We invite you to witness the chaos of its spring comedy, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” ASPI will present the show May 8-11 and May 15-18 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams.
Mike Eserkaln, the artistic director of Comedy City in De Pere, directs the show. He said audiences are going to love the physical comedy. “There’s never a point where something or someone is not moving during the show, often with hilarious and catastrophic results,” Eserkaln said. “The actors are earnestly trying to perform a play while every conceivable thing that can go wrong, does. Every choice the actors make to fix things is the wrong choice.”
“The Play That Goes Wrong” describes the inept and accident-prone Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s attempt to produce an ambitious 1920s murder mystery. Unfortunately, the set is not yet complete, the props start to disappear, actors go missing, and the set begins to collapse. Mayhem ensues, the acting gets worse, and the set becomes increasingly dangerous. The question is whether any of the cast and crew will remain standing, or conscious, by the final curtain! “This show is really an experience, something only live theatre can do,” Eserkaln said. “A number of gags are going to rely on gravity, so each show is going to be a little different.”
The set for the show is a character all by itself. Everything – paintings, furniture, walls, the fireplace – is a thought-out prop that has a hilarious moment of going wrong. Cyndy Sweetland designed the set, and David Jolly engineered it.
“The Play That Goes Wrong” features an ensemble cast, and all of the actors are well-versed in comedy. Eserkaln said his favorite character is Trevor the Lights and Sound guy. “He participates in the chaos just as much as everyone but has the cool-headed detachment that I love about theatre tech people,” he said.
Tickets on sale now by grabbing them on our website or by calling the box office at 920-826-5852.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
“The theater is a communal event, like church. The playwright constructs a mass to be performed for a lot of people. She writes a prayer, which is really just the longings of one heart.” – Marsha Norman, playwright
As we put away the costumes and lights, and our actors return to their lives, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the ASPI theater community for the overwhelming support of our production of Godspell. This unique experience not only featured a more intimate seating arrangement but, more importantly, we hope it inspired our audiences to seek out their own communities in the pursuit of creating a “Beautiful City.”
Here are some answers to your burning questions….
1) How can I get involved in an ASPI show? When is your next audition opportunity?
The Play that Goes Wrong is our next production and will be presented May 8th-18th. Follow us on our social media platforms for more information! We also have non-show-related volunteering opportunities available. For more information, please contact us at theater.aspi@gmail.com or call us at 920-826-5852!
2) How can I support ASPI financially?
ASPI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that depends on community support, both through volunteers and financial contributions. We have various funds available for donations, each offering Spotlight Sponsor benefits based on the level of donation. Some ongoing campaigns include our “Light the Way” Capital Campaign and the Hollie Surber Memorial Scholarship fund. To donate today or to learn more about our campaigns and Spotlight Sponsor membership benefits, click the link below or visit our website.
3) When do “The Play that Goes Wrong” tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the general public are on sale now! Click on the link below!
If you have any other questions not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to contact us via email at theater.aspi@gmail.com or by calling our box office at 920-826-5852. We are looking forward to speaking with you!
Get your tickets now for a night of mishaps, mischief, and madcap mania! It’s the opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” and things have quickly gone from bad…to utterly disastrous. The troupe’s ambitious 1920s whodunit has everything you never want in a show: falling props, collapsing scenery, an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything…including their lines. How will this eager ensemble battle against all of the disastrous odds? Will they make it to the final curtain call?
An international hit that’s equal parts Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes – The Play That Goes Wrong is full of hilarious perfection.
Abrams Spotlight Productions is thrilled to introduce our cast of “The Play that Goes Wrong”. As the Director says “it’s gonna be a WILD show!”
