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Home , Hairspray (musical), Our House (musical), The Music Man

Women’s Health CLINIC

MAY 2014

SEASON | YEAR

A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND FRIENDS OF THE FIRESIDE THEATRE An Unforgettable Theatrical Experience!

TAKE ONE OF THE GREATEST NOVELS EVER WRITTEN. ADD A RICH AND BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL SCORE. STIR IN A CAST OF SOME OF AND NEW YORK’S MOST TALENTED PERFORMERS. COMBINE ALL THE INGREDIENTS IN THE FIRESIDE’S UNIQUE ARENA THEATRE. ADD A PINCH OF THEATRICAL MAGIC AND WHAT YOU GET IS A RECIPE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE IN THE THEATRE.

LES MISÉRABLES is the world’s longest I’m really excited about this one, folks! I running musical and one of the best. just got back from Chicago and New York Based on Victor Hugo’s classic story, where I saw over 800 auditionees who it is a moving tale of redemption filled each want to be one of the 20 exceptional with drama, adventure, humor, romance, talents who will appear in our production tragedy, comedy, music, and love. It has of LES MISÉRABLES. I will have a cast been seen by tens of millions of people of remarkable singers and who will in over 42 countries and now, at long bring to life this epic musical in a way that last, I get the chance to present it at The is guaranteed to move you, enchant you, Fireside. delight you, surprise you, and inspire you. I can’t wait to see “I can’t wait to see audiences audiences experience experience this exceptional and this exceptional and important production!” important production! – Ed Flesch, Artistic Director

Scene from the Broadway production of LES MISÉRABLES.

ANOTHER SHOW EDUCATING THE NEXT 45 YEARS OF FABULOUS ADDED TO OUR GENERATION OF CUSTOMER FALL COLORS P22014 LINE-UP! P3 THEATRE LOVERS P4 SERVICE P7 JUST FOR YOU Hospitality never goes out of style!

THIS IS IT - THE SHOW YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR AND THE PREMIER SHOWPIECE OF OUR 2014 ANNIVERSARY SEASON - LES MISÉRABLES. WILDLY POPULAR SINCE ITS FIRST PUBLICATION IN 1862, VICTOR HUGO’S TIMELESS STORY OF INJUSTICE, HEROISM, AND LOVE IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY PARIS IS ALSO THE WORLD’S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL. THIS AMAZING SHOW HAS BEEN SHOWERED WITH OVER 100 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS INCLUDING EIGHT FOR ITS RUN ON BROADWAY.

Personally, I’ve seen the production yet, we can hardly wait to share it with you. If you’re show at least five times not already booked - you really should call Jean today! including productions in London, New York and We’re also pleased to announce Milwaukee and have been the addition of one more show waiting for many years to this season. Gary Richardson be able to present it at The and Danny will Fireside. return for six show-only performances of their musical The story is incredibly DAVID from September 5 - 7. moving and the music is so Our kitchen will be undergoing powerful as it celebrates some renovation at that time the unassailable strength so no dinners will be served, of the human spirit. Just however the bar and gift shops remembering it brings tears will be open. Presented with a to my eyes. I’d have to say combination of storytelling and it’s one of my all-time favorite shows, one of those that touches all live, acoustic music, DAVID is of your emotions and takes you on a bit of a roller coaster ride with a hit for the whole family. If you its highs and lows on its way to a very uplifting ending. represent a church group, please share this information with your youth director as this would be an excellent opportunity for them LES MISÉRABLES is musical theatre at its best and seeing it as well. All seats are just $29.95 per person plus tax so tickets up close and personal in the intimacy of The Fireside’s theatre- are sure to go fast. We hope you can join us for both of these in-the-round will make this epic tale so much more meaningful inspirational productions! than you’ve ever seen it before. Possibly our most ambitious GROUP LEADER PROFILE

“Hopefully when we retire someday the community will feel we gave them our best.” – Tom Stepanek Learning from each other

TOM STEPANEK AND HIS WIFE, MARY ARE THE ENTIRE MUSIC DEPARTMENT FOR THE WILD ROSE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND WE LOVE IT WHEN THEIR STUDENTS COME TO VISIT.

