1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

Women’s Health
C L I N I C
JANUARY 2015
SEASON | YEAR
A N E W S L E T T E R D E D I C AT E D T O G R O U P S , O R G A N I Z AT I O N S A N D F R I E N D S O F T H E F I R E S I D E T H E AT R E
A Feel-Good Musical Romp With Elvis!
IN 1999 A SHOW OPENED IN LONDON THAT USHERED IN A NEW GENRE OF MUSICAL
THEATRE. THE SHOW WAS MAMMA MIA AND THE GENRE WAS THE JUKE BOX
MUSICAL. A JUKE BOX MUSICAL IS A SHOW THAT USES ALREADY WELL KNOWN
MUSIC OF A SINGLE ARTIST OR A PERIOD AND INTERSPERSES IT WITH AN ORIGINAL
STORY. BEFORE MAMMA MIA THERE HAD BEEN SHOWS THAT USED POPULAR MUSIC
BUT THEY WERE MOSTLY REVUES WITH NO PLOT OR A BIOGRAPHICAL TRIBUTE TO
A SINGLE ARTIST. BUT MAMMA MIA WAS AN ORIGINAL PLOT THAT USED THE MUSIC
OF THE BAND ABBA TO HELP TELL THE STORY.
After MAMMA MIA opened there were
a slew of juke box musicals – some
were successful like JERSEY BOYS and
some were big flops like LENNON or
GOOD VIBRATIONS.
“Every once in a while it’s good
to just forget all the problems and
cares of our daily lives and enjoy
some foot stompin’ music and
laugh ‘til it hurts.”
– Ed Flesch, Artistic Director
One particular juke box musical opened
on Broadway in 2004. It combined the
music of Elvis Presley and the story
telling of William Shakespeare. It had a
short run on Broadway but theatres all
over the country started producing it and
it has become one of the most popular of
all the juke box musicals. And for good
reason. Now The Fireside is presenting
our own brand new production of ALL
SHOOK UP.
laws. But then a motorcycling, guitarplaying, leather-jacketed roustabout
comes to town and changes everything
for the better. The plot is loosely based on
one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and
hilarious comedies TWELFTH NIGHT
and the songs are all pure Elvis!
It’s one of those shows that is just plain
fun and I’m excited to have the chance to
put it on our stage. Every once in a while
it’s good to just forget all the problems
and the cares of our daily lives and enjoy
some foot stompin’ music, and laugh
‘til it hurts. I know you are going to be
thoroughly entertained and delighted by
this feel good musical romp.
ALL SHOOK UP is a fun-filled musical
comedy that takes place in a small town
in the 1950’s. The town is an unhappy
place filled with all sorts of restrictive
P2
ANOTHER
FIRESIDE
PREMIER!
P3
TRACY JESKE, FROM
TEMPORARY HELP TO
COMPANY PRESIDENT
P4
MANAGING THE
FIRESIDE’S BUSY
RESTAURANT
P7
“ELVIS”
IS IN THE
BUILDING!
Hospitality never goes out of style!
ELVIS PRESLEY’S IMMORTAL LEGACY WAS BORN FROM HIS UNMISTAKABLE VOICE, CHARISMATIC
SHOWMANSHIP, AND REVOLUTIONARY FUSION OF COUNTRY, BLUES, GOSPEL, AND R&B MUSIC. HE IS THE
BEST-SELLING SOLO ARTIST IN THE HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC. ELVIS TRULY IS THE KING OF ROCK & ROLL.
WHILE ALL SHOOK UP ISN’T TECHNICALLY ABOUT ELVIS PRESLEY, IS IT ALL ABOUT HIS MUSIC!
musical fantasy that’ll have you jumpin’
tune . . . ALL SHOOK UP . . . is a smashing
out of your blue suede shoes with such
success. It is so much fun.”
classics as ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ ‘Jailhouse
Ryan and I checked out the show at
Rock,’ and ‘Don’t Be Cruel.’”
another theatre last year before selecting
Variety calls it “A bouyantly energetic
it for our 2015 season and we also thought
confection . . . orchestrations breathe
it was a lot of fun.
new life into the original Elvis tunes in
All-American fun that we’re sure you’ll
arrangements
enjoy with a good story and music you
that
swing
between
Clean, wholesome,
Broadway brass and cool contempo-retro
already know and love.
