Vagabond Halfback Stage Play to Open in Green Bay August 5th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 18, 2016
GREEN BAY. WI
Football Stage Play Opens August 5
 
 
The two-act, drama, “The Vagabond Halfback,” opens at Green Bay East High School on Friday, August 5. A full-run of shows is set for that weekend: 7 pm. Friday, August 5; 2 and 7 pm., Saturday, August 6; and 2 pm Sunday, August 7.
Written by Green Bay author and football historian, Denis Gullickson, the play centers on the antics of Packers Hall of Famer Johnny “Blood” McNally. It also tells the story of the 1929-Packers and Blood’s role on the team. In their ninth NFL season that year, the Packers’ took an undefeated record on the road to big cities like Chicago and New York. By season’s end, the Packers had earned the first of their record-13 NFL titles.
 
“It’s the story of life, love and football set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties,” said Gullickson. “It was an exciting time in the U.S. and, certainly, for football and football in Green Bay.”
 
“You’ve got the early NFL, teams joining and disbanding, big city gangsters, breakthroughs on every front including science and technology, Prohibition and speakeasies, flappers, you name it. What’s not to like?” said Gullickson. “Everything was changing.”
 
“Meanwhile,” Gullickson added, “the Packers were barely hanging on — surviving by playing good football and garnering fan support, including stock sales and other financial support from Green Bay residents.”
 
The play is directed by Jim Johnson, a veteran of over thirty plays and musical theater productions, primarily in the Sheboygan area. It is being produced by the newly-formed Green Bay Theatre Company.
 
“This is a compelling play about a compelling character,” said Johnson. “And his important role on the 1929 Packers.”
 
Acting and production team talent comes from several sources in the Northeastern Wisconsin area including other theater groups and the St. Norbert and UWGB theater departments. The lovable gadfly, Johnny Blood, is played by Michael O’Malley, a graduate of the St. Norbert stage.
 
The female lead is played by Rachel Brooks, a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Gullickson’s daughter, who portrays Genevieve Frechette, Johnny Blood’s love interest and intellectual equal.
 
“There’s something here for everyone,” said Brooks. “Fans of local theater, of Green Bay and Packers history, of a great love story, of the Roaring Twenties and the early NFL.”
 
The play includes scenes from 1929-Green Bay including the Northland Hotel and East High School. Replicated in Act II is the Packers' crucial showdown with the New York Giants at the legendary Polo Grounds.
 
Gullickson is available for interviews, as are Johnson and members of the central cast, by calling 920-621-9304 or 920-358-9787.
 
More information is available at “The Vagabond Halfback” on Facebook or at greenbaytheatre.org. Tickets are available by clicking “Purchase Tickets” at the website or at: htttp://greenbaytheatre.seatyourself.biz.
 
 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

__________________________

0 points
 

Comments (2)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

July 24, 2016 at 09:42 am

Al, your post deserves at least one comment. What, no thespians on this board? I hope someone goes to see this and gives a review on CHTV. I'll definitely go when the touring crew makes it up to Northern Idaho.

0 points
0
0
Jess Walterson's picture

November 04, 2016 at 05:52 am

So sorry for missed this! :( Hope The Vagabond Halfback will be back next season

0 points
0
0