Wild Rose, Wisconsin is a village of about dining out. It costs about the same as a from his friend where he 750 people who value their quiet way of field trip to Great America would but the is reported to have written the Libretto for life, their community, their children, their educational benefits far outweigh anything . While Mason City, Iowa schools, and their support for fine arts. they would get there. We’ve also found it might be home to who Tom Stepanek, a 37 year veteran music helps our own theatre program. They see wrote about a traveling teacher responsible for the Middle School things at The Fireside and they want to try salesman promoting boys’ bands, it was Band and both Middle School and High them out.” Wild Rose resident Ward Jeffers that was School Choir, likens it a bit to Brigadoon, the actual traveling musical instrument calling it “a magical little place where the Tom directs a musical each year at Wild salesman the story was based on. It arts flourish.” They flourish, in large part, Rose. Recent projects include LITTLE seems Meredith Willson was in one of Mr. due to his and his wife Mary’s contribution WOMEN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE Jeffers’ bands in 1903! to music education. SOUND OF MUSIC and OKLAHOMA, which was done in conjuction with the As with most of our school field trips, Tom’s Tom grew up in Highland, another small school’s 100th Anniversary and included students participated in an educational Wisconsin town committed to music members of the community in the cast. seminar prior to enjoying lunch and the education. He graduated with honors from matinee of MARY POPPINS. There a UW-Platteville and has been teaching in The Wild Rose schools are blessed with member of the cast explained background Wild Rose ever since. Mary joined him a amazing community support. Fifteen years on the show, theatre-in-the-round, the year later and teaches 5th grade and High ago they built a $1.3 million auditorium with production process we use at The Fireside School bands. Just as the teachers did in seating for 400. The school was hoping and more as well as facilitating a question Highland, Tom has been bringing field trips to include the purchase of a new grand and answer session with the students. of students to The Fireside for many years. piano and started a separate fund-drive Tom’s middle schoolers were engaged, Curious to see if his thoughts on field trips but the administration went ahead and well mannered and attentive as they matched our own, we asked him why. purchased the piano so they could have it absorbed the information and found out right away, confident that the money would just how it was we made Mary Poppins “It’s educational, they learn things, it’s come in, and of course it did. The current “fly.” Tom does what he does for the love cultural, they’re having fun, they get to commitment to the arts isn’t unique to Wild of the kids and feels very fortunate to work experience something different, it’s Rose, however. They have a rich and in a district that values the students and high quality theatre, and it’s also a safe fascinating history that includes some of a community that supports the arts. He environment for the students,” he replied. America’s musical theatre “royalty.” hopes that when he and Mary are ready “It’s cross curricular, too. Through our to retire the community will feel they gave Family and Consumer Education classes In the late 1940’s, Oscar Hammerstein them their best. We are absolutely certain we actually tie it in to etiquette lessons on rented a cottage on one of the area lakes that will be so! A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES

Wait Staff Supervisor Ginger Kammer Celebrates 45 Years of Hospitality

50 and they are well trained, fact the servers might say that Ginger has seasoned professionals ready an uncanny way of being right there when to take care of your every need! you need her to help serve soups or run to the kitchen for salads or desserts so they Ginger’s training includes can stay on schedule. Remember, dining making sure a new server at The Fireside isn’t like some restaurants knows their way around the where you can take as much time as you facility and where everything is need. We know you all have someplace kept in the kitchens, the proper special to be and that’s in the theatre by the way to set, serve and clear a time the show starts! table, explaining the menu and how to accommodate special It’s been a busy 45 years for Ginger. She needs like food allergies, use and John have raised three boys and of the computerized ordering now enjoy five grandchildren. What’s the system for both drinks and best part about working at The Fireside? dinners, and the most difficult “Everyone who comes in the door wants to task of how to manage the be here and is ready to have a good time,” timing for each table’s multiple remarked Ginger. “It’s just like Dick Klopcic courses. The service staff does always said. ‘We’re throwing a party every Back in 1969 when Ginger Kammer first a fair amount of prep work as well such as day and don’t have to do the dishes!’ We interviewed with Betty Klopcic for a waitress making salads and plating desserts. know the product is first class so we don’t position, she assured Betty that she’d stay have to worry about that. Plus there’s a While some things might be easier now with The Fireside for a couple of years. real sense of accomplishment at the end of with the computer there’s still an awful lot Nearly 45 years later, she seems to have the night when you’ve helped serve 600 or to do and remember. When interviewing fulfilled that promise and then some! more people in an hour and a half.” a potential new associate, Ginger says Ginger came to The Fireside as a UW they’re not concerned if someone doesn’t Ginger’s quick to praise the theatre as Whitewater student just a few weeks before have previous experience. “We’d rather well, having seen almost all of our 170 marrying a Fort Atkinson native she’d met teach them our way of serving instead of productions over the years. “The intimacy at school. She was studying Biology with having someone come in with different of the theatre-in-the-round makes a show intent to teach at the secondary level. Upon habits they may have learned someplace so much more special than at a larger graduation the number of new teachers else. Personality is more important than theatre,” she feels. “The talent level is outweighed the available positions so skill for a server. They need to be pleasant, beyond what most people expect. Many Ginger stayed at The Fireside while her friendly, at ease making conversation with don’t realize that we cast the shows in New new husband, John taught in Milton. There our guests and able to get along well with York, they think it’s local talent, so they’re were only about eight waitresses back then their fellow servers.” just thrilled with how great the shows when The Fireside was still just a Supper are.” While her personal favorites include Ginger’s 45 years of experience goes a Club open six nights a week. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, , long way on a busy Saturday night when LEGENDS IN CONCERT and the live band By the time we opened the theatre in every server is stretched to their limit revues, she thought it was pretty great 1978, Ginger was training, scheduling and serving a five course dinner. She and the when Pat Boone performed here in 1984. supervising the wait staff and has been other restaurant managers are on hand to Next time you’re here, let her know what responsible for staff levels as high as 75 troubleshoot if need be, and she’s really your favorite show was and be sure to wish or so, most of them part time. These days good at anticipating who might need help Ginger well on her 45th year of hospitality! we have more of a permanent staff of when based on how their tables came in. In Inside the ENTERTAINMENT TIPS & NEWS Kitchen with Chef Mike

