Green Bay Packers fans from this planet and beyond have just two weeks left to catch a unique and memorable musical that's a must-see for the entire family.
Dubbed the world's first sci-fi football musical, Packer Fans From Outer Space has been entertaining crowds at Green Bay's historic Meyer Theatre since September 26, but will leave town October 12.
Warren Gerds of the Green Bay Press-Gazette calls "Packer Fans" and "an instant hit" and says "audiences will love this show!"
The opening night audience included members of Vince Lombardi's "Golden Girl" pom-pon squad, Packer PR Director Lee Remmel, and Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.
"Packer Fans From Outer Space is a wonderful show and should be seen by everyone in Wisconsin, as well as our 'naturalized' brethren around the U.S. who share our devotion to Packers football," says Packers Executive Vice President John Jones.
The show is another family-friendly production from the acclaimed American Folklore Theatre. Close to 30,000 people have already seen Packer Fans From Outer Space at AFT's summer stage in Wisconsin's Peninsula State Park.
The show, set in 1953, follows the exploits of Wisconsin fruit farmer and world's biggest Packer fan, Harvey Kiester. After painting the family outhouse green and gold, Harvey is visited by the Galactic Packers -- football aliens clad in shimmering uniforms and carrying a talking football. They have mistaken the game of football for all-out war and need Harvey's help to save their planet from their mortal enemies, the evil Space Bears. Of course, when he tells all this to his Chicago Bears-loving wife, hilarious misunderstandings occur as she fears more and more for his sanity.
More than a sidesplitting comedy, Packer Fans From Outer Space also features romance between a pair of truly "star-crossed" lovers. Peggy Kiester, Harvey's daughter, has dreams of becoming a scientist and develops a keen interest in one of the Galactic Packers, giving the show some of its more beautiful moments.
"Packer Fans" is filled with songs that celebrate the storied Packer-Bear rivalry, including "Gold and Green" and "You Gotta Hate the Bears." The leader of the Galactic Packers bears a striking resemblance to Coach Lombardi and sings the show-stopper,"Winning is the Only Thing."
But the show is about a lot more than football. "It's about the love of family and accepting each other for who we are," said Frederick "Doc" Heide, co-author of the show. "You don't need to know anything about football to enjoy it."
Heide is a Green Bay native and is flying back and forth across the country during the run to teach clinical psychology at Alliant International University in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Heide's writing partner, Lee Becker, adds "If you're a Packer fan this is the musical for you. If you aren't, don't worry. People love the show even if they're from a state without a professional football team - like Minnesota."
The show runs Wednesday-Sunday through October 12 at the beautifully restored Meyer Theatre in downtown Green Bay - 117 S. Washington Street.
Tickets ($29 - $39) are on sale now from the Weidner Center Ticket Office, by calling 1-800-328-TKTS or (920) 465-2217, or by ordering online at www.weidnercenter.com.
Packer Fans from Outer Space is not officially associated with the Green Bay Packers.
