She Magazine

Fort Atkinson’s Fireside Theatre

Most people visit The Fireside Dinner Theatre for the dining and performances, but there's shopping, too.

Dinner and a show

Published:

Story and photos by Kathleen Troher

Sometimes we overlook the treasures in our own backyard. That’s how I feel about The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson.

I’ll admit I lived in southeastern Wisconsin for 16 years and I never visited the Fireside, not until early January, that is. I attended a Sunday matinee, which means the performance was preceded by a buffet brunch. Here’s the deal at the Fireside: you can’t see a performance unless you also eat a meal (brunch or dinner) before the performance begins. You can, however, eat dinner on Friday or Saturday evenings (and sometimes on Thursday and Sunday, too) without attending a performance, but the combination is so great I don’t see why anyone would want to skip the performance.

The one I saw was “Those Fabulous Fifties Part 2,” which runs until Feb. 22. It was, well, fabulous. It’s a sequel to the Fireside’s most popular musical review, and I can see why it’s so well liked. The seven-piece band is top-notch, and the eight singers/dancers were among the most energetic I’ve ever seen. Although I wasn’t born until the ’60s, every tune was a familiar one, including “The Twist,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” and a sizzling rendition of “Fever.”

Perhaps the best number in the first half was “Tutti Frutti,” which started with a version by a performer imitating Pat Boone. He was only moments into the song when another performer took the stage to explain that although Boone did indeed record the song, it was Little Richard who made it famous. Then this second performer belted out a dynamic version that rivaled Little Richard’s. There was another surprise in this number, this one came from the keyboard player. Trust me, you’ll be impressed.

So even if you didn’t grow up in the ’50s, you’ll love this musical review. And if these songs are from your younger years, don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying, just like the man next to me said numerous times to his wife, “That brings back memories.”

As for the brunch, the food was outstanding. The corned beef, sliced by a chef per your request, eggs Benedict and salmon deserve special mention because they were so flavorful. There was a nice mix of breakfast items (French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon) and lunch fare (mixed vegetables, beef tenderloin with noodles and chicken breast tempura). Food temperatures were perfect, something that’s not always easy to accomplish for a buffet, and attendants were vigilant about replacing pans just as the last morsels in them were scooped up.

Although you’re permitted to return to the buffet tables as often as you like, be sure to save room for the lemon custard ice cream pie the waitress brings to your table for dessert. It’s served with strawberry sauce and a dollop of whipped topping.

In addition to the performance and the dining experience, the Fireside has a wide variety of shopping opportunities. There are five specialty shops, each carrying accessories for your home, some clothing, stationery, jewelry and the like.

At Fanfare shop you’ll find all sorts of entertainment memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz,” “I Love Lucy” and the Beatles. At The Show Place shop you can pick up Badgers and Green Bay Packers merchandise, in addition to items featuring John Wayne, golf and animals.

If you tire of shopping and have time to kill before your meal begins, stop in the lounge for a drink. They serve some tasty cocktails, including non-alcoholic ones.

Seats in the theater are comfortable, and there’s plenty of legroom. It’s intimate enough that just about every seat looks like a good one. It’s a theater-in-the-round with a square stage surrounded by five rows of main floor seating on two sides, nine rows of main floor seating on two sides and two rows of balcony seating on all four sides.

The theater is separate from the dining areas, and no drinks or food are allowed in the theater.

The cost for the brunch buffet and matinee I attended was $63.95 per person, plus a $5 order charge. Gratuity is not included.

The base price for a dining/performance package ranges from $63.95 to $69.95 depending on day and time.

“Those Fabulous Fifties Part 2” ends its run on Feb. 22. That’s followed by “The Fantasticks” from Feb. 26 through April 19, and then Disney High School Musical from April 23 through July 5. “The Witnesses Seeing is Believing” hits the stage from July 9 through Aug. 23, with “The Sound of Music” running Aug. 27 through Nov. 1. The 2009 season ends with “The Miracle on 34th Street Musical Here’s Love” from Nov. 5 through Dec. 27.

Directions:

Take Highway 50 west to Highway 12. Take Highway 12 northwest for roughly 35 miles, until you reach Hackbarth Street. Turn left and drive to Janesville Avenue. Turn right to the Fireside, which will be on your right.

For more information: Call 1-800-477-9505 or 920-563-9505, or go to www.firesidetheatre.com.