. . . Breezing along for the toe-tapping ride
to offer ALL SHOOK UP as one of four
proves irresistible.”
Fireside premieres this year along with
We’re pleased
THE WIZARD OF OZ, GUYS ON ICE and
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had this to
A WONDERFUL LIFE - The Musical.
say: ”If the purpose of musical theater is to
leave the audience smiling and humming a
As we begin our 51st year I’d like to
thank you again for your support of
ALL SHOOK UP, the jukebox musical by
Joe Dipietro, was inspired by and features
the songs of Elvis Presley.
The press
material from Theatrical Rights Worldwide
says, “Into a square little town in a square
little state rides a guitar-playing roustabout
who changes everything and everyone
he meets in this hip-swiveling, lip-curling
The Fireside throughout the years and
especially last season as we celebrated
our 50th Anniversary. We continue to
strive for excellence in all aspects of
your visit and hope that we will continue
to be “more than you’d ever expect!”
GROUP LEADER PROFILE
“If you love what you do,
you will be successful!”
– Tracy Jeske
Learning
from each other
Gloria Jeske opened Personalized Tours in
1987. Two years later her daughter Tracy,
a recent college graduate with a Liberal
Arts degree and a minor in Sales and
Marketing, left a job because it required
travel which didn’t work well while raising
two young boys. To fill the time as she
looked for another opportunity, Tracy
agreed to help her mother in her travel
company office “temporarily” and ended
up taking over the business 24 years later.
Based out of Waldo, WI, Tracy travels
about 200 days a year, escorting most of
her over-the-road and international tours
and some one-day trips while other escorts
handle most of the day trips and casino
runs. She also plans the tours and runs
the business. On the day we visited with
Tracy, she was with a group in Orlando
on a long weekend where the participants
would get to choose which park to visit
and Tracy would get to do some property
inspections in the area. She can do a
lot of work on the road but also relies on
word of mouth and recommendations from
colleagues in the business to make sure
properties will meet her high standards.
Tracy’s very first escorting trip was to
The Fireside. Her initial reaction was, “I’m
NOT going to get on the bus with people I
don’t know - what will I say to them?” Her
mother convinced her it would be easy, told
her what to expect, and said just be sure to
count them for the ride home. She had a
great time and her next trip was 14 days in
New England. Seems she was something
of a natural at it!
In addition to the travel business which she
owns by herself, Tracy is a partner in the
charter side of the business with her father
and brother. Back in 1999, her brother the
accountant felt they should stop chartering
coaches for the travel business and buy
their own so her Dad, who at the time was
driving for the company they chartered
from came on board and started driving for
them. They’ve added three more coaches
over the years and the newest one is
equipped with WiFi and has power outlets
and USB ports at each seat! The leg room
is better than the airlines and there’s even
a galley in back for serving. Her main
driver is still her Dad.
About 80% of Tracy’s business comes from
the general public. The rest is from area
senior centers that wouldn’t have enough
people on their own to charter a full coach.
Small groups from Hartford, Germantown,
Mequon and Thiensville as well as some
area Red Hat clubs are very loyal. She
also brings groups from her alma mater,
Concordia University.
TRACY
JESKE,
PRESIDENT
OF
PERSONALIZED TOURS, WALDO,
WISCONSIN LEADS TOURS TO THE
FIRESIDE AND AROUND THE GLOBE.
The challenge for today’s travel companies
as Tracy sees it is marketing to the Baby
Boomer. She’s had some success with
Grandparent and Mother/Daughter tours
that gets that 50-something customer on
the coach so they can see just how nice it
is to travel with a group and not have to do
the driving themselves. It’s just as much
about the journey as it is the destination.
