Outdoor theater productions offer art in nature

There's no shortage of things to see and do in Wisconsin during the summer, from camping and cookouts to taking in a live band and … the works of William Shakespeare?

The latter option is possible thanks to a handful of troupes in eastern and southeastern Wisconsin who perform outdoor theater productions throughout the summer and early fall.

Attending an outdoor play is "a full experience," offering more sights and sounds than a typical indoor theater, said Carrie Van Hallgren, managing director of American Players Theatre in Spring Green.

"It's spectacular to be able to hear the cicadas and the birds and the wind, all while experiencing quality theater at the same time. It's something that's become a summer destination for a lot of people," said Van Hallgren.

About 110,000 people come to see American Players' summer performances each year at its Up-The-Hill Theatre, Van Hallgren said.

Now in its 36th season, the group will put on five different shows this year, including "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Pride and Prejudice" and "Othello."

Though both the actors and audience can sometimes face sweltering temperatures, rain and even snow, their dedication and passion for live performance keeps them coming back.

"We get everything, from really hot days and mosquitoes to snow flurries in the early fall, and the audience comes prepared for all of that. They're so dedicated and invested in what we do. They're like the Packers fans of theater," said Van Hallgren.

Down in Milwaukee, Optimist Theatre will give eight performances of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" over the course of two weekends in mid-July.

The annual performances attract between 200 and 350 a night and is performed on-stage in Milwaukee's Alice Bertschy Kadish Park, said Managing Director Susan Scot Fry.

"Our performances have a really relaxed atmosphere but there's also a sense of urgency. People will start lining up about two hours before show time to snag the best spots or to have a picnic," said Scot Fry. "They're so happy to be there, and we see a lot of people who might not have experienced theater before but who come because of the quality of our shows and because they're free."

Scot Fry said she first got the idea for the outdoor Shakespeare series, now in its sixth season, when she and her husband moved to Milwaukee in 2008.

"We noticed live music in all of the parks but there wasn't outdoor theater. 'Shakespeare in the Park' popped into my mind because it's one of those things that's iconic in a metro city. It's part of a city's cultural footprint of their city so we felt it was very important to offer," said Scot Fry.

The state's real hub for outdoor theater, though, appears to be in Door County, where three different groups perform in the great outdoors.

One of those groups, Peninsula Players, will perform five different musicals and plays between now and mid-October, including "Lend Me a Tenor" and "Nunsense."

Peninsula Players have been offering performances since the 1930s in their woodland theater, which has removable sides that allow the audience to experience the cedar forest around them while still being under a covered roof, said Artistic Director Greg Vinkler.

"With the sides up, you feel like you're outdoors. And even when the weather gets bad, we have the flexibility to close the sides of the theater so the performance can go on," said Vinkler.

Peninsula Players' campus also features walking paths, a beer garden, a cantina and scenic gardens that all add to the theater-going experience, Vinkler said.

"A patron can come down early, picnic in the beer garden overlooking the water, attend a bonfire during intermission or watch the sun set over Green Bay. It's a unique experience that you don't get from a traditional indoor theater," said Vinkler.

Though performing outside can have its own set of challenges, like hauling large stage equipment and inclement weather, the positives far outweigh the negatives, Scot Fry said.

"Outside, there's not as much of a barrier between the actors and the audience, so you can really break down the barriers and connect as humans. It's a much more communal experience," said Scot Fry. "It's a lot of work to put together, but it's worth it."