We are officially in spring, although the weather was not agreeing with the calendar at first, I can say it is great to see the sunshine and the temperatures warming up. As it warms up, I look forward to my travels and hope to see you at some of the tourism shows and conferences I will be attending. In early May I will be at the first Annual Circle Wisconsin Midwest Marketplace right here in Wisconsin – just 45 minutes away in Middleton. It looks like it is going to be a fun exchange of itinerary ideas for those in attendance. Later this year I will be heading to again The Fireside is pulling out all the Going on Faith Conference in August and then to the the stops - a new show and a new dessert! BIG (Boomers in Groups) Conference in November to First, however, you’ll enjoy our Garden share all the details of The Fireside and our 2015 Season, Jackie Brisko Salad topped with made Sweet Director of Audience which by the way, should be announced in the next couple Sour Dressing, Jones Bacon Chips and Development of weeks. Rick and Ryan are working on it right now. It French Fried Buttermilk Onion Strings. is always an exciting time around here anticipating the Then our featured menu includes both our new season. Bone-in Short Rib of Beef and the Chicken Vienna, served with Whipped Acorn We’ve also been busy finalizing the plans for our Annual Group Leader Party on May Squash and Spaghetti Squash Tomato 17th. Those who qualified should have received your invitations and we are waiting on Concasse. your R.S.V.P.s. There will be some fun surprises along with great 50th Anniversary gifts, and due to popular demand, the photo booth is back! We had so many fun comments Back to Dessert, everyone’s favorite part on it last year that it was a must! The show is being created by Ed Flesch especially for of the meal, a Beignet is comparable to you – a stand alone show that will highlight some of the great music and hits from many of a doughnut without the hole. They are of our Broadway shows and revues along with some stories, history and laughter that have French origin, but have become popular in the as well. They’re happened on our stage over the years. You will see some of your favorite performers who especially popular in New Orleans Creole have performed on The Fireside stage over the years as well so we hope you can make it. cuisine, made famous by the Café du Monde, and in 1986 were declared the You may have heard or read that we added a new show to our 2014 Season - DAVID on official state doughnut of Louisiana. September 5, 6 and 7. We will be having a matinee and evening show on each of these days where it is going to be Theatre Only. No meals will be served. If you are interested A deep fried yeast dough, Beignets are in attending and need suggestions for dining, please give Group Sales a call as we have served mostly as a dessert, usually with some local area restaurants who do work well with groups. powdered sugar. My staff and I are still experimenting with the recipe to find Last but not least, The Fireside is presenting for the first time LES MISÉRABLES from the perfect formula, and working out the September 11 – October 26. It’s one of Rick’s favorite musicals and has been seen by logistics of making close to 2,000 of them over 65 million people in 42 countries, so if you are among the few who have not seen LES for each performance. We’re planning MISERABLES, it is a must see as we premier it on our stage. If you and your groups have to serve them with a Chocolate Sauce, seen it you’ll want to experience The Fireside’s new production of it as it will be filled with a Raspberry Melba Sauce and Fresh wonderfully talented singers and dancers who celebrate this very powerful, courageous Whipped Cream for dipping so you can decide which way you like them the best. and inspiring musical. For more details and/or to book LES MISÉRABLES, please call Let me know what you think - Yumm! and ask for Group Sales.

