Oh, how this one brought me back! Let Me Be Frank Productions continues its 27th season of entertainment with “ShopKo, Say Hello to a Goodbye” (April 9–26, 2026) at the Meyer Theatre — proudly sponsored by Festival Foods and Bay Bank. I had the chance to catch the final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, April 8, and wow—is this show a hit and a half.
So, what’s this show all about?
Before online shopping and self-checkouts, there was ShopKo — the place you went for everything from back-to-school clothes to cassette tapes to that one random item your mom swore was cheaper there. In “ShopKo, Say Hello to a Goodbye,” Let Me Be Frank Productions transports you back to Store #4 in late-’70s Green Bay, where the Nintendo display is hotter than hot, the ShopKo Lady is basically royalty, and the staff includes a stressed-out manager, an enthusiastic clerk, a sporting goods oddball, and a few shoppers who may or may not be up to no good. From dance breaks and product pitches to semi-suspicious shopping trips and stand-up comedy, this laugh-out-loud production is packed with memorable characters, nostalgic commercials, and hits from yesteryear. If you ever wandered those aisles, you’re going to love this affectionate tribute to the store that was Wisconsin’s mall.
Beyond the humor and jaw-dropping vocals, what makes Let Me Be Frank Productions so memorable is the troupe itself. With a core group of 7–8 performers (and a few exceptions…hi, it’s me, I was one of them in the last show!), there’s a unique familiarity that audiences have come to love. That’s why it’s especially fun when new character pairings emerge—and this show delivers on that in a big way.
Lisa and Tom team up as a pair of thieves, and I’m not sure we’ve seen them paired together before—but it absolutely works. They play off each other’s strengths beautifully, bringing sharp wit and standout physical comedy (their initial dance alone is worth it…no spoilers!).
Then there’s Sarah, Pat, Frank, and Paul putting a Northeast Wisconsin spin on iconic Seinfeld characters. Three guys and a gal? I’d vote to see this pairing again. Having worked alongside Frank, Pat, and Paul, I can say firsthand how intimidating that level of comedic talent can be—but Sarah fits right in (no surprise there).
And Amy as the ShopKo Lady? Perfection. She shines as a standalone presence, embodying the poised, worldly, and glamorous character with ease. It was also refreshing to see the women of the troupe split into separate groups rather than being all together—something that added even more variety to the show.
Going in, I expected plenty of ’70s music—but I didn’t anticipate just how much funk and disco would take center stage. The decade offers so many musical directions—rock, soul, R&B, jazz fusion—and this show leans confidently into a groove-heavy sound that really lets the band shine. (Is there a limit to what they can do? I genuinely don’t think so.)
The set design also deserves a shoutout. While I knew the show would take place inside a ShopKo, seeing it fully realized on stage was such a fun surprise. From clothing racks (likely pulled from LMBF’s impressive costume collection) to the Nintendo display to the perfectly detailed checkout counter—complete with impulse-buy chips—it all came together seamlessly. Kudos to Linda Groskopf for bringing those nostalgic details to life.
Of course, we have to talk about the ShopKo of it all. While I always appreciate the creativity and storytelling in LMBF productions, I don’t always have a personal connection to the theme. That wasn’t the case here. Because ShopKo was such a staple for so long—and didn’t disappear all that long ago—just about everyone in the audience has a memory tied to it. I was seven years old when I moved to Wisconsin from Arizona (talk about a culture shift), and one of my earliest memories here is walking those aisles to pick out my first-day-of-school outfit for second grade. This show brought all of that rushing back. I found myself laughing and thinking, “Oh my gosh—I totally forgot about that!” That shared nostalgia is what makes this production so special. Frank and Pat truly knocked it out of the park with this concept. (And now I’m already wondering…what’s next? A Storheim’s show, maybe?)
A few additional highlights:
- Lisa Borley made “If My Friends Could See Me Now” feel fresh, bold, and effortless, navigating both low and high notes with ease. Her Act Two performance of “Want Ads” felt tailor-made for her.
- Tom’s transition from his low speaking voice into his singing voice during “Babe What Would You Say” was such a fun surprise—giving just a hint of Screech from Saved by the Bell in the best way.
- Sarah’s take on Elaine was absolute perfection. It takes real talent to intentionally dance that awkwardly while still sounding incredible—and she nailed it. “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” was mesmerizing. (Also, a fellow audience member suggested we need even more of that Elaine dance…just putting that out there!)
- Paul Evansen as Kramer was spot-on—from the mannerisms to the voice to the facial expressions. Then he flipped the switch with “How Long,” showcasing that smooth vocal tone. Easily one of my favorite performances of his.
- “Right Place, Wrong Time” was a standout Act One moment, with Pat’s gravelly vocals, a killer bass solo, and tight backing harmonies.
- Watching Frank perform is always a joy—he genuinely looks like he’s having the time of his life. “Golden Years” captured that perfectly. His Jerry Seinfeld impression, paired with the stand-up segments, added a great structure and rhythm to the show.
- Amy’s “Take It Home” was an absolute showstopper, building from flawless movement into powerhouse vocals. Her rendition of “Jazzman” was equally stunning, elevated even further by Tony Pilz’s standout keyboard work and Ross Loining’s dynamic lighting design.
- As a longtime fan of the Eagles (the band, not the football team!), I had high expectations for John Singer’s “Take It Easy”—and he delivered. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, I wasn’t alone.
- Andrew Klaus continues to impress on drums (seriously—over 20 years of watching him, and he still amazes me). “Rock and Roll All Nite” was a crowd favorite, especially paired with John Singer’s electric guitar solo and Kelly Klaus’ crisp sound mixing.
Whether you’re a Seinfeld fan catching all the references or a ShopKo loyalist reliving the glory days, this production offers something for everyone—and a whole lot of heart along the way.
The show features:
Amy Riemer (the ShopKo Lady)
Lisa Borley (thief)
Sarah Galati (Elaine the store clerk)
Pat Hibbard (Frank the store manager)
Frank Hermans (Jerry in electronics)
Paul Evansen (Kramer in sporting goods)
Tom Verbrick (thief)
Band:
John Singer (guitar)
Pat Hibbard (bass)
Tony Pilz (keyboards)
Andrew Klaus (drums)
Lights: Ross Loining
Sound: Kelly Klaus
Performance Schedule:
- Thursday, April 9th at 7:30pm
- Friday, April 10th at 7:30pm
- Saturday, April 11th at 7:30pm
- Thursday, April 16th at 7:30pm
- Friday, April 17th at 7:30pm
- Saturday, April 18th at 7:30pm
- Thursday, April 23rd at 1:00pm and 7:30pm
- Friday, April 24th at 7:30pm
- Saturday, April 25th at 1:00pm and 7:30pm
- Sunday, April 26th at 1:00pm
Tickets are available at meyertheatre.org, ticketstaronline.com, or by calling Ticketstar at 920-494-3401. The Meyer Theatre box office opens one hour prior to each performance for day-of tickets.
Opening night on Thursday, April 9th will be a benefit performance for Houses of Honor. Houses of Honor is all about reputable businesses coming together to support community heroes by offering exclusive discounts on their services. They are proud to have a network of over 50 businesses across a variety of industries, all dedicated to giving back to the heroes who serve our communities. Five dollars from every ticket sold for opening night will be donated to this valuable community organization.
Let Me Be Frank Productions will also bring “ShopKo, Say Hello to a Goodbye” to Manitowoc’s Capitol Civic Centre on Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:00pm. Tickets are available by calling 920-683-2184 or visiting cccshows.org
