Reviews...

American Folklore Theatre's "Packer Fans from Outer Space" is as delightful as it sounds.
Some of the fun:

• An outhouse that's painted green and gold and is the doorway to a space world populated by Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bear warriors. The magic phrase to be transported is, "Open Nitschike".
• The Galactic Packers fly aboard Starship Nitschike. They dress in Day-Glo green and gold. They're led by a gruff fellow with a fedora and eyeglasses who looks a lot like Vince Lombardi. He sings, "Winning Isn't Everything."
• An electronic football that talks. When it speaks, lights on it blink.

The object of worship of the Glactic Packers is an Earthing, Harvey Kiester, a Door County farmer who is the greatest Packers fan on Earth. They call him "The Big Kiester". They plead with him to rescue the space Packers, whose war with the Bears is real. In turn, he would save the Earth Packers.

This musical is bizarre, cosmic and hilarious.
It's another great family show from a unique theatre that audiences enjoy for its original musicals about something special from Wisconsin.

The idea comes from a strange occurrence that took place May 21, 1952, near Juddville, about 10 miles south of the theatre. The Door County Advocate chronicled it. One headline: "No Kidding! We Saw a Flying Saucer Wednesday". Two articles are reprinted in the play program.

American Folklore Theatre's amazing talent ran with this idea. The key creators are Frederick "Doc" Heide and Lee Becker. It's their story and songs. Heide wrote the music, with music director James Kaplan adding music. Direction is by Jeffrey Herbst.

Adding terrific stuff are scenic designer James Maronek, costume designer Kelly Fitzpatrick and choreographer Pam Krieger.

The show has visual and word gags galore.
One sight gag: Two of the Galactic Packers arrive at the Kiester farm disguised as a Swedish couple whose car has broken down. After they pretend to telephone for help, the aliens go through goofy, confused maneuvers trying to hang up the phone.

Verbal gags turn a lot around "kiester"-your south end as you face north. All are in good fun and clever.
Some jokes are the kind of heady stuff American Folklore Theatre likes to slip in. When one of the Galactic Packers is told Earth is in the midst of a Cold War, he wonders: "At what temperature do you fight?"

The cast is a total joy.
Creators Heide and Becker are on hand. Heide is "The Big Kiester" himself. Becker is one of the Galactic Packers-pads, helmet and all.

Treva Tegtmeier is Mrs. Kiester, who is a true-blue Bears fan. Amy Ludwigsen is the Kiester daughter, a sweet girl who's science minded. Jon Hegge teams with Becker as a Galactic player, with their coach played by Doug Mancheski. The Bears (in outstanding costumes) are Rob Hancock and Thor Thoreson. Kimberly Irion is the voice of the football.

As did a near-capacity house Wednesday night, audiences will love this show. It's full of imagination, spirit and humor, along with sensitive and thoughtful moments.

The songs are full of silliness ("Gold and Green"), wonder ("Life on Earth"), love ("Love") and marital warmth ("The Things Men Do"). "Nuts in Every Tree" is a joy for its special meanings. Heide has a whole another life dealing with psychology. Here he is, dressed in a bonkers costume that includes a green and gold women's corset, dancing around the stage and singing such lines as "Everybody's just a little crackers."

It took six years to bring "Packer Fans from Outer Space" to the stage. Now it is an instant hit.

Appeared in the Green Bay Press Gazette on June 28, 2002.

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Milwaukee, WI 53208

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