BACK IN 2004 WHEN I WROTE OUR FIRST LIVE BAND REVUE – SWING ON A STAR – I NEVER IMAGINED THAT TEN YEARS LATER I’D BE WRITING YET ANOTHER NEW SHOW FOR OUR UPCOMING SEASON. WE TYPICALLY OFFERED SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN OUR USUAL FARE OF BIG BROADWAY MUSICALS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. EVERY NEW KIND OF SHOW WE PUT TOGETHER INCLUDING OUR COUNTRY MUSIC REVUES, OUR IRISH STEP DANCING SHOWS, AND LEGENDS IN CONCERT RAN THEIR COURSE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEN WE MOVED ON TO SOMETHING ELSE. THE LIVE BAND REVUES, HOWEVER, HAVE BEEN SOMETHING SPECIAL!

P2 P3 JEAN BERIGAN, FLAME OF FRIENDSHIP AWARD WINNER P4 JACKIE BRISKO’S

ROAD TO THE FIRESIDE

SEASON | YEAR

Women’s HealthC L I N I C

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

“We’ve celebrated the music of the 40’s, the 50’s, and the 60’s. Now it’s time to pay tribute to one of the most eclectic musical decades of all – 1970’s!” – Ed Flesch, Artistic Director

SEPTEMBER 2014

2015 CHRISTIAN CONCERTS ON SALE NOW! P7 STYLISH

KITCHENFUN

Celebrating the Truly Sensational 70’s!

From the first notes of SWING ON A STAR audiences fell in love with the big, bright, vibrant sound of our eight piece band and that love affair has continued to this day. We’ve celebrated the music of the 40’s, the 50’s, and the 60’s. Now it’s time to pay tribute to one of the most eclectic musical decades of all – the 1970’s. As with most of our band revues the hardest part for me is figuring out what not to put in the show. Usually the first draft of any band show is about four hours long!! Then I start the painstaking task of winnowing it down to just over two great hours of entertainment. We are cutting and tightening and changing the show right up to the opening performance and as we get down to the wire each song that I cut is like giving up a beloved child to me.

Again I am faced with an enormous amount of great music to choose from. The cutting begins. I can’t say just yet

what will have to go but I can tell you some of the things that will definitely be in the show. We’ll feature hits from such bands as Led Zeppelin; Fleetwood Mac; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Creedence Clearwater Revival; and Queen. We’ll visit the Disco era with such artists as the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and the Village People. We’ll be listening to the music of Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, ABBA, John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Don McLean, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, and the great Jim Croce. That’s just some of the things you’ll see and hear in 2015’s spectacular new live band revue.

Well, time to get working. Songs to choose, arrangements to be written, a script to write. When it’s all done we’ll have a show that sparkles and shines – just waiting for you to fall in love once again with our great band revues!

While we are of course best known for our Broadway shows and original revues, our Christian Concert series is another way that groups of all sizes can enjoy The Fireside Experience. For each event we offer a Tuesday matinee with evening concerts on Tuesday and Wednesday. The menu features our award-winning Fish Fry along with Baked Chicken and all the fixings. It’s an economical package priced at just $35.95 per person.

For 2015, Gold City will kick things off on May 5 - 6. This group has delivered a fantastic concert experience for over 30 years. They have produced over 49 hit songs and more than 40 recordings which have earned them numerous awards.

Soul’d Out Quartet is up next on June 23 - 24. This is a young, e n e r g e t i c g r o u p

that offers everything from hymns to progressive gospel with a great balance of enertainment and ministry that appeals to all ages. They are great disciples and you’re going to love their sound!

Another returning favorite is The Brown Family, performing August 4 - 5. From singing over 30 shows at the Americana Theatre in Branson to Dollywood stages and on board Royal Caribbean and

Carnival cruises, this award winning family will inspire you with their close-knit family harmony and talent. They have received the prestigious honor of Top 10 Mixed Group of the Year four years in a row!

Finishing up the series on October 6 - 7 will be Three Bridges. They have their roots in both traditional gospel and black gospel and their b lended style has m a d e t h e m one of the most prominent internationally acclaimed Gospel groups in Christian music today.