Cast Name (Role)
Chris Mayse (Chris/Director)
Maddie Pamperin (Annie/Stage Manager)
Jerah Doxtator (Trevor/Lights and Sound Guy)
Maggie Monte-Knaapen (Sandra/Florence)
Bobby Buffington (Max/Cecil/Arthur the Gardener)
Eric Westphal (Perkins/Dennis)
Erick Gyrion (Thomas Colleymore/Robert Grove)
Matt Worzala (Jonathan/Charles Haversham)
Will Knaapen (Stage Crew)
Marly Thomson (Stage Crew)
Julie Johannas-Frohlinger (Stage Crew)
Mike Eserkaln (The Director, for real, he’s really the director of the show)
Maggie Dernehl (Assistant Director, the one helping Mike)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
“The theater is a communal event, like church. The playwright constructs a mass to be performed for a lot of people. She writes a prayer, which is really just the longings of one heart.” – Marsha Norman, playwright
“What is community?” “What does it mean to be a part of a community?” “How does tragedy affect a community?” These are some of the questions Godspell asks. In tandem, I ask “What does it mean to do theater?” “What is necessary to put on a show?” Although I had a deceptively religious upbringing – a grade school so Lutheran that it broke away from the synod because the synod wasn’t Lutheran enough, a devoutly Catholic grandma with whom I was very close – the place I found the feelings of a religious community was theater. We didn’t attend church on Sundays, but we did have Sunday matinee tickets to the Weidner center. We usually prayed before meals, but my family was most connected when watching old musicals or movies. And, strangely, at my very Lutheran grade school, we put on full scale secular musicals every year. These musicals were the main times I felt like I fit in or could contribute something to that community.
So for this production, I took Stephen Schwartz’s note about Godspell not being a literal playing out of the book of Matthew but as a formation of a community, and set it in my/our/your community – Abrams Spotlight Productions, now, mid-rehearsal process for an upcoming show. You will not find finished sets, costumes, disco balls, confetti cannons, or magical flying cars (whichistotally sacrilege for me), but you will find the essence of performing: actors trying to get their message to the audience and holding the mirror up to nature (paraphrasing Hamlet). The answers to those questions above and what is that message? Just as we interpret the bible, that is for you, the audience, to come to individually. Now more than ever, community is important. Wanting to spread one’s messages, one’s “gospel,” not isolate ourselves from those who do not agree, is vital. “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” – Micah 6:6 (NIV)
“Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort” – Walt Disney – and I would be remiss if I did not say that Godspell, despite the note above, where I talk about me, is surely the effort of every single person you see here today, and many you don’t see, and many who have influenced and taught me.
Thank you for being a part of our community, even if only for this performance, and enjoy the show!
Godspell is a timeless tale of friendship and love based on the Gospel of Matthew. In this new age production, Jesus’ message of kindness, tolerance, and love plays out onstage using a blend of parables, songs, games, and dare we say tomfoolery!
Liz Jolly-Haslitt offers insight into the upcoming production as only the director can! Liz shares that an incredibly unique element of Godspell’s script is that it is pretty open-ended, which means it is up to the theater putting on the production to determine the setting of the show. So the setting that will be seen on stage will be none other than our very own community!
The production setting will be set in our very own theater, as a kind of rehearsal for a production. This unique spin will create a one of a kind theater experience for the audiences! Firstly, the costumes will be pieces pulled from ASPI’s stock from past shows. Secondly, the theater will be utilizing their seating in a unique way! Not only will actors be playing in the house at times, there will also be some audience seating on the stage.
In addition to the significant creativity from the openness of the script, the production is also extremely lucky to have such a talented cast! They are really working well as an ensemble and meeting the challenge of the advanced listening to each other required of this show.
Purchase your tickets NOW! Showtimes are March 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 7pm and March 16 and 23 at 1pm. For more information please visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ and call the Box Office with any questions, 920-826-5852.
ASPI is honored to feature Leah Tomesek (née Wons) in this month’s Spotlight!
