Two young lovers on a stolen romantic interlude made their way through the rambling country roads of west central Wisconsin. Their Audi caressed the rising and falling asphalt that undulated with the land...at least that's what I felt like when my wife and I cruised our Caravan into the environs of American Players Theatre while our kids were happliy installed with Nana and Papa a few towns away. It was our anniversary and Libby was taking me to the theatre she'd always known as she grew up in Wisconsin. American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
"American Players Theatre" this, "APT" that, "oh, you'd just love this production!", "We always meet our friends there and eat before the show..." If I heard one more tale about how great this place was, how beautiful the area was, how much I would love it, I don't think I could have been more predisposed to NOT like anything! Don't get me wrong, I love theatre. I especially love good theatre. I teach acting at a university. I try to train people to make good theatre. My in-laws and my wife are smart. My wife has good taste. I know this. Still, I had my doubts. How good can it be? It's rural Wisconsin. BUT I was delighted to be on a getaway with my beloved so it really only mattered so much. And so we went.
We settled ourselves into the Miner's Cottage in Mineral Point--about 20 minutes from Spring Green. This would be our digs for the night. Have a look:
http://www.brewerycreek.com/roomsandrates_details.php?propid=12
No TV. No internet. Rich historical environment and just us hanging out. Perfect. We headed into the center of town and found the Brewery Creek Brewpub. Libby and I love to enjoy good food and the occasional really good handcrafted beer together. Both were had at this lunch!
http://www.brewerycreek.com/brewpub.php
After some further exploration of Mineral Point, daydreaming aloud about what it would be like to live there, and relaxing in the cool of the cottage on this very hot July day, it was time to make for Spring Green.
OK, fine, I'll admit that I got excited the moment we got out of the car and headed toward the box office. I'll admit that the pre-show picnic dinners we ordered were truly delicious. I'll admit that, as I saw the hillside picnic tables (many equipped with mini grills) flooded with clearly delighted playgoers, I began to sense that this was a special place to these people. I'll admit that every person we dealt with from box office to ticket takers on the edge of the outdoor theatre were the perfect combination of professional precision and Midwestern friendliness. But, still, how good can this production be? It's AS YOU LIKE IT!
Yeah, it turns out that the acting was extraordinarily clear and deeply moving. Imaginative. Playful. Jaques' ages of man speech was the best I've EVER seen or heard it done--not to mention everything else he did. Orlando and Rosalind...really went for it. They were really doing the work here. We stuck around for the talkback after the show. So did many others. Some decent audience questions and honest, meaningful responses from the actors. They did great work. There was a rich sense of professional pride and heartfelt community. I had one of the best nights in the theatre of my life even though it was HOT--but we were all sweating together! How had this place escaped my attention all these years? That was it. I knew it. I had to work here someday! Not just because I'm also an actor and when you're an actor you always want to work where the work is good, but because there was something truly special about this community of people.
And it wasn't just me. Libby had a great time too. We talked about the show, the community, the place, the organization for much of the rest of the night. Alright APT, you've got a hook in me now. Maybe there's some more Wisconsin time in our future.
But I will NEVER be a Packer fan.
In my next post: the community draw increases.
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