Peninsula Players Presents: 1965 – 1969

This week, Peninsula Players Presents takes a closer look at some of the highlights of the seasons between 1965 and 1969. During these years, Door County’s appreciation for the arts was symbolized on the County of Door’s newly created flag that was unfurled in 1966.

Between 1965 and 1969, musicals, fresh from Broadway, delighted audiences for two weeks. An actor’s injury spurred a last-minute show change and special events such as a children’s play and gallery exhibits were presented at the theater.

In collaboration with the Roadstead Foundation, the theater presented Dave Peterson’s original Wisconsin musical Ice Cream Seven Times a Day. Dave went on to found Heritage Ensemble which eventually became Northern Sky Theater. Jim McKenzie broadened his artistic reach in the community when he and Frank Butts brought art films to Door County when they purchased Lake Cinema in Baileys Harbor.

In 1966, Door County unfurled its very own flag featuring symbols of its iconic activities, including shipbuilding, agriculture, fishing and the arts. Drama masks and a violin paid homage to Peninsula Players Theatre and Peninsula Music Festival.

Did you miss an episode? You can always start at the beginning or catch up by visiting their YouTube channel or by clicking the green Peninsula Players Presents image on their website.

Coming Soon … Stalwarts of the Sixties

Next, Peninsula Players Presents will take a two-part closer look at company members who delighted audiences in the early 1960s, including Doug Alleman, Ralph Foody, Jeannette Leahy, Mary Gage, Maggy Magerstadt and William Munchow.

Since 1937, Mary Gage was a cherished member of the Green Bay community theater scene, performing through 1961 then directing for another 20 years! Jeannette Leahy, in addition to stage work, wrote and starred in her own radio and television shows in Indiana while Maggy Magerstadt appeared on television as Mrs. Average Housewife touting various household products or beauty aids.

Doug Alleman, Ralph Foody and William Munchow were talented character actors whose credits included film, television and stages across the nation.  The second part of this series looks at company members from the mid-to-late-1960s such as Carle Bensen, Lynn Bilek, Charles Likar, Dennis Kennedy and Loraine Vozoff. We hope you will join us!