After years of coaxing by friends, we finally took the leap and spent a lovely fall weekend at American Players Theatre. Although it was our first visit to this fabulous repertory theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin, it is far from our last. We're sold, we're in. To tell you more, here's a post from our friend Ernest Edwards, a longtime APT fan:
My Annual Weekend at American Players Theatre:
American Players Theatre is a professional theater company
located, literally, in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. It’s near the town of Spring Green, WI, which
is about an hour west of Madison, about three hours northwest of Chicago, and
about four and half hours from the Twin Cities. They perform their plays in repertory. If you pick the right weekend, you can see
most of the season in one weekend.
I’ve been going to APT since the summer of 2008, and the summer
of 2016 is my ninth year. Going to
APT isn’t just about good theater, it’s also about going with friends,
picnicking before and between plays. That
is where the magic is.
With both the main stage--the Up The Hill theater, which is outdoors--and also with the more intimate indoor stage--the Touchstone--you and your friends can see whichever play you want and then get together between plays to picnic. With the two stages, everyone doesn’t have to see the exact same play at the same time, although it's great when it happens.
What else makes this theater company magical? The cast. APT has a core set of 10-12 actors/actresses who have made a commitment to APT. Along with the core company, other actors join the company and may be there every year or so. The company is almost like family.
With both the main stage--the Up The Hill theater, which is outdoors--and also with the more intimate indoor stage--the Touchstone--you and your friends can see whichever play you want and then get together between plays to picnic. With the two stages, everyone doesn’t have to see the exact same play at the same time, although it's great when it happens.
What else makes this theater company magical? The cast. APT has a core set of 10-12 actors/actresses who have made a commitment to APT. Along with the core company, other actors join the company and may be there every year or so. The company is almost like family.
This fall, my APT weekend consisted of the plays Comedy of
Errors, Death of a Salesman, An Ideal Husband, King Lear, Eurydice, and
Arcadia.
Thinking of my first time at APT, I still remember the plays I saw in 2008. I only did four plays that weekend, but they were Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Belle’s Stratagem, The Widower Houses, and Ah, Wilderness!. Back in 2008, the Touchstone wasn’t open yet. It was only the outdoor Up The Hill Theater.
Thinking of my first time at APT, I still remember the plays I saw in 2008. I only did four plays that weekend, but they were Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Belle’s Stratagem, The Widower Houses, and Ah, Wilderness!. Back in 2008, the Touchstone wasn’t open yet. It was only the outdoor Up The Hill Theater.
Now that APT is doing some long needed improvements to the
Up The Hill Stage, I am very much looking forward to the 2017 season. I would love to do another behind-the-scenes tour. That way I can see the backstage of the Up Hill Theater with the
expanded backstage storage, dressing rooms and rehearsal space.
APT is one of my favorite traditions. I look forward to my annual APT weekend with
friends every year.
(Editor's note: One of the best things about American Players Theatre is staying at Spring Valley Inn and discussing the plays around the massive fire pit outside of the bar. Delightful.)
Capsule reviews by Ernest:
Shakespeare's about mistaken identities is hilarious at APT this season. Went to the student matinee Friday morning. Show also has a deus ex machina esque moment at the end too. Besides the costumes and acting, have to say favorite part of this production was Christina Panfilio and Kesley Brennan as the two Dromio's. At first I thought it was the actress playing both characters. Alas no. Great hair and makeup for those two. They were hilarious.
Death of a Salesman
What a great production. Glad I had went to the closing night performance. It has been so long since I read the play, that I had forgotten some details. Like how Willy Loman was also losing his mind. The flashbacks were well acted. Powerful play. On a side note. I had to laugh internally that, again, real life husband and wife Marcus Truschinski and Tracy Michelle Arnold were playing mother/son.
An Ideal Husband
Oscar Wilde's clever language made An Ideal Husband a fun and witty play. I have to say that this play had more bite to it than the movie with Rupert Everett and Julianne Moore. Another well cast production at APT. With this production some of the highlights were the scene changes, costumes and the hats. Loved this play.
King Lear
Saturday evening play was King Lear. It had a simple set design. Jonathan Smoots was amazing as King Lear in this production. The play was done as present day. What we noticed was funny, was how the two oldest daughters of Lear got smaller skirts, bigger hair and more bling as the play went on. They were both vying for Edmond's attention. Being that this was a Shakespearean tragedy, there was a body count. Should have had a check list. The rain storm, thunder and lightning on stage was so effective. That people jumped out of their seats. Great sound affects. Another well done play at APT.
Death of a Salesman
What a great production. Glad I had went to the closing night performance. It has been so long since I read the play, that I had forgotten some details. Like how Willy Loman was also losing his mind. The flashbacks were well acted. Powerful play. On a side note. I had to laugh internally that, again, real life husband and wife Marcus Truschinski and Tracy Michelle Arnold were playing mother/son.
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| An Ideal Husband (photo by Liz Lauren) |
Oscar Wilde's clever language made An Ideal Husband a fun and witty play. I have to say that this play had more bite to it than the movie with Rupert Everett and Julianne Moore. Another well cast production at APT. With this production some of the highlights were the scene changes, costumes and the hats. Loved this play.
King Lear
Saturday evening play was King Lear. It had a simple set design. Jonathan Smoots was amazing as King Lear in this production. The play was done as present day. What we noticed was funny, was how the two oldest daughters of Lear got smaller skirts, bigger hair and more bling as the play went on. They were both vying for Edmond's attention. Being that this was a Shakespearean tragedy, there was a body count. Should have had a check list. The rain storm, thunder and lightning on stage was so effective. That people jumped out of their seats. Great sound affects. Another well done play at APT.
This production of Eurydice was an adaptation that was set in present day. Very simple set, but very effective story about the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Even death couldn't keep them apart. And the life after death was very interesting in the underworld.
Arcadia
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| Arcadia (photo by Liz Lauren) |
I would have to say that Arcadia was a highlight of the weekend. The play covers so many topics. In a nutshell it takes place present day at an English estate, and they are trying to unravel secrets from two hundred years ago. Past and present do collide in this play. Topics range widely too. Cast highlights were Nathan Burger as Septimas Hodge, Jim Devita as Bernard Nightingale, Colleen Madden as Hannah Jarvis, and Steve Haggard as Valentine Coverly.