What’s the best thing about owning a travel
company? “The people,” Tracy was quick
to reply. “I have a great following. Some of
my customers were guests at my wedding,
I know their grandchildren since they’ve
been traveling with me for 25 years. It’s
like a big family reunion every time we
get together.” She also said it’s never
boring. No two days are the same. While
she admits you’ll “never be a millionaire,”
she’s convinced that if you love what you
do people will want to travel with you and
you will be successful. “It’s a great feeling
at the end of a tour when that last person
gets off the motorcoach and says they had
a great time. That makes it all worth it!”
A year from now Tracy will be leading a
tour to Antarctica. After that she will have
traveled to all seven continents. She
definitely knows what to say to people now
and we’re thrilled that she keeps coming
back to The Fireside!
A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES
Wendy Janecek - From Bus Girl to Restaurant Manager!
years later she’s the Restaurant Manager
the menus and how dinners are described
we all know and love!
on our printed literature.
The would-be
English teacher in her is a big help when it
First hired as a bus girl, she transitioned to
comes to language and proof-reading.
server once she was 18 and continued to
work part time through college both as a
Wendy feels that what sets The Fireside
server and a bartender. Wendy graduated
apart from other dinner theatres or
in December 1992 with degrees in History
restaurants is the way we take care of our
and
Secondary
guests, especially those with special needs.
Education. Teaching jobs were scarce and
Also, the sheer volume of guests served in
business at The Fireside was booming.
a short period of time is something you don’t
She was also planning a January 1993
see anywhere else. “There are many days
wedding to her husband, Jeff whom she
we’re serving 700 people in 2.5 hours,” she
met when they were both on the bus staff
said. “It can get pretty busy on a Saturday
and is now our Bar Manager (more on him
night when everyone’s having a five course
in our next issue) so she didn’t worry about
dinner served upon their arrival and at
finding a teaching job right away.
their pace.
English,
certified
in
From the back end it might
look crazy but from the customer’s end we
As time went on Wendy was promoted to
Assistant Manager and while she kept her
teaching certificate active for several years
once she and Jeff began planning a family
she eventually just set that idea aside.
Restaurant Manager Wendy Janecek is a
familiar face to all of our group leaders, tour
operators, corporate planners, season ticket
holders, regular patrons, and just about
want it to look like everything’s focused just
on them and providing them a memorable
and delicious dining experience.” As Rick
Klopcic taught her, we are in the business
of making memories.
She still does a fair amount of teaching,
training and developing the wait staff to The
When not at work, Wendy enjoys reading,
Fireside’s high standards and promoting
running, camping, and spending time with
some to assistant manager status.
Jeff and their children, ages eight and ten.
everyone who visits The Fireside. She is
This summer they surprised the kids with a
often the friendly face that assigns your
As The Fireside’s Restaurant Manager,
table and at some performances introduces
Wendy is much more than the person
the show which includes recognizing each
who greets you as you enter the dining
group and where they’re from along with
room. She supervises a staff of about 100
naming those guests celebrating birthdays
(including her mother, aunt and two nieces),
and anniversaries with us. She has served
schedules the wait staff and assigns their
The Fireside in this capacity since 2009 but
sections for each shift, coordinates menu
has been here much longer than that.
substitutions between the box office and the
trip to Disney World and made themselves
some wonderful memories there.
kitchen for guests that have special needs
Wendy grew up in Fort Atkinson and
remembers her first visit at the age of eight,
sitting in the front row of the theatre with
her mother and sisters to see FIDDLER
due to diet or allergy concerns, directs the
guest services staff, gives the welcome
speech in the theatre several times a week,
and “puts out fires” as needed.
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of
meeting Wendy, be sure to introduce
yourself next time you’re here. You’ll see
ON THE ROOF. When she was 16, her
sister (who already worked here along
She continues to enjoy the challenges
why her friendly manner, calm demeanor,
with an older brother) brought home an
and really enjoys the other managers she
efficiency and intelligence make this one-
application and said, “Fill this out, you have
works with. “We have a great team,” she
time bus girl a terrific manager for one of
an interview on Saturday.”
remarked.
Wisconsin’s busiest and best restaurants!
