Northern Sky Theater (formerly known as American Folklore Theatre or AFT) is a professional theater company that creates, develops and produces musicals based on the populist culture and heritage of the United States.[1] Located in Door County, Wisconsin, the company began in 1970 as The Heritage Ensemble, performing on the stage of the 700-seat outdoor theater in Peninsula State Park.[2] In 1990, American Folklore Theatre was co-founded by Fred Alley, Frederick Heide and Gerald Pelrine. In 2015, the company changed its name to Northern Sky Theater.
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This list of past productions includes musicals such as Loose Lips Sink Ships and Belgians in Heaven, concerts, and anthology productions such as Tales of the Midnight Sun.[3] Productions and year of premier are as follows:
Fishing for the Moon (1992) book and lyrics by Fred Alley, with music by James Kaplan[5]
Northern Lights (1993) book and lyrics by Fred Alley, with music by James Kaplan.
The Passage (1994) created by Fred Alley and James Valcq.
Belgians in Heaven (1994) one of the American Folklore Theatre's first productions. Book by Frederick Heide and Lee Becker, with music by Heide and James Kaplan.[6] It ran at the AFT in 1994, 1995, and 1998 before going into hiatus following the death of the theatre's co-founder, Fred Alley. Had further runs at the 2006 Heartland Festival and again at the AFT in 2006 and 2007. [6]
Our Night in Frog Station (premiered 1995) created by Fred Alley, Fred Heide and James Kaplan.
Lumberjacks in Love (1996) book by Fred Alley and James Kaplan, with music by James Kaplan.[7]
Guys on Ice (1998) book and lyrics by Fred Alley, with music composed by James Kaplan.[8]
Loose Lips Sink Ships (2001) book and lyrics by Jacinda Duffin and Laurie Flanigan, music by James Kaplan. [9][10]
Bob Dumkee's Farm (2001)
The Bachelors (at the Milwaukee Rep in spring 2001, and at AFT in fall 2001),[11] book and lyrics by Fred Alley, with music by James Kaplan.
Packer Fans from Outer Space (premiered 2002) music by Frederick Heide and additional music by James Kaplan.[12] Described by the AFT in 2002 as its largest production to date, it had a three-location set, costumes that light up, and a talking football.[13]
Beneath the Northern Sky: An Evening of Fred Alley's Songs (2002) a tribute to the AFT's founder Fred Alley and features songs from Loose Lips Sink Ships, Guys On Ice, and The Spitfire Grill as well songs from Fred Alley's three CDs. It was assembled by James Kaplan and Jeffery Herbst.
Sweet Baby James: The Songs of James Taylor (premiered 2000)