Pen Players Open Season with “Saloon”

Peninsula Players Theatre opened its 78th season on June 11 with the Wisconsin première of Saloon by Terry Twyman, a gritty, often raucous, cowboy tale set in the Old West with a real never-say-die spirit.

Saloon is a slice of Americana, 1871 when cowboys lived by the Golden Rule of fair play, hospitality, loyalty and honor. “Saloon reminds us that the things that shape our lives are often the things over which we have the least control,” playwright Twyman said.

Twyman set out to write a play about cowboys. His father gave him a book about the evolution of the cowboy during the latter half of the 19th century. “There are few westerns written for the stage,” Twyman said. “The plot of Saloon rose from the pages as I read it.”

A greenhorn cowpuncher from Kentucky yearns for adventure in the unsettled American West. Caney Fork saddles up with seasoned cattlemen Ottawa Watson, Red Sterling and Nathan Foley to round-up and drive cattle from Mexico all the way to Kansas in hopes of selling them for a profit.

Saloon is under the direction of Players veteran Tom Mula who celebrates his 19th season with the Peninsula Players. The play features returning Players Joe Foust, Neil Friedman, Sean Fortunato, Callie Johnson, Artistic Director Greg Vinkler and newcomer Harter Clingman.

The Peninsula Players perform Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm, with a 4 pm matinee on June 30. Discount tickets are available for season ticket holders and groups. Individual ticket prices range from $33 to $40. For tickets call 920.868.3287 or visit peninsulaplayers.com.