Twenty eight
She also enjoys helping with
Inside the
Kitchen
ENTERTAINMENT TIPS & NEWS
with Chef Mike
Happy New Year! When you receive this copy of The
Flame we will be just a few days away from starting our
38th theatre season with our fabulous live band revue
THE SENSATIONAL 70’S on January 8th. The next day
I will be on my way to the ABA Conference in St. Louis,
Missouri and look forward to meeting with many of you.
The featured menu for ALL SHOOK UP
is one of our most popular - Chicken and
Ribs. Everyone raves about how tender
and flavorful our Barbecued Ribs are!
They’re accompanied by our Signature
Salad with the Papaya Chutney Dressing,
our Buttermilk Marinated Fresh Chicken
Breast, Idaho Potato stuffed Broccoli and
Cheese and a Corn Bread Muffin. Now
that’s a 3- course dinner sure to fill you up.
Did you know, however, that if you visit The
Fireside on a Saturday night that you’re
treated to a 5-course dinner? On Saturday
nights we start you off with Appetizers and
Soup before you even get to the Signature
Salad. Really!
For THE SENSATIONAL 70’S - we’re even
getting crazier than that. Using our new
cloverleaf ramekins we’ll be serving three
appetizers with our mini Corn Croustade
Baskets. These little cups are about the
size of your thumb, half an inch tall, tasty
and crisp and ready to fill with a spoonful
of flavor and pop in your mouth. We’ll have
a Cucumber and Cream Cheese Pate,
Traditional Bruschetta with Diced Roma
Tomatoes and Fresh Basil, and Jones
Cherry Wood Smoked Ham and Canadian
Bacon Pate. Each show features a different
appetizer and two choices of soup. Maybe
your group should give Saturday night a
try! Yummm!!
Jackie Brisko
Director of Audience
Development
We are just starting to work on the details for the Annual Group Leader Party so watch
future issues of The Flame for more updates. As always, we are planning some fun with
photos, a wonderful and memorable menu from our incredible chefs and of course some
of the great hits of Elvis Presley, which are highlighted in ALL SHOOK UP. No, Elvis is not
in the show but the story is based around a character who has a striking resemblance to
the King of rock and roll. It’s an award-winning musical comedy that will turn a quiet little
town upside down with hilarious laughs, some romance, great dances and of course some
classic Elvis hits like “Jailhouse Rock,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love”
and many more. It’s a show you won’t want your group(s) to miss so please call Group
Sales if you haven’t already booked. We still have some great seats available.
There’s only a few months until spring and also the start of our 2015 Christian
Concert Series, so keep warm, keep safe, and see you on the road or at The Fireside!
2015 Christian Concerts - Just $35.95 plus tax for our Fish & Chicken Buffet and Concert!
GOLD CITY
May 5 - 6
Executive Chef
As we start the New Year, making plans for travel and
fun, I also know that you are waiting to hear the date
for the 2015 Annual Group Leader Party. I am happy to
announce that it will be Saturday, April 25, the opening
weekend of ALL SHOOK UP, which is what you will be
seeing that day if you qualified to be invited. Remember,
you must have attended at least two shows in 2014 with
41 people on each trip. Many of you did help us celebrate
our 50th Anniversary by bringing your group(s) multiple
times (we had such a great lineup of shows) so we are
hoping many of you will be able to join us.
SOUL’D OUT
QUARTET
THE BROWN
FAMILY
THREE
BRIDGES
June 23 - 24
August 4 - 5
October 6 - 7
GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS
Jean’s Corner of the World
2015
Season
When you receive this it will be 2015 so
If you were not able to
celebrate with us on New
Year’s Eve, I hope you had
a great and a safe time.
Now that the holiday rush
is over, there is still time to
For personal help with
book a February date for
any of your bookings,
call me at 800-4779505 or email jean@
firesidetheatre.com.
You won’t believe how many of
your favorite songs came out of
this wonderful decade unless
you come to see us! Give me
a call for seating options. It can
be the first bright spot of what
has become a very gray winter.
What can I say about THE WIZARD OF OZ except that if you
don’t come to see it you will be missing THE show of the year.
Disappearing witches, dancing munchkins (not the Dunkin
Donuts ones), flying monkeys plus Lions and Tigers and Bears,
oh my - what fun awaits you!