OUTDOOR THEATER CALENDAR

What: American Players Theatre's "The Merry Wives of Windsor"

When: July 7, 10, 15, 18, 19, 23, 25; August 1, 14, 22, 28; September 5, 11, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 30; October 2 and 4

Where: Up-The-Hill Theatre, Golf Course Road, Spring Green

Cost: $45 and up, with reserved seating

Contact: Call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org

What: Northern Sky Theater's "No Bones About It"

When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, now through August 29

Where: Peninsula State Park, 10169 Shore Road, Fish Creek

Cost: General tickets $20 for adults, $10 for teens and $6 for ages 12 and under; reserved tickets $27 for adults, $17 for teens and $13 for ages 12 and under

Contact: Call 920-854-6117 or visit www.northernskytheater.com

What: American Players Theatre's "Pride and Prejudice"

When: July 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24; August 1, 11, 20, 23, 30; September 4, 13, 17, 19, 23, 26

Where: Up-The-Hill Theatre, Golf Course Road, Spring Green

Cost: $45 and up, with reserved seating

Contact: Call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org

What: Door Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, June 30 through August 15

Where: 7590 Boynton Lane, Bailey's Harbor

Cost: $27 for adults, $17 for students and $7 for ages 12 and under; reserved seating $32

Contact: Call 920-859-1500 or visit www.doorshakespeare.com

What: Northern Sky Theater's "Strings Attached"

When: Tuesdays and Saturdays, now through August 29

Where: Peninsula State Park, 10169 Shore Road, Fish Creek

Cost: General tickets $20 for adults, $10 for teens and $6 for ages 12 and under; reserved tickets $27 for adults, $17 for teens and $13 for ages 12 and under

Contact: Call 920-854-6117 or visit www.northernskytheater.com

What: Door Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

When: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, July 1 through August 15

Where: 7590 Boynton Lane, Bailey's Harbor

Cost: $27 for adults, $17 for students and $7 for ages 12 and under; reserved seating $32

Contact: Call 920-859-1500 or visit www.doorshakespeare.com

What: Northern Sky Theater's "When Butter Churns to Gold"

When: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, now through August 29

Where: Peninsula State Park, 10169 Shore Road, Fish Creek

Cost: General tickets $20 for adults, $10 for teens and $6 for ages 12 and under; reserved tickets $27 for adults, $17 for teens and $13 for ages 12 and under

Contact: Call 920-854-6117 or visit www.northernskytheater.com

What: American Players Theatre's "A Streetcar Named Desire"

When: July 9, 11, 17, 21, 25, 30; August 9, 16, 22, 30; September 5

Where: Up-The-Hill Theatre, Golf Course Road, Spring Green

Cost: $45 and up, with reserved seating

Contact: Call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org

What: Peninsula Players' "Dial M for Murder"

When: July 8 through July 26

Where: Theatre in the Garden, W4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek

Cost: $36, $39, $42

Contact: Call 920-868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com

What: Optimist Theatre's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

When: July 9 to 12 and July 16 to 19

Where: Selig-Joseph-Folz Ampitheatre at Alice Bertschy Kadish Park, Milwaukee

Cost: Free; reserved seating available with a financial donation

Contact: Call 262-498-5777 or visit www.optimisttheatre.org

What: Peninsula Players' "Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor"

When: July 29 through August 16

Where: Theatre in the Garden, W4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek

Cost: $36, $39, $42

Contact: Call 920-868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com

What: American Players Theatre's "Private Lives"

When: August 6, 8, 12, 16, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29; September 6, 10, 12, 18, 26, 27; October 2

Where: Up-The-Hill Theatre, Golf Course Road, Spring Green

Cost: $45 and up, with reserved seating

Contact: Call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org

What: American Players Theatre's "Othello"

When: August 13, 15, 18, 23, 26, 29; September 3, 6, 12, 16, 20, 25, 29; October 1 and 3

Where: Up-The-Hill Theatre, Golf Course Road, Spring Green

Cost: $45 and up, with reserved seating

Contact: Call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org

What: Peninsula Players' "Outside Mullingar"

When: August 19 through September 6

Where: Theatre in the Garden, W4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek

Cost: $36, $39, $42

Contact: Call 920-868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com

What: Peninsula Players' "Nunsense"

When: September 9 through October 18

Where: Theatre in the Garden, W4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek

Cost: $36, $42, $45

Contact: Call 920-868-3287 or visit www.peninsulaplayers.com