Women’s Health CLINIC JULY 2015 SEASON | YEAR A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND FRIENDS OF THE FIRESIDE THEATRE A Time-Honored Christmas Tradition EVERY HOLIDAY HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONS. ON MEMORIAL DAY WE GRILL OUT; ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WE WATCH FIREWORKS; ON THANKSGIVING THE FAMILY SITS DOWN FOR A TURKEY DINNER. ONE OF THE TRADITIONS AT CHRISTMAS TIME IS FOR THE FAMILY TO SIT AROUND THE TV AND WATCH GREAT CHRISTMAS MOVIES. I know that I, for one, wait all year to see is filled with doubt about his own worth my favorites. One of the most beloved of he is given the unique gift of seeing those films is IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. what the world would be like had he With its heart-warming message of love, never existed. It is truly one of the most hope, and redemption it’s the perfect uplifting stories of all time and in The story for the season. Fireside’s production it will be filled with glorious, beautiful music by Joe Raposo Another Christmas tradition for tens of and Sheldon Harnick. thousands of people is to come to The Fireside to see our annual Christmas Joe Raposo wrote much of the wonderful offering. Whether it is one of our beautiful music of SESAME STREET and Sheldon Christmas revues or a book musical, Harnick wrote many Broadway hits folks know that when they come to The including FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. “I know that I, for one, wait all Fireside they will see a show that will Together they have written a score that year to see my favorites. One of re-kindle the true Christmas spirit and speaks to the soul and soars to the skies. the most beloved of those films is celebrate all that is warm and good about IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. With this festive time of the year. I’m very excited about being able to its heart-warming message of present this unforgettable show. As love, hope, and redemption it’s Now you can come and celebrate both of always I have assembled a stellar cast those traditions at the same time when of some of today’s best Broadway and the perfect story for the season.” we present the musical version of that regional performers. I know you will be – Ed Flesch, Artistic Director classic movie called A WONDERFUL totally enchanted by this new version of LIFE. It is the familiar story you know and this great Christmas classic. love – the story of George Bailey who sacrifices so much to enrich the lives Don’t miss it! of his family and friends and when he MUSIC MAKES THIS EUNICE WINK - MEET BETHANY, A WARM FAVORITE SHOW NEARLY 90 AND OUR GIFT SHOP AND COZY P2EVEN BETTER! P3 STILL HAVING FUN! P4 MANAGER P7 CHRISTMAS Hospitality never goes out of style! THERE ARE MANY CHRISTMAS MOVIES THAT FOLKS LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERY YEAR, FROM STORIES FOR CHILDREN LIKE A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS AND HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS TO CLASSICS FOR ALL LIKE MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S AND A CHRISTMAS CAROL. THE BIGGEST BY FAR, THOUGH, IS ARGUABLY THE MOVIE VERSION OF THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS SHOW AT THE FIRESIDE. “It’s A Wonderful Life” has received such praise The Fireside is proud to be one of the first as being named one of the most popular films professional regional theatres to present the in American cinema, one of the most critically stage musical and advance sales are indicating acclaimed films ever made, and one of the most this will be a very popular show. If you’re not inspirational American films of all time. It was already booked, please call our group sales also legendary director Frank Capra’s personal staff soon so they can find available seating favorite of all the films he directed. for you. This show is great for every kind of group from families to corporate parties and Although the film originally aired in 1946, everything in between. it received a resurgence in the late 1970’s when it first became a staple of the Christmas Be sure to look over our 2016 Season on page television schedules and became popular with five, open to group bookings now! We’ve a new generation. By 1990, the film was got another great line-up including exciting deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically new shows, cherished Fireside favorites, the significant” by the United States Library of long-awaited return of our second best selling Congress and was selected for preservation in show of all time that you’ve been asking for us their National Film Registry. to bring back, and one so hot we can’t even tell you what it is just yet. Jean and her staff The musical version you’ll be enjoying at The are standing by ready to get you all set up for Fireside features book and lyrics by Sheldon another year of fabulous theatre, superb dining, Harnick who is best known for FIDDLER ON delightful shopping, and family hospitality at THE ROOF and music by Joe Raposo, best The Fireside. We look forward to seeing you known for the music of Sesame Street. The soon! musical closely follows the original plot of the movie and the music is a marvelous addition you’re going to love! GROUP LEADER PROFILE “How do you take care of a group? Be happy, kid around with them, and let them know you care!” – Eunice Wink Learning EUNICE WINK (FAR RIGHT) AND LUCY BIRSCHBACH (FAR LEFT) BRING A GROUP TO EVERY ONE OF OUR from each other SHOWS AND THEY’RE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY! Eunice Wink has been bringing a group There’s a definite spirit of fun with this Eunice talked about how much fun they based out of Divine Mercy Congregation group. Mostly women, the group includes have on the ride out from Milwaukee. in South Milwaukee to see shows at some couples and even more than normal She talks to everyone, kids around with The Fireside for 20 years. Several of for their recent trip to GUYS ON ICE, the everyone, and calls them by name. She her current travelers have been with her hilarious ice fishing musical. Since they’re lets them know they’re important to her. If the whole time as has her helper, Lucy not out to make a profit, and don’t have someone signs up for a trip but forgets to Birschbach. Together they are a force to work very hard at getting their one bus send their payment in, she reminds them in to be reckoned with - a force of fun and filled, they don’t do much in the way of a fun way, never scolds them. They’re all laughter and good times! marketing. Handing out the list of shows getting older and just getting on and off the and maybe putting it in the church bulletin coach can be a challenge but she makes It’s a pretty cohesive group, maybe 75 - is all it takes. sure everyone is cared for, that they know 80 people overall that make up each tour it’s OK to take it slow. Eunice is just about of 40 - 60 with about 30 of them that are This is a completely volunteer effort by a 90 herself, though she doesn’t look it at all. so committed they come to each show. couple of gracious and generous ladies. When it comes to the Christmas show, and Not only does Eunice not make a profit, Eunice and Lucy are already booked for occasionally another one like our recent she and Lucy don’t take the complimentary The Fireside’s 2016 season and think it’s production of ALL SHOOK UP, they have tickets we offer to the group leaders. They a wonderful line-up. They shared the list to add a mini-coach that seats 13 and use them to reduce the amount everyone of shows with their travelers on this recent has the luxury feel of a limousine. While else has to pay. She even tips the driver trip and said they got a great response, the group is based out of the church, and the server out of her own pocket. She everyone’s excited to keep coming back. the travelers come from throughout the just wants to help make it as affordable as Partly because they know that just as in Greater Milwaukee area from Pewaukee to she can for everyone else so they can get this photo from our 2014 party, their group Caledonia. How do they reach out to those out and have some fun. leaders aren’t afraid to have fun! other areas? “They just like us,” quipped Eunice. Eunice and Lucy each spent over 40 years teaching in the Milwaukee Public School Everyone likes them! As Restaurant system - Eunice in Middle School and Lucy Manager Wendy Janecek (pictured with at the Elementary level. Never married, them above along with Asst. Manager they each dedicated their lives to teaching, Heather Gerlach at our recent group leader their weekends to correcting schoolwork appreciation party) noted, “Eunice and and designing bulletin boards, and now Lucy are the life of the party every time their retirement years to serving others. they’re here.” They are truly an inspiration! BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE FIRESIDE GIFT SHOPS Managing for a delightful shopping experience! Bethany. “Helping our guests find that everything from shawls and wraps to perfect gift for their loved ones is the best scarves and jewelry, to slippers and boot part of my job.” socks.