Planning each season’s Christian Concerts is a true joy for me as we’re able to use The Fireside to share our faith with others. We’d love to have you fit one of these events into your tour schedule for 2015!

IN OUR LAST ISSUE WE WERE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE 2015 SEASON SHOWCASING SOME GREAT NEW BROADWAY HITS AND THE RETURN OF ONE OF ITS BEST IN WEST SIDE STORY. THIS TIME, I’M PLEASED TO SHARE OUR LINE-UP FOR OUR CHRISTIAN CONCERT SERIES BRINGING YOU SOME OF THE BEST GOSPEL MUSIC GROUPS IN THE BUSINESS!

Hospitality never goes out of style!

JEAN BERIGAN HAS BEEN LEADING TRIPS TO THE FIRESIDE FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS THROUGH OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE PARISH IN MADISON, WI.

Jean Berigan has lived in Madison her whole life and even though she and her husband, Skip are retired now, they certainly aren’t sitting around with nothing to do! They met while attending Edgewood High School and have had nine grandchildren go through the school as well. She worked for the University of Wisconsin in Library and Information Studies for 20 years and is an avid Badger fan. These days she and Skip volunteer for the University Medical and Pharmaceutical Schools as “pretend” patients so the students can hone things like bedside manner and diagnostic skills. They also care for grandchildren and volunteer their time planning motorcoach tours to The Fireside.

Our Lady Queen of Peace has a long standing tradition of trips to The Fireside since we opened the theatre in 1978. Jean and a friend took over around in the late 1990’s and then she’s been doing it on her own for the last 15 years. We’re honored to be the only tour they offer through the church as part of their Community Enrichment program. While all of the payments are funneled through the church Jean takes care of booking, promoting and escorting the trips. She’s very organized and doesn’t sign anyone up without having their payment but is pretty consistently able to fill a coach with guests from her

own parish and other churches throughout Madison. Information is shared through church bulletins and word of mouth, costing nothing in advertising costs. She does send out a confirmation postcard to each guest reminding them of the pick up and return times as well as the menu so that any accomodations that need to be made for menu substitutions can be taken care of in advance. They offer two pick-up spots, first at the church on Madison’s west side and again at a park and ride on the east side of the city.

“I keep doing it because it’s such a good time,” remarked Jean of her Fireside trips. “Everyone has a wonderful day. They love the food and the shows are always great. Even though Madison’s not that far, it’s easier than driving down themselves. Plus they have fun talking all the way here and just having a day out. They’ve all met new friends on our trips and have fun seeing the shows together. I’ve also seen a lot more couples coming together which is nice. Usually I skip one of the seven shows but for 2015 I’m going to try them all. Last year I didn’t book for the first show because I have a lot of snow birds that leave town in the winter but then other people were disappointed because they love those live band shows - so this year we’ll be coming for THE SENSATIONAL 70’S for sure.”

Jean’s getting a good response for the upcoming trip to LES MISÉRABLES. Many of her travelers saw it when the National Tour came through Madison and are looking forward to seeing it again.

On Saturday, May 17th Jean was honored at The Fireside’s 21st Annual Flame of Friendship Awards Gala with her very own Flame of Friendship Award. Here she is with Skip in the souvenir photo booth! “She is just such a great e x a m p l e of a group leader that knows how to run a successful program,” n o t e d Jean Flynn about having helped select her for this year’s award. “She does it for the fun of it and everyone loves traveling with her.”

“I really don’t have to work that hard,” the very surprised honoree remarked. “I sort of feel like it’s a treat for myself, actually. Skip helps me with proofreading and other things, and I travel with such nice people. We always have a fabulous time!”

“I feel like it’s a treat for myself, actually!” – Jean Berigan

GROUP LEADER PROFILE

Learningfrom each other

A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES

The Fireside’s Director of Audience Development, Jackie Brisko, is a Wisconsin girl through and through. Born and raised in Racine with a Communication degree from UW Parkside, she has spent her entire career gathering skills and experience that would prepare her being The Fireside’s chief ambassador in the motorcoach and tourism industry.

