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“PACKER
FAN” BAND IS OUT OF THIS WORLD IN HIT MUSICAL
For over a decade, Door County’s acclaimed American Folklore Theatre has been known for lovely concerts grounded in the acoustic tradition.
 But when AFT brings its hit comedy “Packer Fans From Outer Space” to the spectacular Meyer Theatre in downtown Green Bay this fall, audience members will hear music from out of this world.
James Kaplan, Eric Lewis and Maureen Milbach comprise the show’s exceptionally talented pit band.
The trio not only accompanies all the musical numbers, but creates otherworldly sound effects to boot.
The show’s co-authors couldn’t be happier.
“For the show to work, we always knew we needed musicians of unusual caliber,” said co-author Lee Becker. “And we’ve got them.”
Leading the band is pianist James Kaplan, who also composed 3 songs for the show. Originally from New Jersey, Kaplan moved to Berkeley, CA in 1990 where he met AFT co-founder Fred Alley. Both were selling stereos at the time.
“My several years living in Berkeley prepared me well for writing songs sung by folks from outer space,” Kaplan said.
Kaplan’s contribution to “Packer Fans From Outer Space” is only a small part of his body of work. His many collaborations with Alley include “Guys On Ice,” which ran for 4 years at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and is the top grossing show in Madison history. The show has been produced from Oregon to New York state and has even been featured on National Public Radio.
Like the “Packer Fans” authors, Kaplan is greatly impressed with his fellow band members.
“Creating such a wide range of sounds would seem impossible but for the experience and talent of these musicians,” he said.
One of these musicians, Eric Lewis, plays multiple string instruments in the “Packer Fan” band. In addition to mandolin, acoustic guitar and bass, Lewis gets to rock out on the electric guitar.
“It lets me tap into my inner Jimi Hendrix,” Lewis explains.
Beyond accompanying songs, Lewis uses this guitar to create eerie sounds aboard the alien spaceship.
Born in East Tennessee, Lewis has played guitar since he was 13. This spring he won the Premiere String Player Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences -- Memphis Chapter.
“It’s the first award I’ve received since the one for fire prevention in 6th grade,” he says.
Lewis has also recorded several bluegrass CD’s. A transcription of one of his tunes was featured in Flatpicking Guitar magazine in 2002.
Rounding out the band is percussionist Maureen (Mo) Milbach. A native of Appleton, WI, she recently returned to her hometown to teach theatre at Xavier High School.
Milbach has played in over 45 musicals, including such AFT hits as “Loose Lips Sink Ships” and “Ya, Ya, You Betcha!”
Her education includes a year on fellowship studying at the Eugene O’Neill Center Theatre.
Asked his opinion of Milbach’s performing, AFT co-author Lee Becker said simply, “She swings.”
Together, the three musicians create a sound that is “both futuristic and retro,” according to co-author Doc Heide.
And Becker adds, “Thanks to them, ‘Packer Fans From Outer Space’ is as much fun to hear as it is to see.” |
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