Tag: ASPI

Seussical the Musical presented by Abrams Theater December 5-15 2024

ASPI Brings Dr. Seuss Characters to Life in ‘Seussical’

Brigette Finger
The Cat in the Hat with Jojo

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.

Horton with the Sour Kangaroo

Upcoming Seussical Auditions: Break a Leg!

Brigette Finger
Sussical The Musical

A musical perfect for the whole family, Seussical takes us into the world of Dr. Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo.

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.

Now one of the most widely produced musicals in the country, Seussical weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. Charming Seussical teaches us the power of being unique, and the importance of fighting for your beliefs.

Dr. Seuss Quote

This production will be presented December 5th (with an opening night Gala exclusive for our Sponsors and Season Ticket holders!), December 6th, 7th, 8th and December 12th, 13th,14th and 15th.

TICKETS COMMING SOON!

2 Foundations Award $20K in Grants for Sound System

Assistant Director
man in earpiece operating sound system

With nearly $20,000 in grants from two local foundations, Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. has the
necessary funds to purchase a state-of-the-art theater sound system. The Greater Green Bay
Community Foundation contributed $10,000, and the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation
awarded the remaining $9,900 of the theater’s Can You Hear Me Now? project. The sound system will
enhance the theater experience of the cast, crew, and audience, including older adults and individuals
with hearing impairments.
According to Bond Foundation executive director Jennifer Hanna, the project was selected for funding
because of the theater’s significance in the community.
“The foundation’s board of directors recognized Abrams Spotlight Productions as a great creative outlet
for the local community as well as an entertainment venue for people of all ages,” she said. “The board
was also impressed with the dedication and hard work of the many volunteers who are responsible for
the success of Abrams Spotlight Productions. The board felt that the sound system will also allow
Abrams Spotlight Productions to better serve the community.”
The grants cover the purchase of a sound board, amplifier, speakers and microphones. Additionally, ASPI
will install a hearing assisted sound loop system that works wirelessly with people’s hearing aids.
Bill Koehne, president of Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc., said the community theater was grateful to
be selected for the grants, because the current sound system is past its useful life.
“When the sound board failed during ‘White Christmas’ rehearsals in 2022, we scrambled to find a
solution. Luckily, we could borrow a sound board from another theater. But that wasn’t a long-term
solution,” he said. “When a speaker failed this year during rehearsals for ‘Gypsy,’ it was just another
indication that our theater needed a new sound system.”
Volunteers will provide the labor to install the sound system, saving the theater an estimated $3,000.
Carpenters, electricians, and ASPI volunteers will pull wire, groove the hardwood floor for the sound
loop, and install and connect the system.
“A new sound system will really make a big difference,” Koehne said. “When performers’ voices are too
quiet or overpowered by music, it’s hard for the audience to follow the storyline. The new sound system
and hearing loop enables everyone to fully enjoy a show.”

Weddings & Events Galore! : Rentals at the Theater

Assistant Director
wedding inside the theater

♪♬♫Oh, they say when you marry in June,

You’re a bride all your life.

…

But the June bride hears the song

Of the spring that lasts all summer long.

…

For they say when you marry in June,

You will always, always, always, be a bride.♪♬♫

A visit to the theater is a full immersive experience! You sit in a seat and are transported by actors and musical numbers. Did you know that not only can you see local talent at ASPI, but you can also rent the theater for your own weddings and events?!

Three different wedding packages are available! Something to meet every need:

  • Ceremony Package
  • Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Package
  • Reception Package

See more details below! Other specialized packages available and inquiries can be made at the box office.

AND renting the theater for non-wedding events has also become quite popular! Need a space for a business gathering, a baby shower,  a birthday party? The rental includes use of the sounds and lights (with a volunteer to run them), and the concession stand, with all proceeds going to the theater. There is an hourly rate, so please call the Box Office to inquire!

We invite you to Be Our Guest and put our service to the test! Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5854 with any questions.

Wedding Package Guide: 

