“Lombardi” Coming to Players’ Stage

The play Lombardi is coming to the Peninsula Players Theatre this season, headlining the summer theatre’s 77th season.

The Broadway play by Eric Simonson is based on the book, When Pride Still Mattered – A Life of Vince Lombardi, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss. The play will close the Players’ season, running Sept. 5 – Oct. 14.

Vince Lombardi is unquestionably one of the most inspirational and revered of sports icons, but who is the man behind football’s coveted trophy? Who is the man behind the legend? Vince Lombardi embodies that respect, time, hard work, and discipline are crucial for success. Lombardi isn’t just about football; it is about the relationships and people who shaped his life off the gridiron.

The theatre season will open June 12 with the Wisconsin premiere of Opus by Michael Hollinger. Beethoven and Bach underscore a behind-the-music glimpse into a highly-strung string quartet. The quick hiring of a gifted, but inexperienced replacement prior to an important concert strikes discord as personalities clash while tempers and passion rise. From the creator of Red Herring, comes a play with humor, heat, high notes and hysterics. Opus will have a two week run closing June 24

From June 27 through July 22 the Peninsula Players presents The Nerd by Larry Shue, a hilarious comedy featuring an overbearing house guest. How long can Willum tolerate Rick’s obnoxious habits and tambourine practice before he cracks and schemes to out-nerd his guest?

Next up from July 25 through Aug. 12 is the jazzy Tony-award winning musical Chicago, with book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse; music by John Kander; lyrics by Fred Ebb; based on the play Chicago by Maurine Dallas Watkins. This razzle-dazzle-filled musical features femme fatales Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, the girls who vie to be media sweethearts while members of Murderess Row in Cook County Jail. Chicago is an electrifying musical, winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile cruises onto the stage from Aug. 15 through Sept. 2. Blackmail, bullets and bodies follow a young couple on their honeymoon cruise along the Nile. This sharp-edged Christie whodunit will keep you in suspense while the luxury steamer travels up the Nile River filled with its eccentric characters that only the Queen of Suspense can dream up.

“I truly hope audiences enjoy the variety of the Peninsula Players 77th year,” Artistic Director Greg Vinkler said. “The plays are filled with diva-like drama, side-splitting laughter, toe-tapping numbers, thrilling murders, and a personal and fascinating glimpse into the life of the legendary Vince Lombardi. The 77th season has got it all – laughter, drama and music – something for everyone to enjoy!”

Plays are performed Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm in the summer. The closing Sunday performance of each show will have a 4 pm matinee, June 24, July 22, Aug. 12, Sept.2 and Oct. 14 as well as Wednesday, July 4.

Discount tickets are available for season ticket holders and groups. Individual tickets are also available. Individual ticket prices range from $33 to $42. There are no performances on Mondays. For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players’ box office at 920.868.3287 or visit the website at http://www.peninsulaplayers.com.