Platte River Bard Podcast

We had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Kathman (Director) and Carter Fangmeyer (Assistant Director) about what makes "Punk Rock Romeo & Juliet" a production you must go see! 

This is an ecclectic and bold reinterpretation of Romeo & Juliet.  Set to the memorable energies of 1970s and ’80s punk rock, you can expect to see a fun reimagination of this classic play.

The historic Wyuka Stables, with its courtyard-style indoor/outdoor layout, will transport you into a charming Elizabethan-like amphitheater.  

Find out more about this unique production here!  

FLATWATER SHAKESPEARE COMPANY:

Tickets and Information:  www.flatwatershakespeare.org

Wyuka Stables, 3600 O Street, Lincoln NE

We sat down with Nicholas Jansen, President of the Board for Omaha Fringe Festival, to bring you the full lowdown on all 20 amazing performances at this year’s festival—running August 7–10, 2025! Featuring talent from dances to one-person plays, as well as puppets and musicals, every show is bursting with creativity!

This year, the Fringe expands across three iconic venues:

UNO Theatre (Mainstage & Studio 006)

Blackstone Theatre

Shelterbelt Theatre 

It’s easy to join the fun! Purchase your button ($5) and individual show tickets ($15 each), or go all in with the All Fringe Pass ($80)—granting access to every show (and more repeats if you want)! Buttons are required for entry and go directly to the Omaha Fringe Festival for operating costs.  All button art is created by local artists and chosen via an annual contest.

OMAHA FRINGE FESTIVAL CONTACT INFO:

Tickets and Website:  www.omahafringe.org 

We had the pleasure of speaking with the new Directorial team – VJ Orduña, the Artistic Director, and Brandon Box-Hidgem, the Assistant Artistic Director. Together, they’re bringing new passion, innovation, and a bold vision for the Omaha Community Playhouse!

Get to know VJ and Brandon, learn about their creative journey, and get a sneak peek at what's coming up in the 2025-2026 season. First up: The River Bride (Aug. 15–Sept. 14) and Grease (Sept. 12–Oct. 12)!

We’re thrilled to spotlight Coffee Tonk, a brand-new production inspired by the music of singer-songwriter Ben Danaher. This original play makes its premiere at the Omaha Fringe Festival this August at the Shelterbelt Theatre.

On today’s podcast, we welcome several incredible guests from the Coffee Tonk team: Jill Engelstad, the playwright; Steve Hydeen, the director of Coffee Tonk and Program Director & Chief Admin Director of the 402 Arts Collective; Brigette Chizek, who plays dual roles as singer Jonelle and bar owner Olivia; and Mark Drendt, who portrays the lead character, Daniel West.

This production is truly a collaborative effort. The 402 Arts Collective provided the acting talent, and the River City Shakers bring energy and movement through dance. The Great Plains Theatre Commons supported playwright Jill Engelstad in developing the script. And, of course, the Omaha Fringe Festival and Shelterbelt Theatre provide the platform and venue to bring it all to life.

All Omaha-based. All incredible creatives. All working together to tell new and meaningful stories.

Tune in to the podcast to hear behind-the-scenes insights and enjoy a taste of Ben Danaher’s inspiring music featured in Coffee Tonk.

The Omaha Fringe Festival runs August 8–10, 2025, featuring 20 original productions, each no longer than one hour. Performances will take place at three venues: Shelterbelt Theatre, two stages at the UNO Theatre, and the Blackstone Theater.

Don’t miss this celebration of new work, local artistry, and collaborative storytelling!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

402 Arts Collective:  https://402artscollective.org/ 

Ben Danaher: www.BenDanaher.com 

Omaha Fringe Festival: https://www.omahafringe.org/ 

RIver City Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/p/River-City-Shakers-100064757254152/ 

Coffee Tonk at the Omaha Fringe Festival Page: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeTonkFringeFestival 

We had an awesome time chatting with Carly Frolio and Nick Knipe — the two stars playing the love-struck small-town girl and city boy in the upcoming production of Rock of Ages! And we also spoke to their Director, Jeff Garst.  This is a high-energy, nostalgic 80's musical, with comedy, romance, totally rad costumes, big hair, as well as all the 80's hits! 

"Rock of Ages" premiered in 2005 in LA and Las Vegas 2006.  It then went Off-Broadway in 2008, and finally premiered on Broadway in 2009 until 2015.  In 2012 it also became a musical.  Book was written by Chris D'Arienzo.

RALSTON COMMUNITY THEATRE

Tickets and Website: https://ralstoncommunitytheatre.org/

Venue will be located at:  Stocks n Bonds, 8528 Park Dr, Omaha, Nebraska 68127

What happens when a roller coaster derails and high school kids are killed in the crash, only to make their case to a fortune teller for the chance to be raised from the dead?