  • Ceremony Package – $500
    • Rental Time: Two (2) hour rehearsal, Four (4) hours day-of ceremony
    • Capacity: 10-160 guests
    • Includes:
      • One (1) hour consultation with one of our private event coordinators
      • One (1) attendant during your rehearsal, three (3) attendants during the ceremony
      • Chair set-up and take-down in any configuration you wish
      • Use of sound system – compatible with phones, tablets, or computers
      • Specialized lighting designed to fit your color theme – or to make your entrance more theatrical!
      • “Ceremony Manager” – who will cue/operate any music and/or lights
      • Use of our facility and grounds for your photos (must be done within your rental time)
      • Bridal suite area backstage for bridal party to get ready (groomsmen area also available)
  • Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Package – $700
    • Rental Time: Two (2) hour rehearsal, six (6) hours day of ceremony*
    • Capacity: 10 – 160 guests
    • Includes:
      • Everything from Ceremony Package
      • Two (2) hours post ceremony for a pre-reception cocktail hour
      • Wine, Beer, Wine Coolers & snacks sold by our concession stand in the back of the auditorium (please see our Concession Menu for our full offering)
  • Reception Package – $900
    • Rental Time: 4pm – Midnight*
    • Capacity: up to 150 (seated)
    • Includes:
      • One (1) hour consultation with one of our private event coordinators
      • Three (3) attendants during the ceremony
      • Use of sound system – compatible with phones, tablets, or computers
      • Specialized lighting designed to fit your color theme, or to make your entrance more theatrical!
      • “Ceremony Manager” – who will cue/operate any music and/or lights
      • Use of our facility and grounds for your photos (must be done within your rental time)
      • Wine, beer, wine coolers, and snacks sold by our concession stand in the back of the auditorium (please see our Concession Menu for our full offering)
      • Ability to add on a Ceremony outside for $250 – please ask your coordinator for more details

*All decoration and clean up must be done within your rental time, additional rental time is available for $50/hour for the first two (2) hours and $100/hour after that.

(Please note that the above mentioned rates are current as of June 2023)

Mike Eserkaln

Chaotic, Confusing, Mayhem! : A Director Spotlight

Assistant Director
Mike Eserkaln - Director of Lustful Youth

This June, Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. is excited to present an original play written and directed by the one and only Mike Eserkaln!

Mike has graced the ASPI stage in the productions of Oliver and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. His first experience directing a previously published play was the 2022 production of The Foreigner. He is also currently an advisory member of the ASPI board. 

Director is not the only talent on his resume! Mike is an artist of various media: painting, digital, photography, improvisation, and writing. You can check out his work at www.eserkaln.com and/or at www.Patreon.com/Eserkaln.

With 38 years of theater experience, many of which spent doing improvisational comedy and original scripts, Lustful Youth: A Comedy is particularly meaningful. It is the first play that Mike ever had produced! And interestingly, it can now be considered a period play. Cue the nostalgia! This upcoming production will also be Mike’s fourth iteration directing this play, and he is very much looking forward to seeing the way that the cast takes to the script and makes it their own!

Having worked with the cast and crew before, Mike is excited to see them portraying different characters. They are all very talented people and their dedication to the production is already coming through at rehearsals. 

Chaotic confusing mayhem!  Three words describing the production from the writer and director himself. He believes audiences will enjoy the situation that Walt, the main protagonist, finds himself in, and the way that he and his imagination navigate the world they end up creating.

The original inspiration for the play began as a writing exercise, writing just plot with no character development.  It was originally called “Plot”, and then he started writing dialogue between two characters and that developed into the rest of the story.

For the aspiring writers and playwrights, here is advice from Mike: “Stop thinking about writing a play and just write the play.  Stop thinking, stop planning, stop excusing, just write it.”

Catch Lustful Youth, an original play by Mike Eserkaln, June 8-10 & 15-17 at 7pm and June 11 and 18 at 1pm. Tickets are on sale NOW! Purchase yours for one of the eight performances at abramsspotlightproductions.com. Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 with any questions.

April Showers bring May Flowers... Singin' in the Rain look back!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Assistant Director

After singin’ our way through the month of April, ASPI is welcoming in the month of May!

In the meantime, while April showers bring May flowers, it is also a perfect opportunity for

“Singin’ in the Rain!”! ☂️ Let’s look back at ASPI’s 2018 production of this enduring musical

classic.

The 2018 cast featured Preston Pelegrin as Don Lockwood, Hayden Blau as Cosmo Brown,

Elizabeth Jolly as Kathy Selden, and director and choreographer Debra Jolly.

Warren Gerds, Critic at Large, described the show as having “zip” and overflowing with “can-do

spirit”!

With eight performances, the theater welcomed and entertained a total of 786 patrons! From the

comedic and high energy performance of Blau in “Make ‘Em Laugh” to the couch topplin’ “Good

Morning”, and everything in between, audiences were transported to 1920s Hollywood!

And who could forget Don Lockwood’s show stopping song and dance number with onstage

rain?! A dazzling ASPI first!

ASPI is sure to also delight audiences with their upcoming comedic farce! The cast and crew

are hard at work preparing the stage for this June’s production of Lustful Youth: A Comedy, a

play written by Mike Eserkaln! Showtimes are June 8-10 & 15-17 at 7pm and June 11 and 18 at

1pm.

Tickets are on sale NOW! Purchase yours for one of the eight performances at

abramsspotlightproductions.com. Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 with any

questions