From her first part time after-school job with JCPenney that led to a position as a store and window designer, to her dozens of years both taking and teaching dance Jackie has developed a deep appreciation for creativity and the arts. As you’ll read in her own column on the opposite page, the 1970’s were a pivotal decade for her. She’s really looking forward to THE SENSATIONAL 70’S in January which should bring back some great memories!

Jackie spent the 1980’s with Shopko, another Wisconsin company, supervising the cashiers and customer service staff that went as high as 90 people during the holiday seasons. From there she moved to All Saints Healthcare in Racine where she spent most of the 90’s in Public Relations, Marketing and Development for them. It

was at All Saints where as a member of the Recreation Committee that she began bringing employees to The Fireside on motorcoach tours. (She’s pictured at left with our Patsy Cline from the 2000 Group Leader Gala when she was a grand prize winner!) Jackie had traveled with her mother to see shows with a motorcoach group from Racine and knew what a great outing it was. Given her love of theatre and dance it was a logical choice to share it with others. She had also crossed paths with former Fireside Sales Director, June Brandow, at GLAMER SHOWS while representing All Saints’ “Christmas for Cancer” event. More “roads” leading her to The Fireside!

In January of 2000, Jackie accepted the position of Group Sales Manager and Volunteer Coordinator with the Racine Convention & Visitors Bureau, now known as Real Racine. For the next five years she promoted Racine and their top attractions such as the SC Johnson Wax Company tours and Fred Hermes’ Basement Bijou along with other top state attractions such as The Fireside, in order to encourage out of state tours to visit Wisconsin. Here she crossed paths again with June as well as Jean Flynn who was at that time with the Wisconsin Dells Visitors Bureau.

Then in April 2005, with her experience in the arts, management, customer service, event planning, tour planning, state-wide tourism, and group sales, Jackie was a natural choice when June Brandow went looking for someone to succeed her when she retired. Jackie was honored to join The Fireside’s management team. She was already a fan and knew that the quality of The Fireside experience would make it something she was proud to promote.

“I love representing The Fireside,” said Jackie, “where I can live by our philosophy every day - that people will come to where they are invited and will return to where they have been made to feel welcome. Especially when I am on the road, I’m inviting new tour operators, group leaders, and bank travel professionals to experience The Fireside. I know that once they’re here our entire staff will make them feel welcome. It’s so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces as they’re leaving and telling us their day was wonderful and they can’t wait to return. I’ve met so many wonderful people. I also have the best staff I could ever ask for -- they’re supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Jackie is also involved with tourism at the county level and with Circle Wisconsin. Our state’s overall tourism theme is “fun” which is great, because that’s what all tour leaders are looking for and what The Fireside offers! Some of her favorite Fireside shows include MARY POPPINS, CINDERELLA, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SCROOGE and our live band revues. “Ed Flesch just creates such magic on stage with every show,” Jackie said. “We’re here to make your entire visit from reservations through dining and shopping be just as magical!”

For Jackie Brisko, all roads lead to The Fireside!

ENTERTAINMENT TIPS & NEWS

When starting to write this issue’s Flame article to share with you some of the details of THE SENSATIONAL 70’S Live Band Revue from January 8 - February 22, it started me thinking about that decade and what wonderful events occurred in my life that helped define, guide and shape me during my life’s journey. I started out that decade graduating from high school in June of 1970, where I was the secretary of my class, with over 350 fellow graduates. In 1971, I was crowned Miss Racine, WI (Miss America affiliated) where my talent was tap dancing (dancing was a part of my life for over 30 years) and which brought on a year of unbelievable experiences. In November 1974, I was married and in April 1976, America’s Bicentennial, my daughter, Tracie, was born. For years I called her my Bicentennial Baby! Along with these great memories, as a dance instructor, the music of the 70’s (and other decades, too) was and has always been a part of my life.

with Chef Mike

Inside theKitchen

Every delicious dinner we serve at The Fireside begins with careful planning. As we prepare for thousands of guests each week, our goal is for every meal we serve to be part of a memorable dining experience.

