TAKE ONE OF THE GREATEST NOVELS EVER WRITTEN. ADD A RICH AND BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL SCORE. STIR IN A CAST OF SOME OF CHICAGO AND NEW YORK’S MOST TALENTED MUSICAL THEATRE 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.

P2 P3 EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF THEATRE LOVERS P4 45 YEARS OF

CUSTOMER SERVICE

SEASON | YEAR

Women’s HealthC L I N I C

A N E W S L E T T E R D E D I C AT E D T O G R O U P S , O R G A N I Z AT I O N S A N D F R I E N D S O F T H E F I R E S I D E T H E AT R E

“I can’t wait to see audiences experience this exceptional and important production!”

– Ed Flesch, Artistic Director

MAY 2014

ANOTHER SHOW ADDED TO OUR 2014 LINE-UP! P7 FABULOUS

FALL COLORS JUST FOR YOU

An Unforgettable Theatrical Experience!

LES MISÉRABLES is the world’s longest running musical and one of the best. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic story, it is a moving tale of redemption filled with drama, adventure, humor, romance, tragedy, comedy, music, and love. It has been seen by tens of millions of people in over 42 countries and now, at long last, I get the chance to present it at The Fireside.

I’m really excited about this one, folks! I just got back from Chicago and New York where I saw over 800 auditionees who each want to be one of the 20 exceptional talents who will appear in our production of LES MISÉRABLES. I will have a cast of remarkable singers and actors who will bring to life this epic musical in a way that is guaranteed to move you, enchant you, delight you, surprise you, and inspire

you. I can’t wait to see audiences experience this exceptional and important production!

Scene from the Broadway production of LES MISÉRABLES.

Personally, I’ve seen the show at least five times including productions in London, New York and Milwaukee and have been waiting for many years to be able to present it at The Fireside.

The story is incredibly moving and the music is so powerful as it celebrates the unassailable strength of the human spirit. Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes. I’d have to say

it’s one of my all-time favorite shows, one of those that touches all of your emotions and takes you on a bit of a roller coaster ride with its highs and lows on its way to a very uplifting ending.

LES MISÉRABLES is musical theatre at its best and seeing it up close and personal in the intimacy of The Fireside’s theatre-in-the-round will make this epic tale so much more meaningful than you’ve ever seen it before. Possibly our most ambitious

production yet, we can hardly wait to share it with you. If you’re not already booked - you really should call Jean today!

We’re also pleased to announce the addition of one more show this season. Gary Richardson and Danny Hamilton will return for six show-only performances of their musical DAVID from September 5 - 7. Our kitchen will be undergoing some renovation at that time so no dinners will be served, however the bar and gift shops will be open. Presented with a combination of storytelling and live, acoustic music, DAVID is a hit for the whole family. If you represent a church group, please share this information with your youth director as this would be an excellent opportunity for them as well. All seats are just $29.95 per person plus tax so tickets are sure to go fast. We hope you can join us for both of these inspirational productions!

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 TONY AWARDS FOR ITS RUN ON BROADWAY.

Hospitality never goes out of style!

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 750 people who value their quiet way of life, their community, their children, their schools, and their support for fine arts. Tom Stepanek, a 37 year veteran music teacher responsible for the Middle School Band and both Middle School and High School Choir, likens it a bit to Brigadoon, calling it “a magical little place where the arts flourish.” They flourish, in large part, due to his and his wife Mary’s contribution to music education.

Tom grew up in Highland, another small Wisconsin town committed to music education. He graduated with honors from UW-Platteville and has been teaching in Wild Rose ever since. Mary joined him a year later and teaches 5th grade and High School bands. Just as the teachers did in Highland, Tom has been bringing field trips of students to The Fireside for many years. Curious to see if his thoughts on field trips matched our own, we asked him why.

“It’s educational, they learn things, it’s cultural, they’re having fun, they get to experience something different, it’s high quality theatre, and it’s also a safe environment for the students,” he replied. “It’s cross curricular, too. Through our Family and Consumer Education classes we actually tie it in to etiquette lessons on

dining out. It costs about the same as a field trip to Great America would but the educational benefits far outweigh anything they would get there. We’ve also found it helps our own theatre program. They see things at The Fireside and they want to try them out.”

Tom directs a musical each year at Wild Rose. Recent projects include LITTLE WOMEN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and OKLAHOMA, which was done in conjuction with the school’s 100th Anniversary and included members of the community in the cast.

The Wild Rose schools are blessed with amazing community support. Fifteen years ago they built a $1.3 million auditorium with seating for 400. The school was hoping to include the purchase of a new grand piano and started a separate fund-drive but the administration went ahead and purchased the piano so they could have it right away, confident that the money would come in, and of course it did. The current commitment to the arts isn’t unique to Wild Rose, however. They have a rich and fascinating history that includes some of America’s musical theatre “royalty.”