I need your input on an idea. We try to help all our groups find people to join them whenever
possible. What are your thoughts on adding to our website an area to list groups with their
pick up locations for individuals to check? You would submit your group name, contact
information, pick up options and the show(s) you are promoting (with or without dates). We
can refer guests to this website page to discover groups that match their location or show
that interests them. No prices would be given so they cannot comparison shop rather you
would get the call and have the opportunity to add to your count. Please send me your
thoughts to [email protected] or call me at 800-477-9505. Thanks much.
One reminder since Christmas is such a big seller and we have such a special premier
in 2015 of A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE MUSICAL. We have Friday matinee and evening
shows again with some great seating still open. If you know you are going to book, don’t
wait and be disappointed. Everyone loves the movie and is so excited to see it live on stage
with music. You might even need a second bus!
Group Sales Manager
You can find an
order form for
2015 promotional
material on the
“Groups” page of
our web site.
VISIT OUR GIFT SHOPS
Take A Little Bit Of Elvis Home With You!
KNOWN BY HIS FIRST NAME, ELVIS IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES OF TWENTIETH
CENTURY POPULAR CULTURE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ELVIS PRESLEY HAS SOLD OVER ONE BILLION RECORD UNITS
WORLDWIDE, MORE THAN ANYONE IN RECORD INDUSTRY HISTORY! HIS MEMORABILIA REMAINS POPULAR ACROSS ALL
DEMOGRAPHICS AND IS AVAILABLE IN AN INCREDIBLE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS.
•
Puzzles
•
Monopoly
•
Books
•
Mugs
•
Coasters
•
Glassware
•
Music
•
Figurines
•
Mouse Pad
•
Lunch Tins
•
Wall Art
•
And More!
Virtually every rock star from the 1950’s
onward is indebted to Elvis both for his
dance moves and his embodiment of the
rock ‘n’ roll persona. Most historians agree
that no post-World War II figure had a more
profound impact on popular culture than Elvis
did through his albums, concerts, and films.
Elvis still rocks today with a huge fan base.
His name, image, and voice are instantly
recognizable around the globe and he has
inspired a wealth of products bearing his
likeness for fans who want to pay tribute
to the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Chances are
pretty high there’s an Elvis fan in your circle
of friends, too!
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
THE FIRESIDE
THE FIRESIDE, INC.
1131 JANESVILLE AVENUE
P.O. BOX 7
FORT ATKI
I NSO
SO
S
O
ON
N, W
WII 5
53
535
3 38
8
ATKINSON,
53538
JANUARY 2015
SAVE NOW! CALL 800-477-9505
WWW.FIRESIDETHEATRE.COM
Visit early to get
the best discount!
• In addition to the Featured Menu,
ALL SHOOK UP
Featured Menu April 23 - June 7, 2015
Served Wednesday through Saturday Matinees, Saturday Evening and Sunday Midday
try our Sunday Brunch, Thursday
Evening Signature Buffet or five
course dinner on Saturday nights.
• Groups of 18 or more are $65.95
(Sat. Evening $69.95) plus tax.
• Save an additional $3.00 per person
when you book a performance from
April 23 - May 17, 2015.
• Ask about our Incentive plan for
Wednesday & Thursday matinees.
• Arrive at 10:30 a.m. for Matinees,
Signature Salad
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Orange Segment over
Fresh Garden Greens, sprinkled with Sesame Croutons and our famous Papaya
Chutney Dressing.
Freshly Baked Breads from our Artisan Bakery
Chicken and Ribs
Lean Pork Back Ribs glazed with our special Barbecue Sauce, accompanied by
our Buttermilk Marinated Baked Fresh Chicken Breast. Served with a Baked Idaho
Potato stuffed with Steamed Broccoli Buds in a Monterey Jack Cheese Sauce and a
Corn Bread Muffin.
2:30 p.m. for Sunday Midday
and 5:00 p.m. for Thursday and
Saturday Evenings.
• See complete show listings online.
Triple Layer Carrot Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting with House-Made Rum Raisin Ice Cream.
Coffee, Tea and Milk