Leah became first involved in ASPI back in 2007! At the age of 8 years old, Leah graced the stage as “Ticklish”, one of the dwarfs, in ASPI’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
After that first production, Leah became involved in as many shows as possible, up until her 2016 high school graduation. Some of her favorite shows that she’s been cast in include: Into the Woods in the role of “Little Red Riding Hood” and Shrek: the Musical in the role of “Gingy” and other various ensemble roles. As a kid, the theater felt like a second home to her. She learned about handling performance nerves, memorizing lines, and expressing herself. Her passion for performing started at the theater and the trajectory of her life was changed because of her young years spent at ASPI. Leah’s whole family did shows together and she will always hold onto those memories!
Outside of ASPI, Leah was involved in her high school’s productions as well as Missoula’s Children’s Theater shows. Upon high school graduation, Leah then went to college to study vocal performance where she performed in every opera and cabaret show she was able to! Her favorite role in college was “Gretel” in Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel. She was also involved in her university’s show choir, Platinum Edition, and many different choral ensembles. In 2020, Leah graduated (over Zoom) with a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Viterbo University, located in La Crosse Wisconsin.
A few months before college graduation, Leah landed a position at Choral Tracks, a company that produces full vocal rehearsal tracks. She works as a full time, salaried recording artist and audio engineer! She has a portable studio setup that she uses to sing 4-5 hours a day and fills in the rest of her day with audio engineering. Her singing consists of sight reading around 8-10 choral pieces a day (singing all women’s parts) and using a pitch correction software for another 3-6 choral pieces. Leah is very proud and grateful to work for Choral Tracks! They make rehearsal tracks for ensembles around the world, and record all languages and all styles of music!
Outside of the theater, Leah loves reading, fitness, and video games. On October 6th, she ran her first marathon, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon! Leah and her husband have also been living in a camper and traveling for his work. She has been enjoying trying a new lifestyle and traveling across the US!
Leah has made her return to working with ASPI in the role of music director! Most recently, she was part time music director for Gypsy and full time music director for Oklahoma, Seussical, and the upcoming production of Godspell. Leah’s wealth of knowledge and experience in music has made her an incredible asset to ASPI!
With her job, Leah has access to many different music industry programs that allow her to make rehearsal tracks for ASPI. For the theater, she will record herself singing all the parts, audio engineer her singing, and mix the tracks. The tracks make rehearsing significantly easier and allow the cast members to sing harder music without needing to play piano or read music. This creates a more inclusive musical environment!
As an adult, Leah sees the massive benefits of feeling part of a community. Cast members become close friends and spend time together outside of rehearsal doing things like karaoke, bowling, and sharing meals. She would encourage anyone with an interest to come out and audition for a show. Theater is for everyone and the impact of these shows is not to be underestimated!
Come out to witness the amazing work and passion of Leah and the ASPI cast and crew in the upcoming production Godspell! Purchase your tickets NOW! Showtimes are March 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 7pm and March 16 and 23 at 1pm. For more information please visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ and call the Box Office with any questions, 920-826-5852.
I can still remember the drive home from the last flag football game of my first-grade year. I tried to hide my tears from my dad but ultimately failed, spending most of the drive crying loudly. I had made so many great friends, had a few moments of triumph, and was even awarded a weekly MVP award by the coach. Then, suddenly, with the shutting of a car door, it was all over.
That was the first of many goodbyes I would experience in my life. Being a theater kid (now a theater adult) has made farewells a regular occurrence over the last 20 years. You spend a tremendous amount of time with a special group of people, pouring your heart and talents into creating a show, only for it to suddenly end. The same group of people is unlikely to be all together again.
Every post-show goodbye hurts in its own way, but some take much longer to get over. I think back to my experience doing “Guys & Dolls” at ASPI in 2021. It was a really fun show, but there was something about that particular group of people that made the experience especially memorable. Many of us were around the same age, grappling with similar challenges, and gradually emerging into the world—dramatically changed by COVID-19. The beautiful thing about these kinds of groups is that they don’t completely fade away. Since “Guys & Dolls” ended, many of us from the cast have stayed closely in touch.
