2021 Season | Northern Sky Theater

2021 Season

UPDATES

Peninsula State Park Amphitheater
Gould Theater Outside
Gould Theater & Creative Center

Whether you come to Pen Park or the Gould, things will look a little different than usual. We’ll be operating at a reduced capacity and selling all tickets in advance (no ticket sales at the door). At the Park, shows will be staged simply, with minimal actor movement and without traditional scenery–that’ll help us reduce onstage and backstage traffic. And although we’ll still be performing Monday–Saturday, most shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. However, Naked Radio at the Gould Theater will have a start time of 7:00 p.m.

Visit our Support page to find out about our 2022 season productions!


INDOOR SEASON

Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays 2021
Featuring Doc Heide, Karen Mal and Matt Zembrowski

Gould Theater, December 27-31, All shows at 4pm

There’s no place like Door County to celebrate the holidays, and there’s no one like Northern Sky Theater to celebrate them with. This year’s witty and musical holiday trio features Northern Sky co-founder Doc Heide, songwriter Karen Mal, and playwright Matt Zembrowski. All the tranquility of Door County winter, with the verve and humor of Northern Sky thrown in. You won’t want to miss this.

Naked Radio
Music by Paul Libman
Book & Lyrics by Dave Hudson
Gould Theater, August 23-November 6
Filmed Performance Online, November 8-14

When a small radio station gets swallowed up by a corporate parent, the local DJs are relegated to obscurity. But when a snowstorm knocks out the county and the station loses its tie to the pre-programmed feed, the guys have to punt, and a rejuvenated station brings back spontaneity and joy to the community it serves. This show was a hit in 2017, and we planned to remount it in 2020 before Covid scuttled our plans.
Not Even Remotely tile logo

Not Even Remotely
World Premiere
Music, Book & Lyrics by Richard Carsey & Stephen Kovacs
Virtual Preview Performances, May 30 – June 3
Gould Theater, July 12 – August 7
Filmed Performance Online, August 9-15

Together, Chris and Sam have been planning a lavish musical version of Frankenstein. But when rehearsals are suddenly shut down, Chris and Alex are forced to perform a two-person, online version of the show instead. A madcap romp of a story about two actors whose visions of musical grandeur are hilariously thwarted by reality. This show was written to be performed either on Zoom or in person, so we’re doing both!

OUTDOOR SEASON


Whatever Happened to Karl Janko?
World Premiere
Music, Book & Lyrics by Matt Zembrowski
Peninsula State Park Amphitheater, August 9-September 18
Filmed Performance Online, September 20-26

Long ago, Karl Janko—last seen in his metallic green Cutlass Supreme—disappeared from his tiny Wisconsin hometown without a trace. Thirty years later, everyone in town thinks they know what happened to him. They’re all wrong. Actors play multiple roles in this hilarious musical mystery extravaganza, which Matt wrote (inspired by a true story!) specifically with Covid protocols in mind.

Tongue ‘n Cheek
Book & Lyrics by Fred Alley
Music by James Kaplan
Peninsula State Park Amphitheater, July 12-August 7
Filmed Performance Online, August 9-15

The first book musical Northern Sky ever produced! This timeless classic sounds like it comes straight out of a crackling front-porch farm radio. Long-suffering Naomi and her work-averse husband, George, quibble while Doc Johnson woos his skeptical neighbor Lorna. It’s a tale of flipping pancakes, curing ailments, and waltzing till the last cow comes home.

The Fisherman’s Daughters
A Preview Production
Music, Book & Lyrics by Katie Dahl
Peninsula State Park Amphitheater, June 14-July 10
Filmed Performance Online, July 12-18

A Door County story by Door County playwright Katie Dahl, “The Fisherman’s Daughters” tells the story of two sisters in 1908 Fish Creek who must reckon with their differences when Wisconsin’s governor decides to turn their homestead into part of Peninsula State Park. Pre-pandemic, we had planned to produce this show in 2021. This stripped-down production will be a preview of the full production we’ll mount in the future.

As you think ahead to your vacation plans, here’s what you should know about your visit to Northern Sky:

Tickets & Seating:

The biggest change is that we will sell all tickets in advance and only over the phone or online. We won’t be selling walk-up tickets at the Northern Sky amphitheater or at Northern Sky’s Gould Theater. We’ll be operating at a reduced capacity, so make sure to get your tickets early! To ensure safe social distancing, we’ll assign all outdoor bench seating. When you buy your outdoor amphitheater tickets, you’ll get to choose between Premium and Standard price levels, and when you arrive at the theater, you’ll know just where to go.

Safety Precautions:

Indoor Gould Theater:
As of September 13th, 2021, we have updated our health and safety protocols for our indoor production of Naked Radio:
In order to keep our staff and patrons safe, Northern Sky has recently adopted additional health safety protocols at our indoor Gould Theater. Before you purchase your tickets, please read the following procedures carefully.
By purchasing a ticket for a show at the Gould Theater, you will be asked to agree to the following conditions for all members of your party.
·     All patrons (except those under 5 years of age) must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or obtain a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of the performance.
·     All patrons must wear a mask at all times inside the theater, lobby, and restrooms.
·     All patrons must respect socially distanced seating assignments
All Northern Sky cast, crew, staff, and volunteers have also agreed to these conditions. (Actors will not be masked onstage.)

Northern Sky is an all-ages venue. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep all our guests safe (especially those who can’t be vaccinated yet) and our doors open.

Outdoor Park Amphitheater:
Per the DNR’s recent June 8th update, masking is optional at the outdoor park amphitheater. However, patrons are encouraged to wear face coverings if not vaccinated.

Playbill:

Our 2021 playbill is virtual, just as it was in 2020. We’ll email the playbill to you before the performance date, so you’ll have extra time to read up in advance from the comfort of your own home (or tent!).

See you soon!

Jeff Herbst, Artistic Director
Dave Maier, Managing Director

Late April Update

Early April 2021 Update

March 2021 Update