This musical, "Ride the Cyclone", is full of unexpected twists and turns, with dark humor, and even some heart.  

"Ride the Cyclone" runs at SNAP! Productions Ghost Light Theatre for this unforgettable ride - July 11-27th.

Music, book, and lyrics were by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. "Ride the Cyclone" made it's world premiere in 2008 in British Columbia.  It's American Premiere took place in 2015 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.  It opened Off-Broadway in 2015 and the musicalt will make it's European debut in November 2025.

There are so many wonderful summer musicals to attend this summer, and be sure to add this little gem to your list!  Mills Masquers presents "Unexpected Joy", a musical with lots of harmony, soul, and comedy.  We meet four family members who are in different places in life, and they all come together for a memorial service.  This family has had lots of tension over the years, and suddenly they find a path to acceptance, where before they found conflict.

We spoke to Director, Ryan Fuller and Actor, Kristen Binder about this lovely little production in Glenwood IA.  Get your tickets now and enjoy the harmonies of pop, folk, rock and blues in this sweet little theatre.

"Unexpected Joy" is a Concord Theatrical Production.  Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell.  Music by Janet Hood. The World Premiere happened in 2016, and then it premiered off-Broadway in 2018.

CONTACT INFO:

Tickets and Website:  www.millsmasquers.com

Address:  56542 221st, Glenwood, IA 51534

Angels Theatre Company is proud to present the 10th Annual First Flight Festival, soaring onto the stage July 17–27!

We spoke with Interim Artistic Director at Angels, Jamie Bullins, along with playwrights David Chapelle and Adrien Loehring (who also is a Composer), and they couldn’t be more excited to showcase this year’s lineup. First Flight features an eclectic mix of new short plays, monologues, and even a musical, all written by members of the Angels Playwriting Collective. Each piece runs around 10 minutes—short, sharp, and unforgettable.

Catch every show in just two unique Flights—but don’t wait! Tickets sell out fast for this one-of-a-kind celebration of local voices and bold new work.

Get your tickets today, and then buckle in for Angels Theatre Company’s signature flights!

ANGELS THEATRE COMPANY:

Tickets & Website:  https://angelscompany.org/ 

First Flight will be presented at UNL's Studio Theatre, 1st floor of the Temple Building, 12th & R Streets in Lincoln, NE.

We are back for our 5th Summer with the Brownville Village Theatre and their 58th Season! There's so much to share that you won't want to miss this podcast.  We discuss their five shows of the summer - plus a world premiere of the play "For the Protection of Girls" written by Rachel Curtiss, Artistic Director at Brownville Village Theatre.  And there's more - flex tickets, talk backs, BVT Young Performers, and more!  We were fortunate to talk with Jack Danter and Rachel Grossman again, as well as Artistic Directors Mitch Bean and Rachel Curtiss, plus two new Company Members, Caleb Martinez and Abigail Martin.

BROWNVILLE VILLAGE THEATRE CONTACT INFO:

Website: http://www.brownvillevillagetheatre.com/home.html 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BVT1967/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bvt1967 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownvillevillagetheatre/ 

Brownville Village Theatre, 222 Water Street, Brownville, NE

402.825.4121

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It's going to be a Shrek-tastic Summer at Elkhorn Community Theatre!

What’s summer without a fun musical full of magic, music, and a whole lot of ogre-sized fun?

Get ready for laughs, love, and larger-than-life characters as Elkhorn Community Theatre proudly presents Shrek the Musical! With a cast of 64 talented performers, this family-friendly production promises to lift your spirits and steal your heart.

We had the chance to catch up with Co-Directors Jessica Pulte and Jack O'Connell, along with stars: John Celesky as the lovable Shrek, Hunter Sieckmeyer as the comically villainous Lord Farquaad, and Elliot Brummond as the hilarious Donkey!

Whether you're young, young-at-heart, or just a big fan of fairy tales with a twist, come join us for an unforgettable musical adventure. Don’t miss your chance to experience this Shrek-tacular show!

Grab your tickets now and let your summer start with a roar!

Shrek the Musical is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori, Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. It is based on the 2001 DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, along with elements of its sequels: Shrek 2, Shrek Forever After and William Steig's 1990 book Shrek.  The original Broadway production opened in December 2008 and ran until January 2010. It toured from 2010 to 2013.  It had several nominations and wins for a Tony, Drama Desk Award, as well as the Tony and Laurence Oliver Award.

ELKHORN COMMUNITY THEATRE CONTACT INFO

Website and Tickets:  https://elkhorncommunitytheatre.org/

ASL Performance:  June 29th at 2pm

Performance Dates: June 20-22 & 27-29

Summer Camp for Kids Grade 3 through 8 - Performance of Shrek for Kids, (free) June 27th.

Elkhorn South High School, 20303 Blue Sage Pkwy, Omaha, NE