Performed by Abrams Spotlight Productions in March 2025, Godspell is a musical in two acts with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. The show is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end.
Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. invites you into the world of Dr. Seuss to revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo.
“Seussical the Musical,” directed by Debra Jolly, will be presented Dec. 5-8 and 12-15 at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. Anyone interested in helping behind the scenes can contact ASPI to volunteer.
“Seussical” weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. The Cat in the Hat guides us into The Jungle of Nool where we see Horton, the kind-hearted elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whoville. He meets JoJo, a Who child sent to military school for thinking too many “thinks.”
“Seussical” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. Music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Based on the works of Dr. Seuss.
To order tickets, visit abramsspotlightproductions.com or call the box office, 920-826-5852.
Boeing Boeing has closed, and the flight has taken off. However, we are immensely grateful to the community for your support! We had amazing crowds for our summer comedy of the 2024 season.
In meeting and conversing with the patrons of the show, we had some inquiries that we wanted to address!
1) How can I get involved in an ASPI show? When is your next audition opportunity?
Seussical the Musical is our next production, opening in December. Auditions for Seussical are on August 27th or 28th at the theater. Visit our website to learn more about what to prepare! If you’d prefer to help behind the scenes instead of auditioning, we’d love to have you! 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 visit our website.
3) When do Seussical the Musical tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the general public will go on sale on October 5th. Prior to that, presale tickets will be available to our Spotlight Sponsors and Season Ticket holders starting on September 5th. If you’re interested in securing presale tickets, you can become a Spotlight Sponsor by clicking on the donation link below. This will be a popular show, so make sure to mark your calendars!
4) What is your 2025 season?
We are currently in the process of selecting our shows for the next season! The big reveal will happen in October, so please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated. Season tickets for 2025 will also be available for purchase in October. We are thrilled about what’s to come!
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!
Take a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Based on the record-breaking West End production and the beloved film, and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. is one blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious.” Eccentric inventor, Caractacus Potts, sets about restoring an old race car with the help of his children Jeremy and Jemima. They soon discover the car is magic, and has the ability to float and take flight. When the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself, the family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious and Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher. Filled with amazing stage spectacle and unforgettable songs, including the Academy Award nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. is a high-flying fun-filled adventure that will dazzle audiences and Broadway Junior Stars alike.
THE CAST
Jenny Potts …………….. Isabella Haglund Jemimah Potts …………… Molly Weyenberg Chitty …………………. Natalie Perra, Maria Ronk, Hailey Marquardt, Addison Hock, Jorgie Runnerstrom Caractacus Potts ………… Nick Blaser Mrs. Coggins ……………. Lindsey Faris Truly Scrumptious ……….. Emma Ronk Grandpa ………………… Brady Cox Miss Phillips …………… Chesney Runnerstrom Lord Scrumptious ………… Jacob Smith Baroness ……………….. Betsy Finger Baron ………………….. Xander Birschbach Boris ………………….. Trent Van De Walle Goran ………………….. Gavin Runnerstrom Toy Maker ………………. Mara Gerner Fair Announcer ………….. Cassidy Mikol Violet …………………. Jillian Johnson Sid ……………………. Anton Nicholson Turkey Farmer …………… Hannah Nicholson Soldiers/Chefs ………….. Sophia Dobratz, Fayda Jones, Sophie Nelson Morris Dancers ………….. Bethany Gintner, Evelyn Gossen, Elyse Finger,Dorothy Gintner, Sunny Weenig Children’s Chorus ……….. Teagan Tessmer, Evette Campbell, Branny Jones, Amelia Holtger, Lyra Vogel, Anna Flory, Lilah Jones, Elaina Finger, Clara Faris Child Catcher/Junkman ……. David Jolly
An evil laboratory scientist, a support group for the Undead, and a guidance counselor obsessed with Subway sandwiches were among the characters created and staged at the first ever “24 Hour Theater” event organized by Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. in early October.
In my busy schedule, 24 Hour Theater was perfect! The compact, mixed age experiment in creativity and improvisation felt like a grown-up play date with a bunch of friendly strangers. The fact that it was free and open to all ages made it accessible to anyone with the guts to try it, regardless of experience. Ten people decided to do just that.
Ranging in age from 15 to 65, we showed up at the Nancy Byng Community Theater on a Friday night to write, direct and stage six short plays under the quiet, accomplished direction of Mike Eserkaln, ASPI director and owner of ComedyCity De Pere.
Participants volunteered to write, direct and/or act in short plays that had not been written yet. After doling out writing assignments using prompts from random Wikipedia articles, the writers went home (or to Denny’s) to write our plays into the wee hours of the morning.
Early on Saturday, we were back at the theater with plays in hand to cast roles, dig up costumes and props and block out our plays, all while sneaking in time to memorize lines. By 7 p.m. we were ready to perform for a small but loyal audience of grandmas, spouses and children.