In the late 1940’s, Oscar Hammerstein rented a cottage on one of the area lakes

from his friend Forrest Tucker where he is reported to have written the Libretto for THE KING AND I. While Mason City, Iowa might be home to Meredith Willson who wrote THE MUSIC MAN about a traveling salesman promoting boys’ bands, it was Wild Rose resident Ward Jeffers that was the actual traveling musical instrument salesman the story was based on. It seems Meredith Willson was in one of Mr. Jeffers’ bands in 1903!

As with most of our school field trips, Tom’s students participated in an educational seminar prior to enjoying lunch and the matinee of MARY POPPINS. There a member of the cast explained background on the show, theatre-in-the-round, the production process we use at The Fireside and more as well as facilitating a question and answer session with the students. Tom’s middle schoolers were engaged, well mannered and attentive as they absorbed the information and found out just how it was we made Mary Poppins “fly.” Tom does what he does for the love of the kids and feels very fortunate to work in a district that values the students and a community that supports the arts. He hopes that when he and Mary are ready to retire the community will feel they gave them their best. We are absolutely certain that will be so!

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

GROUP LEADER PROFILE

Learningfrom each other

A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES

Back in 1969 when Ginger Kammer first interviewed with Betty Klopcic for a waitress position, she assured Betty that she’d stay with The Fireside for a couple of years. Nearly 45 years later, she seems to have fulfilled that promise and then some!

Ginger came to The Fireside as a UW Whitewater student just a few weeks before marrying a Fort Atkinson native she’d met at school. She was studying Biology with intent to teach at the secondary level. Upon graduation the number of new teachers outweighed the available positions so Ginger stayed at The Fireside while her new husband, John taught in Milton. There were only about eight waitresses back then when The Fireside was still just a Supper Club open six nights a week.

By the time we opened the theatre in 1978, Ginger was training, scheduling and supervising the wait staff and has been responsible for staff levels as high as 75 or so, most of them part time. These days we have more of a permanent staff of

50 and they are well trained, seasoned professionals ready to take care of your every need!

Ginger’s training includes making sure a new server knows their way around the facility and where everything is kept in the kitchens, the proper way to set, serve and clear a table, explaining the menu and how to accommodate special needs like food allergies, use of the computerized ordering system for both drinks and dinners, and the most difficult task of how to manage the timing for each table’s multiple courses. The service staff does

a fair amount of prep work as well such as making salads and plating desserts.

While some things might be easier now with the computer there’s still an awful lot to do and remember. When interviewing a potential new associate, Ginger says they’re not concerned if someone doesn’t have previous experience. “We’d rather teach them our way of serving instead of having someone come in with different habits they may have learned someplace else. Personality is more important than skill for a server. They need to be pleasant, friendly, at ease making conversation with our guests and able to get along well with their fellow servers.”

Ginger’s 45 years of experience goes a long way on a busy Saturday night when every server is stretched to their limit serving a five course dinner. She and the other restaurant managers are on hand to troubleshoot if need be, and she’s really good at anticipating who might need help when based on how their tables came in. In

fact the servers might say that Ginger has an uncanny way of being right there when you need her to help serve soups or run to the kitchen for salads or desserts so they can stay on schedule. Remember, dining at The Fireside isn’t like some restaurants where you can take as much time as you need. We know you all have someplace special to be and that’s in the theatre by the time the show starts!

It’s been a busy 45 years for Ginger. She and John have raised three boys and now enjoy five grandchildren. What’s the best part about working at The Fireside? “Everyone who comes in the door wants to be here and is ready to have a good time,” remarked Ginger. “It’s just like Dick Klopcic always said. ‘We’re throwing a party every day and don’t have to do the dishes!’ We know the product is first class so we don’t have to worry about that. Plus there’s a real sense of accomplishment at the end of the night when you’ve helped serve 600 or more people in an hour and a half.”

Ginger’s quick to praise the theatre as well, having seen almost all of our 170 productions over the years. “The intimacy of the theatre-in-the-round makes a show so much more special than at a larger theatre,” she feels. “The talent level is beyond what most people expect. Many don’t realize that we cast the shows in New York, they think it’s local talent, so they’re just thrilled with how great the shows are.” While her personal favorites include BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HAIRSPRAY, LEGENDS IN CONCERT and the live band revues, she thought it was pretty great when Pat Boone performed here in 1984. Next time you’re here, let her know what your favorite show was and be sure to wish Ginger well on her 45th year of hospitality!

Wait Staff Supervisor Ginger Kammer Celebrates 45 Years of Hospitality

ENTERTAINMENT TIPS & NEWS

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 the Going on Faith Conference in August and then to the BIG (Boomers in Groups) Conference in November to share all the details of The Fireside and our 2015 Season, which by the way, should be announced in the next couple of weeks. Rick and Ryan are working on it right now. It is always an exciting time around here anticipating the new season.

with Chef Mike

Inside theKitchen

Once again The Fireside is pulling out all the stops - a new show and a new dessert! First, however, you’ll enjoy our Garden Salad topped with our house made Sweet Sour Dressing, Jones Bacon Chips and French Fried Buttermilk Onion Strings. Then our featured menu includes both our Bone-in Short Rib of Beef and the Chicken Vienna, served with Whipped Acorn Squash and Spaghetti Squash Tomato Concasse.