Whether it’s doing more shows together, hanging out at karaoke, or embarking on summer adventures down the Peshtigo River, the group that officially ended with the final curtain of “Guys & Dolls” has continued to thrive in the world outside the theater. Every group of friends begins with some unifying force or message. In the case of “Guys & Dolls,” it was the shared desire to create great art, inspire the community, and build meaningful relationships with one another.
I believe this core message is what the writers of “Godspell” aimed to capture when they created the show. “Godspell” tells the story of a group of people in a chaotic world, united by the message of Jesus. Just as their community reaches a peak of connection, Jesus is taken from them, leaving them to venture into the world without the very thing that united them. This is a feeling we can all relate to—whether it’s losing friends after moving to a new city, the end of a musical, or the final game of a first-grade flag football season.
We sadly live in a world of constant endings, but if we allow ourselves to be immersed in the unity of past experiences, we also recognize that we live in a world of endless beginnings.
Join us for an unforgettable experience as we bring “Godspell” to life from March 13th to 23rd! Dive into this vibrant, fast-paced production that celebrates love, hope, and the spirit of togetherness. Don’t miss your chance to be part of our community and witness a performance filled with joy, emotion, and inspiration. Come and be inspired!
Before the lights dim and the audience settles in, ready to be dazzled by a live performance, there’s a crucial preparation stage that occurs—rehearsals! A typical theatrical production involves a significant commitment of time and effort, with rehearsals spanning anywhere from 8 weeks for a play to as much as 12 weeks for a musical. That’s a substantial block of time dedicated to perfecting every element of the show!
At ASPI, rehearsals are typically structured to occur three times a week, with each session lasting between 2 to 3 hours. During these rehearsals, cast members engage in various essential activities, including practicing music, choreographing dance numbers, running lines, and reviewing blocking—the specific movements and placements that the Director assigns to each actor onstage. In addition to these focused rehearsals, the team frequently runs through the show in its entirety, allowing them to become fully immersed in the flow and dynamics of the performance.
Given the extensive time spent at the theater, it’s vital for each actor to be well-prepared with a rehearsal bag stocked with all the essentials they might need during these busy rehearsals. However, the contents of these bags can differ greatly from one actor to another, as everyone has their unique preferences and requirements. To gain insight into what fellow cast members consider indispensable, we interviewed several actors from our upcoming musical, Godspell. Their responses revealed a fascinating array of “must-haves” that help them feel comfortable, focused, and ready to bring their characters to life during rehearsals.
Every actor should have a set of essential items in their bag to ensure they are fully prepared for rehearsals and performances. According to Ali Carlson, Godspell actor, these fundamentals are indispensable for surviving the rigorous demands of the theater. She emphasizes that the absolute necessities include water to stay hydrated, a pencil for taking notes and making adjustments to their scripts, and, most importantly, their script itself. “Without their script, actors wouldn’t get very far!” Ali notes, highlighting its importance.
Once an actor is cast in a show, they receive their script, which serves as their guiding “bible” throughout the production process. This script contains not only their lines, but also vital stage directions, cues, and character insights that help them embody their roles convincingly. Being equipped with these basics allows actors to focus on their craft and adapt to the challenges that arise during rehearsals and performances.
Elizabeth Jolly-Haslitt, the director of Godspell, arrives at rehearsals more prepared than your average actor. She brings along pencils, post-its, highlighters, pens, tiny scissors, tape, a stapler, scrunchies, business cards, and even a really old granola bar. Cast member Jennifer Harkins emphasizes that “comfy shoes and a good attitude are key.”
There are also some unique items in rehearsal bags that others might not think of. For example, Glenn Sellen, another cast member, has a harmonica in his rehearsal bag! When asked why, he honestly is not sure! Carolyn Silverberg states she always brings her “vocal wellness trio”-which consists of Throat lozenges (Fisherman’s Friend), Ibuprofen (prevents swelling of vocal chords) and a portable vocal nebulizer (allows for a smoother and easier voice production).