Thanks to Mike Eserkaln and Brigette Finger of ASPI and my fellow actors and writers for creating this great memory! I hope to spend another exhilarating, yet exhausting, 24 hours with you again!
Lustful Youth is a fast paced, lots of word play show. Everyone gets to play multiple over the top fun to play characters.
It’s about a guy, Walt, who is contractually obliged to write a soap opera that is statistically perfect to get the biggest audience. As Walt writes, the show is produced (no rewrites!), He has “help” from his imaginary friend/muse Dill, but Dill keeps wanting to make things fun and interesting not statistically planned.
Hilarity ensues as Walt writes himself into his own show. It gets pretty darned zany by the end.
THE CAST Walt ………………………………………………….. Bobby Buffington Dill ……………………………………………………. Sydney Surber Tony ………………………………………………….. Will Knaapen Deb …………………………………………………… Maggie Monte Carl …………………………………………………… Travis Rysewyk April …………………………………………………… Abby Frank
Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, “Gypsy” is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success – while secretly yearning for her own. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
The celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one glorious hit after another, including: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “If Momma Was Married,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick,” and “Together Wherever We Go.”
Gypsy is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC
Director: Ali Carlson Assistant Director: Elizabeth Jolly
CAST Mama Rose ……………………………………………………………………………… Teresa Aportela Sergott Uncle Jocko, Pop, Cigar ………………………………………………………………………………..David Jolly Herbie ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tyler Otto Baby June …………………………………………………………………………………………………..Elyse Finger Dainty June …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Kelsey Steeno Baby Louise …………………………………………………………………………………………….Addison Hock Louise ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Betsy Finger Driver, Weber, Mr. Goldstone …………………………………………………………………….Allen Steeno Kids Ensemble ……………………………………………………………………………………. Sebastian Surber Kids Ensemble ………………………………………………………………………………………. Jillian Johnson Kids and Adult Ensemble (Pastey, Phil) ……………………………………………….Trent VanDeWalle Tulsa …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Brady Cox Ensemble, Younkers, Agnes …………………………………………………………………….. Sydney Surber Ensemble, Georgie, LA, Gail…………………………………………………………………Faith Marquardt Ensemble, Kansas, Dolores ……………………………………………………………………..Brynna Moody Ensemble, Little Rock, Thelma, Renee …………………………………………….. Jorgie Runnerstrom Ensemble, Austin, Betsy Ann …………………………………………………………………..Allison Carter Ensemble, East St Louis, Marjorie May, Mademoiselle Bougeron-Cochon ………Natalie Perra Electra ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Barb Alloy Miss Cratchitt, Tessie Tura ………………………………………………………………………. Elizabeth Jolly Mazeppa ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Ali Carlson Balloon Girl ……………………………………………………………………………………………..Elaina Finger Chowsie …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Brimley
This romantic comedy musical features a gambler, a crap game manager, a showgirl, and a missionary. Can a wager between friends really turn into love between the manager and the missionary? Find out if opposites really do attract!
Our “After Dark” Production for the 2019 season is Escanaba in da Moonlight. When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five-year-old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror, and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book.
Charles Schulz’s beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesner’s classic musical, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The whole gang is here: bossy Lucy is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder who doesn’t give her the time of day, perfectionist Sally is still mocking blanket-toting Linus, Snoopy is in the doghouse, and “blockhead,” himself, Charlie Brown, is in rare form. Brief vignettes span the months from Valentine’s Day to Beethoven Day, from wild optimism to utter despair. In this revised version, with additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and dialogue by Michael Mayer, the sweet, joyful innocence of the Peanuts gang is maintained, but a fresh insouciance and playfulness is revealed. The new script features two new songs, particularly funny dialogue, and new, catchy orchestrations. Whether you’re keen to fly with the Red Baron, moon over the Moonlight Sonata, or just do your best to find “Happiness,” You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a crowd-pleasing classic.
Director: Brandon Byng
Assistant Director: Jim Klein
The Cast:
Brown……………………………………………………………………Brandon Byng
Sally Brown…………………………………………………………Liz Zitny
Lucy Van Pelt………………………………………………………Ali Carlson
Linus Van Pelt………………………………………………Christopher La Chance
Schroeder………………………………………………………Michael Brunner
Snoopy………………………………………………………………Cate Kopkey
Woodstock………………………………………………………………Abigail Budz
Based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts” by CHARLES M. SCHULZ. Book, Music and Lyrics by CLARK GESNER. Additional Dialogue by MICHAEL MAYER. Additional Music and Lyrics by ANDREW LIPPA. Original Direction for this version of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” by MICHAEL MAYER. Originally Produced in New York by ARTHUR WHITELAW and GENE PERSSON.
