’s Christmas” has been a beloved tradition in the area for 24 seasons and counting. What a feel-good production filled with amazing Christmas music, hilarious actors, and a cute storyline. If you have the opportunity, head on out to the Meyer and check out this year’s show!
“A Frank’s Christmas” continues:
Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30pm
Thursday, November 30th at 7:30pm
Friday, December 1st at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 2nd at 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 7th at 7:30pm
Friday, December 8th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 9th at 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 13th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 14th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 15th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 16th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 20th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 21st at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 22nd at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 23rd at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, December 29th at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 30th at 7:30pm
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 Tuesday, December 5th, at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184
for tickets and more information.
Cast: Frank Hermans as Frankie Fuzzballs/Fruitcake, Pat Hibbard as Patty Cakes, Amy Riemer as Amy Angel Food, Tom Verbrick as Krampus, Lisa Borley as Lisa Lollipop, Sarah Galati as Sarah Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Blake Hermans as the Elf on the Shelf, and Paul Evansen as Pauly Pockets.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
Song selections:
ACT I
Away in a Manger – Amy Riemer
What Child is This? – Pat Hibbard
I Saw Three Ships – Blake Hermans
Go Tell it on the Mountain – Sarah Galati
Gesu Bambino – Lisa Borley
O Christmas Tree – Tom Verbrick
How Great Thou Art – Frank Hermans
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Paul Evansen
Still, Still, Still – Lisa Borley and Sarah Galati
Joy to the World – Amy Riemer
ACT II
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Tony Pilz, Pat Hibbard, Andrew Klaus, John Singer
Up on the Housetop – Sarah Galati
Christmastime – Frank Hermans*
The Wassail Song – Pat Hibbard
O Little Town of Bethlehem – Lisa Borley
Jolly Old St. Nicholas – Paul Evansen
Will You Stay This Christmas Eve – Blake Hermans*
Sweet Christmas Dreams – Amy Riemer*
*originally written songs
9/15/23
Time for another show review! With an extra-long summer show this season, I felt like it had been a long time since I’d seen a Let Me Be Frank show and I was more excited than usual to check out, “Fort Howard: We Wipe America” at the Meyer Theatre. I had the opportunity to see the 4th show of the 2023 season during the cast and crew’s dress rehearsal, and I can confidently say I haven’t laughed out loud that much in a long time.
What’s this show all about? Well, you never know what will happen when the boss calls a meeting – especially at Fort Howard. A group of factory employees have gathered per boss John Cofrin’s request. Come to find out, the company has gone 100 days without a work-related injury (which is quite the feat with this crew!). Each day without an injury results in a paid bonus from Fort Howard’s insurance company. Mr. Cofrin believes it’s time to give back to the employees with a party at the Zodiac Club. The employees simply must make it a few days without an injury, and a party with an open bar is all theirs. During a shift, a problem arises that could threaten their fun and cause the party to be called off. Can the employees band together and come up with a solution? You’ll have to find out in this all-new and all-original show.
Having the show centered around a group of workers at a factory worked quite well. While often the shows have separate pairings or groups (i.e. – the ladies are one “group” and the men are another), having the entire cast as a collective workforce was fun to see. It allowed each of the colorful characters to interact with one another on different occasions. I love seeing the varying types of connections and humor that come forth when the whole team is on stage at once.
However, having the show centered around a factory with 2,000+ employees at a time (at the real life Fort Howard Company) and having only 7 actors on stage was clearly noticeable 😉 I appreciated how the cast acknowledged the inevitable historical and factual inaccuracies, and made a joke of it. With these jokes and acknowledgments, the cast seemed to break the fourth wall even more than usual. Directly interacting with the audience is something that makes Let Me Be Frank Productions stand out, and it was on a high level for the performance I witnessed.
Another aspect I noticed was the clear visual distinction between the first and second acts. The first act appeared deliberately muted in terms of costumes, props, and the set. When the curtain opened for the second act, however, you could immediately tell you were about to witness a party with flashy sequined costumes, a disco ball, and a giant backdrop. Kudos to Ross Loining on lights and Kelly Klaus on sound for making the visual and audible differences in each act noticeable, too. With each act, it appeared as though the opening song was given a lot to captivate the audience. Pat Hibbard’s rendition of Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith to start the show had me swaying in my seat with the pulsing energy. Sarah Galati and the ladies pulled the audience right back into the storyline with the lead vocal, harmonies, and flirty dance moves in Lonely Night (Angel Face) by Captain & Tennille.
With a set list from the 1970s, I was surprised I didn’t recognize many tunes in this show. I think out of the 17 songs, I recognized 5 of them. Granted, the 1970s wasn’t exactly my era of musical discovery and awakening, so don’t necessarily take my word for it My bet is that many of our regulars in the audience will recognize many more than I did. Not having an awareness or familiarity with many of the songs enabled me to listen more closely to the lyrics, harmonies, and instrumentation. Whether or not I knew the song, the immense talent of Tony Pilz on keys, Andrew Klaus on drums, Pat Hibbard on bass, and John Singer on guitar is always easy to recognize. It was an unexpected — but rather pleasant surprise — not to be able to hum along to each song.
A few other thoughts and highlights:
+ I was swooning at Lisa Borley’s sultry performance of Woman in Love by Barbra Streisand. And THAT NOTE near the end! My goodness!
+ It’s no surprise Amy Riemer does disco songs phenomenally. Her rendition of He’s the Greatest Dancer by Sister Sledge was one I will remember for a long time.
+ Sarah Galati mixed her rich vocal tone with an abundance of physical humor during Right Time of the Night by Jennifer Warnes.
+ Paul Evansen has a rare ability to perform a song and make it feel like he’s singing it with the audience, not at the audience. This skill of his was evident during Keep on Smilin’ by Wet Willie.
+ Frank Hermans hit his vocal sweet spot with I’ve Found Someone of My Own by The Free Movement. He does those smooth, adult contemporary songs so well.
+ Pat Hibbard’s version of Bang a Gong (Get it On) made me wish I could rewind the live performance and watch it again and again.
+ Come and Get Your Love by Redbone was a great choice to end the first act on a high note. Bravo, Tom Verbrick!
“Fort Howard: We Wipe America” continues:
Friday, September 15th at 7:30pm with a benefit show for NEWCAP, inc.
Saturday, September 16th at 7:30pm
Thursday, September 21st at 7:30pm
Friday, September 22nd at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 23rd at 7:30pm
Friday, September 29th at 7:30pm
Saturday, September 30th at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 5th at 7:30pm
Friday, October 6th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 7th at 7:30pm
Thursday, October 12th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday, October 13th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 14th at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Doors open one hour prior to each performance. Tickets are available at meyertheatre.org, ticketstaronline.com, or by calling Ticketstar at 920-494-3401.
An out-of-town performance will be held at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00 pm. Head to cccshows.org or call 920-683-2184 for tickets and more information.
Cast: Frank Hermans as John Cofrin, Pat Hibbard as the boss, Tom Verbrick as a factory employee, Lisa Borley as a factory employee, Amy Riemer as a factory employee, Sarah Galati as an engineer, Paul Evansen as a millwright.
Band: John Singer (guitars), Pat Hibbard (bass), Tony Pilz (keyboards), Andrew Klaus (drums).
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