Right now we’re putting the finishing touches on all of our 2015 menus. It’s a long process that includes reviewing feedback from our guests, research on food trends and price forecasts, availability of seasonal products, recipe development and of course the best part -- the taste testing. Then it’s on to careful crafting of the descriptions so you’ll know what to expect.

For THE SENSATIONAL 70’S, we’re pleased to introduce a new entrée to our repertoire - a Pacific Rim Pork Loin. This is a center cut pork loin that will be lightly marinated in a Polynesian Sauce, then flame marked on the grill before braising until tender and presented on a bed of Blended Wild Rice and Macadamia Nuts. It promises to be a tender and flavorful entrée I’m sure you’ll enjoy, served with Fresh Asparagus Spears and a Shiitake Mushroom Carrot Flan. Together with our Chopped Chef’s Salad with Pepper Cream Dressing and a nice slice of Georgia Pecan Pie we think this could be one of your favorite Fireside dinners. Yummm!!

Executive Chef

Jackie Brisko Director of Audience Development

Some of my favorite groups from the 70’s were Chicago, Neil Diamond (who I saw live in concert), the Bee Gees, Donna Summer (taught disco classes to her music), ABBA, and the Jackson Five just to name a few. It looks like some of these artists’ songs are going to be represented in THE SENSATIONAL 70’S. I can’t wait to see what great songs, dances, comedy and wonderful memories of the 70’s Ed has in store for us. I know it will be fantastic, or as we have stated in our promotional material, an explosive musical celebration!

As much fun as THE SENSATIONAL 70’S is going to be, before we move to the 2015 Season, RING IN THE NEW, our 2014 New Year’s Eve show is now on sale. It will feature our live band, your favorite Fireside band leader, Steve Watts, and our artistic director, Ed Flesch. It will be a fun, lively and great way to bring in 2015. We have two shows, the Matinee where you arrive at noon, dine at 12:30 p.m. and see the show at 2:30 p.m. The show will be getting out at 4:45 p.m. so it is a great way to bring in the New Year a few hours early! If you want to bring in the New Year at midnight, we have the evening show where you arrive at 6 p.m., dine at 6:30 p.m. with the show at 8:45 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. There will be a party after the show in our lounge so all can bring in 2015! We are offering a variety of meal choices with great group rates and have some terrific seats still available so give Group Sales a call and get all the details to party in the New Year!

Don’t forget that we still have two great shows yet this year to round out our 50th Anniversary - LES MISÉRABLES and A FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS. So again, if you haven’t booked either of these shows and want to help us celebrate our 50 years, give Group Sales a call.

See you at The Fireside.

Jean’s Corner of the World

GROUP TRAVEL TIPS & NEWS

For personal help with any of your bookings, call me at 800-477-9505 or email jean@firesidetheatre.com.

Here’s to the 1970’s - a great decade!

For me personally it was the beginning of my travel years. Within this decade I traveled for a month with my parents through Cape Cod, then continued to explore the coast north to Maine. My second escapade was spending the summer in Madrid attending La Escuela Diplomatica and exploring southern Spain, even venturing into Morocco. The decade ended with a semester abroad in London including a month long motorcoach adventure with fellow students through Europe added to many weekends of “unauthorized” hitchhiking trips to Ireland and Scotland. I had a lovely English accent when I returned home.

Group Sales Manager

Jackie mentioned New Year’s Eve, which is another great chance to enjoy our live band and everyone’s favorite band leader, Mr. Steve Watts! You can celebrate at the matinee in style and still be home in time to see the New Year’s Eve Ball drop in Times Square. We can even offer group leader comps for the matinee. Think about it, seriously. You’ll have a great time and you’ll be glad you got out to enjoy the New Year celebration. It’ll make you feel 10 years younger!

New for 2014 and 2015: Friday performances are back with both matinees and evening shows in December. Bring your regular group or create a new group from work, the card club, book club, or your whole family to join us for a grand Friday Night December Party! You can offer our award-winning Friday Night Fish Fry AND the show meal. Call me soon while there are still good seats available!

