Although many Milwaukeeans aren’t eager to see another winter arrive in Wisconsin, at least this year’s snowdrifts bring a return of one of the state’s funniest homegrown musicals, Guys on Ice. Performed with spot-on timing and a huge dose of humor (both intentional and unintentional), Guyshas settled into the Milwaukee Rep’s intimate Stackner Cabaret.
Although the play has been performed here in larger spaces, the cabaret remains a perfect venue for this ode to fishing, football, and beer. (And patrons can even order beer – or other drinks – during the show. They are delivered to the audience’s tables by servers.) There’s no need to get thirsty while the actors “guzzle” the better part of two six-packs during the performance. With Leinie’s (a local beer made in Chippewa Falls) and Lambeau (home of the Green Bay Packers) dominating the conversation, one might think this goofball comedy wouldn’t make it outside Wisconsin’s borders. That’s not the case. Over the years, the 1998 show has been performed in Michigan, Oregon, California, Texas and New York. As the show begins, a radio forecaster announces a temperature of “minus 36 degrees” and threats of slick roads. The show’s two main characters agree it would be an excellent day for ice fishing. Marvin and Lloyd, two old fishing buddies, agree to meet at Marvin’s ice shanty. When Lloyd arrives, Marvin has a surprise: they are going to be featured on a local cable TV fishing show. Before the TV show’s host arrives at the shanty, Marvin and Lloyd have plenty of time to shoot the bull. An early performance during the run contained bittersweet comments about the Packers, (who finally won a game after losing three in a row). Despite his doubts about this NFL season, Marvin (Doug Mancheski) wonders if, in heaven, “every day would be Packer Sunday.” Lloyd, his equally clueless partner, reluctantly talks about his marital problems. He can’t imagine why his wife, Debbie, wouldn’t want to spend their wedding anniversary at Lambeau Field, watching the Packers play the Chicago Bears. Both Marvin and Lloyd agree this is an ideal way to celebrate such an event. However, Debbie isn’t convinced. She claims that Lloyd loves the Packers more than he does her. “Well, that makes sense,” Lloyd tells Marvin. “I’ve known the Packers for 30 years, and I’ve only known Debbie for 20.” Even if local viewers have seen this show before – or the version taped for PBS TV – it’s definitely worth a return visit. Funnyman Doug Mancheski (Marvin) and Steve Kohler (Lloyd) have played these characters in more than 1,000 performances. To be honest, their cornball jokes don’t get any funnier with age. But Mancheski manages to squeeze every bit of humor from his character. And Kohler gets several opportunities to use his fine voice, especially the haunting ballad, “The One That Got Away.” All the musical’s finely crafted songs are in place, including the always hilarious “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit” and the rousing, “Fish is Da Miracle Food.” The actors are accompanied by offstage pianist (James Kaplan), with percussion by Bo Johnson. The musical’s third character, Ernie the Moocher, has been played by dozens of actors over the years. This time, Milwaukee actor Bo Johnson fills the slot. His effect on Marvin and Lloyd is instantaneous: as soon as Ernie is spotted, a call goes out in the shanty. “Hide the bait and the beer,” they holler. However, the guys are decent enough to eventually share some of both with the hapless Ernie. After intermission, Johnson gets about 10 minutes to host his own trivia segment. Johnson’s quick, ad-lib humor adds to the fun of the show. When, during a recent performance, he asked one lady what field she works in. She replied, “h.r.” “Oh,” says the straight-faced Johnson, “home repair. Yeah, I get that.” The Wisconsin-oriented trivia questions are about as idiotic (but clever, nonetheless) as one would expect during a performance of Guys on Ice. Theatergoers need not sharpen their brain skills when answering the trivia questions or even while viewing the show. The only suspense here is whether Lloyd can win back his wife and if Marvin will draw the attention of a cute check-out girl at the local grocery store. The romances seem to be on the upswing by the show’s finale. But no matter what happens with the women, Marvin and Lloyd will be there for each other – friends ‘til the end.