As you can see we have a lot of fun and excitement going on during our 50th Anniversary. We invite you to be a part of this very special Executive Chef year, and I look forward to seeing you on the road or at The Fireside. GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS

Jean’s Corner of the World

I agree with Rick, that LES MISÉRABLES is one of my favorite shows. I can never hear the music enough. But don’t just take our word for it - Tony Award winning actress Nikki James, currently playing Eponine in the new Broadway revival says the popularity of LES MISÉRABLES world-wide eclipses anything she’s ever experienced. “LES MIS is like the ‘Star Wars’ of Broadway. Our fans, they could have a convention,” she says, adding that fans have come in from as far as For personal help with Japan to watch the show five times in one week. any of your bookings, Charlene from Group Sales has seen the show noting it call me at 800-477- is one of her very favorite shows, too. She describes Les 9505 or email jean@ Mis as “a heartwarming story of love, care and redemption. firesidetheatre.com. Reflecting the horrible days of the French revolution it shows how to overcome adversities, yet paying forward to help someone else.“

Did you know that if you visit YouTube and search for Les Mis an entire list of options appear so you can listen to different Broadway versions? My favorite is the 10 Year Anniversary Special that runs for over two hours featuring the best of the actors from worldwide productions of the show. It is spectacular as an introduction or to revisit your favorite scenes. I highly suggest a visit.

Remember we have marketing aids to help you sell. I can even get you a simple synopsis or list of characters to help if needed. Keep it in mind!

In addition to announcing anniversaries and birthdays for those over 50 years old, we do offer a birthday, anniversary or celebration package for $21.10 including tax. If having a candle in the dessert is not enough, consider adding this birthday package for one of your guests. Our new 2-pack of Red Velvet cupcakes and Pecan Treasures (Yes, this is THE Pecan Treasures) are nestled in a reusable eco-friendly tote. PLUS two glasses of our Celebration punch is served with or without alcohol and a souvenir photo is sent home with the guest. PLUS the servers will sing a rousing Happy, Happy song to the celebrant(s). Make sure you order this in advance to create a great memory!

Be sure to return your order form to request artwork, flyers and sign-up sheets Group Sales Manager for your bookings or find the form on the “Groups” page of our web site. VISIT OUR GIFT SHOPS

A Harvest Of Gorgeous New Looks For Fall! WE KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING - WE’VE BARELY GOTTEN STARTED WITH SPRING! LAST WINTER DID SEEM UNBEARABLY LONG AND WE’RE CHERISHING THE WARMER DAYS. WHEN YOU VISIT US FOR LES MISÉRABLES, THE SHOPS WILL BE FILLED WITH THE RICH COLORS OF FALL AND SOME FABULOUS NEW LOOKS FOR THANKSGIVING. THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR BLESSINGS.

No matter what the season, owls are all the rage - and we’ve got new items you’re sure to “fall” in love with. Check out this new line of miniature inspirational owls.

The new looks for fall are rich in color and texture with everything from shiny bronze pumpkins to those with beads in the warm tones of falling leaves. Whether it’s just for Thanksgiving or to keep out year-round, you’ll find a beautiful assortment of useful items to choose from.

Wine themed merchandise continues to be popular and ranges from traditional to rustic and includes items for home decor, giftware, and entertaining. You could change the look of an entire room, add a few serving pieces you’ll enjoy bringing out when you have guests, or just treat yourself to something that catches your eye. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE FIRESIDE THE FIRESIDE, INC. 1131 JANESVIJANESVILLELLE AVAVENUEENUE P.OP.O.. BBOXOX 7 FORFORTTAT AATKINSON,TKIINSONSSON,N WIW 535535353853838 MAY 2014

SAVE NOW! CALL 800-477-9505 WWW.FIRESIDETHEATRE.COM

Visit early to get LES MISÉRABLES the best discount! Featured Menu September 11 - October 26, 2014 • In addition to the Featured Menu, Served Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Matinees, Saturday Evening and Sunday Midday try our Sunday Brunch, Thursday Garden Salad Evening Signature Buffet or five Belgium Endive, Spinach Frisee, Romaine Lettuce, Kernels of Corn, Red Beets, Broccoli course dinner on Saturday nights. Buds, Pear Tomatoes, and Cucumbers with a House Made Sweet Sour Dressing, Jones • Groups of 18 or more are $65.95 Bacon Chips and French Fried Buttermilk Onion Strings.

(Sat. Evening $69.95) plus tax. Freshly Baked Breads from The Fireside Ovens • Save an additional $3.00 per person Beef and Bird when you book a performance from Tender bone-in Short Rib of Beef and Chicken Vienna - a skinless Breast of Chicken, September 11 - October 5, 2014. dipped in buttermilk and egg, rolled in bread crumbs and sautéed to a golden brown, • Ask about our New Incentives for topped with Jones Canadian Bacon, Dijon Mustard, French Boursin and Jarlsberg Swiss Wednesday & Thursday matinees. Cheese. Served with Whipped Acorn Squash and Spaghetti Squash Tomato Concasse. • Arrive at 10:30 a.m. for Matinees, 2:30 p.m. for Sunday Midday French Beignets and 5:00 p.m. for Thursday and Three warm Deep Fried Fritters with a special House Made Chocolate Sauce, Saturday Evenings. a Raspberry Melba Sauce, and Fresh Whipped Cream for dipping. • See complete show listings online. Coffee, Tea and Milk