I cannot wait to see THE SENSATIONAL 70’S and have all those great songs send me down memory lane reliving my adventures! Nothing brings back great memories like music . . . make sure you call now if you have not already booked! This show is one not to miss! Don’t let the thought of a little snow scare you. With the crazy weather we have been having it may be 80’s and warmer than Florida in January 2015, who knows!

You can find an order form for 2015 promotional material on the “Groups” page of our web site.

2015Season

THE KITCHEN REALLY IS THE HEART OF THE HOME, AND SINCE WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME THERE WE SHOULD TRY TO MAKE IT FUN. CHARLES VIANCIN’S SILICONE LIDS, BROWNLOW GIFTS’ SPATULAS AND ALL THE ADORABLE UTENSILS FROM BOSTON WAREHOUSE CAN HELP YOU DO JUST THAT. WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU MAKE SOME TASTY TREATS!

Useful, Practical, and Stylish Kitchen Fun!

VISIT OUR GIFT SHOPS

Gooseberry Patch was started in 1992 by two next door neighbors and stay-at-home moms who loved to share both recipes and conversation. Their popular cookbooks offer mealtime solutions and kitchen inspiration with today’s families in mind. Each one is filled with budget friendly recipes your family is sure to enjoy!

Silicone is IT in kitchenware these days. Everything from spatulas, scrub brushes, whisks and tongs to the Charles Viancin decorative lids that can keep your coffee warm, cover your bowl on the

picnic table, stop your pot from boiling over, and even cover your casserole in the oven. Eco-friendly since you’re

not wasting plastic wrap, they’re both good for the environment and beautiful. Plus, they really do seal tightly enough to be picked up by the lid and don’t get too hot to

handle. They also have collanders, coasters, trivets, wine stoppers, and grips to handle hot dishes from the microwave.

Wind & Willow is a family owned business that has created a line of products that are delicious, easy to prepare, and fun to share. Their hot and cold

appetizers, hearty soups, baked goods and even desserts can all be made with very little effort, yet will look and taste like you spent all day in the kitchen. They’re perfect for when you

have to feed a crowd or even when you don’t, since the soups are now available in single serving packages!

SAVE NOW! CALL 800-477-9505 WWW.FIRESIDETHEATRE.COM

Visit early to get the best discount!

THE SENSATIONAL 70’SFeatured Menu January 8 - February 22, 2015

Served Wednesday through Saturday Matinees, Saturday Evening and Sunday Midday

Chopped Chef’s SaladFinely diced Radicchio, Belgium Endive, Frisee and Iceberg Lettuce, Hard-boiled Egg, Red Onion, Grape Tomato, Avocado, Cucumber, Jones Hickory Smoked Bacon Chips

and Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese topped with The Fireside’s Pepper Cream Dressing and Crisp Tortilla Ribbons.

Freshly Baked Breads from The Fireside Ovens

Pacific Rim Pork LoinDelicately marinated, lightly grilled, braised and presented with our Signature Polynesian

Sauce on a bed of Blended Wild Rice and Sautéed Fresh Golden Pineapple. Served with Fresh Asparagus Spears and a Shiitake Mushroom Carrot Flan.

Georgia Pecan PieRich, flavorful Custard with Fresh Pecans in a flaky crust, garnished with Fresh Whipped

Cream and Myers Rum Caramel Sauce.

Coffee, Tea and Milk

THE FIRESIDE, INC.1131 JANESVILLE AVENUEP.O. BOX 7FORT ATKINSON, WI 53538 SEPTEMBER 2014

PRSRT STDPRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPAIDTHE FIRESIDETHE FIRESIDE

THE FIRESIDE, INC.1131 JANESVILLE AVENUEP.O. BOX 7FORT ATKIINSONSONSOSOOSOSSONN,NN,NN, WWIWIWWIW 5355353535355335 3838883838

• In addition to the Featured Menu, 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 January 8 - February 1, 2015.

• Ask about our New Incentives for Wednesday & Thursday matinees.

• Arrive at 10:30 a.m. for Matinees, 2:30 p.m. for Sunday Midday and 5:00 p.m. for Thursday and Saturday Evenings.

• See complete show listings online.