And then finally, Kari Moody can’t live without her cheaters… which we all can relate to once we get to a certain age!
Regardless of what is included in a rehearsal bag, the actors and director always make sure to prepare thoroughly in order to deliver outstanding performances for our patrons night after night.
Experience the fruits of their hard work by purchasing tickets to “Godspell,” which will be presented from March 13th to March 23rd. Call the box office at 920-826-5852 or visit us online at www.AbramsTheater.com.
Wicked: Part 1, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, made waves as a box office hit! Whether it be as a movie trailer seen on a commercial, a reel on social media, or singing your heart out in the movie theater, you are now probably familiar with the anthem “Defying Gravity” from the mind of Stephen Schwartz.
Schwartz is a composer and lyricist! He has contributed lyrics to films such as: Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt, and Enchanted along with its sequel, Disenchanted. And his musicals include Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), and trending Wicked (2003).
Throughout his career, Schwartz has been awarded three Oscars, three Grammys, and one Golden Globe! He has also received six Tony nominations. As of April 2008, Schwartz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and American Theater Hall of Fame, and has received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
In March, ASPI will have performances of Schwartz’s very own Godspell! Music Director Leah Tomeseck offers insight into Schwartz’s work in this unifying musical: She loves the thoughtfulness and sensitivity Stephen Schwartz brought to the table with his composing. The music for this show is very impassioned and provides joyful scenes as well as heavy ones. She references “By My Side” and the “Finale” as channels for powerful emotions, and songs “We Beseech Thee” and “Light of the World” as bringing an element of fun and lifting the mood. Both sadness and playfulness are big themes with Godspell!
Purchase your tickets NOW! Showtimes are March 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 7pm and March 16 and 23 at 1pm. For more information please visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ and call the Box Office with any questions, 920-826-5852.
Attention all graduating Seniors! We’re excited to announce that the Hollie Surber Memorial Scholarship is currently open for applications! This prestigious scholarship will award $500 to one deserving graduating Senior, or potentially distribute $250 each to two exceptional candidates, who are planning to further their education after high school. The scholarship is named in honor of Hollie Surber, a dedicated and passionate Board Member of Abrams Spotlight Productions. She was deeply committed to nurturing the arts and supporting the youth in our community. Tragically, she passed away in 2023, and this scholarship serves as a tribute to her inspiring legacy and dedication to theater.
Last year, the scholarship provided funding to two graduates who successfully enrolled at St. Norbert College and NWTC. While preference will be given to applicants aiming for a career in the arts or theater, we encourage all eligible students to apply.
Brigette Finger, a board member at ASPI, states, “Hollie was deeply passionate about creating opportunities and experiences for children, particularly in the arts. She was a strong advocate for our youth productions and proudly embraced her role as a ‘theater mom’ as she watched her own kids grow up on our stage.”
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a resident of Brown or Oconto counties.
Must be graduating from high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Must have actively participated in theater or drama, whether through school or community programs.
Preference will be given to Seniors who:
Intend to major or minor in theater, performance arts, or a related field at an accredited two- or four-year college.
Have volunteered or participated in productions with ASPI during their high school career.
Application Process: To apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete an online application and submit the following documents to ASPI:
A copy of their high school transcripts, including their current grade point average.
A comprehensive summary of their school, community, and employment activities, along with any awards and achievements. Please include information about any ASPI events in which you have participated or volunteered (limit two pages).
A one-page essay detailing how theater or the arts have influenced their life. (Please note that essays exceeding one page will not be considered.)
These documents can either be mailed to ASPI at PO Box 127, Abrams, WI, or sent via email.
To receive the link to apply, please email us at scholarship.aspi@gmail.com.
All completed applications must be received by March 31. We encourage you to spread the word to all graduating Seniors, so we can continue to nurture and celebrate the arts within our community of youth!
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