Stoneham Theatre is beginning 2007 with "Guys On Ice" a musical in the homespun style of Garrison Keillor. Directed by Jason Southerland, artistic director of Boston Theatre Works, performances are January 11 - 28.

According to writer Fred Alley, "You've seen them. Little wooden shanties sitting on lake ice. Puffs of smoke rising from chimney pipes. On a quiet day, maybe the static of a tinny radio filters through plywood walls, across the frozen tundra, back to shore. In a cold world, on a cold day, on a frozen lake, these little signs of life are all most people know of a secret culture that thrives right here amongst us. Well, wonder no more."

Originally written as a joint production of The American Folklore Theater and The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, "Guys On Ice: The Ice Fishing Musical" made its debut at Ephraim Village Hall in Door County, Wisconsin, in 1998.

With book and lyrics by Fred Alley and music by James Kaplan, the story is set in the ice fishing shanty of long-time pals Lloyd and Marvin, who keep warm with a mutual appreciation for good bait, cold beer and the Green Bay Packers.

As Marvin anxiously awaits his opportunity to appear on a cable TV fishing show and share secrets of his life on "da' lake," Lloyds ponders a recent squabble with his wife concerning plans to spend their anniversary at Lambeau Field. Both pals scramble to protect their cold ones from fellow angler, Ernie the Moocher.

Simple, straightforward and surprisingly touching, "Guys On Ice" aims to charm
your wool socks off with musical numbers like "De Fishing Hole," "Ode to a
Snowmobile Suit" and "Fish is de Miracle Food."

The cast features Cory Scott as Marvin, Bill Stambaugh as Lloyd and Bill Gardiner as Ernie the Moocher.

Fred Alley was the co-founder and Artist in Residence at American Folklore Theatre, a popular seasonal theatre in northern Wisconsin. While there, he created more than 20 original regional-accented musicals including "Guys on Ice," "Lumberjacks in Love" and "The Bachelors." He also co-authored the book and wrote the lyrics to "Spitfire Grill," winner of the prestigious 2001 Academy of Arts and Letters Richard Rodgers Award for musicals.

James Kaplan is the co-author, with Fred Alley, of "Lumberjacks in Love," "The Bachelors" and "Guys on Ice," all of which have enjoyed productions "from the Redwood Forest to the New York Island." He's been commissioned (with Laurie Flanigan) by the American Folklore Theatre to create "See Jane Vote," a new musical comedy about a woman's quest for equal rights. He wrote the music for several shows at the American Folklore Theatre including "Belgians in Heaven," "Fishing for the Moon" and "Loose Lips Sink Ships."

Jason Southerland has produced nine mainstage seasons at Boston Theatre Works, where he is the Founding Artistic Director. He recently directed the New England premiere of "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant" and the local premiere of "I Am My Own Wife" starring A.R.T. Company Actor Thomas Derrah.

For tickets and information, call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at 781-279-2200 or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

NOTE: The 4 p.m. show on January 13 is a "Pay What You Want" Performance. These tickets will be sold an hour prior to the performance. Cash only, correct change only, sold on day of performance only. Maximum number of tickets per order is 6. Tickets are subject to availability. The 4 p.m. show is also an ASL Interpreted performance.

-- OnStage Boston

01/04/07