The play about two messy guys who live in their cave-like apartment will visit 15 communities in the Badger State for a total of 20 performances. The current Rep return engagement of The Bachelors will play to Jan. 27 at the Stiemke Theater, in the Rep complex. Performances began Jan. 15.
The Wisconsin stops include Hartford, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rapids, Cedarburg, Stoughton, Ladysmith, Eagle River, Wausau, Oshkosh, Madison, Eau Claire, Baraboo, Manitowoc, La Crosse and Platteville. (Visit milwaukeerep.com for more information about the tour.)
In the play, "Two thirty-something bachelors inhabit a cave-like apartment in Madison, Wisconsin basking in a blissful state of extended adolescence. One night, they innocently order out for pizza, never expecting the delivery girl is the reincarnation of a woman they both wronged in a previous lifetime."
The Bachelors is the final installment of a musical trilogy that includes Guys On Ice and Lumberjacks in Love, all created by Alley and Kaplan.
Kaplan and Alley share story credit on The Bachelors. The late Alley (also known for the musical with James Valcq, The Spitfire Grill) wrote book and lyrics for The Bachelors. Kaplan penned the score. All three of their musicals "center on men who live in a state of suspended adolescence," according to production notes. "Why grow up when you can hang out with your buddies in a fish shanty or lumber shanty or bachelor pad? In all three musicals, an idyllic bachelor world is threatened by the twin evils of love and responsibility."
The Rep has staged Guys On Ice six times, and it also went on to play a statewide tour.
The Bachelors cast includes Steven M. Koehler (Stew), Doug Mancheski (John) and Katherine Strohmaier (Kate). Kaplan is the pianist.
The creative team for The Bachelors tour includes Jeffrey Herbst (director), James Maronek (scenic designer), Dawna Ellis (costume designer), Jason Fassl (lighting designer), Patience Edwards (assistant lighting designer), Kathi Karol Koenig (stage manager) and Becca Lindsey (tour manager).