Back to Dessert, everyone’s favorite part of the meal, a Beignet is comparable to a doughnut without the hole. They are of French origin, but have become popular in the United States as well. They’re especially popular in New Orleans Creole cuisine, made famous by the Café du Monde, and in 1986 were declared the official state doughnut of Louisiana.

A deep fried yeast dough, Beignets are served mostly as a dessert, usually with powdered sugar. My staff and I are still experimenting with the recipe to find the perfect formula, and working out the logistics of making close to 2,000 of them for each performance. We’re planning to serve them with a Chocolate Sauce, a Raspberry Melba Sauce and Fresh Whipped Cream for dipping so you can decide which way you like them the best. Let me know what you think - Yumm!

Executive Chef

Jackie Brisko Director of Audience Development

We’ve also been busy finalizing the plans for our Annual Group Leader Party on May 17th. Those who qualified should have received your invitations and we are waiting on 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 on it last year that it was a must! The show is being created by Ed Flesch especially for you – a stand alone show that will highlight some of the great music and hits from many of our Broadway shows and revues along with some stories, history and laughter that have happened on our stage over the years. You will see some of your favorite performers who have performed on The Fireside stage over the years as well so we hope you can make it.

You may have heard or read that we added a new show to our 2014 Season - DAVID on 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 in attending and need suggestions for dining, please give Group Sales a call as we have some local area restaurants who do work well with groups.

Last but not least, The Fireside is presenting for the first time LES MISÉRABLES from September 11 – October 26. It’s one of Rick’s favorite musicals and has been seen by over 65 million people in 42 countries, so if you are among the few who have not seen LES MISERABLES, it is a must see as we premier it on our stage. If you and your groups have seen it you’ll want to experience The Fireside’s new production of it as it will be filled with wonderfully talented singers and dancers who celebrate this very powerful, courageous and inspiring musical. For more details and/or to book LES MISÉRABLES, please call 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 year, and I look forward to seeing you on the road or at The Fireside.

Jean’s Corner of the World

GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS

For personal help with any of your bookings, call me at 800-477-9505 or email jean@firesidetheatre.com.

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

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 Japan to watch the show five times in one week.

Charlene from Group Sales has seen the show noting it is one of her very favorite shows, too. She describes Les Mis as “a heartwarming story of love, care and redemption. Reflecting the horrible days of the French revolution it shows how to overcome adversities, yet paying forward to help someone else.“

Group Sales Manager

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!

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!

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.

A Harvest Of Gorgeous New Looks For Fall!

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOPS

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.

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.

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.

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

Visit early to get the best discount!

LES MISÉRABLESFeatured Menu September 11 - October 26, 2014

Served Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday Matinees, Saturday Evening and Sunday Midday

Garden SaladBelgium Endive, Spinach Frisee, Romaine Lettuce, Kernels of Corn, Red Beets, Broccoli Buds, Pear Tomatoes, and Cucumbers with a House Made Sweet Sour Dressing, Jones

Bacon Chips and French Fried Buttermilk Onion Strings.

Freshly Baked Breads from The Fireside Ovens

Beef and BirdTender bone-in Short Rib of Beef and Chicken Vienna - a skinless Breast of Chicken, dipped in buttermilk and egg, rolled in bread crumbs and sautéed to a golden brown,

topped with Jones Canadian Bacon, Dijon Mustard, French Boursin and Jarlsberg Swiss Cheese. Served with Whipped Acorn Squash and Spaghetti Squash Tomato Concasse.

French BeignetsThree warm Deep Fried Fritters with a special House Made Chocolate Sauce,

a Raspberry Melba Sauce, and Fresh Whipped Cream for dipping.

Coffee, Tea and Milk

THE FIRESIDE, INC.1131 JANESVILLE AVENUEP.O. BOX 7FORT ATKINSON, WI 53538 MAY 2014

PRSRT STDPRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPAIDTHE FIRESIDETHE FIRESIDE

THE FIRESIDE, INC.1131 JANESVILLE AVENUEP.O. BOX 7FORFORT AT ATKITKIINSONSONSOSSS N,NN,N,N, WIWWI 5355355353888838

• In addition to the Featured Menu, try our Sunday Brunch, Thursday Evening Signature Buffet or five course dinner on Saturday nights.

• Groups of 18 or more are $65.95 (Sat. Evening $69.95) plus tax.

• Save an additional $3.00 per person when you book a performance from September 11 - October 5, 2014.

• Ask about our New Incentives for Wednesday & Thursday matinees.

• Arrive at 10:30 a.m. for Matinees, 2:30 p.m. for Sunday Midday and 5:00 p.m. for Thursday and Saturday Evenings.

• See complete show listings online.